Chapter 11 – The Pleasures of Gambling
1165 Words
Skylah :
"I think we should get out of here. It's no longer convenient to continue our conversation here."
John :
"Alright. We'll decide on the way out."
Random guy in the crowd :
"Hey, you there."
Skylah points to his chest in curiosity, responding to the call out.
Random guy in the crowd :
"Yes, you.
Hello, my name is Ambie. I feel very unsettled with your speech just now. I know you meant well to stop the fight, for which I should first apologise, but I cannot let go of certain things."
Skylah :
"How can I be of help then, Ambie?"
Ambie :
"You see, the reason we started the fight a moment ago, was because my little brother, Aden, got roped into a gambling den belonging to one of the corrupted higher-ups in the Church.
The Catholic authorities refused to act on it because, I quote, "Gambling is technically not a sin; only the love of money is"."
Skylah :
"And technically they are right.
A wise man once said, "There are two great pleasures in gambling: that of winning and that of losing." Not everyone gambles for money.
And, as much as I understand your frustration, why are you telling me this?"
Ambie :
"I don't know why, but my gut feeling tells me that you're able to help… or maybe I'm desperate…
My little brother… he... the gambling den said he owed them a lot of money, so he ran away in fear. Rumour has it though, that they actually harvest the losers' organs for sale."
John :
"Say no more, we will help you. Tell us where the gambling den is and we will go and find your brother."
Skylah :
"We will?"
Julianna :
"YES, we will."
Julianna squints at Skylah disapprovingly.
Skylah :
"Fine. Lead the way, Ambie."
Ambie :
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Ambie wipes away the tears at the corner of his eyes and gestures to the entrance to get them going urgently.
As Ambie paces fast, he looks back to check if the trio is keeping up with him. Although he catches a glimpse of Skylah exchanging glances of reluctance with Julianna, the only thing that matters to him now is his dear little brother.
Several minutes later, the trio and Ambie reach another tavern that says "Alea" on its signboard. Contrary to the one that the trio came from, Alea has a much gloomier atmosphere as there are hardly any customers.
Skylah :
"*Hey, Julie, those seated around don't look like customers. They are not even drinking.*"
Julianna :
"Did you just call me 'Julie'...…?
Anyway, don't worry about it. Father John and I are efficient with our powers and we will protect you if anything goes wrong."
Ambie approaches the innkeeper as the trio follows him closely.
Ambie :
"God does not play dice with the universe."
Alea's Innkeeper :
"The password is correct. Follow me."
The tavern innkeeper opens the door behind him, leading to a stairway further underground.
Skylah :
"What the...…"
Julianna :
"Why are you surprised?"
Skylah :
"The password that Ambie just mentioned to get us in."
Julianna :
"What about it?"
Skylah :
"You know that's by Einstein, right? He is beyond this era. Something doesn't add up about this gambling den."
Julianna :
"Are you saying this is related to Johannes? Or worse…. The Man in Hoodie?"
Skylah :
"Let's hope it's the former."
Ambie and the trio walk further down the stairway, into an oddly out-of-place casino. Even the usually composed John lets out a subtle frown at the crowd of people gambling with greed and lust.
Alea's Innkeeper :
"Welcome to Alea. Please enjoy yourselves."
Ambie :
"Actually, I brought 10 kg of gold with me. I've heard that I get to play with the owner here if I meet this requirement."
Alea's Innkeeper :
"Very well."
The innkeeper leads Ambie and the trio into a room right at the very end of the Casino, and when the doors are opened, a German dressed in a gold fabric noble-like vest adorned with a red fur coat sits at the opposite end of an oval mahogany table.
Leo Eta :
"Welcome, welcome, welcome! My name is Leo and I'm the boss here!"
Ambie :
"Greetings, Sir. I'm sorry, but I didn't come here to gamble. I'm just here to find my little brother who was last seen coming here. His name is Aden. I will leave my 10kg of gold here. Please, sir, if he is here, I just want him back…."
Leo Eta :
"Well, well, well…. I have good news and bad news for you.
The good news is, that I do remember a young man by the name of Aden. He's very much alive and you're still able to get him back.
The bad news is, that's not how things work here. You can't have him with just 10kg of gold. The price is 500kg of gold."
Ambie :
"500kg!? Please, sir...I don't have that much… I managed to only gather 10kg of gold after my community pooled our resources together!"
Leo Eta :
"When there is a will, there is a way. You're in a casino! Perhaps you would like to try your luck."
Ambie's fear and anxiety turn into despair as he mentally calculates the odds of winning 500kg of gold with what little capital he has.
Leo Eta :
"Don't worry, you won't be gambling with your 10kg gold. That's just an upfront payment to even sit and gamble with me."
Leo points at a banner behind him.
The banner reads:
"1 Finger = 1 kg gold
1 arm = 10 kg gold
1 leg = 15kg gold
All in life gamble = 100 kg gold"
Leo Eta :
"There. That's how you win back your brother. You just need to win 500kg of gold and I will let your brother go."
Ambie wipes his tears and takes a deep breath to calm himself down, and turns to the trio with an embarrassed expression.
Ambie :
"I'm sorry John, Julianna, and Skylah, to have dragged you into this. Now that I know my brother is here, it looks like I have no other choice but to risk my life to save him."
Julianna :
"Or I could beat them all up and force them to release your brother."
Skylah :
"I have a better idea. I can save Ambie's brother and get information about our mission, since it may be related to Johannes."
Skylah steps in and takes a seat at the table.
Skylah :
"I take it that you are fine if Ambie pays the 10kg gold, but I would be the one gambling instead."
Leo Eta :
"Of course! We will play a game called "Poker". I shall explain the rules…"
Skylah :
"You know I know the rules. Let's skip ahead and start."
Leo Eta :
"Very well. Dealer, we can start."
- Writer
