Fiddler's Games

Let’s hear the next rule.’
Fiddler sat forward. ‘Knight of House Dark is the wild card,’ he said.
‘That’s the opening suit, too. Unless you’re holding the Virgin of Death.
If you get her you can open with half ante and double up if you win the
round.’
Mallet slapped down the Virgin of Death. He tossed a single copper
coin into the centre of the table. ‘Let’s run it through, then.’
Fiddler dealt the man another card. ‘We ante up now, Hedge, two
coppers apiece and High Hell come the Herald of Death.’
Lorn watched the bizarre game proceed. These men were using a Deck
of Dragons. Astonishing. The man Fiddler was inventing the rules as they
went along, and yet she watched the cards merge into a pattern on the
tabletop. Her brows knitted thoughtfully.
‘You got the Hound on the run,’ Fiddler said, pointing at the latest
card placed on the table by Mallet. ‘Knight of Dark’s close, I can feel
it.’
‘But what about this damned Virgin of Death?’ groused the healer.
‘She’s had her teeth pulled. Take a look, the Rope’s right outa the
picture, ain’t he?’ Fiddler laid another card. ‘And there’s the Dragon
bastard himself, sword all smoking and black as a moonless night. That’s
what’s got the Hound scampering.’
‘Wait a minute,’ Hedge cried, ramming down a card atop the Knight
of Dark. ‘You said the Captain of Light’s rising, right?’
Fiddler concentrated on the pattern. ‘He’s right, Mallet. We pay over
two coppers each automatically. That Captain’s already dancing on the
Knight’s shadow—’...
‘Now, ain’t that odd?’ Fiddler remarked. ‘Throne, inverted. You owe
us all ten gold each – a year’s pay for all of us, hell of a coincidence.’
Hedge snorted loudly. ‘Also happens to be the Empire Guilt Coin paid
to our kin once we’re confirmed dead. Thanks a lot, Fid.’
‘Take the coin and shut up,’ Fiddler snapped. ‘We ain’t dead yet.’
‘I’m still holding a card,’ Mallet said.
Fiddler rolled his eyes. ‘So let’s see the damn thing, then.’
The healer set the card down.
‘Orb.’ Fiddler laughed. ‘True sight and judgement closes this game,
wouldn’t you know it?’ (GotM, UK Trade, p.428-9)

Fiddler's Second Game : BH, UK TPB, pg 749-752

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