Ash pressed himself up against a lamp post. “Do you see them?”

Luke poked his head out from behind a statue. He scanned the crowd. “I don’t see them. I wonder what they were doing here.”

“What are we doing here?” Ash groused.

“Well we are running away from our oldest school friends, while Ave was running towards one of the most powerful men in the Kingdom.” Luke surmised.

“Hey you two!” a voice yelled at them.

“What?” Luke looked around.

“Get out of here. You’re scaring my pigeons.” The Pigeon Merchant yelled.

Ash and Luke crawled out from their hiding places next to a merchant’s stall on the side of the street. The Pigeon Merchant’s stall had a low table that was covered with birdcages. Each cage contained a plump, wide-eyed bird.

*Cooo*

Ash and Luke moved off the side of the road and back into the street.

“Sorry. Sorry.” Luke apologized.

*Tch* “Tourists.” The Pigeon Merchant sneered at them. He turned back to the crowd of people walking past his stall. “Pigeons! Lucky Pigeons! Get them while they’re fat! Bigger the bird, better the luck, get your pigeons here!”

#

Ash and Luke rambled back into the street. They began absent mindedly following the crowd.

Ash looked around at the tourists. “I’ve never seen this many people in my life.” He looked over the railing on the edge of the hill they were walking up. “Even for a city of this size I don’t know how they all fit.”

Luke walked up next to Ash. “This is nothing. The Capital is even bigger.”

“Are the streets this noisy too?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t really know. But the view from the Palace was incredible.”

The two of them turned and kept walking up the hill.

“Everybody in the crowd seems real excited.” Luke observed.

“Everybody in this whole town seems real excited.” Ash hunched his shoulders. “I don’t like it. People shouldn’t be eager to walk down the street in a large group. They should be bored. And they should be frustrated that the streets are so crowded.”

“Different city, different rules.”

“Bah.”

The two of them surfed along with the momentum of the crowd.

“What are those?” Ash pointed up above the street.

A colorful banner had been strung up between two street light poles. The banner was covered with pictures of gleaming weapons surrounded by smiling faces.

“Maybe it’s an advertisement.”

“For a magic sword? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Look. There’s another one.” It was Luke’s turn to point.

“That one has jewelry.”

“And there’s another one for, farm animals?”

“They all mention something called the Ocean’s Bounty. I wonder what that is.”

Ash and Luke turned the corner. They stopped wondering.

On the top of the hill at the center of Kaseihgaeu a sprawling plaza stretched out before them. The four main streets of the city converged at this plaza and funneled the visiting tourists to this location. Trimmed topiaries and brick lined boulevards circled the edges of the space. In the middle of the plaza was an enormous domed building. Larger than any other structure in the city. It was decorated with marble columns carved to resemble sea monsters and stained glass windows stylized to look like dice. Plaster playing cards adorned the walls of the building. Expensive looking arc-lamps the size of wine barrels shot beams of light high into the air making sure that the building was illuminated at all times.

Luke *Snapped* his fingers. “That’s right. This is the Ocean’s Bounty. The largest Gambling Hall in the entire Kingdom.”

Ash pulled his jaw back up from where it was hanging down. “This place. This whooole place, is only used for gambling!?”

“Oh yeah. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the kingdom. Maybe in all four kingdoms. Everyone I know in the Capital has been here at least once. They all talk about it. It’s supposed to be amazing. And now that I’m dead I finally get to go.” *Sigh* Luke stared into one of the massive arc-lamps.

Ash gently pulled him away.

“Come on. We came to this town like everyone else. That means we’re tourists. And that means we should probably go inside and take a look right? You would like that wouldn’t you.”

“I would like that.” Luke nodded.

#

The Tattooed Bouncer finished his set of fifty squats as he watched tourists file into the Ocean’s Bounty. He stood up straight and flexed his toes. He retrieved a hand towel from the balance bar he had set up next to the entrance and wiped down his neck. He pulled a yogurt cup out of his back pocket, popped the wooden spoon off the top, and started eating.

Ash and Luke walked past him.

“Hheh, hheh, nuu hnntrrrnce.” He tried to shout around the spoon.

Ash and Luke stopped in their tracks.

“What?” Ash asked.

*Gulp* “I said no entrance.” The Tattooed Bouncer reiterated.

“What? Why not.” Ash questioned.

“Uh, because this is the fanciest Gambling Hall in the entire kingdom. There’s a dress code. Get it?” The Tattooed Bouncer gestured at Ash with his spoon. “No entrance for you.”

Ash looked down at the shower curtain wrapped around him.

“Seriously?” Ash exclaimed.

“Yeah man, seriously. *Gulp* Nothing personal. I just work here.”

Ash stared at the Bouncer. Then he completely blanked out for 3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second. “Who are they?” On impulse Ash pointed at another line of people walking into the Gambling Hall. The people in question had sheer skin tight blouses, hip hugging silk skirts, and hair so voluptuous it looked like the meringue on top of a lemon pie.

The Tattooed Bouncer casually watched the others file into the building. He turned to Ash. “Those are performers.”

“I’m a performer too.” Ash blurted.

The Tattooed Bouncer scrunched his face around the spoon in his mouth.

“Fine. I’ll show you.” Ash grabbed the man’s hand towel.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Ash laid the towel down over his outstretched hand. The bouncer furrowed his eyebrows.

Ash pulled up the towel. A stack of seven brown speckled oranges was balanced on his palm.

The Tattooed Bouncer frowned. The end of the spoon in his mouth tipped down. “Anyone can do that.” he said.

“Sure. But can they do this?”

Ash dropped the oranges on the ground. He replaced the cloth on his hand. When he raised it a second time there was a stack of apples.

The bouncer’s left eyebrow raised.

Ash repeated the process again. This time he revealed a pile of mangos.

The bouncer’s right eyebrow raised.

Ash let the fruit fall to the ground. He raised his arms with a flourish.

The Tattooed Bouncer chewed his spoon. “Shocked. Shocked I am. That is an impressive trick. Tell me, How’d you do it? Gemstones tucked behind your knuckles? Maybe extra fruits shoved up your dress?”

“I would tell you if I could but… I can’t” Ash grinned.

“Haha. Too right my man. Very well. Pop on in.”

“Thank you very much.” Ash bowed. He and Luke started walking into the building.

“If I might make a suggestion.” The Bouncer said as they walked past.

“Hmmm?” Ash paused.

“Work on your timing. Your fruit smells.”

“Thank you for the suggestion.” Ash said with clenched teeth.

“Oh! And don’t forget your props.”

The Tattooed Bouncer crushed up his yogurt cup. He started a set of fifty side stretches.

#

“Whoa.”

The interior of the Ocean’s Bounty was lavishly furnished. Doorways were made to look like the open mouths of whales. Gold plated fountains were decorated with leaping fish. Hanging chandeliers in the shape of krakens dangled crystalline arc lamps from the ends of their tentacles. Felt topped tables were arranged around the room for a variety of dice and card games. Wheels marked with red and black numbers spun above tables of yelling tourists. Velvet ropes and stanchions tastefully divided the game tables from the main walkways. A string quartet played lively music from inside an elevated stage shaped like an open clamshell.

Luke’s head swiveled left and right. “This place is huge.”

“And noisy.” Ash covered his ears.

Bells, whistles, laughter, and shouting echoed from every corner of the building. Cocktail servers mingled in amongst the crowd. All of them wore satin pants layered with sequins to look like fish scales. The female bartenders wore a variety of clamshell tops while the men went shirtless except for shark tooth necklaces.

“Let’s take a look around.” Luke scampered off into the hall.

The two boys took turns gazing in astonishment at each new marvel in the venue.

“Is that a fountain? An indoor fountain?” Luke pointed.

“It’s not that impressive.” Ash observed

“It is a fountain. And it’s not even a water fountain. It’s a fountain of gold.”

“How pretentious can you get?” Ash shrugged.

“Sorry. No. It’s not gold. It’s cheese. Still though, a cheese fountain. What will people think of next.”

Luke dipped a finger in the liquid yellow dairy product.

“Luke, no. You don’t know how many people have put their hands in there.”

*Gulp* “You gotta come try this fountain cheese. It’s not very good but there is a lot of it.”

“Blegh.” Ash made a face.

“Ladies and Gentlemen…”

Ash’s head tilted to the side. “Did you hear that?”

“Connoisseurs and Cognocentes…”

“There’s something happening over there. Let’s check it out.” Ash pulled Luke away from the cheese buffet.

#

Ash and Luke elbowed their way into a large auditorium. At the center of the room was a circular arena. Row upon row of tiered bench seating surrounded it on all sides. Thousands of tourists were seated inside. Above the seating metal catwalks were suspended from the ceiling. Technicians used mirrored arc lamps mounted on the catwalks to direct beams of light around the auditorium.

The spotlights snapped to one side of the arena illuminating a woman standing on a raised platform.

She was an older woman, tall and lithe. Fine lines highlighted the corners of her eyes and mouth. Her skin, though healthy, was slightly more reflective at the extremities. This caused her fingernails, lips, ears, and eyelids to appear slightly more blue than red. Her floor length, curly hair naturally faded at the tips to a light champagne color. Her eyelashes were deeply black and her ears were pierced with tiny golden studs in the shape of skulls. She wore a vibrant peach colored dress. Dabs of achiote paint created a spiral pattern down the side of her neck. Her hazel eyes demanded attention. Even without the spotlights she would have commanded the room.

She spoke. “Saints and Sinners… Welcome! One and all, to the Ocean’s Bounty!”

Her voice boomed out over the room. The tourists cheered in response.

#

Ash and Luke gazed down from the rear of the auditorium.

“Looks like some sort of event.” Luke craned his neck over the crowd.

“Pathetic isn’t it?” A droll voice exhaled from behind them.

Ash and Luke turned around. A young man lounged against the wall behind them.

The young man wore a finely tailored vest and a jacket with a high collar. The jacket was draped loose over his shoulders, no one button matching its correct hole. He had sharp features with a chin as pointed as the tip of his loafers. His hair was cropped close on the sides and loose on top, styled with extra gel. There was the shadow of a beard on his cheeks and dark circles under his eyes.

“All of these feckless voyeurs gathered around in a big circle while they watch gullible tourists throw their money into a pit.” He continued his one sided conversation.

The young man walked over to the edge of the arena seating. He put his elbow on the railing around the exterior of the seating and started chewing on a handful of shrimp he was carrying.

“I almost envy their stupidity. Wouldn’t it be grand to be so easily entertained.” He gave Ash and Luke a sideways glance. “I’m Vance.” He shot out a hand to Luke.

“I’m Luke.” Luke shook Vance’s hand.

“Ash.” Ash offered as well, but made no move to shake hands.

*Goop*

Luke pulled away his sticky hand.

“That was lemon butter sauce. Don’t worry. There’s plenty more.” Vance pulled a butcher paper bag out of his jacket and dropped some shrimp tails into it.

“Do you work here?” Ash looked at Vance’s jacket. It was styled with consummate v’s that gave the impression of fish scales.

“No. I just can’t help appreciating the fashion.” said Vance.

“So Vance, are you from Kaseihgaeu?” asked Luke.

“I’ve lived here all my life.” Vance replied.

“So you must come to the Ocean’s Bounty a lot.”

“I’m practically a fixture of this place.” Vance gave a crooked smile.

“You don’t seem to like it very much.” Ash sniffed.

“Shush. They’re about to begin the big show.” Vance pointed over the heads of the audience at the woman on the platform. “That’s Lady House. She owns the Ocean’s Bounty. These little contests were her genius idea.”

#

Lady House stepped up to the edge of the platform.

“Let’s meet today’s contestants.” She bellowed out to the crowd.

The spotlights swung down. Ten tourists filed into the arena from a side door. A circular stage had been set up in the center of the auditorium. The tourists waved to the audience as they took their seats in ten chairs that were spread out around the boundary of the stage.

“I hope that you all are ready. Let’s reveal tonight’s limited time challenge.” Lady House *Snapped* her fingers.

A large roll of cloth hanging over the auditorium was released. The giant banner fell into place revealing a stylized printing of a porcelain teacup and kettle.

“Who’s ready for a new luxury tea set?” Lady House played to the crowd.

Ten servers in sequined outfits entered the arena from the side. Each one carried a small platter with a silk cover. They turned and presented the platters to the assembled tourists. The covers were removed. An orange gemstone was presented on each platter. Each of the tourists in the arena took their gemstone in hand.

“Let’s start the Event!” Lady House yelled. She pulled a lever on the platform.

A giant decahedron rolled out of a hidden door and into the center of the arena. The crowd cheered as the die came to a stop.

“Seat number three! You’re the first contestant. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

A spotlight centered itself on the tourist sitting in seat three. The tourist waved nervously to the crowd. They held up their crystal, concentrated, then summoned a tea set.

The audience erupted in applause.

#

Ash leaned over the railing. “So they all take turns summoning the same thing?”

“That’s right.” said Vance. The young man picked shrimp out of his teeth with his pinky nail.

“And the person that summons the best one, they win?”

“That’s right.”

“What does the winner win? The tea set?”

“No, no, no. They win all of the tea sets.” Vance spread his arms.

“That’s pretty good I guess.” Ash itched the side of his neck.

Vance *Clapped* his hands together. “It’s genius. Don’t you get it? No one needs ten tea sets. Or ten magic swords. Or ten different farm animals. If you summon the best one then that’s the only one that you want to keep.” Vance put an arm around Luke’s and Ash’s shoulders. He pulled them in tight. “So the Gambling Hall offers to take the others off of your hands. They pay you tokens for the extras. Tokens that you can only exchange for prizes here at the Ocean’s Bounty.”

“So one person gets a rare summon and Lady House gets nine free pulls and a show.” said Ash.

“More than that! They take bets on the Event. Who will pull the best? Who will pull the worst? What the value spread between them will be. And of course the winners get more tokens which can be exchanged with the Gambling Hall for more pulls in the Banner Events.”

Ash shoved Vance away. “Wait. You’re telling me that they take bets on who can pull the worst item?”

“Oh yeah. People love betting on misery.”

Ash tried to pull his eyelids down to his chin. “Why am I only learning about this now?”