Valedent hears footsteps and a familiar voice.
“Yeah? Yeah, who is it?”
Valedent holds up the crate, showing the name. Then he lifts his head up as he lowers the box, so that the person behind the door, can see him. “You’re not going to make me say the name, are you, Wark?”
Wark’s enthusiasm gets the better of him. “Oh my, no way! You’re here!”
“Shut up, and let me in, will ya,” Valedent looks around to make sure no one heard him. Wark opens the door, letting him in.
“The captain’s not here but Kulman is,” Wark says, opening the door to a back lot with multiple picnic tables and a porch area. It leads to the house where the captain’s brother is prepping in his outdoor kitchen.
Valedent places the crate on one of the picnic tables and after greeting Kulman. Asking for his brother, the captain, he turns to Wark, whispering, “Where’s Liza? Is she here?”
“Yeah, she’s in the laundry.”
Valedent nods and sneaks over to the laundry room across the courtyard. He peers through the grimy window to see her cleaning bloody towels. He stands there in silence.
“If you’re looking for payment, you’ll have to come back when the captain is here,” Liza says.
“And what kind of payment does a certain shining hero get?” Valedent asks with a smile. She stops for a moment, shutting off the laundry steam machine before removing her gloves. Valedent can see a look of confusion on her face through the window. Her confusion clears when she gazes on his amber-colored eyes mixed with a swirling golden yellow. She’s slow to cover her mouth.
Valedent takes off his hat, tossing it to the side as he steps into the laundry room, “Hello Liza. How you’ve been?”
“You’re really here?” Her eyes tear as she runs into him with a tight hug. Then Captain Roland steps into the yard, “Now I know someone is in my house without my permission.”
“Roland.” Valedent whips his head around to see Roland with a stern face and crossed arms which quickly fade to a smile. He relaxes his arms, gesturing him over. Valedent walks out to not just Wark but Jax standing there in a guard uniform.
“Good to see you, man,” Jax shakes his hand, pulling him in for a hug as Kulman leaves for his bar.
“It’s good to see you all after being in that hell hole for six months again. But I don’t see Kiley. Where is she?” Valedent asks as the room goes quiet, and everyone hesitates to answer.
“Valedent, you’re going to want to sit down for this.” Roland indicates one of the picnic tables. Valedent sits as a sinking feeling rests on his heart from Roland’s stern voice.
“What’s up?” he asks with inquisitive eyes.
Jax takes a deep breath before executing his words, but Liza sits right next to him holding his hand, “Do you remember when you first came back here about six months ago? And we all couldn’t believe our eyes?”
“Yeah, and Jax punched me square in the face when I first saw him. That’s also when I learned I had a half-sister,” Valedent recalls as everyone chuckles.
“Okay, after meeting and connecting with you, she worshipped you as her big brother. When you left, she started bringing up stories you shared with her around her friends, and the bishop overheard,” Liza says as Valedent’s eyes grow wary.
“Man, I’m sorry, Valedent. When I was going to make my evening report of downtown, your old man lost it. He yelled at her, saying you were dead, and she needed to stop making up lies. She rushed out crying,” Jax says.
“What a dumbass. Okay, but where is she?” Valedent rubs his brows in frustration.
“Well, she went missing for days as we began poking around to find her,” Jax says as Liza runs off crying into the house.
Valedent’s stomach knots, his hands shake, and his mind wouldn’t focus. He looks to Jax and Wark.
“For the past month, no one’s been allowed to travel the mountain pass to worship Froztia at her shrine. It’s because of a blue-frozen skinned demon killing and devouring souls who venture,” Jax explains.
What does this have to with Kiley? Valedent wonders.
“Valedent, the demon is described as Kiley from survivors who barely made it back,” Wark says and Valedent now understood Liza’s reaction.
“Have you confirmed this?” Valedent asks.
“I’m one of those survivors, Valedent,” Roland speaks up. Any chance of debunking it as nonsense gets thrown out the window. Then Liza comes out with a plate of meat, placing it next to the grill as she uses her forearm to wipe her tears.
“Valedent, you’re going to go after her, aren’t you?” Liza asks, looking up at him as the others fear his answer. He has only just re-entered their lives.
“Of course, I’m her big brother. But this time, when I’m not here, she’s protected by this family which is in here right now. If that lug head of a bishop ever steps to her, you protect her, Liza. I don’t care what happens. You’ll be protected. Roland, tell me everything you can about this creature,” Valedent says, putting a smile on Liza’s face, and the rest instantly agree. As Roland shares the memorable events of that day, a knock sounds on the door. Wark goes to answer it, looking through the eye door.
“Well, you’ll have to wait till he comes back to Pinya,” Wark says as the person creates a hostile vibe. Liza walks over.
“Oh, shit,” mutters Jax.
“What’s the problem?” Liza asks, arms crossed.
“He’s demanding a game at hands, and he wants it with Valedent. He claims he saw Valedent walking through town with a crate earlier,” Wark explains.
“Alright, listen here ’cause I’m only going to tell you once. If he’s here, he hasn’t been here yet. So, go find somewhere else to be. When he comes around, we’ll mention it. ’K bye now,” Liza smiles, shutting the eye door, rolling her eyes and shaking her head from the ridiculousness returning to the grill.
“And that’s been happening every other day,” Jax says.
“I’ll deal with him. Looks like I’ll be visiting your brother tonight, Roland,” Valedent stretches his hands out, taking off the jacket from over his trench coat. Being gone for six months has left me with quite the laundry list, Valedent thinks grabbing his cane and everyone gives him luck as he heads for the door.
“Valedent, a moment,” Liza says before opening the door.
“What is it?”
“There’s something you need to know. I get you have a reputation when it comes to these games, but there’s something important about this one.” Liza whispers, crossing her arms in cower.
“If you’re worried about what’s to happen, after he loses, don’t. I got this,” Valedent gestures her shoulder as a small smile curls on her face. He pulls her in for a hug, but she then shakes her head pushing him back.
“You winning in one peace isn’t my worry.” He tilts his head, now growing curious to why she pulled him over. “Chester has your mother’s yellow crystal. You know, the one she always wore in a necklace when we were small.” His eyes widen for all his mother’s treasures were thought to be destroyed due to an epidemic, the Miner’s Plague.
How does he have that? Valedent wonders with all seriousness, nodding to thank her. Finally making his leave, his footfalls steady with purpose hasten as he spots Kulman nearing the downtowns gate.
“Hey, Kulman.” Valedent calls for him gaining his attention.
“Hey, what’s up, man? I thought you were going to chill with the fam,” Kulman says.
“Nah, I have some hand dealings to take care of,” Valedent says as Kulman pauses in his stride.
“Did Chester come knocking on the door, again?”
Valedent nods. Kulman exhales deeply, leading Valedent through his personal back way. He leads him through a tunneled-out passage to the temple’s tavern. Valedent follows as Kulman opens a door to a bustling evening and a woman working behind the bar. He greets familiar faces while looking out for Chester as Kulman walking around to replace the woman behind his bar.
>
“Now Valedent, I’m going to warn you. If you destroy anything in my establishment because of this game, you better be willing to pay. Not like last time.” Kulman says as the woman ready to work outside of the bar stops in her tracks.
“Valedent’s here?” she asks turning her head, spotting him.
“Hey, Marie. Relax. This guy is all mouth, anyways. No one’s going to ruin your tavern.” Valedent brushes off his concerns.
“Don’t make me come after you, Valedent. I mean it,” Marie glares sharply pointing at him. Valedent puts his hands up, surrendering any desire he may have just to avoid her wrath.
Minutes pass as a sudden rush of people enter the tavern with Chester and a couple of his goons mixed among them. Valedent notices but continues sharing epic stories with those sitting by him waiting for his approach.
“Well, look who’s in town. I knew I’d been knocking at the right door.” Chester stands behind him. Here we go, Valedent rolls his eyes.
“Harassing my family isn’t the best way to gain my attention. Tell me, are you even able to at least make it worth my while?” Valedent asks.
“Valedent, come on. Everyone knows that you never turn down a competition. Especially one that involves a game of money and cards.” Chester says.
“Nah, I’m all set. I could always play with those kinds of stakes anytime I want. Come find me when you got something worth my time.” Valedent spins around on the stool, facing the bar as one of Chester’s goons whispers to him.
“Shut it. I actually do have something that you couldn’t afford to pass up.” Chester says as Valedent waits, wanting him to say the words. “How about a yellow crystal that once belonged to a priest’s first wife?” Valedent turns slightly to look towards him as he pulls it out. Just as Valedent could recall, a yell crystal the size of a pinky wrapped by a silver necklace that his mother once wore.
“Let’s get this started.” Valedent hops down from his seat, ready to play. “Please. Who’d like to be the one to handle the cards in an official game at hands?” People jump at the chance to be up close to see him play. Valedent’s skill is known to be as fascinating as magic.
In the center of the congested crowd, Valedent and Chester sits at the table, drawing all the suspense. However, Valedent knew the guy’s quirks and tells, giving him an advantage.
“Come on, Chester. You hassle my friends to get me down here. Let’s play,” Valedent glares.
“I’m here to be the one that brings you down,” Chester claims.
“Then show me what you got,” Valedent leans back in the chair, throwing caution to the wind. The cards are dealt out by a separate handler, removing any possible accusation of cheating. Valedent waits for Chester to make his choice of play as Erryn’s blonde hair grabs his attention. He catches a glimpse of her eyes as she walks through the crowd. What’s she doing here? This sort of thing didn’t seem like her type of thing, right? Valedent wonders as he regains his focus. The faltering of his reputation wouldn’t be the only thing that’s at jeopardy if he remains distracted.
Chester takes a gander at his hand and looks at Valedent with an overconfident smile, “I’ll bet $10,000. If you think you can’t pay that much, then run on home now.”
Valedent stretches and sighs. “You know what? You’re right. I can’t pay that. However, I can raise you $20,000.” The crowd gasps at his call and cheer on Valedent. Valedent can see the growing frustration on Chester’s face.
“So be it, but at least I won’t go home crying because I’m poor,” Chester shrugs as the slightest twitch moves his eyebrow.
“What was that twitch?” mutters Erryn, standing behind him as her eyes squint at his opponent.
She’s behind me. Come on, Val. Keep your cool, he coaches himself.
“You’re such an amateur. I thought beating you would be more challenging than this,” Chester laughs and throws in $50,000.
“Amateur, huh? Well. If I must, here’s $100,000.” Valedent throws in without hesitation.
“Now is the time to reveal your hands,” the dealer announces, towering over the table.
“You can go first and revel in a false victory till I lay mine down,” Chester offers.
“Wow, you’re either that confident or just arrogant. But as you wish,” Valedent shrugs with a grin as he flips his hand, revealing a royal flush. Chester’s face changes from smirky confidence to disgust with dismay. Chester sits, lost for words.
“What’s the matter? Did I make too big of a thunder?” Valedent asks.
“It doesn’t even make sense. How? It’s like you read the entire game. You must have someone telling you my hand,” Chester spits, his face turning red.
“Besides your giveaway tell, I’d a gut feeling that I can trust,” Valedent shrugs and collects his winnings.
“That’s a load of crap. You think I don’t see her standing right next to you? She’s the one that told you, isn’t she?” Chester’s eyes are mean with spite as he points to Erryn.
“No, I swear I had nothing to do with this,” Erryn waves her hands.
Same old petty, Chester. You haven’t changed, Valedent shakes his head.
“Stop blaming others for your faults. Now cough it up,” Valedent says with his finger to the table. Chester throws the crystal on the table. As it bounces, Valedent snatches it.
“You better hope we don’t cross paths again after tonight,” Chester says.
“Is that so? If you’re that ambitious, you can get a piece of me right here, right now. Come on, tough guy.” Valedent sits, waiting for a reaction. Chester is still sitting there, his cheeks flushing red as he sits looking around the room steaming.
“As I thought, those words are just as empty as your pockets. Just shut up and get your disgraceful self out of my sight. You’re ruining the night for these good people who came down for a good time. They don’t want to put up with drama,” Valedent says.
Chester shoves himself into the table and looks at each of his friends. He smiles and launches himself at Valedent, trying to punch him. As Chester swings, Valedent retrieves his cane and the handle separates, exposing the hidden blade. He swings it twice in front of Chester. Chester’s punch misses its mark. Blood is running down his arm and a blade rests at his neck.
“A rule in poker—never act upon the option that’s the most obvious. Oh, and for the record, everyone here knew and saw your tell, including this girl you accused. She has only been standing there for five minutes. Hell, she’s not even from Pinya, unlike the rest of us,” Valedent scolds him. Valedent whacks Chester’s same eyebrow of his tell with the tip of his blade. It bleeds slowly down the side of his face.
“If you boys are really going to do this, take it out back and outside of my bar,” yells Kulman.
Chester stays silent and retracts himself, leaving the tavern like a whipped dog. Everyone returns to enjoying the night. Valedent sheathes his blade. He notices Erryn looking behind her at Chester.
“You alright?” Valedent asks, clearing the table and putting his winnings in two bags.
“I’m fine, thanks. But what about him?” Erryn says, pointing her thumb back at Chester.
“Oh, him? Nah. You don’t need to worry about him. He’s had enough humiliation for one night,” Valedent says and closes the bags.
“Thank you, though, for before,” she says.
“Thank you? Oh right. That was no problem. I was just in the neighborhood. So to speak. The name’s Valedent, by the way,” Valedent lends out a hand for a shake.
“I’m Erryn. It’s nice to have a name to the face, you know,” she smiles, shaking his hand as he nods.
“I do. So, back there with your friend? It looked like those men were quite fond of you,” Valedent says, grabbing the bags and carrying them towards the bar.
“That’s because me and my sister ran away from them about a year and a half or so ago,” she says.
A year and a half ago? Wait… Wasn’t that about the same time Gramps took in his now d
aughter? Valedent thinks.
“Ran away, huh? Didn’t know he had kids.” When Valedent reaches the bar, he throws the bags behind where Kulman works and helps himself to a couple beers.
“Who? Vladimir? Oh no, he’s neither our father nor anyone else’s. Trust me. You don’t want him to be. My sister said once that he killed our real parents when he took us, but I don’t really remember. I was too young,” Erryn says.
“So, what? You’ve had to live there your entire life, then?”
He pauses in thought. She could know something useful. Valedent offers to sit at an eat-in booth, and she agrees, leading to the table she recently vacated.
“Now, I must admit it seems out of character. I’ve heard of him taking men from families to fill his armies but not really an orphanage of sorts. I mean, the dedication he has for getting you back is astounding. Normally you would have to steal something from the treasury.” Valedent swigs the beer.
“As much as I’d rather that be the case, it’s not. After being held in captivity with all the torments and experiments, I can’t help but feel as if someone damned us,” Erryn explains.
“So, where’s your sister now?” he asks, taking another swig.
“I haven’t seen her since we escaped after the um, explosion. We became separated, but I’ve had word of where she is,” Erryn says.
“Where abouts?” he asks, finishing the first beer.
“I learned within the week that she was at a trade town across the Arthro waters. It’s known as Inbitwit,” she says.
That’s where Gramps’ friend is based. Valedent begins to connect the dots.
“What have you been doing in the meantime?”
“I’ve been stuck over here training, but I learned from a friend that she has been trapped inside a volcano this entire time.” She sighs.
“That’s rotten luck. I believe the tyrant has control over there. What’s her name? I happen to have connections over on that land mass. They could help,” Valedent offers.
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