Clad in a long and flowing robe and hood, Ulgrin felt more conspicuous than stealthy. It certainly did nothing to hide the everpresent clanking and jingling of steel and chain. He’d doffed as much as he could; namely the vestigial parts. But that didn’t prevent him from sticking out like a sore thumb. At least he wasn’t the only mysterious figure in robes. His new apprentice looked swamped in the ensemble. The others wore unassuming disguises over their clothing.

Saezz couldn’t hide his heritage, but at least looked more like a brutish thug than an armored adventurer. Alyss looked like any other street rat. Raelza had thankfully been talked into wearing a more normal disguise. None of their new clothes could be considered ‘rich’. In fact, it was all bought second hand at the worst looking market stall. Hopefully none of them would come down with lice.

As the suns made their daily descent Ulgrin got to watch as the lake lit up with light. It was a subtle change, but gradually shifted into an exuberant luminance. They’d all gone down to the docks to watch, whiling away the hours until they needed to get down to business. It was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.

Dinner was stall food, of which they’d all decided upon dumplings and noodles. Pasta was something they all had agreed was a universal food. Their stomachs having been satisfied, the party made their way to the gambling den.

Entering the slums of Andire was a stark change. He’d already seen plenty of signs of decay and economic downfall but these were downright awful conditions. There was no regard for any kind of building code, regulations, or aesthetics. People had simply built whatever and wherever they could. It ranged from wooden tenements to mudbrick shacks. The smell of rotting wood could be smelled even above the usual mixture that occurred when thousands of people gathered.

You could see tragedy on every corner. Old, young, male, female, human, elf. It didn’t matter here. Everyone was in similar dire straits. How had they let things get this far along? Ulgrin took a moment to gather himself. He couldn’t help anyone yet. Not with the way things were.

[It is strange to see such conditions. The society that birthed me took great strides to reduce such issues.] Lorekeeper had been fairly silent during their time at Andire. He’d taken it as a sign of her being ‘tired’ or whatever happened to artificial constructs. [I have been pondering over such things since we arrived.]

“Ah.” They’d hardly spoken. “Well, when there aren't enough jobs to go around, sometimes people become poor. If a drought or crop failure happens too much it means people suffer. They lose their homes and have to move, mainly to the cities.”

[But this does not appear to have solved their problems. If anything, it seems worse.] Lorekeeper sounded confused.

“Well… That’s the thing. Sure, they can survive here, but it’s just that. Survival. There still aren’t enough jobs to go around for them to stabilize their lives. You would hope that the state would have plans in place to help relieve things like this, but there aren’t. At least not here.” The world was not always kind. Monster attacks, plague, famine. All bringers of tragedy.

[I see. It is sad, isn’t it?]

“Very.” He replied, staring at an empty-eyed woman sitting against a building. She hardly noticed their passing. Drugs? Not unlikely.

They sloshed through muddy streets before making their way to the described location. While ugly, the gambling parlor at least had four walls and a roof, which was more than some residences in this slum. Wary peasantry watched them pass, but thankfully seemed to leave their group be. Not many wanted to mess with the obvious group. Especially one with Saezz in it.

“Looks like this is the place, if we’re following directions right.” Ulgrin stated, tucking away the sheet provided by Alco. “I’ve never done something like this before. Wind, do you mind taking the lead? I assume most of us should stay quiet and not cause any trouble if we can help it.”

“You would be wise to think so,” Wind replied, striding up to the two ‘doors’ that might have been made by sawing a table in half. Inside of the gambling den it was rowdy and loud. Almost immediately as they all entered a silence came over the room. After a moment and seeing no violence about to be occuring the patrons returned to their business. They’d likely seen stranger things.

The half-changeling led them inside and towards the bar. Waiting for them was a grizzled old goblin man. The diminutive greenskin gave them a glance. “Are we gonna have trouble?” He was missing an arm. Attached to the stump was a makeshift prosthetic ending in a hook that he used to hold a cup while he cleaned it with a not-so-clean looking rag. Note to self: no drinking here, Ulgrin thought.

Wind reached into his bag and dropped a few silvers onto the table. “We’re not going to have any trouble. My compatriots are here to protect me while I enjoy the night. Don’t mind them.”

Ulgrin blinked and the coins had disappeared. Fast hands. “Got it. May well not even exist, hmm?” The goblin chuckled, voice gravelly and low. Perhaps a miner? He’d heard plenty of people who had the same type of voice. “Violence is fine so long as you don’t spill any blood. Do so and you’re kicked out. Fist-fights are the limit, here.”

“Of course. Got any suggestions on… which game to play?” Fleeting Wind gently slid a golden coin onto the table. It hurt to toss money away, but Ulgrin wasn’t greedy. Better to spend it here to give them more information.

The goblin paused, flipping the coin between their right hand’s fingers. “What kind of games do you like? If you’re looking for just the small stuff then that should cover it. But if you want to sit at the big table… We’ll need more of a deposit.” He tapped the hook hand against the wood.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Wind nodded, reaching in and pulling out a sackful. The barkeep pulled it quickly, hiding the money with their body. After counting, he gave a satisfied look and grunted.

“We’ll cut the bullshit.” The goblin stated. “You want the really good information, you’ll talk to my boss. She’s over there,” he pointed at a large table where a game of Dead Man’s Knave was being played. Seated opposite the dealer was a woman wearing black-dyed leathers and a huge grin on her face. Dwarven, he realized. She had a braid of thick auburn hair and poofy bangs.

“I’m assuming she’ll ask for more money?” Wind correctly assumed as the goblin nodded. “Very well. I think I’ll join them in their next round.” He turned to leave, gesturing for the two of them to follow.

“Tell her you enjoy the Maiden’s Kiss, it’s a drink here. She’ll get what you’re putting down.” He shook his head impatiently. “Now go, I’ve got customers to serve.” The goblin flippantly waved them away.

Having a person to beseech for information, Wind gestured for them to split up a bit. “Ulgrin and Alder can stay with me. I’ll need a few of my guards, but the rest of you spread out. Try and listen. You never know what you might overhear in a dingy den like this.” He smirked a bit, but gestured for them to follow.

The elven man acting as the dealer gave them all a look. “Only got room for a few at this table.”

“I’ll be the one joining,” Wind said confidently. “They’re just my friends. You don’t mind if they watch, do you?”

“S’pose not. Don’t try and cheat or we’ll gut you like a pig.” The dealer stated matter of factly. “Buy-in’s ten shiners.” Wind placed down ten more gold pieces and sat down. The ‘boss’ of this place stared at him curiously, but with an undercurrent of dismissiveness like he was an animal she’d encountered on the street. The other players in the game didn’t pay much mind, focused on their cards.

Wind leaned back in his chair. “Hmm. I quite enjoyed the Maiden’s Kiss that the bartender served. Do you have any suggestions, miss?” He looked towards the dwarven woman. She narrowed her eyes in recognition but the grin just as quickly returned to her face.

“Well, we’ve got a lot of shitty drinks here, but I’m a Dunvi at heart and make sure to keep a few choice selections at the bar.” She paused and gave him an up-and-down. “The name is Granti, I own this place. But I’m pretty sure that old Yec pointed you my way. Looking to earn big?”

“Something along those lines.” Wind said, watching as the cards were dealt. Dead Man’s Knave was about risk taking first and foremost. Acting the ‘knave’ could get you metaphorically killed or strike big, it required timing and luck to get right. Playing in a reserved manner meant death by a thousand cuts as your stack of tokens was drained each time you chose not to act.

They both grew silent as the first round came and went. Ulgrin watched patiently as tokens exchanged hands. Wind, having not much reason to win, was only taking minor risks and plays. The den’s owner on the other hand played like every hand was her last. It seemed to be working out for her though, and the woman’s pile grew higher.

Suddenly she frowned. “This is boring. I’d have thought you would play a fun game.” She scowled and gestured at Wind. “If you want what I think you want then play for real.”

Wind paused, concerned and unsure what to do. Ulgrin sighed, knowing he’d have to do something stupid here if they wanted answers. He pulled his helmet off and sat down, lowering his hood. “Then you’d best play against the real man in charge.”

“Ah. Kinsman!” Her scowl faded. “Judging by your face, you’re of… aye, highland descent. Judging by the armor ye’ve got below those robes you’re not a native of Andire.” She crossed her arms. “Very well. Take over his place and get to playing. I expect good things from you.”

[A card game?] Lorekeeper asked, confused. [How does this further our goals?]

Ulgrin sighed, whispering under his breath as he sat down. “Definitely not my idea for getting information.” He looked at the hand he’d inherited from Wind. Not bad. Lower numbers were best in Knave, and he had none higher than a four. [Actually,] he began speaking telepathically, [You could help. Can you count cards?]

[Easily.] Lorrie replied, though quite confused. [If this will aid you, then I shall.]

Together the two managed to win the next round. Lorekeeper proved quite the ally, their calculative abilities surpassing his own. Granti leaned back in her chair, definitely pleased. “Better. You play a hard game, kinsman. The fey over there is too rigid, too passive. No offense.”

“None taken,” Wind replied.

Granti gave a glance to the other players who had been decidedly losing to the two. “You lot should find a different table. Now.” The disgruntled gamblers left without much fuss. “One last round before we get down to business. You win, and I give one free question. I win and… you give me a kiss.” Huh?

Ulgrin’s eyes widened. She wanted that? He paused. The dwarven woman was attractive for sure, but easily twice his age! He suppressed a shiver. “Alright. Play the cards, dealer.” Ulgrin pushed forward his tokens into the stack.

The final round began and Ulgrin cursed his luck. He’d been handed two nines, a ten, and a five. [Any idea on what she would have been dealt?] Granti had one hell of a poker face, always keeping a smug grin no matter what hand she’d been given.

[Calculating…] Lorekeeper replied, taking only a moment. [There is a fifty-four percent chance she had been dealt a ‘Knave’ card. If I am to understand correctly, this would mean her hand automatically loses should that be the case?] The construct had learned quickly the rules of the game.

[Yeah. Which means it’s an even shot on whether or not I win.] Ulgrin sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. In for a copper, in for a gold, he had to admit. Ulgrin pushed his cards forwards. “I’ll call your Knave.”

Granti stared back at him. “Heh.” For a moment he felt his heart race. Were the odds in his favor? He had to try.

She flipped the cards to reveal a one, a three, and a Knave card. The grinning hooded man stared back at him. Ulgrin let out a sigh of relief, satisfied that the game had gone well. “Looks like I lost. Oh well. I don’t rig the system here in my den.” She shrugged. “Give him his gold. I expect it’ll be given right back to me anyways.”

The dealer nodded, leaving to go acquire the money. Shortly after a large sack was placed into Ulgrin’s hands. It was hefty, that was sure. Granti waited for him to check the amount within before gesturing for him, Alder, and Wind to follow her. They were led towards the left side of the building and through a shoddy door.

A simple office room awaited them. Granti sat down at a desk he assumed was stolen given its value compared to the place. Rich mahogany. She kicked her boots up onto the desk and stared at them all for a moment. “Well, I’m a woman of my word. First question is free. Don’t waste it.” She acted playful, but he knew the woman was serious about this stuff.

Ulgrin was tempted to ask a question about the details on instinct, but reigned in the urge. He deliberated for a moment. “What are the Court of the Fallen doing in Andire’s capital?”

Granti raised an eyebrow. “You’re not the usual information seekers that come here. Damn. Starting with a hard question. Very well. My answer to that would be: they’re here to start a rebellion. Knowing about them, isn’t that obvious?” She snorted. “But to expand on that, they’re here to manipulate the populace into weakening the crown.”

“I suppose it’s good to have confirmation,” Alder said with a shrug. “How much do you want for more questions?”

“Boy, you’d best let the adults keep talking.” The dwarven woman replied. “But since you want to join us at the table, my answer to that is half a pound of gold per question. Asking questions like that is a risk to my business. You don’t want to mess with those assholes. They wou-”

The sound of splintering wood cut off the woman. Ulgrin could hear yells coming from the other room. It couldn’t be easy, could it?

A somewhat late chapter, but a chapter nonetheless. Even in disguise, Ulgrin's party is fairly conspicuous. It was only a matter of time. Thank you all for reading. See you next chapter! By the way, funny number achieved.

image [https://i.gyazo.com/51cbaf24b3cfc78a833db628d14a94e2.png]

Haha weed.