Rodrick glanced up from his paperwork as I approached, his expression shifting from curiosity to concern.
“Larry, what happened?” Rodrick’s voice cut through the ambient noise of the Union Hall.
I took a moment to catch my breath, leaning against the edge of his cluttered desk. “Trouble at the docks,” I managed between gasps. “The delivery went fine, but on my way back...”
His grizzled features hardening with understanding. “Someone tried to rob you?”
Rodrick’s eyes widened as I placed the pouch of coins on his desk. His expression shifted from concern to a mixture of relief and understanding. He untied the string and poured the contents out, a cascade of silver and copper clinking softly on the wooden surface.
Rodrick let out a long breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Good. I can’t afford to lose any deliveries.”
I glanced at the pouch of coins, curiosity gnawing at me. “What was so important about this delivery? What did I bring to Varren?”
Rodrick leaned back in his chair, his eyes studying me intently. “Dampweed,” he said finally. “We harvest it from the dungeon.”
“Dampweed?” I repeated, unfamiliar with the term.
Rodrick nodded. “It’s a rare herb that grows in the damp, dark corners of the dungeon. It’s highly sought after for its medicinal properties and... other uses.”
“Other uses?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Rodrick gave me a knowing look. “Let’s just say it’s a key ingredient in some rather potent concoctions. Varren has a special interest in it. That’s why this delivery was so important. And why it was dangerous.”
Rodrick glanced around the Union Hall briefly before leaning in closer, his voice dropping to a low whisper. “Larry, dampweed is more than just a valuable commodity. It’s... coveted by certain individuals for its alchemical properties. It’s not something we discuss openly, but Varren knows its value and its risks.”
I swallowed, realizing the extent of the danger I had inadvertently stepped into. “And the thief?”
Rodrick sighed heavily. “Someone must have caught wind of the delivery. They’re always looking for an opportunity. You were lucky to get away.”
I rubbed my temples, the events of the morning replaying in my mind. “Luck,” I muttered, thinking back to Rodrick’s earlier words about Fortuna and her elusive favor.
Rodrick leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Aye, Larry. It’s more than just luck. Those who worship at the Shrine of Fortune believe in her guidance, her subtle hand in the affairs of mortals.”
“You mean... there’s a shrine? Here in the city?”
Rodrick’s eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief as he leaned closer, his voice low and conspiratorial. “Not just in the city, Larry. Right here in the Union Hall, hidden away from prying eyes.” With a nod, he gestured for me to follow him through a narrow doorway at the back of the main room.
Curiosity piqued, I followed Rodrick through the bustling main room and into a dimly lit corridor that led to the rear of the building. The air grew thicker with the scent of smoke and the faint murmur of voices. As we approached the door, I could hear the soft clinking of coins and the shuffle of cards from within.
The room beyond was a stark contrast to the bustling Union Hall. Dimly lit, it was filled with the hushed sounds of shuffling cards and murmured bets. Dwarves stood on stools around small tables, their faces etched with concentration as they dealt various games of chance.
“This is our little secret,” Rodrick explained, a smile tugging at his weathered features. “The Shrine of Fortune, as we call it. A place where we pay homage to Lady Luck in our own way.”
In the heart of the dimly lit room stood a small, weathered statue, depicting a younger, more radiant Fortuna, her features frozen in a benevolent smile. The dwarves around the tables cast glances towards it intermittently, their focus returning to their games with an air of reverence.
Rodrick noticed my lingering gaze on the statue and chuckled softly. “You’ve noticed our Lady of Fortune. She’s been watching over us here for longer than any of us can remember.”
I hesitated, unsure if I should share what I knew. I studied the statue intently, feeling a strange sense of familiarity tug at my thoughts. “Shouldn’t she be older?” I blurted out, surprising even myself with the question.
The dwarves around us paused their games, exchanging puzzled glances. Rodrick’s expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Larry,” he began, his voice serious yet tinged with a hint of reverence, “Fortuna takes many forms, depending on who calls upon her. To some, she appears as a playful maiden, guiding fortunes with a light touch. To others, she manifests as a wise matron, offering counsel and stern lessons in equal measure.”
He glanced around at the dwarves, who were now listening intently to our conversation. “Here, she’s the Lady of Chance, but her true nature transcends such mortal interpretations. She’s as old as the winds that carry whispers of luck across the seas.”
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The dwarves nodded solemnly, their expressions reflecting a mixture of belief and respect.
He nodded, a flicker of pride in his eyes. “Remember, Larry. We play our games here, but outside these walls, Fortune’s hand can be a harsh mistress. Respect her, and she may yet smile upon you.”
I nodded, sensing the reverence and camaraderie among the dwarves. “She certainly guided me today,” I admitted, recalling the unexpected turn of events that had led me here.
Rodrick and the dwarves exchanged knowing glances, their expressions reflecting a blend of respect and understanding. The older dwarf with the braided beard spoke, his voice carrying a tone of wisdom forged through years of experience.
“Aye, lad, Fortuna’s touch is felt in ways both obvious and subtle,” he said, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and reverence. “She has a way of showing up when you least expect it.”
I nodded, feeling a newfound kinship with these men who understood the nuances of life in ways I was only beginning to grasp. “I never thought much about luck or fate until today,” I admitted, my voice tinged with both wonder and curiosity. “But I suppose she has a role to play in everything.”
Rodrick placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his eyes crinkling with a hint of a smile. “Aye, Larry. Sometimes, fate gives us a nudge in the right direction, whether we realize it or not.”
Rodrick leaned closer, his voice low as he handed me a handful of coins. “Take this, Larry. Consider it a token of appreciation for your efforts today. Play a hand or two, if you like.”
I glanced down at the coins in my hand, uncertain but intrigued by the invitation. The room buzzed with energy, each roll of the dice and flip of a card carrying its own story of triumph or defeat.
“Those who risk their lives in the dungeons to recover fortunes often find themselves here, seeking a minor reminder and a chance to wager their loot,” Rodrick explained, his voice carrying a mixture of solemnity and camaraderie. The room around us continued its quiet hum of activity.
I watched as one dwarf, his beard braided intricately and spectacles perched on his nose, carefully placed a handful of coins on the table, joining in a game of dice with a group of others. They exchanged nods and grins, their expressions a mix of concentration and anticipation.
“They come here to test their luck, to see if Fortuna favors them,” Rodrick continued, gesturing subtly towards the game in progress. “It’s not just about the coins or the wagers. It’s about that feeling, that fleeting hope that maybe, just maybe, luck will smile upon them.”
I nodded slowly, absorbing the atmosphere of the Shrine of Fortune. It wasn’t just a place of gambling; it was a sanctuary where the uncertainties of life could be temporarily forgotten, where even the most hardened adventurers sought a moment of respite from the harsh realities of their pursuits.
Rodrick’s gaze turned thoughtful as he watched the dice roll on the table, the outcome determining the mood of the players. “You see, Larry, in this city, everyone’s chasing something. Some seek wealth, others seek power. But here, at the Shrine, we seek that elusive touch of fate that can turn the tide in our favor.”
I glanced around the room, taking in the faces of the dwarves and their varying expressions of hope, determination, and occasionally, disappointment. Each game played out like a miniature drama, reflecting the ebb and flow of fortune itself.
I settled into a chair at one of the card tables, the familiar shuffle and the muted clink of coins adding to the atmosphere of the Shrine of Fortune. The dwarves around the table eyed me curiously as I took my seat, their expressions a blend of friendly interest and focused determination.
“Welcome, lad,” one of them greeted me, his beard intricately braided and his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “Name’s Durin. What brings you to our table?”
“Larry,” I replied, offering a tentative smile. “Just passing through, thought I’d see if Lady Luck favors me today.”
Durin chuckled, a sound that resonated with warmth and camaraderie. “Ah, a seeker of fortune, are ya? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Take a seat and let’s see what fate has in store for you.”
I nodded, grateful for the invitation. The cards were dealt, and I focused intently on my hand, trying to hide my nerves behind a mask of calm. The game flowed with a rhythm born of experience, each player calculating their moves with practiced precision.
The cards shuffled and dealt with a soft, rhythmic sound that echoed through the quiet room of the Shrine of Fortune. I glanced at my hand, feeling a surge of cautious optimism as the first cards were revealed.
The first round began cautiously, with bets placed and matched with measured deliberation. Durin, sitting opposite me with his braided beard and twinkling eyes, set the pace with a confident raise. I studied his demeanor, trying to gauge the strength of his hand, before matching his bet with a steady resolve.
As the community cards were revealed one by one, a queen of hearts, a jack of spades, and a ten of diamonds, the tension in the air grew palpable. Durin’s expression remained unreadable as he weighed his options, his fingers drumming lightly on the edge of the table.
With the final card, a nine of clubs, completing the tableau, I assessed my hand again. Just a pair of queens, with four to a straight on the board. Not the best hand to have. Inexplicable confidence surged through me, tempered by a sense of caution. The other players exchanged subtle glances, their focus intense as they contemplated their own strategies.
After a moment’s consideration, I made my move, pushing a stack of chips forward with deliberate calm. The other players leaned in, their eyes flickering between the cards on the table and my expression. Durin studied the communal cards once more, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Finally, with a nod and a hint of a smile, Durin matched my bet. The tension in the room heightened as we prepared for the final reveal. Carefully, I turned over my cards. There was a murmur of appreciation from the other players. Durin’s gaze flickered briefly to his cards before he revealed his own, a pair of jacks.
My hand had triumphed, securing me the pot. Around the table, the players nodded in acknowledgment, some offering words of congratulations for my strategic play. Durin leaned back in his chair, his expression a mix of respect and good-natured camaraderie.
“Well played, Larry,” he said with a chuckle, reaching across the table to shake my hand.
I returned his handshake with a grateful smile, feeling a surge of pride at the unexpected victory. The atmosphere in the Shrine of Fortune seemed to brighten with the win, the tension of the game giving way to a sense of shared camaraderie.
I leaned back, savoring the moment. “Thanks, Durin. Beginner’s luck, I guess.”
Durin chuckled. “Maybe, or maybe Lady Fortuna’s taken a liking to you.”
“Sounds like you speak from experience,” I said, intrigued.
Durin nodded, his eyes distant as he recalled a memory. “Aye, there was a time when I thought my luck had run out. Lost everything in a delve gone wrong. But then, out of nowhere, I found a hidden cache, enough to start over. That’s the way of it sometimes.”
Durin’s eyes flicked from his freshly dealt hand to me, a sly grin tugging at his lips. I maintained my composure, glancing down at my hand. The combination looked promising, a pair of aces.
“Feeling lucky, Larry?” Durin asked, raising his eyebrow as he slid a few coins into the pot.
I gave a small shrug, trying to project a calm I didn’t fully feel. “Guess we’ll find out.”