《Chances of Death: Seven Decks Book I》BK 2 - Chapter 35: Dicey Times
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Guessing Gabe, a guildmember of the Highland Games Guild was heading into watch the recall tournament when he noticed Tamako heading in the same direction. The guild had tried to track the movements of the trio of guests staying with them, but had found it too difficult, and not worth the additional resources if they really wanted to follow them. However, everyone was on notice to call in the trios location to Dicey if they noticed them out and about. Unfortunately, he lost track of Tamako and never noticed if she actually went into the arena or not, but he still called it into Dicey with his soundwave.
Dicey’s best guess was their new “friends” had escaped a noble house indentured service contract. It was almost unheard of because even when indentured service contracts ended, the noble house would coerce them to enter into extensions by threatening horrific treatment to their family and friends that were still under contracts. Her theory didn’t fit perfectly, but it was the only thing that could explain their high skill levels, but ignorance of many everyday activities.
It was Dicey’s responsibility to make sure their guests did not bring any trouble to their guild from other guilds or a noble house that might be hunting them. She was surprised to learn from Guessing Gabe that Tamako was possibly entering the recall arena tournament, because she knew how much Jen expressed her dislike of the gore, pain, and torture that people could experience.
After watching a small woman defend against Marbles’ berserker attack, Dicey said, “Poker, that is definitely Tamako with a recall arena anonymous mask.”
Poker nodded, “She changed her style up a little in her earlier matches, but I agree, that’s her. I don’t think she’s attracting too much attention. Do you?”
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Dicey replied, “She’s getting attention, but not for being overly skilled. I think she’s playing it smart.”
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“Seven Decks!” exclaimed Dicey when she watched Tamako throw a spear that was too fast to see, made some sort of concussion sound, and killed Bellagio before she could even dodge.
Poker looked towards Dicey, and said, “O.K., there’s no way that’s going unnoticed.”
Dicey replied, “Shit! Mom is going to be pissed now that we have to ask them to leave. She was actually becoming tolerable since she’s been collaborating with Sam.”
Poker said, “Well… the spear is shattered and is now useless. Maybe people won’t be excited about it.”
Dicey just shook her head, “You don’t believe that.”
“No, not really. I guess I don’t. You want to head back to the guild and let everyone know?” asked Poker.
“No, let’s at least finish watching the tournament. No one can do anything to her until she leaves the arena anyway.”
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After Tamako bashed Captan Gru’s leg in, Poker commented, “Well at least she put on a good show.”
Dicey nodded in agreement, pointed in several directions as she replied, “Yea, but look at the Dagger guild, Cornhole guild, Stone guild, and over there at Noble House Shell Game, and over there, and there. They all look to be calculating on discovering who Tamako is.
Dicey was shaking her head with failed ideas on how she could possibly help the trio out after this type of exposure, when Poker laughed and said, “Look! There are hundreds of women running into the arena. What’s going on?”
Dicey and Poker realized what was happening at the same time, and Dicey laughed, “They’re all about her size, she’s going to run out with them, and there’s no way anyone can track down every one of those women, and then figure out if they were the woman in the recall tournament.”
Poker nodded, but commented, “I think it will work, but using that spear was stupid! Are you going to still make them move out of the compound?”
Dicey shrugged, “I have to take this information to the Board. It’s going to be up to them.”
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