Role

Chapter 20

Pik'Caryl watched a dozen or three dozen hands. A cough, a joke, a drink
request. It was complicated enough, maybe two or three different tells for each
card, but it was clear by watching that the girl knew the cards before they
were laid down. Ra'kad as instructed shuffled constantly, not every hand, but
nearly every hand. When he did so the girl always missed the first bet. Always.
Pik'Caryl had seen enough. She made her presence known by lightly placing a
talon on Wialor's shoulder. She fluttered her eyelashes and never left his gaze
before saying, 'Aren't you a handsome elf? What's your daughter's name?'

Outside of performative introductions, Wialor had avoided discussing Ree and
they both avoided drawing too much attention to her during the game. No one had
ever asked directly of her name before. Wialor was feigning drunk and slurred,
'Sorry then?'

Ree misheard him but played along said, 'Aye, Zsarreyen.'

Pik'Caryl looked directly at the dealer and said, 'Zsarreyen. She's quite the
special girl.'

Ra'kad put the cards down and nodded. In a flash, Pik'Caryl took a garrote to
Wailer's neck and he slumped to the floor. Kian hesitated, but only for a
moment. He was behind Ree and struck her, mid-scream at the sight of her father
being surrounded by a mob of feathers, ropes, and shadows.