[Villa Arguendo Sub Rosa]A game of cards (Riconus

[Shorty]

42nd of Kalendryas, Winter of Era XIV Post Fractrum, Era II of the Regency of Milo


Silence greeted the large Director General. One minute after another and alas another one met his ears. Finally the voice returned.

"Take the door on the right." The voice did not warm up at all.

"And leave the pouch on the table."

Riconus would enter the door on the right and find that it lead to a small, dark hallway that connected the antechamber and the point of light at the end of the hallway.

Twenty steps later and he entered a single room, a card room where a large gilded card table hogged the stage. Another chandelier lit the room here as well. The table was mohagony with gold trim, eight matching chairs circled around the round object. The room was as plush as the antechamber was- filled with the finest looking mini-bar Riconus had ever seen. A rather dapper looking young man was pouring out a dark liquid into five crystal glasses.

"Glass of port Provost Imperatis? It's an Era '06, a great vintage." The young man was the only one in the room and handed Riconus a glass. He smiled widely. "My name is Lord Faustus Marcellus, son of Earl Marianus Marcellus, Provincial Manager of Prime Province for the Imperial Chancellory. Do you play Cards? The rest of the group should be arriving shortly..." Riconus had barely time to breath a question when the door swung open.

Four more men entered the room, all dressed in expensive tunics, each of them carried a fat purse. They began to take their seats at the table without a word to Faustus and Riconus. Faustus smiled and handed Riconus a couple glasses of port and motioned for them to sit down and bring the newcomers their drinks. Faustus made the introductions

"Provost Imperatis Xind'ell I have the honor to present to you Baron Granius Turpilianus- Chief Constable of Alleria Prime." The baron was a big fellow, large in the girth, but still possessed great physical power. When he nodded his second chin shook.

"Baron Gaius Tibernius, former Provost in the Imperial Legions, Director of Special Projects in Alleria Prime, candidate for Governor of Alleria Prime, and nephew of the Lord Protector- Archduke Antonius de Lylles." The black bearded fellow indeed had the bearing of the legionnaire, he shook his head approvingly at Riconus.

"Always welcome to meet a brother in arms..." He greeted Riconus.

"Lord Aurelius Vitus, son of the Duke Tertius Vitus, scion to the Vitus family fortune and business interests. Currently he is overseeing the lands that the Duke owns in Candaceburg." Aurelius was only a bit older than Faustus and looked unmoved by the introduction. He gave a gruff nod of hello.

[Riconus Xind'ell]

Riconus left his guards, as well as the pouch on the counter, in the antechamber before walking through the right door. It was a relief to see the light at the end of the dark tunnel, especially considering what awaited him there. A gorgeous room, a rich man, a strong glass of wine; all were usually ingredients for a very good night. He took the glass of wine with a nod and smile, somewhat curious as to how he knew of Riconus’ name and rank, although the suspicion that he was in control of the embodied voice at the front room was a thought.

He slowly sifted his wine as introductions were made to him, and after each one, he made sure to recognize his welcome within the game.

”It’s an honor to finally meet you, Chief Constable.”

“A pleasure to meet another comrade as well, Your Grace.”

“Your Excellency, it’s a joy to meet a member of the prominent Vitus Family.”

“And thank you, Lord Faustus, for your introductions. It shan’t be forgotten, Your Excellency.”

It was fairly easy to imagine that this game of cards wouldn’t likely be played with one or two crowns per hand. The amount of gold he and the other four men in the room possessed could like buy out a fair-sized city, and like all men he knew with such power, nothing was more satisfying for them then to toss some money around when the opportunity presented itself. To say he was glad he brought some vouchers with him was quite the understatement.

”So, Lord Faustus, what will the game be for this evening? I’m more than ready for a little entertainment.”

[Shorty]

"The game of Prime Province- thirty hand is the name. We play with a deck of 42 cards- numbered 1 to 6. The dealer deals 5 cards to each player. You add up the points in your hand- highest point total wins. However, since we are sporting men, this is a betting game..." Faustus smiled another darling toothy grin. "After the hands are dealt, each man places an ante into the pot to begin play. Now you are allowed to exchange only one card from the undealt cards. Now, starting with the dealer you begin to place additional bets. To remain in the game you must either match the bet or raise the bet. If everyone matches one player's bet the hands are shown. At any time you may fold from the hand. If all other players fold, the last player wins the pot. Sound simple enought?

"Ante's 100 crowns a hand- can you cover such an amount?" The nobles all smiled as the servants left the room and left the men all alone. "Servants are never allowed to spoil a man's luck..." Faustus explained with a laugh. "We pour our own drinks tonight lads!" Everyone cheered and Faustus began to shuffle a card deck.

"Any questions before we begin?

[Riconus Xind'ell]

Riconus listened attentively as the rules were explained to him, and peaked a smile from in between his lips as the ante was announced. Whether he was able to cover the amount or not was met by his right hand delving into his breast pocket, and retrieving a large roll of bank vouchers. It was casually placed on the table to the sound of Riconus’ reply.

”I believe I’ll be quite capable of meeting the cover, Your Excellency.”

In no way was the tall Syl’rosyan prepared to go into the game lightly. When all vouchers were totaled, they would find that Riconus had walked into the room carrying 25,000 gold crowns in his pocket… not bad for a simple soldier. It was his hope that such funds proved to his new found compatriots that he was not simply some hard-nosed legionnaire, but rather an ambitious little brat who was willing to go big when the moment came; this was definitely one of those moments.

He nodded his head in acceptance to the rules, and after placing down his 100 crown ante, joined in the cheers as he began to pour his own glass of wine. As the cards were dealt and the alcohol was poured, Riconus thought that perhaps he could start up simple small talk, in an effort to win over the hearts and minds of these incredibly important men. Most interesting to him, was the ex-Provost who had risen to the title of Baron, Gaius Tibernius. It was always his dream to one day make the Xind’ell House a noble warrior family as well, and as perverse as it might sound, making that dream a reality seemed possible in his comrade’s eyes.

”So, Baron Gaius, I do admit, you have my envy. It’s my hope, that on a distant brightening, I too can attain nobility for my family on the back of a military career, but I’m sure such an achievement comes with significant sacrifice. How long have you been retired from the Imperial Legions? Were you still active when Empress Audrey I fought Julos the Mad in the Battle of Centripax? I ask only because that was my first battle as an officer in the Imperial Legions, and I do enjoy encountering fellow veterans of that glorious campaign.”

[Shorty]

Gaius gave a nod of respect as he took a sip of his wine.

b Tibernius shook his head. "Lost a lot of friends that day, but it is the burden we carry to protect the Empire."

"The defense of the Empire is Nobility's cause." Lord Aurelius Vitus, the young son of Duke Vitus added. "And our duty, aren't we agreed gentlemen?"

Everyone agreed and Gaius continued his talk with Riconus

"Most Noble youth in Aelyria Prime join the Empire in some capacity- either as soldiers in the legions or civil servants. You see, Julos the mad had promoted many fake lords and only those loyal and in service retained their titles and properties when he was defeated. The tradition carried of service carried over." Gaius nodded. "At the epicenter of the family is it's estate- farms, houses, businesses, etc. etc. The patriarch of the clan is the executor of that estate. So, for myself, I served until my father died....about 7 eras ago. Upon his death I resigned my commission and settled into our family's estate as rightful heir to the Tibernius holdings."

"A modest one," Baron Granius Turpilianus the cheif constable added. "Until a fruitful marriage to the Archduke's niece provided some more opportunity."

"A divine gift to be sure." Tibernius nodded and laughed.

The cards were dealt out. Each one had a number in the corner of the card and cooresponding number of diamonds elegantly painted onto the card. Riconus got 6,5,4,2,2.

The bets started...
Faustus put down 200 crowns and everyone matched the bet. Now it was Riconus' turn to place a bet and exchange a card.

[Riconus Xind'ell]

"Aye, we both lost too many comrades at that battle. To those valiant fallen, gentlemen!"

Riconus raised his glass in a toast to the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice that brightening, imagining that the men around him would join, and took a considerable sift from his goblet. It was with incredible attention that the Syl'rosyan listened to the Baron's words, trying to absorb as much information as possible about the steps one had to take to reach such hieghts. Unfortunately, he did not have a wealthy father to lean back on, and there didn't seem to be any noble bride waiting for him in the future. Considering what had happened to his first wife, he wouldn't exactly jump at the oppurtunity to find another one, either.

"The niece of the Arckduke, you say? Well, I'm quite impressed, Your Grace- although, I would not envy shopping with a wife carrying that much coin." Riconus tried to share a laugh before taking another drink, and continuing. "I would know what those little little trips can do to a man's wallet, as my wife tried to buy all of Syl'rosya when I ventured with her... unfortunately though, she has passed on now, so perhaps I should have valued those times somewhat more."

Certainly, it was not Riconus' attention to kill the high spirits of the room, so before too much emphasis could be placed to the loss of his first wife, he gave all men a smile and attempted to shrug it off. While the cards were dealt, he rose from his seat to fetch the bottle of wine, and after filling his own glass, asked each man he could do the same to their mugs; after all, despite the male comradery that was being displayed, he still understood that he was at the bottom of the foodchain.

Once he took his seat once more, he viewed his cards with an emotionless look on his face. After Faustus placed down 200 crowns, Riconus thought that perhaps a bit of risk could be managed right off the start. After all, he had a fairly decent hand, and was willing to lose a few crowns to these men if it meant they would meet with him again on another brightening. So, after throwing away one of the 2s he was dealt, he called Faustus' ante... and then raised.

"Well gentlemen, I believe I'm in the mood for making money now," said Riconus with a wink to Faustus. "I choose to call your wager, and then to triple it. What say you, men? Anyone willing to throw 600 on the table?"

[Shorty]

Riconus received another card...it was a 5!

Tibernius folded
Turpilianius folded
Vitus folded.

Only Riconus and Faustus remained in the game. The young lord squinted at his hand before seeing Riconus' bet and tossing in 200 more crowns.

It stood at 800 crowns.

All watched the two remaining players.

"Your turn..." Faustus smiled.

[Riconus Xind'ell]

While the new cards were dealt, Riconus kept his eyes on the expressions of his fellow players, rather than immediately comfirming which number he had received. It was only after the others had folded and he took note of Faustus' squint that he took a brief glance at the 5 card placed in his hand. As the moderate mathematician he was, Riconus began to calculate how significant the total of his cards were: with a total of 22 points out of a possible 30, he had a fairly respectable hand. However, simply calling Faustus' bet would not be enough to put his mind to thought.

After a moment of deliberation, his hand returned to his coins. Slowly, Riconus counted out another 1000 crowns, and pushed them towards the center of the table. He turned to Faustus with a wry smile, and announced his action.

"I see your 200 crowns, and raise another 800. What say you, Your Excellency?"

[Shorty]

The other lords continued to drink and looked at the game as it developed. It was a square off high noon style between Riconus and Lord Faustus. Faustus looked at his hand again, looked at the pot, looked at Riconus and tossed in the crowns.

"I see your bet...let's see what you have good sir."

Riconus laid down his cards- 22.
Faustus laid his down-21.

The other noblemen chortled and patted Riconus on the back as the large elf won the pot. Faustus shook his head and smiled.

"Luck of the draw, isn't it sometimes? Play another hand your grace?"

OOC: Just to let you know I'm rolling dice to determine cards!

[Riconus Xind'ell]

OOC: hahaha, that's gold
---

Riconus took an inaudible sigh as his marginal victory was revealed. A small laugh was shared at the mention of his luck, for it was a part of his character he believed to be his greatest asset at times, but also his most dangerous weakness in others. A firm nod of the head signalled his intention to continue with another hand, as he began to collect his spoils with a small grin on his face.

"Aye, Excellencies. Begin another hand, shall we?"

Riconus tossed in the ante once more as the hands were dealt for the second time, again only looking at the expressions on his counterparts' faces with each card they picked up. It was only after all hands were full when the Syl'rosyan decided to continue with idle conversation.

"So, Lord Aurelius, how goes business on your family's lands in Candaceburg? I am actually planning an... excursion there soon, for I will be repersenting a citizen militia called the Sapphire Guard, driven to training the peasants in defending their homes and farms from roaming bandits."