Chronicles of The Omniverse Archived The Queensway

Abel supposed it couldn't hurt to play cards with some strangers, could it?.

"I will play if... you tell me how to play " They said, smiling softly... maybe he could sit besides the man and make friends with him. So the star stood up and followed Val to the other table, and sat by the unknown mysterious man. Not too close or anything, but hey, they were already besides him so that was a plus. "... so how do we play??" They asked with obvious interest.
 
The Windrider's lingering eyes did not go unnoticed by Castala who approached him next. She whispered something to him before slipping a second card into the cut of his collar.

She gave him a parting wink before leaving them to their business with Kerson as she made her own way to the bar counter to have words with the proprieter.

Kerson meanwhile had a pleasant enough demeanor to him as the group approached.

"King's Enclave," he explained to Tzaan and Val. "The rules are a bit complex, but you look sharp enough to pick them up quickly enough."

For those local to the region they would be more familiar with the game in question.

"We'll keep the wagers small," he offered. "Just a friendly game between friendly travelers."

He had already begun to shuffle and deal out hands for each of the approaching group as he explained the rules for those unfamiliar.
 
Abel had been nodding enthusiastically as he learned the rules of the game, they were a little difficult, like uhm...
Oh crap what was his name?
...
Edron?, no, no it had a K or a C in it... uhm..
It rhymed with -person-

Ohhh!, Kerson. Kerson that was it, Kerson, Kerson, Keeerrrsssooonnn. Abel hoped they wouldn't forget again.
"Okay!, I think I've understood the rules" they claimed, grinning softly.
 
Isaiyl's eyebrows perked up somewhat at Castala's whisper. He didn't reach for the card and let it rest until later. His expression kept steady afterward.

"I'm familiar with this one," he told Kerson. "Though it's been a while. A few games and I'll be back on the horse." He picked up his cards and took a sip of ale.
 
Tzaan had a love of games, and this was no different. He was, however, extremely competitive, taking his wins as major victories, and his losses personally: it was in his nature. Many times he had been offered his freedom if he won some game, and after a while, every victory became a necessity. As such, he loathed cheating.

"What's that?" voice calm, but bristling with anger. He hadn't seen the card, but noticed Castala's hand, and her whispering: surely it was some unfair play.
 
"I've never been good at this game," Val murmured, shaking his head. "Amarathian games all have far too many layers for my tastes."

Despite his complaints, he seemed happy enough to join in. His eyes flicked over to Castala and Isaiyl, but his mouth merely quirked upwards in a smirk upon observing their brief interaction. He kept his thoughts to himself, and focused on the game.
 
"Can't help but notice what a peculiar lot you are," Kerson said as he finished setting up the table for the ensuing game.

His eyes lingered longest upon Val, who seemed to be the one taking point for this ragtag group of travelers.

"Must be a story to how you all wound up here in Andoril," he inquired. "Coming from the city? Or heading to it?"

While they conversed, Castala returned bearing mead tankards that she began to set out next to each of the players.

"This round's on us," she told them as she made her way around the table.

Nearby a trio of elven men were murmuring among themselves. Two were shaking their heads, while the third was gesturing at the table that the card game was ensuing. Finally he stood up with a scowl and approached the table.

"Why don't you two go ply your trade somewhere else," he scowled. "And stop fleecing well-meaning travelers of their hard earned coin? We all know your game. It's high time you moved it along somewhere else."
 
"Coming from," Val answered. "On our way out to distant parts to do good, I'm sure it's a story you've heard a thousand times before. And yourselves? You mentioned you were travellers. What's the journey?"

When Castala brought the mead over, Val gave her an appreciative nod, though his eyes wandered to the trio that were watching their table with interest. They couldn't have broadcast disapproval any louder if they'd been shouting. When one finally took it upon himself to approach, Val leaned back in his chair, listening with a raised eyebrow.

"Now this sounds like a story worth sharing," he remarked, looking between the man and Kerson with a grin. "Care to enlighten a well-meaning traveller?"
 
Isaiyl gave Tzaan a very long stare as he lifted his cup, trying to signal with his eyes that this subject was not one to be brought up now. Most would have gotten the hint by now, but Tzaan wasn't human, or even that close to human.

About to answer the inquiry of the two, Isaiyl's attention was once again taken by another group. He looked between the man who had voiced his disapproval, to Castala and Kerson.

"I agree with Val. Please, tell us."
 
Amma raised her eyebrows at the approach of the elf, sliding her book shut. She eyed the two card-dealers, interested to see how they would react to the statement. She wrapped her hand around the mug of mead set before her but didn't take a sip. Her fingers played with the undecorated wooden handle absentmindedly, her eyes fixed on the figures before her.
 
Abel listened to the rest of the travellers as they spoke. They had noticed the nearby trio eyeing them, constantly. It was a little annoying and it made the star very uncomfortable... however, when they finally approached them and made their purpose clear, it sounded like they were just trying to help them?, perhaps these two were thieves or something?.
"...Yeah, I believe it's a story that we would all loove to listen to" they added, giving the elf besides him a suspicious look.
 
"Story here? Lights no," Kerson replied with mock shock and dismay. "Treeton was it?" he asked with a look to the volatile elf. "Treeton here is just a disgruntled loser who is a rather lousy card player who shouldn't make wagers while drunk," he explained. "But come now, have I offered up anything but a friendly game of cards?" he inquired. "We're all travelers here, just looking to pass the evening," he explained. "There's nothing on the line here but a few coppers."

The elf, Treeton, was downright bristling.

"Mark my words," he warned the group. "Nothing good will come of consorting with these two."

With that he departed the establishment altogether rather than rejoin his comrades at the other table.
 
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