Page 104 of The Dragon Queen

“Fair enough.” The man threw up one hand, then thrust it forward. “I’m Gally. So what’s your pleasure, gentlemen?” He noted the others drawing up chairs to sit down. “So many gentlemen. I hope you’ve got deep pockets, because luck is on my side today.”

“They do.” Ged jerked a thumb at the rest of us. “I don’t. Me and Gareth here.” He nodded to Soren. “Our job’s to make sure these lot have a good time. Word is you’re a tough man to beat at cards, Gally.”

“Cards, dice, we can bet on which fly lands on that lump of shit first if you like.” Gally pointed at something in the corner, but I refused to look. “So what’ll it be, gents?”

“Cards.” Draven collected up the deck, shuffling them slowly as he stared at the other man. “Less likely to be weighted unfairly.”

“Why you—” the gambler spluttered.

“The cards are already marked.” Draven held up one as evidence. Each card looked dogeared and worn, but when he held up another, I saw there was a system to it. The royal cards each had notches in the edges, making clear which card they were even when face down. “So you’ll forgive me if I am unconvinced by your protests of innocence.”

“I’ve got a pack of my own.” Ged fished them out of his pocket and laid them down on the table. “Unmarked. You can check them if you like.” He pushed them closer.

“And if I am a cheat as you say, why would I use your deck?” the man asked.

“Gold.” Brom produced his own coin pouch, loosening the draw strings and letting the coins spill across the tabletop.

“Bloody hell!” Gally moved quickly, shoving the coins back in the pouch with a sidelong look at the crowd, then plucked one and chomped on it. “What the hell are you doing bringing a king’s fortune into a place like this?”

“That’s a fortune?” Flynn was every inch the spoiled nobleman. He chortled as he turned to me. “Gods, I’d spend more on wine in one day.”

“Would you, indeed?” Gally took the cards, checking them over, then nodding, giving them a quick shuffle. “So what’re we playing, gentlemen? Hearts? Chase The Dragon? Go Fish?”

“How about King of the Mountain?” Draven suggested.

“So you are from Harlston. Thought you were a fellow countrymen.” Gally doled out cards fast as lightning, but Flynn stopped him when he came to me.

“Not for him,” he insisted, pulling me into his lap. “The lad is for playing with, not gambling.”

“Suit yourself,” Gally said with a shrug, “but I’ve gotta say, you’re a brave one coming in here.”

“Because he likes the lads?” Ged asked.

“No, because that accent of his makes clear he’s from Skane.” I felt Flynn go perfectly still. “Not many of them coming across theborder since the king declared war. Not much of anything going anywhere but to the ducal seat.”

“Is that why there’s no boats on the water?” Flynn sounded perfectly petulant. “I was promised a day at sea, but when we arrived, we couldn’t rent one for love nor money.”

“Some of the lads with the little skiffs might’ve taken you out.” Gally inspected his cards and then smiled slowly. “But I’m thinking a boat that stinks of fish guts and needs to be bailed out constantly wasn’t what you had in mind.”

“So where are the pleasure crafts?” Draven asked. “I’ve always brought my friends down to the bay in the summer. The weather is almost pleasant at this time of the year.”

“Pleasure crafts?” Gally snorted, tossing a card in the pile, then picking up another. I was glad Flynn had kept me out of the game, because I had no idea what they were doing. He looked at his cards, rearranging them and then tossing down two when it came to his turn. “None of them left, and you’re not the first nobles to come here whining about it.” He sucked down a mouthful of his beer. “Every ship of decent size is sailing up to the duke’s seat, much to the earl’s disgust.”

He glanced up at the rest of us.

“Not sure if you’re aware, but we’re supposed to be at war.” He shook his head slowly. “Though I’m not sure if the duke expected that. The king’s his own kin. Reckon he assumed His Majesty would stay loyal to the family.”

The noise, the stink of the pub all faded away then as I stared at Gally. Cards were tossed on the pile, others picked up, but I barely noticed it. Just him as he thumbed his nose, then looked up and over our heads with a smile.

“Though if you want to pump me for more information, can I suggest talking to the earl himself? Morning, gents.”

Hands slapped down on our shoulders and we looked up to see the two guards from the gate.

“Thought you looked familiar,” the taciturn one said. “I’m going to need you to come with us, Majesty.”

Gally was lightning quick, snatching up Brom’s coin purse butmissing Ged’s. The rider wrapped his hand around it too fast for the other man.

“Meet with His Lordship?” Draven said as he rose to his feet. “Why, I’d love to.”

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