Page 84 of Song of the Shadow Prince
“Small!
“Big!”
“Big!”
“Small!”
Reaching the gambling table was an ordeal. Gamblers, a mix of seasoned regulars and hopeful newcomers, were packed shoulder to shoulder, each vying for a place at the table. Their eyes were fixed on the rolling dice and the hands dealing cards, their expressions a blend of concentration and excitement. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the collective eagerness and anxiety of those risking their hard-earned money.
I finally edged my way to the front and stood on my tiptoes to catch the dealer’s attention.I approached the table and pulled a heavy pouch of gold coins from my belt. The eyes of the players flickered to me, taking in my confident stride and the breezy way I tossed the pouch onto the table. It landed with a satisfying thud, drawing a few appreciative whistles and more than one calculating gaze.
“I'm in for the next round,” I announced, my voice cutting through the chatter. My hand hovered over the pouch, fingers brushing the cool metal of the coins.
The dealer, a grizzled old man with a scar running down his cheek, nodded and slid a set of dice across to me. “Your call, miss.”
“Big,” I declared, throwing the dice with a practiced flick. They clattered across the table, coming to rest amidst groans and cheers.
“Small!” the dealer called out, happily scooping up the majority of my coins with a grin that showed several missing teeth. Murmurs of sympathy rippled through the surrounding crowd.
I clenched my jaw, feigning anger. “Another round!” I snapped as I threw down another hefty handful of coins. The dice rolled again, the outcome no better than the first. The murmurs grew louder, mixed with a few snickers.
That was my cue. I abruptly stood and gave the table a slight shove, causing coins to jingle and spill. “This game is rigged!” I shouted, my voice rising above the din. A hush fell over the nearby spectators.
The dealer's eyes narrowed. “You accusing me of cheating, girl?” he growled, his hand inching toward the knife belted at his waist.
“Yeah, I am!” I shot back, stepping closer. “What are you going to do about it?”
The tavern's atmosphere shifted palpably. The previous mirth cooled into tense anticipation. The dealer straightened to his full, towering height. “You've got a big mouth, girl. Maybe I’ll shut it for you.”
When he lunged forward, I sidestepped and used his momentum to throw him over my shoulder. He crashed into the table behind us, sending cards, coins, and tankards flying. The crowd erupted, some cheering, others shouting for the tavern’s security.
I didn’t have to wait long. As the dealer scrambled to his feet with rage distorting his features, a familiar, chilling sensation swept through the air. The crowd parted and there he was—Klaus, stepping through the tavern door with the silent authority of a storm. His eyes found mine immediately, a flicker of both amusement and irritation playing across his face.
“Right on time,” he said, his voice smooth over the growing chaos.
“Just as you requested… Now, if you could help a girl out,” I replied with a grin, though my heart pounded with the thrill of the fight and his sudden appearance.
“It’s a fae!” someone in the crowd shrieked.
Gasps rang out all around and the crowd parted like the Red Sea around us.
Klaus surveyed the scene— overturned tables, gamblers nursing bruised egos, and the detritus of a gambling house scattered on the floor. But the fighting had stopped, and it seemed I was no longer in any danger. With a sigh that seemed to carry more weight than the night air, he stepped forward, his presence commanding calm. “Let's get you out of here,” he murmured, his hand grasping mine with unexpected gentleness.
I took his hand and let him usher me out of the tavern. Luckily, my hood still covered my face. If it wasn’t, I could only imagine how fast the owner of The Broken Tankard would ban me from ever darkening the threshold of his establishment again. This was my second fight here. I really needed to find a new spot to brawl.
Klaus and I walked out into the street. “I see you’re a woman of your word,” the fae smirked.
“You asked me to start trouble, so I did.”
He chuckled. “I hope you don’t mind if we part ways here. There is something I must do while I have the time.”
“Hey, that’s your business, but since I did you a favor, you owe me,” I said quickly, knowing now how these fae operated.
Klaus quirked a brow. “Is that so? Am I right in guessing you want to know more about the traveler’s song?”
My eyes shot wide open. “Yes!”
“Ask the seer,” he said plainly.
