The game they were about to play, at first glance, was similar to poker , very similar. The dealer deals four sets of cards to each player. Each player tosses their chips to the pot, then it’s a round of bluffs, raises and stays. Until the dealers reveals the last common cards to the entire table. Then the highest suit get’s the most points.

  The only major difference was for one a deck of cards had double the standard deck of cards, at 104 cards with 8 suits in total. Another complication was the value of the hands were in short weird . The suits were based on elements like fire, water, shadow and spirit. The remaining four were amethyst, holy-tree, demon-blood and poison.

  The suits to Edric made absolutely no sense. None of them except the elements were related, and in fact from observing the other tables. There were plenty of other suits in play like he swears he saw death spirit suits, the only rule being a play deck has 8 suits.

  Another thing that’s even more complicated, was the concept of synergy. Which sounds very much like a trading card mechanic, like a fire monster synergizing with a fire elemental. But here if two people had the same suit but formed from different cards. The highest synergy gets the point.

  Edric's mind was melting, from trying to calculate who would win. Then he stopped bothering all together, taking a step back. He lounged on a chair next to the bar. Observing Kael who was in his first game.

  This endeavor would either mint some more coins or they lose all their money. Just in case, Edric snatched a bag of coins for himself. He ordered a small drink , something to pass the time.

  Back at Kael’s game, the dealer dealt the cards to each player. They immediately like traditional poker. They raised the chips. One player in particular who from afar looked to be in their 50s, scared eye, ragged beard and an outfit of a sailor. Raised the pot three times constantly.

  Must have a good hand. Edric thought as he observed his movements. They were calm and confident. Kael wasn’t too far behind, in fact it looked neck and neck. Whenever the old sailor raises the pot, he doubles down or calls it. His face was as cocky as ever, even more so. Which could either mean he has a good hand, or he is bluffing.

  The dealer started placing the community cards on the table one by one. He revealed three cards , slowly, in a very dramatic fashion. The first two cards were aces from different suits. One was water and another was shadow. The next was a king of shadow.

  As soon as the third card is revealed. Two players folded and threw their cards in defeat. Kael and the old sailor were sitting firmly. Their expressions didn’t falter at all. From the other two player, one seemed a tad panicked. Looking here and there. While the other remaining remained neutral for the most part.

  “You came sailing a long way to play cards old man,” Kael started a conversation out of nowhere. Was it his strategy? The old sailor wondered. “Don’t you old timers have your own place to bet. You know you seem a bit… Slow” With heavy emphasis on the slow, clearly antagonizing him.

  The old sailor didn’t answer immediately. His gaze slowly scanned the young crimson haired mercenary. Then he let out a soft chuckle. “Oh those places. Unfortunately they didn’t have enough money laying around. This was the next best spot.” He stared daggers at Kael, with a very predatory smile.

  The air was thick with an awkward tension. The dealer’s expression was neutral, not caring in the slightest. On the other hand the other two players were becoming tense. It won’t be anymore longer until those two fold their card.

  Now it was left to the finale bout between Kael and the old sailor. The dealer without wasting time revealed the final two cards. They were an Ace and a queen. Both the players smiled once the cards were revealed. Heck Kael went out of his way to double the pot, the instant the cards were shown.

  The old sailor went quite, rubbed his chin, covering his mouth and tipped his hat to shade his eyes. Kael, using this as an opportunity, didn't shut his mouth.

  “You know the story behind those cards…” Randomly out of nowhere he started sprouting about the tale of a king and queen. His voice wasn’t too loud, but it was noticeable . He went on and on, using flowery language here and there. It was… annoying .

  Edric, who quietly observed, was wondering if any of this is allowed. It was clear Kael’s plan was to not allow the old sailor to think.

  Isn’t this way too unfair for introverts? Then why didn’t all them start speaking from the first card.

  As it turns out, his plan worked. The old sailor admitted defeat, not wanting to increase his pot. He tossed his cards on the table, revealing them to be Aces and a king. Which by Edric’s limited knowledge was very good. But what he was most interested was what his companion had.

  Kael tossed his cards, grabbed all the chips to himself, laughing like a child. Edric came closer to see his cards as they were shrouded by the old sailors' figure. As he closed the distance, he saw the old sailor's expression. His brows frowned and his fist clenched, the only thing stopping him from smashing the table was the guards watching him. Edric then turned to see why, then he understood completely.

  He had been bluffed.

  Kael’s cards were a pair of two and a king. Garbage in comparison. The only thing going for him was those synergy things. But even if that factored in, he wouldn't have won.

  The old sailor left with a click of his tongue.

  “That was impressive,” Edric said. Swiping a few chips for himself.

  “Oi, what the hell. You can’t steal.” Kael said, tucking the chips closer.

  “Relax, you have plenty to spare. Also I’m bored. Those slot machines and those single player tables seem interesting.”

  Kael’s eyes widened. “ Oh why don’t you play a game against me. I bet it would be fun–”

  Edric stopped him before he could finish his sentence. “Nope, it looks way too complicated.” He started leaving the table. “ Anyway, I’ll see you in around an hour. Don’t cause trouble.”

  “Yeah, yeah “

  So where to start? Hmm… Edric with his chest high. Surveyed the surrounding . Mainly looking for something to pass time quietly. Big tables were out of the question, to many people. The only other option was the slot machine and blackjack tables, or at least a game that resembled blackjack.

  He made his way too far back of the establishment, the dings of machines becoming louder as reached the place. There was a single row of machines, with slumped out middle aged men flicking the lever. Seeing this site it reminded Edric of the lottery winner back on earth. Most fondly he remembers a big event that happened in his town.

  He remembered the sight of seeing so many men lining outside a small booth for lottery ticket and the flail in defeat once they lost. It was so dramatic that the event became an on off thing.

  Tossing those thoughts aside, Edric sat in front of the machine. The machine was made of a red oak wood , a big lever to the right and the three slots in the center. He tossed a chip in and flicked the lever…

  BEEP

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Dang it, he clicked his tongue as he was only on off from the jackpot. Beginner luck perhaps or was it manipulation . Whatever it was it worked, 30 minutes later Edric flicked the dang machine 40 times. Made a profit 5 times and nothing the rest.

  He only stopped once he realized the chips were empty.

  He let out a big breath , “So this is what people called gambling addiction ay,”

  Bored, and still plenty of time he wandered around the den. Looking at the people, and staff, at the cries and laughter.

  Then he eyes a table, those black jack tables. Which in comparison were small and fit in a tiny space. The dealer was a woman with lush black hair and very tall. Their eyes met, the woman held her gaze for a good second before breaking it.

  Edric wasn’t sure if he had been enchanted by beauty or was the gambling addiction talking. He slowly trudged his way to the table. Tossed some coins on the desk to get some chips.

  He observed the desk, upon closer inspection there was one additional variable to the game. Die’s, like every other game as an addon to it. Black jack it’s own addon, infact the game isn’t even called black jack. It was some strange word of the lizards tongue.

  At the start of the game, the dealer tosses two dice. One 20 sided having numbers from 10 to 20. And another 10 sided with numbers 1-10. Simply put the goal is to not exceed the number or hope the dealer busts.

  Just like that another 30 minutes pass or perhaps even more passed on the table. Unlike the slot machine he actually won a fair bit. A made a profit of 40 silver to be exact.

  Other than the games, he talked a fair bit with the dealer. She was quite a charismatic woman. According to Edric at least. It’s not like he was ever the charismatic type. But the woman did slip her address in his palms discreetly and wink before Edric left the table.

  Is this what I think it is? He thought as he read the slip. There was a tiny heart at the end. He quickly put two and two together , His heart fluttered a bit as a woman actually bothered to flirt with him. But alas he was leaving towns anyway so no point.

  Feeling down, he paced his way to get Kael.

  As he drew closer, He began to notice the noise of the people growing louder. He looked up to see if there was anything odd or if Kael caused trouble. Looks to be the latter.

  On Kael’s table, the first thing he noticed was the large stack of chips. By large, like at least four times what he had previously.

  What the hell did he do? On the chairs and the bars, a sizable amount of patrons drank and watched the game from afar. Some had the gaze of defeat, most in anger. He would love to ask what happened but most looked as if they were ready to chop his head off.

  On the far end of the counter, a man in his 30s rested and drank some cocktails. Unlike the rest he seemed relaxed and calm, just a man here to get drunk.

  Edric being the smooth operator, slid beside him. Ordered a light drink. In a calm voice like he had no idea who Kael is , asked. “So who’s that guy? Looks like everyone has a vendetta against him…”

  The man was as calm as ever . “Who him? Well nothing much other than he might as well suck the money in this place dry. I mean look at that pile he has”

  Edric chuckled, “ Yeah it looks like he had a streak. So did he cheat?” he paused.

  The man chuckled, drank his shot. “ You could say that…”

  The man went on a long ramble. Mostly detouring about his love life and whatever journey he had. But in short what happened was. Kael was winning a table, went to the next, and the next. He even tried other types of games other than poker.

  And as one would guess from seeing the pile of chips and coins. He won a lot, like a whole lot. The main didn’t outright say he was cheating, becuase if he did cheat. The reason he was still in there was because he wasn’t caught yet.

  Edric wasn’t sure either. Although Kael did lose here and there. But the whispers dictate most believed he was smart enough to lose in between. Someone even guess that he had a wind ability to shift cards or perhaps some sort of vision augmentation.

  We need to take a hike and leave. He drank his glass. Making sure to cover his head properly, started walking towards Kael.

  Then–

  Kael just finished up another game. Winning as usual. He piled up his chips with a long grin. But a large a palm grabbed his shoulder. The grip tighten , causing Kael to stop mid motion. He turned to see large bulky figure, a garud from the outfit. THe guards brows frowned, forcefully with big breathes to sell the intimidation factor.

  Which didn’t work on Kael on bit. He was more annoyed than anything. Without waiting he said, “Anything wrong? Or did you lose something?”

  The guard scoffed. “Huh, look’s you got some guts. Listen while i say nicely. Now you either leave nicely and collect half the number chips on the table or you take nothing but with some broken limbs.” He slowly cracked his knuckles.

  Kael with a nonchalant attitude. “What, Does this den have stealing in there policy? Or I know,” He grabbed the gaurds palm like a handshake, only he started squeezing the blood vessels slowly very slowy. “Your just scared I will run your dumb dry–”

  The gaurd plam became numb , it was clear he wasn’t exactly cooperating. Then a voice cut in–

  “Oi,”

  All heads turned to the voice. Which came from the owner of this den. A middle aged main with a fashionably large stash. His outfit was simple shirt, robe and pants nothing fancy. Except the large stash, he constantly twisted.

  “Listen you punk.” he walked with slow, deliberate steps. “No one has ever won as much as you did, Which begs to question, you cheated.”

  “Hah you got proof old man.”

  The owner chuckled. “Proof, I own this place. My word’s the law under hear. Now you either listen and gets some of your earning or… it would get messy.” his tone was cocky, yet carried weight from years of experience.

  The air became tense, the bystander began discreetly grabbing there daggers and sword under there robes. Each ready to pounce or run if needed.

  Kael wasn’t getting any of that. He stood up firm, stretched his hands carefree. An awkward silence grew, as his face become unreadablt to the owner. Than withtou a word.

  “My choice well–”

  He took out his staff in a quick motion, spun it around causing a large gust of wind towards the surrounding. Then he spun in a large arch, hit the guard's chin from under, causing him to be thrown off to the bar. He moved his hand, using a small wind gust tossed the chips in his pouch and then grabbed a beer from a nearby table.

  He chugged the drink in one big dramatic gulp. “Well if you want it, come get it. ” He spin his staff around in wide arcs, mainly to instigate them.

  Blood boiled in the aged owner, the presence of this young man made his temper burst. “500 gold for anyone who grabs his head.”

  And just like that. A battle, no more of a brawl commenced. As soon his command resonated in everyone's ear. The losers, the greedy and the guards lunged at him at once.

  Instantly Kael jumped on the table, like playing tennis. He used his staff and swatted who ever came his way. Most were pretty weak, and drunk. So they barely managed to come close to him, with all the chaos the trained guards had maneuver the wave before going to him.

  “A big crowd I

  Bored as he always is he started singing a tune. “May the winds ~~~” While dooing his little concert. A man lunged across the table, which he easily dodged and knocked him out on the beat. Which was quite impressive.

  Meanwhile Edric was way back there. Behind the bar countertop, he crouched low, peeking ever so slightly to catch a glimpse of the scene.

  Of course it ended up like this. He let out a big sigh , like a father seeing his tantrum son. Now the question remained . What the hell was he supposed to do? Help him fight and escape. Well that’s certainly an option but frankly Kael didn’t need help like at all.

  “What if I just go alone?” he muttered to himself, rubbing his chin calmly. Kael was dancing about the stage he made, the drunk gamblers weren’t much of a threat. THe gaurds who could be threat were so distorted and drunk by the looks of it.

  One of tge gaurds threw his spear at Kael, but ended up sleeping and stabbing a patreon in the back. Which caused another mini brawl way out the corner.

  Yes, infact Kael didn’t need help. So why don’t I just escape and Kael can join me later? After thinking about for a good second. He decided, he eyed the exit. He had to traverse the field of drunkards and guards. A well timed ghost step would make the escape quite doable.

  At least that’s how it is supposed to go. Until another plank get’s thrown in his direction.

  Near the end of the counter, a group of sailors, perhaps the same crew. Readied their batons, bottles and whatever item they could grab on. The leader was aiming at Kael, about the lung until.

  “Oi,” his buddy stopped him.

  “What Earl,” the sailor spat.

  Earl pointed in a direction, at the spot where a robbed figure hid. “That guy came with that bastard. I’m sure he is in on it.”

  —-

  Edric gazed in the foreground, scanning the chaos. Well, we just jump over that guy and then activate ghost steps— he thought the plan through, his his fingers to map out the direction of the steps. Than when everything was almost set to go.

  A heavy hand grabbed his back, using a painstaking amount of force pushed his head back. At that moment, instincts kicked it. He twisted his body like a cord, without so much as looking at the perps face. He locked his legs at the sailors face and threw him on the ground.

  “Oh sorry about that.” Edric said with genuine concern. Which the sailor took at as sarcasm, as his cronies from behind prepared to attack Edric.

  “Earl,” The sailor frantacily sat up, rubbing his head he barked his orders. “Gut that bastard.”

  Edric with ihs back behind on the wall, stood face to face with three sailors who’s eyes are blood shot, and out for his head.

  “Sheesh, this day is just getting worse. I swear Kael is getting a beating for this.” He chuckled a bit.

  “What so funny,” Earl snarled,lifting his crude kitchen knife closer to his face.

  “Nothing, just i might need some practice.” Edric took out his dagger with one hand, the other rested inside beside his belt.

  He adjusted his robe to hide his face more firmly.

  He crouched low, in a fighting stance he eyed his opponents.

  Since he can’t avoid this. Might as well use it to let out some steam. “Come on I don’t have all day,”

  —-

  “So what should we do,” Xantha leaned against the door frame. Chuckling silently at the mess saw the gambling den in.

  One can’t begin to describe the randomness the den was at. On one side the main event with Kael dancing about the audience and breaking some limbs while he is at it. On the other side Edric is dueling a bartender and with some knocked out sailors behind him indicting he has been at for a while.

  The room was a body mess of various fingers from mercs, guards, dealers and more.

  Aeries growled very audibly. “I left that guy alone for almost a day and he brought in this mess.” She took a deep breath, calmed down and unsheathed her sabre. “ Stay safe, I’ll drag that bastard.”

  Just like that Aeris lunged at it to help her dancing comrade.