SS Fireproof Under A New Captain by a card.

[truesong]

Glasses clinked, chips knocked upon each other as they were thrown with each bet laid on the poker table in the inn at Booty Bay. Eight had fanned cards open and close to their noses so no one could see their contents. The  last bet was laid and a big tall blue skinned monstrosity of a Dranae set his cards on the table and walked away now penniless.

With each round, another player lost his purse along with his right to sit at the table. None could measure up to the skill of the last two contestants. Staring at his cards, Skalleper studied the 5 new ones in his hand. junk! The gnome that he faced across the table told him nothing as to the contents of his hand either. This guy was infamous to the poker face. But Skally knew nothing of him.

Skalleper gulped. “I should have dipped into the gem bag in the ship's safe.” he thought. But he was not worrying. SS Fireproof luck was always with him. He had yet to lose the ship to a poker hand. Why wouldn't it be the same now?

He looked down at his hand again. His eye rested on a pair of seven's, a five of diamonds, a King and Queen of hearts, all resided in his fat little chubby hands. This should play well if the cards fall right. Up and over his his cards he peaked to see if he could catch his mysterious opponent's facial expression. Not a clue was to be had from that well groomed face.

Again Skalleper gulped and this time the rogue noticed and gave an ever so slight wimpy smile. He motioned for one card as he laid his throw away down on the table. The dealer slid one to him and slid the old one under the discard pile.

Small beads of watery sheen began to ooze from Saklly's temples. He didn't dare brush at them as it would give him away. He studied his cards another moment and then with a flourish, motioned for three while he quickly laid face down his three. Now he was staring only at his seven's. One by one three more cards presented themselves face down. As he picked up the first, he tested yet again the magic dampening that was all pervasive within the room. Failed again, and of coarse it is as it should be. Things must be fair or the place would erupt in rage and the inevitable death.

Skally sighed a little too loudly and the rogues ears took notice. In an instant, he flicked the first card into his hand; a three of hearts; then the next; a Jack of hearts; and finally an Ace of clubs. “Bluff time” thought the mage captain, hoping that once again the Fireproof wouldn't let him down. Obviously his choices were all wrong. He would have to make due with the 5 gold and his ship in order to win this game.

The other gnome laid out 3 gold pieces, Skally matched him immediately. He brushed away the offer of another mug of ale while fixed his eyes on this clean cut well dressed gnome dressed in a tuxedo, boldly wearing a bright gold pendant as he fiddled with the gold fob chain that connected to the jeweled watch of fine brushed gold which he periodically took out and opened as if he had an appointment to go to; which he didn't as they had been at this game for over five hours now. Everything about this man was gold and wealth. His lamb chopped mustache to his balding head hidden by long stands of remaining hair. Out of Skalleper's pirating league really, or so the captain thought. An easy bluff he was sure.

The gentleman rogue hesitated for a moment, eyeing Skalleper for a hint of the bluff. He didn't get it. He laid out another gold coin and squeaked in his high brow gnomish voice, “Raise you one.”

“Match you one and raise you one”, Skalleper instantly returned.

“Match and raise two, came the squeak.

I've no money left,” came the words from a now sweating Skalleper. “But what I do have is the title & manifest to the SS Fireproof.” He confidently leaned into the center of the table and placed a scroll on top of the gold pieces. The watching crowd gasped in unison and someone whispered, “He's gonna do it again!”

Paying no attention to their audience, the scroll was opened and examined. All was in order, the seal of ownership where it should be and the name SS Fireproof verified with 41 names listed. A full working ship lay in a moment of time being pulled to a possible new destiny.

I call for all that you have. Skally indicated to his opponent to fill the pot with the pile in front of him. With a slight glance at his hand, the gentleman laid down his cards and pushed the very large sum of coin to the center of the gaming table. Skally's eyes glinted and he knew, once again he had the game.

Let's see them! He hissed in a high pitch. With a long tight face, Skally confidently turned the hand that held his seven's The crowd rustled and murmured waiting in bated breath. From his chair the well threaded gnome's eyes slowly took on a sheen of victory. With a flourish he laid down his cards. There for all to see, sat a pair of eight's. The SS Fireproof now had a new owner and a new captain.

The room erupted in hysterics, and Skalleper sat in utter disbelief that his ship had betrayed him. What was he gonna tell the crew? HOW was he gonna tell them? He did not know...

The victorious gnome handed Skally the quill, and taking advantage of his shock demanding that he sign the deed right then and there. Slowly the horror stricken captain penned his name. Turning the scroll a new name appeared under Skally's...

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