From: jgreene@dorm.rutgers.edu (Jeffrey Greene) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [Ga] High Stakes Message-ID: Date: 29 Sep 92 20:30:56 GMT [ADMIN: As will be evidenced in the text of this post, the following exchange takes place after Brent has interrogated- er, "questioned"- the friends as to the events of the assassination of Zebron Twilight, and any link between the drow and the rogue known only as "Jaq Spayde."] How much does he know? I don't think I slipped up, but the Eel figured it out easily enough. Maybe I'm not cut out for a life of secret identities. Perhaps if I was pretending to be a "hero" (reminds me of that ex-soldier, Ixnaphior. Hmmm... he was too young to have retired, no noticible injuries to suggest he couldn't fight.....now there's something to investigate), but no, I have to go around at night pretending I'm.... Damn. He's about to leave. How much does he know? I wish I had all the cards on the table. That's it. "Oh, Brent," calls Zebron, as the guard is practically out the door, "Would you care for a game of cards." Brent, feeling that he has nothing to lose, agrees. "What's the game?" "Blackjack. A silver to ante," replies the drow, in a cold, even tone, as he reaches into a belt pouch and removes a silver coin and a pack of playing cards. There it is! I saw it in his eyes! Surprise. But why? Surprise that this information is new to him, or that it's out in the open. Eh, well, it's too late now. With any luck, I'll have gained an ally. With Tymora being even handed, I'll convince the others that we must leave for Hawksholme tonight. If Tymora is against me (I don't know why, I _did_ donate that luckstone...), I guess I'll have to break the rule about no killing in the Dragon's Inn. Again. Brent sits down across from the dark elf, and matches the silver ante. The first cards to each are dealt face down. Here is the acid test. The card dealt face up to Brent is a Jack of Spades. Brent calmly peeks at his face down card. WHAT!?! Is he _THAT_ dense? I thought he was smarter than that. I guess I'll have to spell it out for him. The card dealt face up to Zebron is another Jack of Spades. "The way I see it, Brent, there are only two options open to you right now. First, you could get up from the table, and simply walk out of here, reporting whatever you wished to your "superiors," without any proof. "Or, you could _try_ to leave this room with one of the cards." "Well," says Brent, "I would prefer to have you as an ally, even if I _could_ prove any of this." Brent stands up from the table. "Oh, and by the way," Brent continues, "I won." He flips over his card to reveal the Ace of Hearts. Zebron's mouth falls open, but he maintains enough presence of mind to close it before Brent sees it, the latter's attention being focused on retrieving his winnings. -jak