Making a gamble

[Joras Timbule (I)]

I kicked my legs up on a chair, restless. How many days had it been since I had last taken a break? It was getting boring, sitting in the Cockeral waiting for something to grab my attention. many of the patrons still hadn't accepted me yet, so there was nothing to do but sit and wait, flashing a charming smile at any lass looking my way.

I pulled out a silver coin, started flipping it in my hands, for lack of anything better to do. This one had been worn down to a high sheen from use. To think, I was bored enough to notice such details was an extremity.

The door to the common room opened. I looked towards it, hoping it was someone whom I could talk with at least. I pulled out a few chairs in hopes the patron might see them and sit. Then I looked up.

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

A few days before the Hunt

I’d just spent too much time cooped up. Between the preparations for the Royal Hunt, my apparent courtship of the Dauphine, my secret courtship of Avive, the letters and preparations of the new House, I’d been excessively busy. I felt like wandering alone. I felt like being Walid, not the crown prince of Ummayyatt. I felt like slumming it.

I’d spent a while simply walking on Mont-Nuit, escaping the shadowy escort that made me so visible. I’d adopted travel gear for the day, modest, unassuming. My station’s insignae were left at home. I was just a man, out for a drink and maybe a game of dice.

And so it was that my footsteps took me to the Cockeral, and I entered the loud place inconspicuously. At the bar, I got myself a mug of ale, and sought out a place to sit. Unfortunately, though, no tables were left alone, and so I found one with only one occupant, a foreign looking young man who seemed to have some coin to waste.

“Is this seat taken?” I asked, nudging the empty stool across from him.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

"There's always room at my table, sir. I'm afraid it is more from lack of company than from hospitality." I grinned. He was dressed rather mundanely, but his eyes betrayed the authority of a higher figure. I decided not to probe any further; many nobles came here to live the "low life", I was not one to judge them.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

I'd spoiled myself this morning with sleeping late, lazing about in my quarters and enjoying a day that I don't routinely get. Having eaten a light, late breakfast, I wandered Mont Nuit and shopped a little, buying a few items to ship back to my sister. I was beginning to miss her fiery self.

The day'd grown warmer than I'd originally anticipated, making me thirsty enough to forgo my shopping and take refuge in a tavern. The Cockeral appeared over the next bend as I meandered, bringing a slow smile to my face. I hadn't been there in some time.

Within a few moments I was inside the door and looking around, my hands running unconsciously across my hips. Hmm.. Couple, couple, taken, empty, should be a single, but apparently the male was drunk enough already that he didn't care... My eyes landed on two male figures, both screaming foreign and new, the one just taking a seat and the other with a fetching grin. Interesting; I always seemed to get on better with males than females. Mostly, anyway; there were the few women that I rather enjoyed.

I made my way over with a light step and a pleasant smile, my voice quiet, though clear when I spoke up. "Starting a game? Mind if a lady joins you gentlemen in your fun?"

[Joras Timbule (I)]

I grinned ear to ear as I stood to hold out a chair for her. She looked like a noble as well, but obviously wasn't as accustomed to hiding it. I took a while to size her up. She was beautiful, much like every other woman in Terre D'Ange. But she was exceptionally above any serving lass.

I let her sit and retreated to my chair. "Joras Timbule, at your service, my Lady." I smiled devilishly "A game sounds wonderful"

I snapped my fingers for a serving girl, and asked the newcomer what she would like to drink. "Drinks at this table are on me" I added.


That reminded me; What were their names? I had completely forgotten to ask them! I decided to quickly repair this breach in courtesy.

"Might I ask your names, my new friends? And if it would not be too probing, what game would you like to play?"

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

I hadn't even settled in place, that a new face popped up, charming and slithering like an Ephesian panther, or was it, perhaps, more liked.... manta peligrossa. Yes. The Aragonian insect, known to eat it's mate's head - charming, but deadly. I'd met enough women in my travel to know, to gauge them. This one was dangerous.

I didn't even have a chance to really reply, and the young man (naive child), was welcoming her like she was Queen Sabrina herself, giving her a seat, paying the entranced courtier. Fair and well. Let him do so, if he will. I, for myself, merely inclined my head in respect.

"I did not know we were to play games," I replied. "I was just looking for a place to sit, and have a drink quietly," I said, not exactly dryly, not exactly warmly either. The truth was, I was annoyed because I wanted to get away from court, and I had an intuition court had come to me, despite myself.

The young man, Joras, though, I liked. He was enthusiastic and pure of spirit, it seemed, and generous to boot. "Many thanks," I replied. "And you can call me Mas'ud."

I wasn't lying. It was one of my given names. Just... not my first name, not the one that was associated with the Prince. Just... me.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

My oh my, what an interesting little combination here. The fellow, Joras, seemed happy as a lark, and as he pulled my chair back I gave him a thankful smile, seating myself lightly and glancing at the other. Broody and dark, with a bit of a twist to his mouth like he just suckled on a sour breast. Not pouting, now, were we?

I turned my gaze back to Joras, my smile still warm on my face. "Noelle d'Aubigne, my lord Timbule. Thank you very much for your kindness." I gave my order of a white wine to the waitress as I settled more in my chair, my legs crossing beneath the heavy wooden table. "Games? I was unaware... though I believe I'd be up for a challenge." My eyes went from the pleasant man to the other, his skin a cast that was rarely seen in these parts. He'd ignored me thus far, not even so much as acknowledging my presence.

"Don't feel the need to join," I said idly, my face decidedly neutral. "Though on my half, you're more than welcome, and I believe Joras here would agree." I turned my eyes back to the other man, offering him a small smile.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

Hrm. Maybe these two knew each other? But again, I decided not to probe. Neither seemed in the mood to talk about their personal lives. That was their business, and though it left a crackle in the air, there was nothing I could do but give out good portions of good will to everyone.

Mas'ud didn't seem too thrilled at the prospect of a game... so I would lead them both into the idea with something more... 'noble'. A test of minds, would be a more apt name for it. We would not pull out the cards and reduce ourselves... yet.

"What do you two think of a test of minds?" I asked, assuming that Mas'ud would join in on the fun. There was no question about Noelle, she was definitely in for some entertainment. What I had in mind was not any fun when only a single mind was involved. "Do you have much experience with 'The riddle game'? It is simple really. We each take turns, telling riddles. You get one guess per riddle. If you get it right, the person owes you whatever they bet. If you don't, you owe them that same thing."

I grinned. I just fabricated that whole thing. It seemed like a great place to start with some unwilling? partners.

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

As the Lady D'Aubigne spoke, apparently surprised by my mention of games, I'd lifted an eyebrow. Perhaps I'd misjudged her, and she suffered from short term memory loss. Court? Huh. Maybe, maybe not. She did have a particle, though. Likely one I'd see again. Inwardly, I sighed. I couldn't let go completely, now, could I?

Maybe she wouldn't remember her own name in the next round. That made her much more inoffensive than I thought, and imperceptibly, I relaxed and gave her a smile.

"Riddles, Joras?" I asked, including the woman Noelle in my reply with a sweeping gaze, "I may be interested. What are the odds?" I wasn't against playing for money - Allah knew, I had enough to spare - but I didn't feel like telling them such an information so soon.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

He had opened up. That was a sign for good tidings. I would have to capitalize on this. "Again, anything you want to bet. I'll start out modest though, just an extra round of drink." I wasn't drinking anything too fancy, just a cheap wine that I'd become hooked to during my stay in Elua. A couple copper would be generous for another glass of this.

"A horse is on an island in the middle of a lake, and it gives tours with a carriage when tourists come to the island. The horse didn't swim to the island, nor was it born there or brought in by boat. How did it arrive on the island?" I sat back to watch the looks of despair arise on their faces. there was something in the telling of a riddle that just puts smug content into a person.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

The sudden appearance of a smile out of his sour face made me automatically suspicious, wondering just what he had up his sleeve. There was a faint cast to his features that demanded one listen to him, and a bell clicked off in my head. Ah, of course. I'd heard more than one rumor of a Umaiyyatt princeling prancing around the royal court. Apparently I'd been lucky enough to enter his surly presence.

Joras, however, I was finding a liking for already. Polite, cheery; usually the latter didn't interest me much, but on him it was... fitting. More than that, though, he proposed games that exercised ones strength of mind, and I listened carefully to him as he spoke.

"Hmm." I hummed it softly to myself as I thought, my toes tapping against the inside of my slipper under the table. A horse, not born, did not swim nor ride in a boat; there was only one other way to which it could arrive, and only two ways possible for that to happen. A lake to suddenly form around an island was highly improbable, so I went with the easier, more obvious solution.

"It walked," I said simply, my eyes training up on Joras. "Upon a frozen lake, it walked over." I smiled at him, the gesture soft and feminine, though my eyes sparkled with good cheer. I so did love these games, though that which I generally played at was far more subtle.

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

I'd listed to Joras' riddle with quiet attention, my mind already bobbing with many possible answers. Of course, it could have flown, if my invention worked, but it didn't. A bridge? Why not? It was my initial thought, though at Noelle's reply, I nodded in assent, suddenly remembering the frozen waters of the Odessa.

I gave her a look of respect. Not a feeble-headed chit, then. Oh well. It seemed the next round was on me, if she was right, and I couldn't conceive any better answer.

"It seems the lady beat me to it, Joras," I told him with an amused smile. "Congratulations, My Lady D'Aubigne."

I had an excuse, though. Frozen lakes weren't exactly common, where I came from.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

I smiled in good cheer, Noelle having gotten my riddle straight off. "Careful not to drink too much" I jested "you may not be so lucky if you do!"

Mas'ud seemed to be reaching into his pockets for a coin, but I staved him off. " It's not your pockets that pay for this one, lord. I made the riddle, so drinks are on me next round."

Now that I had had my turn, I waited respectfully for someone to make their riddle. I was cradling my wine glass in my hands, but my feet had come off the table when Noelle walked in. My idea seemed to be working, and they were opening up quite well. Maybe they would become less icy towards each other, who knows?

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

“Fair and well,” I replied, thinking still on a riddle I may yet offer. “Then let me have the honor of perhaps buying the next round.”

I recited my mother’s old riddle – not a difficult one by any means, but perhaps the Ummayyatti style of riddle would present a challenge.

“The loftiest cedars I can eat,
Yet neither paunch nor mouth have I,
I storm whene'er you give me meat,
Whene'er you give me drink I die.”

I made an opening gesture of my hand. I was curious to see if they would figure it out.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

First a smile, then a look of respect? Either he'd revised his attitude, or he were attempting at playing games... and if that were so, he was a poor player indeed. You didn't switch tactics so blatantly and suddenly. Still, I had no reason not to play along, and so I kept a pleasant look on my face as I acknowledged both his and Joras with an incline of my head. "It wasn't luck, my lord," I said in a teasing fashion, my eyes flashing to Joras. "Merely a deduction of known facts."

I sat back and listened to this Mas'ud speak - what was his true name? Bloody hells, I'd forgotten, and it vexed me to no ends. Loftiest cedars... something large or tall, or able to climb. Neither a mouth nor a stomach, so not alive. Storms with meat and dies with liquids... Simple enough, only one conclusion; fire. I kept my peace and glanced to Joras, giving him a chance to speak before I. I had, after all, taken the initial round.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

I could see a look of knowing in Noelle's eyes. She knew the answer. She was putting me on the stage. Very well, then. I took a sip of my wine, thinking. What ate, but had no mouth? It had to have something to do with cedars, or the riddle wouldn't have mentioned it... maybe meat was a metaphor? So it stormed when it was given something, but died in water... Suddenly it dawned on me. Why hadn't I seen it first off?

"A fire?" I replied. Wonderfully simple, yet crafted subtly. This would truly be a game of wills, then.

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

My hands came open, and I waved the server about. “Well done,” I said to Joras, though I contemplated the woman. She’d done very well on the first round, so I wondered if she hadn’t… bah, no matter.

“What will you have, then, my Lady?” I asked her. My eyes went to Joras, repeating the question silently, “And you?”

I pulled out the coin, not wanting to be outdone this time, and got ready to call forth the waiter. As I did so, my hand moved to my throat, fingering unwittingly a coral on a string – good luch charm from Jebe-Barkal, which I’d never taken off since I’d received it from the lovely Nyasha. A secretive smile creased my lips as I remembered her chocolate skin, her hungry kisses. Too bad she wasn’t born a princess, that one – I’d have married her with pleasure.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

I simply nodded at the waiter when I was asked. I had been staying in the Cockeral long enough for the servers to know my tastes.

I glanced at Mas'ud. He was grinning at some fantasy of his. I rolled my eyes secretively and looked instead at Noelle. A strapping lass to say the least. I sighed softly and leaned back in my chair, mentally absenting myself.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

"Aye," I agreed, smiling at Joras for guessing it right. "Very well done, indeed. And you as well, my lord Mas'ud. It was structured well."

Ah, well, no point in being completely cold. I made a request to the server to bring a second wine to me when the one I were drinking were through, then looked at the men a moment, a thoughtful look playing across my features. I already knew what riddle it was that I was going to put out to them; no, I was taking the scant moment I had to assess them openly, using the guise of the game to cover it. Joras seemed open as a book - friendly, nice, handsome face. This other seemed almost as if he'd had a change of personality since I'd first arrived, and I hadn't quite figured out what had caused it.

"There are times we wish for it
and there are times we don't.
It is never here
but sometimes we want it to be.
I am not a thing.
I am not an imagination.
I will never be here.

I paused, looking at them. "What am I?"

Games of the mind. I truly did enjoy them.

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

It was her voice that stirred me from my momentary daydream – though I hadn’t quite realized I’d let my mind wander until she’d broken the silence, and I noticed the somewhat magical appearance of new drinks on the table. Not good. I’d let myself drift…. Though it was exactly why I’d gone out – I needed to let go. Not being utterly myself in the presence of the mighty was exhausting.

“Thank you,” I replied quietly at her praise. “Though the praise goes to my mother,” I admitted in earnest, thoughtfully, still. “She was a shrewd woman.”

I drummed the table pensively in a gesture that was a poor replication Mercedes' music - and immediately dismissed the thought, and the pang of pain it followed, concentrating on the task at hand. It was good riddle, this one. I took a moment, and analyzed it. Something that can be wished for, or not. Death? Love? Something that is intangible, impossible, yet that exists. An abstract concept, then. I pondered a little while longer, and offered a tentative answer. “Eternity.”

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

It always delights me to make people think, and more often than not the very fact that I'm not a bumble-headed chit surprises them. I'd seen this Mas'uds face when I'd answered Joras' riddle; he'd put me in that category, too.

"Close," I said, my gaze moving to the Mas'uds, meeting him eye-to-eye. "But not quite close enough, I'm afraid."

I looked over to Joras to see if he had any idea, curious as to how his mind completely worked. He was handsome to look at, with his dark hair and eyes, a shadow under his skin that told the tale of facial hair. Mm, I always did like facial hair, and so few d'Angeline men were able to bear it. This Mas'ud, he was pretty too in his own way, though I had a stark feeling that we were more likely to spit curses at one another than share a bed.

But, then again, I'd been wrong before. What was the name of his I'd heard?

[Joras Timbule (I)]

I was somewhat startled when Noelle started to speak. I made no sign of it however, and sat as I was, staring at a knot in the rafters. Maybe I could make it blink first.

I abandoned my lost cause, listening to the latter part of the riddle.
...not a thing.
I am not an imagination.
I will never be here.

Oops. Maybe I should have listened. However, I was saved by Mas'ud. "Eternity" he said. That led me to my conclusion. It must be alike to it, for Noelle said it was close.

I sat upright again, tipping back my glass and answering when I was done. "The Future, or however you might care to phrase it." I smiled at myself. For half a riddle I did pretty well.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

By the gods, was neither listening to me? My pride scratched at me and I stifled the reflex of a stiffening spine, instead bringing a smile to my lips; he did get it right, after all. "Close enough," I said. "The answer I had was 'tomorrow'."

I brought my glass to my mouth and took a drink, then tipped it slightly as I swallowed. "I believe the following round is on me, then, is it not?"

[Joras Timbule (I)]

So. We all owed a round. I hadn't realized they would follow my trend. If we all kept up with it, we'd have to arrange another meeting to finish off our debts!

"It would seem so, my Lady" I replied to Noelle's comment. She seemed a bit flustered at the fact that neither of us males were paying as much attention as we would have liked to.
"Can't let that happen" I muttered to myself, referring to the fits all women were inclined to when they felt slighted by a man. Noelle didn't appear the type to be very lenient with such matters.

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

I’d remained silent as my answer was wrong, and refrained from hitting my forehead with my palm as she gave the answer. Tomorrow. Of course tomorrow. How could I be such an idiot?

“It was an excellent riddle, Milady,” I told her in earnest. “Though mayhap we should wait before we claim our prizes, seeing as it’s almost two rounds in five minutes, yes?” My gaze shifted to Joras, wondering if this solution pleased him.

Nonetheless, truly curious but also hoping to buy us time, I asked, “Would you mind telling its origin?” I wondered at heart what crafty people came up with such a good riddle – but it was also convenience. A break, a chat, civilized conversation… and a chance to drink said rounds.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

I looked at the foreign prince a little askance; did he honestly think I meant to have a multitude of glasses on our table, laying in wait to be drunk? Mayhap it were the difference in mother languages; I hoped so. It was either that, or he thought I was lacking common sense, though even that could be used to my advantage given the right motive and the right situation.

"Of course," I replied serenely, bowing my head a touch to him. Were he playing at being a commoner here, slumming with folks? He surely seemed as if he were dressing the part. I leaned a little in Joras' direction, my eyes glancing at him and peering from a veil of lashes. He muttered something to himself; what it was, I didn't know, but I supposed it didn't matter.

Mas.. Walid! That was it, by the gods. Walid bin Kasseem, the name he'd given more than once in this City, or at least all that had been repeated. Prince of Sa'ud, on a voyage to retrieve a foreign wife. I felt sorry for the poor whore already, because that was all she'd be in the end. The beginning of a long list of wives, all taking turns, naked and waiting for this mans attention and pleasures. Mmm.. On second thought, there were certain appeals...

Oh gods, no. Damn, Noelle, no. I looked back at Joras once more and flickered a small smile, then glanced at this Walid Prince to answer him. "That one I garnered from a book I read a few years ago. My father would drill my sister and I with riddles when we were young, making games out of it, testing our knowledge and making us think." I gave him a polite smile as well, though I caught a flash of naked, writhing flesh before my minds eye and I looked away again, switching to a safer, more complacent subject: Joras.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

Noelle seemed to be wrestling with inner thoughts. The relative silence at our table had become rather oppressive. Seemingly worst of all, I couldn't decide whether or not Noelle was giving me "the eye". I would play it safe, just in case...

In any case, she decided to break the silence and talk to Mas'ud. She spoke with a new knowledge that I could hardly hope to fathom. The minds of some people are entire mysteries to me. When she finished speaking, she turned and looked at me.

I felt like she was looking through me, and I squirmed a little bit. Not too noticeably, given, but I felt that it was all too obvious. I tried masking it by pretending it was because I was getting uncomfortable in the position I was sitting in. Goodness, it was a splash of cold water. I'd have to watch that girl.

"So are you wishing for another game, maybe?" I asked. My voice, at least, did not betray me like my body did. "I know many games, we could even just play for fun if you didn't care to bet. That might solve our little problem of drink-buying" I suggested in a wholly lighthearted tone. I honestly didn't care what they wanted to do, this was much more company than I normally had.

[Noelle d'Aubigne]

I nearly tsked under my breath; Joras acted confused, shifting a little in his seat, looking at me as if he were trying to figure out if I was a serpent or a wide-eyed doe. I wondered idly what he was like in bed, if he enjoyed a womans company or if he preferred men. Mayhap I'd interrupted something between he and this Walid. I didn't relish the thought, and thought mayhap I should test it a little. Feel the waters out, so to speak.

"Another would be lovely, but so would this one," I responded pleasantly, peering down at my nearly empty wineglass before looking back up at him. My lashes rimmed my vision, and I offered him a smile, then shrugged my shoulders lightly, shifting them beneath the sage green of my dress. "I'm fairly easy to please." I glanced at the foreign prince, then back again, before finishing the remainder of my wine in a delicate swoop. If this kept up, I'd need more of these drinks.

[Joras Timbule (I)]

Was she trying to confuse me or something? No matter, I would try to act more normal than I was. Of course, though I am a social person, it has been a fault of mine to be more open in my expressions than I wished to be. Maybe it was my lack of social interaction during my childhood. Who knows?

Noelle replied to my inquisition with relative indifference. She cold like of any game I brought out. "Easy to please" she said. Was she hinting at something? Probably not, so I dismissed it as innocent. As for Mas'ud? I was waiting for him to answer. Maybe he even had a game from his homeland he wanted to share?

[Walid bin Kasseem(D)]

There had been a moment of quietness at the table, where the Lady seemed to question my observation. I gave her a nonplussed look. I’d only stated the obvious. She acceded to my request, but even as she spoke, something in her gaze shifted, though I had no idea what to think of it. Mayhap she’d finally connected the dots, if she was a regular at court, which she might well be. I had no way of knowing, being entirely new to the City of Elua. Mayhap it were something else. I’d have to see.

At long last her reply came, and it gave me the confirmation of my earlier doubt. Not an idiot, but one trained in the art of court, perhaps of more. Caution, then. Manta Pelligrosa. It fit her well, though, for she had charm to boot, and she was pretty. If that was coupled with the intellect I suspected, and the training she’d claimed, she was a remarkable person, and a dangerous enemy to have. I wondered what games she played. For fun, or for more serious means? I had no way of knowing just now.

I was about to thank her for indulging my curiosity, and to question her more on the matter, when Joras, seemingly smoldering in the face of grandeur, burbled something about a new game. I stifled a chuckle. There were many games played simultaneously at this table, it seemed. This was a time to thread lightly, if any.

She replied, though, and it amused me to no end. It occurred to me that I wouldn’t mind tumbling her, if it were of no consequence. Was that what she hinted at? Maybe, and maybe not. Who knew, with those D’Angelines? They were always planning another tryst. It was alien to me, but desert men are hot blooded – and that suited me just fine. Bah. Maybe it was the Caerdicci she was after. He was younger than me, after all.

“What other games do you have in mind?” I asked curiously. “Dice, or cards?” I’d added the latter to clarify the absence of innuendo. Considering where we were, I didn’t’ think it was superfluous.