Chapter 58: New Commission |
The main focus of the Prophets’ Association is Rhodes Cards. While the association doesn’t run gambling tables, it organizes tournaments to promote interactions among Rhodes enthusiasts. As a result, they have rentable reception rooms available.
The two men sat down on the sofa. Shad tucked his notebook into the inner pocket of his coat, while Mr. Lavender set down his cane and reintroduced himself. The middle-aged man with the small mustache turned out not to be an ordinary citizen:
“I actually hold the title of Baron, but you know how it is in a place like Tobesk City. Nobility here doesn’t mean much. This isn’t the countryside, where some destitute noble with little to his name can still control an entire village. Although that’s a bit of an exaggeration, if you shout ‘Baron’ on the streets here, you’d definitely get more than one head turning.”
He shrugged at Shad, who understood his point. After all, this was the capital of the Kingdom of Drarian, and barons, especially those without significant wealth, were quite common.
“Relatively speaking, I’m not particularly wealthy. However, playing Rhodes Cards has introduced me to some remarkable people. This commission is related to Rhodes Cards as well.
Here’s the situation: This Sunday night, I’ve been invited to a banquet at the lakeside estate of Earl Clown, located outside the city. It’s one of those open-air parties where the guests are numerous—men seeking romance, pleasure-seeking noblewomen, idlers with nothing better to do, or people with ulterior motives... My friend, Baron Rwanda, is organizing a Rhodes Card game at the party, with a special card as the prize.”
The mustachioed middle-aged man eyed Shad, gauging his reaction. Shad thought for a moment before asking, “So, you want that card?”
“The card is important, of course, but more than that, I want to beat that guy. Do you know how he mocked me after I lost my special fairy tale-themed card—the ‘Little Match Girl’—to him? So, Detective Hamilton, I plan to recruit several skilled players before the party to help me defeat him.”
Baron Lavender nodded to Shad.
“As much as I’d like to accept, I really don’t know how to play cards.”
Shad shook his head firmly. Although he was eager to earn money, he wasn’t about to accept a task beyond his ability.
“No, no, Rhodes Cards is really more about luck than skill. Once you know the rules, you can get started.”
The baron shook his head as well.
“Sometimes, luck is even more important than technique. And we commonly believe that beginner players always have good luck. For instance, you just beat me earlier.”
“But that was pure luck. Please don’t be superstitious.”
Shad emphasized, not wanting to risk trouble over the commission. After all, he had already obtained the appraisal certificate for the “Founders’ Silver Moon,” and once the results were finalized, he would essentially be rich overnight. While he intended to maintain his detective identity, he no longer needed to take risky commissions.
“I didn’t just find you. I’ve also approached a few other gentlemen. If you help me win the game, I’ll pay you 1 pound for just one win. Even if you lose, I’ll still pay you 10 shillings. Plus, I’ll cover your travel expenses to the estate, and you can enjoy yourself at the party. Who knows, you might even meet a beautiful lady if you’re lucky.”
Baron Lavender sweetened the deal further.
Now Shad hesitated. If the other party didn’t mind losing, the commission seemed acceptable. Earning at least half a pound in one evening was better than what some special professions could achieve.
Still, he had his doubts. Shad was self-aware:
“Pardon me, Baron. Are you really confident in me just because I won one game against you? I mean, this is only our first meeting.”
“To be honest, my initial impression came from seeing where your detective agency is located, which led me to believe you weren’t ordinary. Then, I noticed you going to the third floor with Vice President Mark earlier. Even if you don’t know Rhodes Cards, you clearly aren’t an average detective. The third floor of the Prophets’ Association isn’t just open to anyone.”
The mustachioed man smiled, then pulled out a deck of cards:
“Here’s a proposal. Let’s draw three cards again. If the total is less than or equal to 21, you’ll accept my commission. How about that?”
This intrigued Shad. The commission’s risk seemed even lower than Mr. Franklin’s case, second only to finding his temporary housemate, Mimia.
“Sure.”
He took the baron’s deck, shuffled it, and drew the top three cards.
This time, the result wasn’t a perfect 21. Laying the cards face-up on the table, he revealed them one by one: Star 1, Sun 2, and Moon 3.
Both Baron Lavender and Shad raised an eyebrow simultaneously.
“See, Detective? I told you beginner’s luck is always great. Don’t play Rhodes Cards again before Sunday; it might deplete your luck.”
This belief seemed as common as the “law of conservation of luck.”
Baron Lavender grabbed Shad’s hand.
“Detective, you must help me. Damn that Rwanda—I’m going to win this time!”
Strictly speaking, this was Shad’s second commission. For formality’s sake, he requested paper and pen, then drafted a contract by hand. After both parties reviewed and signed it, they each kept a copy.
Shad admired the meticulous habits of the former Sparrow Detective, intending to continue using the ledgers, notebooks, and document folders for every official commission. This would also make tax filing easier.
Baron Lavender promised to send the invitation for the lakeside banquet to 6 St. Derain Square later. At the banquet, they would avoid meeting directly, pretending to be casual acquaintances before joining the card game.
The baron wanted to demonstrate his luck to Baron Rwanda this way.
Shad found this plan somewhat questionable but only cared about the half-pound payment. Winning or losing didn’t matter much to him.
“By the way, I wonder if the banquet food will be available for takeaway and if there’s a dress code... I should ask the doctor about this on Saturday; he seems like an upper-class gentleman.”
That morning’s streak of luck made Shad suspect he might indeed be turning his fortunes around. After bidding farewell to Baron Lavender, he didn’t head straight home but walked to Old John’s Pawnshop, where he had pawned his cane. He reclaimed the expensive cane, reportedly crafted from the natural heartwood of a snow cedar from the Derado Mountains.
The shop was as cool as ever on this early summer noon, with only the elderly owner inside.
John Jones, the shopkeeper, regretted Shad’s decision to reclaim the cane and repeatedly offered to buy it outright if Shad needed money. Compared to the pawn price, Old John was willing to pay more for full ownership.
“How much are you willing to pay?”
Shad didn’t reject the offer outright. If he needed a cane, he could always buy a cheaper one.
“Hmm... How about 7 pounds, 6 shillings?”
The elderly man, dressed in a red wool vest despite the summer heat, considered the price and made his offer, his fingers marked by age spots twitching slightly.
“That’s not a low price.”
“Ten pounds.”
Shad immediately countered, expecting the shopkeeper to haggle. At this price, one could afford a grand funeral for Sparrow Hamilton, the former detective. Ten pounds was clearly excessive.
“Deal.”
Old John agreed immediately.