Chapter 100: A Pair of Fools
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Chapter 100: A Pair of Fools
A Pair of Fools
More than once during the next day, Martel returned to his room solely to check on his hoard. Leaving it in his room, even under lock, made him uncomfortable. He had never seen this much silver in one place, let alone had ownership of it. He did not even have a purse big enough to hold it all. He would have to buy a big one just so he could transport it all to Shadi. Not a problem, seeing as he could easily afford it.
~
As the day waned, he once again went to the copper lanes with his friend, both of them dressed for the part as before. Like yesterday, Maximilian led them down new paths to reach yet another lair of cards, cubes, and coin.
"This is the bigger place, more silver at stake. I figured we would practice on the smaller places first before taking this on. With a little luck, ha, we will earn all we need tonight."
Considering that Martel only needed eleven silver pieces, he considered that a certainty. In fact, they might not even need a full hour like the other nights, but could leave sooner.
From the outside, the establishment already looked bigger than the ordinary houses surrounding it; once inside, Martel could see further differences from the other places. Besides being just a larger space for gambling, it had many doors leading either to rooms or deeper into the complex. Twice as many people filled the room, and more walked up the stairs to a second floor.
Soon, their scheme proceeded as it had the other nights. Maximilian played dice, being boisterous and generally attracting attention. He cheered his wins without being obnoxious about it and grumbled about his losses without whining. He drank happily one tankard after the other, even buying for his opponent if said player proved to have bad luck. Meanwhile, Martel played the role of the servant, fetching drink for his master and otherwise staying in the background, barely noticed by any.
"Nonsense!" Maximilian got on his feet while stuffing his winnings into pockets and purses. The colour of his face suggested he had been drinking a little more than just for show. "Lead the way."
As the lady began walking away, Martel leaned in to whisper at his friend. "We have enough!"
"You may have, but I do not." The young nobleman pushed his way past Martel and followed the woman. Left behind, not knowing what else to do, Martel finally trudged after them.
They went up the stairs and down a hallway into the complex. Martel had no sense of where they were exactly, becoming confused in the almost labyrinthine layout of the building.
At length, the woman opened the door and stepped inside. As they followed, Martel saw what appeared to be a study of some sort. A desk stood opposite the entrance with two chairs in front and one behind. Besides that, a drawer in one corner and a chest in the other could be seen, but this was clearly not a place for gambling.
Evidently, Maximilian had reached the same conclusion. "What is this?" he growled. His right hand crossed over to rest of the pommel of his dagger.
Their guide moved around to stand behind the desk, looking at them. She gave them a smile that felt anything but reassuring. "I am Mistress Kerra, the proprietress of this establishment."
Behind them, two men entered to stand by the door. Martel noticed that one of them had brass knuckles on both of his hands, while the others had several daggers with a red-yellow glint to them stuck inside his belt.
Kerra spoke again. "Forgive me the subterfuge, but I thought it best we spoke under more private circumstances, and this seemed the easiest way to get you here. You see, I am aware that you are mages."
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Chapter 100: A Pair of Fools
A Pair of Fools
More than once during the next day, Martel returned to his room solely to check on his hoard. Leaving it in his room, even under lock, made him uncomfortable. He had never seen this much silver in one place, let alone had ownership of it. He did not even have a purse big enough to hold it all. He would have to buy a big one just so he could transport it all to Shadi. Not a problem, seeing as he could easily afford it.
~
As the day waned, he once again went to the copper lanes with his friend, both of them dressed for the part as before. Like yesterday, Maximilian led them down new paths to reach yet another lair of cards, cubes, and coin.
"This is the bigger place, more silver at stake. I figured we would practice on the smaller places first before taking this on. With a little luck, ha, we will earn all we need tonight."
Considering that Martel only needed eleven silver pieces, he considered that a certainty. In fact, they might not even need a full hour like the other nights, but could leave sooner.
From the outside, the establishment already looked bigger than the ordinary houses surrounding it; once inside, Martel could see further differences from the other places. Besides being just a larger space for gambling, it had many doors leading either to rooms or deeper into the complex. Twice as many people filled the room, and more walked up the stairs to a second floor.
Soon, their scheme proceeded as it had the other nights. Maximilian played dice, being boisterous and generally attracting attention. He cheered his wins without being obnoxious about it and grumbled about his losses without whining. He drank happily one tankard after the other, even buying for his opponent if said player proved to have bad luck. Meanwhile, Martel played the role of the servant, fetching drink for his master and otherwise staying in the background, barely noticed by any.
"Nonsense!" Maximilian got on his feet while stuffing his winnings into pockets and purses. The colour of his face suggested he had been drinking a little more than just for show. "Lead the way."
As the lady began walking away, Martel leaned in to whisper at his friend. "We have enough!"
"You may have, but I do not." The young nobleman pushed his way past Martel and followed the woman. Left behind, not knowing what else to do, Martel finally trudged after them.
They went up the stairs and down a hallway into the complex. Martel had no sense of where they were exactly, becoming confused in the almost labyrinthine layout of the building.
At length, the woman opened the door and stepped inside. As they followed, Martel saw what appeared to be a study of some sort. A desk stood opposite the entrance with two chairs in front and one behind. Besides that, a drawer in one corner and a chest in the other could be seen, but this was clearly not a place for gambling.
Evidently, Maximilian had reached the same conclusion. "What is this?" he growled. His right hand crossed over to rest of the pommel of his dagger.
Their guide moved around to stand behind the desk, looking at them. She gave them a smile that felt anything but reassuring. "I am Mistress Kerra, the proprietress of this establishment."
Behind them, two men entered to stand by the door. Martel noticed that one of them had brass knuckles on both of his hands, while the others had several daggers with a red-yellow glint to them stuck inside his belt.
Kerra spoke again. "Forgive me the subterfuge, but I thought it best we spoke under more private circumstances, and this seemed the easiest way to get you here. You see, I am aware that you are mages."
Chapter 100: A Pair of FoolsA Pair of FoolsMore than once during the next day, Martel returned to his room solely to check on his hoard. Leaving it in his room, even under lock, made him uncomfortable. He had never seen this much silver in one place, let alone had ownership of it. He did not even have a purse big enough to hold it all. He would have to buy a big one just so he could transport it all to Shadi. Not a problem, seeing as he could easily afford it.~As the day waned, he once again went to the copper lanes with his friend, both of them dressed for the part as before. Like yesterday, Maximilian led them down new paths to reach yet another lair of cards, cubes, and coin."This is the bigger place, more silver at stake. I figured we would practice on the smaller places first before taking this on. With a little luck, ha, we will earn all we need tonight."Considering that Martel only needed eleven silver pieces, he considered that a certainty. In fact, they might not even need a full hour like the other nights, but could leave sooner.From the outside, the establishment already looked bigger than the ordinary houses surrounding it; once inside, Martel could see further differences from the other places. Besides being just a larger space for gambling, it had many doors leading either to rooms or deeper into the complex. Twice as many people filled the room, and more walked up the stairs to a second floor.Soon, their scheme proceeded as it had the other nights. Maximilian played dice, being boisterous and generally attracting attention. He cheered his wins without being obnoxious about it and grumbled about his losses without whining. He drank happily one tankard after the other, even buying for his opponent if said player proved to have bad luck. Meanwhile, Martel played the role of the servant, fetching drink for his master and otherwise staying in the background, barely noticed by any."Nonsense!" Maximilian got on his feet while stuffing his winnings into pockets and purses. The colour of his face suggested he had been drinking a little more than just for show. "Lead the way."As the lady began walking away, Martel leaned in to whisper at his friend. "We have enough!""You may have, but I do not." The young nobleman pushed his way past Martel and followed the woman. Left behind, not knowing what else to do, Martel finally trudged after them.They went up the stairs and down a hallway into the complex. Martel had no sense of where they were exactly, becoming confused in the almost labyrinthine layout of the building.At length, the woman opened the door and stepped inside. As they followed, Martel saw what appeared to be a study of some sort. A desk stood opposite the entrance with two chairs in front and one behind. Besides that, a drawer in one corner and a chest in the other could be seen, but this was clearly not a place for gambling.Evidently, Maximilian had reached the same conclusion. "What is this?" he growled. His right hand crossed over to rest of the pommel of his dagger.Their guide moved around to stand behind the desk, looking at them. She gave them a smile that felt anything but reassuring. "I am Mistress Kerra, the proprietress of this establishment."Behind them, two men entered to stand by the door. Martel noticed that one of them had brass knuckles on both of his hands, while the others had several daggers with a red-yellow glint to them stuck inside his belt.Kerra spoke again. "Forgive me the subterfuge, but I thought it best we spoke under more private circumstances, and this seemed the easiest way to get you here. You see, I am aware that you are mages."
