“It’s your bet first this time, Alara,” Soishor said.
“Why’s that?”
“Person to the right of the last winner begins. Don’t ask me why.”
Alara capped her cup over her die. “I’ve got three threes, two fours, and a six. Have you got any threes, Else?”
“Maybe,” Else said. Again she couldn’t hide the smile from her face.
“I’ll bet seven threes then.”
“I’ll raise to Eight.”
Lidew looked between the two women. “Is this going to be the way of it then?”
“What do you mean?” Else asked.
“I believe it is your bet Sergeant Lidew,” Alara said.
“If you will have us calling you by your given name, I would ask the same courtesy,” Lidew said. “It’s Haridan if you’ve forgotten already.”
“I don’t forget, Haridan.”
“Bilk.” The man looked unsure at his own name to Alara. “Call me whatever you like be
