A game of swindlers

The dining hall of the Regnbyen inn was bustling as patrons had their lunch and had discussions amongst themselves. One table in the hall was even more bustling as group of men sat around the table with silver pieces pilled up before each person as they all focused on the cards they had at hand.

Their game of alrchose had attracted the interest of a few patrons who observed from a distance. The number of cards spread out on the table told of just how intense their game had been, there were no more cards to be drawn and each man was down to their last hand.

They peaked at each other through the corner of their eyes, trying to determine how confident the other person was in their hand.

The tense atmosphere was broken when the first man placed his cards down, "call" with his card now on the table they all saw the units he had, two plebs, two soldiers and one priest a bad hand if they had seen any. With one already doing so they each began to reveal their hands.

Seeing all their cards a burly man with a full beard broke out laughing, "It would seem all this belongs to me", he revealed his cards which were two cards of a man in armor with a sword, knight cards, a card of a lady in white robes with a tome in hand, a priest card and finally one card with a depiction of a group of knights riding horses, Calvary card.

As he reached out to collect his winnings however he was stopped by another, a man, lanky in stature with a ponytail. He possessed a smug look as he dropped his cards majority of them being of specially designed individuals as well as an effect card, a hand that left every player at the table dumbfounded. 

"Pleasure doing business with you gentlemen. We really must do this again sometime". He proceeded to pack away all the money on the table into his pouch when the burly man stood from his chair and slammed his fists into the table.

"You cheated!" The burly man spat out through grit teeth. 

"Me, I would never. I'm offended Locke, I really am. to think you would resort to calling me a cheater just because of your poor luck." The lanky man responded keeping a confident look on his face as he looked to Locke who was staring him down with eyes that could kill.

"That many hero cards, no one's that lucky". At Locke's words a few others began to stand up as well all making to surround the Lanky man who was starting to notice his situation as well.

"Now, now, gentlemen, lets be civil." His words fell on deaf ears however as the men pulled out their weapons, at the sight of the weapons pointed at him, the man took a few steps back. "Locke please can you take this outside, there are guests here and we just got those tables and chairs."

The owner of the inn who had been informed of what was about to happen in his inn rushed to the scene and immediately began to appeal to Locke, he proceeded to bring out a small pouch with bronze and silver pieces in an attempt to bribe him. Locke however was not receptive of the gesture as he slapped the pouch out of the owners hand and forced him to the floor.

"You think me a beggar." Locke snarled at the owner before turning to the Lanky man who had attempted to try and sneak away. "As for you thief, you're going to empty those pockets and prove if lady luck really does favor ya".

The lanky man's mind began to race as he tried to think of a way out of his situation, whilst the other patrons decided they had, had enough entertainment. A they stood and rushed out of the dinning hall, in but a few moments the hall was practically empty as the men poised to strike.

"I don't see what you are all so worked out about" All eyes snapped to a corner where a man sat, his figure hidden under a cloak. "You cheated as well, only difference is he was better than you" The figure continued in a calm disinterested tone. The lanky man and the inn owner both sweat dropped at that moment as the shared the same thought, 'you're making it worse!'

Locke with his eyes gave a signal to two of his men who rushed at the cloaked stranger with their blades at hand. The first man moved to stab at the stranger with his dagger, but the stranger simply stood up, grabbed his hand and yanked him forward causing him to tumble into some table and chairs.

The stranger gave him no further attention as he moved forward and slammed his forearm into the second's windpipe with such force that they collapsed to the floor with their hand rushing for their throat as they gasped for air.

The sequence of actions had all occurred in but a second causing all the others to remain still as the observed the cloaked stranger. 

Locke however had his anger grow as he pointed his axe at the cloaked stranger and proclaimed, "you two are working together is that it, he cheats us out of the money and you come to protect him. I've seen the likes of you before."

"Men let us teach these fools what happens when they mess with us"

In response to Locke's words the cloaked stranger simply let out a long sigh.

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Alrchose : A card game that simulates armies clashing on the battlefield. The name Alrchose originates from the Ishtrashil tongue.