Norbert followed the man, walking up the winding staircase, careful with his feet not to miss a step, freaking out that he could see through it. Happy it wasn’t clear or else he wouldn’t know what to do, likely needing to feel it out.
Finally on solid ground again, Norbert found himself looking at the fabled second floor. The tables were spread out more, the people less, and the crowds dispersed. As he looked around, Norbert noticed cages in sections of the room, animals fighting inside them. Not looking any further and happy that he hadn’t come here to play before, Norbert followed the man up the next staircase to the top floor.
Finally, at the top of the staircase, Norbert looked around; the area here was empty compared to the other rooms. Unlike the lowest floor with hundreds, only about twenty to thirty people were around.
This one screamed luxury, no simple chairs to sit on, everything had gold in it or around it. Startled momentarily, Norbert not expecting to see the amount of wealth displayed. A cage sat in the middle, hearing the sounds from inside. Tearing his eyes away on one of the walls sat an aquarium; Norbert mesmerised by the glowing fish inside, but mostly not wanting to know what was in the cage.
Hearing steps click towards him, Norbert looked at the woman approaching; wearing the same uniform as everyone else, but the air around her was different it was holding its breath for her to pass before relaxing again. Stopping before him, saying, “Thank you for coming at such short notice. The owner would like to talk with you about your dealing here.”
Norbert gulped in return, eyeing the staircase near him. Curiosity getting the better, Norbert just nodded and followed the woman. Making their way past the cage, Norbert found two chairs and a table in front of the aquarium.
Nobody was sitting in either chair; Norbert took the closest one with his back to the glass windows, the lady taking the other. Nodding his head, not surprised at the turn of events and happy for not running, Norbert clasped his hands before himself, confirming his money pouch still at his waist, the sack he used to carry the empty chips but now filled with coins on his lap.
Sitting silently, the lady stared at the tank, not saying a word. Not wanting to interrupt, Norbert just sat back, waiting for whatever was meant to happen. Finally, after what felt like forever, Norbert checked the rear window multiple times, making sure the sun had not come up yet, for fear of him being discovered here by his group.
“You know people are still in a frenzy after your show downstairs. Even some people up here heard and started getting a bit … inspired.” The woman spoke.
Norbert brought his eyes to her, olive skin, broad nose, dark eyes and hair cut just above her shoulders. Norbert saw a woman of seriousness, a weapon ready to be used immediately, either in business or battle. Norbert couldn’t decide which or if both.
“For that reason, you are getting away with it this time. Do this trick again, and we will stop you long before now.” Norbert just nodded, not wanting to return here any time soon.
“Now, for my curiosity, how did you do it?”
Norbert nodded, remembering the coin Norbert took it out, flicking it into the air. “Just lucky is all, " he said, as the coin landed in his palm. Flicking it again, Norbert caught the coin presenting the heads around. Flicking it up, Norbert caught it, letting it spin.
The woman next to him just stared. “Bull shit”, she said, “There is no way someone gets the streak you had with nothing. No cheats were used; we looked multiple times. Even rigged it against you, and you somehow made it.”
Ruffling her hair through it, she continued talking to herself, “And it’s not like you're blessed by a god or anything like that, no church or priest, nothing on you. It’s just magic. Hmm, unless…”
Norbert thought about what he said, remembering all his time with Luck. Wondering if something happened to him was rubbing off on him. Keeping a note to talk to her later about it, Norbert focused back on the conversation as the owner continued talking, no longer spinning her wheels in her head.
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“Do you have anything else to add?”
Norbert shook his head. “Nope, it was just luck, like I said before. And anyway what do you mean rigged against me?” Norbert finished. Looking around at the room, one of the staff came forward, resting a cup in front of the two of them, seeing steam coming off. The woman came forward, picking it up and sipping it not even registering the question that he had asked.
Norbert leaned forward, about to pick it up, when something bristled his neck. Looking and seeing Obsius point outside, Norbert nodded, standing up.
“Well, it's been a pleasure meeting you, and I hope you have a wonderful night,” Norbert said, bowing towards her. Spinning around, Norbert saw staff staying by the steps, just milling around.
Turning back to the woman, Norbert asked, “Are we doing this?”
She brought the cup away from her lips. “I do have to keep face.”
Norbert just sighed, looking up at the ceiling, thinking, why him? Flexing his gloved hands, happy that he kept them on from before, not thinking he would need to hide his ability so soon, Norbert brushed Obsius on his shoulder.
Taking his hat off and loosening up his hair, Norbert placed it back on, ensuring it wouldn’t come off.
Smiling, Norbert turned his head back. “Well, I’m off.”
Bending into a runner's sprint, Norbert blasted off, putting everything into it. Running forward, Norbert not stopping as he ran past the steps, leaping off to jump through the glass.
A blue wall came up, stopping Norbert from crashing through and landing on the ground in a crouch, somehow able to land on his feet without making a fool. Looking towards the stairs, Norbert jumped forward, leaping over the railing. Norbert made his way down, sliding down the railing and landing on the next floor.
Looking around for a place to hide in the small crowd, Norbert was shocked, seeing only staff once more on this floor.
Spinning around and descending the next flight of stairs, Norbert made his way to the bottom. Once more, it was entirely empty except for the staff; gone were the usual uniform of black and white Norbert saw armour on these.
The jingling of metal as they drew swords, lights shining on them. Looking around, Norbert dashed, running for the entrance, hoping he could make it through. Banging on the door, the armed guards coming closer and closer towards him. Norbert looked around the frame.
Reaching his hand back, Norbert punched, forcing everything into it; the first one hit, a light shining all around. Hearing the steps behind him getting louder and louder, Norbert punched again. Feeling the bones break in his hand, blood staying contained within his glove.
Finally, upon him, Norbert spun around, facing the five soldiers. The first one moving their sword, protecting their body with a shield. All black Norbert did not want to get hit. As the blade moved, the air buzzing around it, Norbert ducked down, feeling it whisk above.
Cornered, Norbert did not know what to do. Reaching down, he took out his knife with his left hand; looking down quickly at the blade, Norbert jumped up, avoiding the rushing soldier from the other side. Standing beside him, Norbert brought the knife down to the door, smashing it.
Feeling the point touch, a crack was heard. Norbert looked, seeing that it could reach through without even thinking; Norbert stabbed behind him again, hearing the glass shatter. Having leaned on the door, Norbert fell back, sprawling on the ground.
Jumping on his feet, Norbert turned around, sprinting off, hoping to avoid those he knew would be chasing him. Holding onto Obsius, Norbert ran down the street and headed to the pub. Once he hit the street, a bolt of light shot towards him, Norbert zigging to the side after seeing the shadow he created—a blast echoed behind him as it rattled his ears.
Scrambling on the ground, Norbert looked behind himself, seeing a line of mages, lights cast by spells quickly getting brighter. Norbert realised that they wanted to bring him in no matter what, even if he was a smoking husk. Not wanting to show his hand completely, Norbert ran forward, ducking off the main street and down a side one as quickly as possible.
Going around corners, Norbert could evade them in the city, happy they had no way to track him down. Occasionally seeing someone fly through the sky, or a bolt of light shoots somewhere.
Not daring to go back or else being discovered, Norbert waited out the night, constantly in motion ducking from cover to cover and slowly making his way further and further away from the casino.
***
As the light of the day shone through the city, people started walking the streets again. Norbert stepped forward and onto the street. Looking where he was not seeing any streets familiar, he looked towards the tree, now far out.
Using it as a reference point, Norbert casually walked along the streets, stopping now and then to say hello and wave, just trying to relax. With his slow meandering pace, the sun’s presence was well-established in the sky when he returned to the pub. Looking at the window, Norbert could push on it, stepping inside.
As he entered, Norbert saw Martitia standing behind the bar, giving the stink eye at him. Knowing he would be in trouble, Norbert walked in, sitting before her. Before Norbert could even say anything, one word escaped Martitia’s mouth “Talk.”