Chapter 67: Lawrence and Lazoya |
Shad joined the conversation on immigration, though his attention was divided as he absentmindedly rubbed the small box in his pocket containing the relic Dice of Twenty Fates. While his ears caught fragments of the discussion on immigration policies, his eyes wandered aimlessly, and they unexpectedly landed on Mr. Lawrence. He recognized him from a photograph in a report left by Detective Sparrow and had also seen him near a club entrance not long ago.
"Huh? What's he doing here? It feels like all my acquaintances are showing up..." Shad mused. "But then again, Lawrence is a prominent factory owner; it’s only natural he’d be invited to such a banquet."
He quickly looked away, his thoughts shifting to the delectable goat milk pudding on the table, wondering if he could take some back for the orange tabby cat fostered at his home. However, another question crossed his mind:
"If Mr. Lawrence is attending this Lakeside Manor banquet in such formal attire, surely he wouldn’t come without a companion. Is Mrs. Lawrence here too?"
Carefully sneaking another glance, he spotted the person standing next to Mr. Lawrence—a striking Madame Lasso, adorned in a long red gown with a trailing hem. The gown’s ruffled neckline made her, still wearing her signature pebble ring, look dazzling that evening.
"Oh, things are bound to get messy," Shad thought, raising his guard. "If Mrs. Lawrence has brought reinforcements, is there going to be a showdown with Lasso here?"
Pulling his gaze back, he contemplated whether it might be best to slip away from the event. But just then, someone patted him on the shoulder from behind, startling him into thinking Madame Lasso had caught him spying. Spinning around, he was relieved to find it was Baron Lavender, his employer for the evening, accompanied by a group of gentlemen of his age.
"Oh, my dear Mr. Dawn! Hamilton, it really is you! Long time no see!" The middle-aged man, a passionate Rhodes card enthusiast, exclaimed theatrically while winking at Shad and firmly shaking his hand.
"Indeed, it’s been a while, Mr. Lavender," Shad replied, immediately catching on to the Baron’s intent.
"What a coincidence to run into you here!" Lavender declared with a grin.
"Yes, a remarkable coincidence—this must be the work of the gods," Shad chimed, playing along. "Speaking of which, these are my friends. We’re heading over there to play some Rhodes cards. Care to join us? Unless, of course, you’re occupied with something else..."
Lavender shook Shad’s hand insistently, making it clear he wouldn’t let go without a commitment.
"Of course, I’d love to join! Gentlemen, let’s enliven this evening with some Rhodes cards. While the banquet and the Lakeside Manor are delightful, nothing beats Rhodes cards. Here’s my card..." Shad handed out his business cards to the Baron’s refined friends, catching a discreet "well done" gesture from Lavender as he did so.
As they exchanged pleasantries, Shad kept an eye on Mr. Lawrence and Madame Lasso, who headed toward the Lakeside Manor’s main residence. Satisfied they weren’t up to anything suspicious for the moment, he relaxed and followed Lavender’s group toward the rear of the manor, where the competitive Rhodes card match awaited.
During the walk, the group chatted enthusiastically about their favorite Rhodes card stories and speculated on the rumored special edition cards the Prophets’ Association might release this summer.
“I’ve even heard a wild rumor about a Founders’ Series card appearing in Tobesk recently,” Shad said in a dramatic tone, drawing surprised reactions from the group. As avid Rhodes enthusiasts, they all recognized the significance of the Founders’ Series cards.
“Not long ago, while handling business at the Prophets’ Association, I overheard Vice President Cynthia Mark mention it on the third floor. Though it’s hard to verify, such a discovery would be incredible—it’s a card from hundreds of years ago! If it does exist, I’d love to see it,” Shad shared, impressing the group with his apparent passion and connections.
By the time they reached the stone table beneath the grape trellis, Shad was no longer just an outsider—he was welcomed as one of them. Lavender, pleased with his young detective hire, beamed with satisfaction.
The Baron’s opponent, Baron Rwanda, was a short middle-aged gentleman whose diminutive stature Shad tactfully avoided labeling with terms like "dwarf." Though his height was notable, his sharp features and clever demeanor made a strong impression. Like Lavender, Rwanda had brought along his own group of Rhodes enthusiasts.
The two Barons exchanged pleasantries, introduced their respective companions, and discussed the evening’s banquet and weather before taking seats on opposite sides of the table. The atmosphere shifted instantly as excitement spread among the onlookers. It felt less like gambling and more like the anticipation of a riveting serialized story or a gripping opera.
Thanks to Lavender’s strategic arrangement, Shad stood closest to the table. He watched as both Barons presented their wagers. Lavender laid down his only special-rule Rhodes card, Flower 13, from the Northern Cities series. Its ability to redraw a card after rolling a 20 on the dice made it highly prized. The card featured the silhouette of the artistic city Artak.
Baron Rwanda also placed a special-rule card on the table, making a deliberate show of his two unique cards before selecting one to bet. His choice was Star 6, from the Ancient Fairy Tale series, depicting the “Matchstick Girl.” However, its ability was even more challenging to activate than Lavender’s—requiring two consecutive rolls of either 10 or 20 on the 20-sided die to adjust its value between 6 and 7.
Though special-rule cards were a hallmark of Rhodes, their complex conditions ensured fairness while keeping the game engaging. Cards like Shad’s Founders’ Silver Moon, which could trigger its special rules automatically upon drawing, were exceedingly rare.
The game began with an electrifying energy, as the crowd buzzed with excitement, and Shad, well-positioned and prepared, kept a sharp eye on the unfolding events.