Orn took the polished box from his father and stared at the deck inside. Each card was beautifully painted.

“These are what we will play with from now on.” His father continued, “They prevent someone marking the cards like the last deck. The mages also do something to make them glow if a person activates a skill while playing.”

“I do not understand. Why go through all of this? Why not just play with people who do not cheat? Also, there are skills that let you cheat?” Orn could tell by looking at the cards that they were not cheap.

His father nodded smiled, “Some. They are rare, but it is better to be sure. Nobles can often come into conflict. Land rights, trade dealings, other matters of honor…”

“He means girls.” His mother said cutting off his father while rolling her eyes.

Clearing his throat his father continued, “These conflicts have to be resolved as a matter of honor,” he emphasized the word “but the options are limited. Dueling is an option if it is serious, but that is still dangerous. Cards though…” his father looked for him to fill in the rest.

Orn obliged him, “Cards mean no one is hurt. If the cards can block skills though it is just a matter of how good you are.”

His father nodded, “Exactly, it requires you to spend hours learning to play well. This is why we started teaching you so soon. Now go ahead and deal the cards.”

Orn shuffled the card and started laying out the cards. “I guess that makes sense, but why not just use these cards to begin with?” He placed the deck down and looked at his father.

“So you can learn to spot a cheater.” his mother picked up her hand and looked pointedly at her husband.

“Your mother is also a cheater, she is just not as good at memorizing marked cards.” The count scoffed as he examined his cards, “The other reason is that by knowing what cards are on the table I can control the score and make you practice your math. How many times did you add the same numbers?”

Orn stopped sorting his cards to stare in horror at his father, “Wait! You have not only been wining, but controlling the score?”

His father grinned, “Of course. I spent a great deal of time playing cards at the academy. Though I will admit I am one of the better players you will meet.”

“Yes, in fact he is a bit too good at it.” His mother laid down a card and drew two more, “It means he cannot use cards to resolve disputes, and his status disincentivizes dueling. So, it is hard to resolve issues.”

“But it also means very few want to create a dispute with me.” His father played a couple cards and yielded his turn. “As with dueling there are tradeoffs, too good and no one wants to play, too poor and people will come at you from all sides. “

Orn drew and passed his turn. “So, I have to pretend to be an average player and duelist?”

“No.” his mother’s voice was firm as she played a card to counter what his father had played, “You need to be seen as an untouchable duelist, and a good player.” Then looking at her husband, “Unlike a certain someone with no self-control, because he cannot stand losing.” Turning to Orn she added, “Lear from your father’s mistakes and do not get an unnecessary reputation while still in school.”

Orn absentmindedly played a card. In response his father placed another two before his wife could get a card down. “It has worked well so far.”

Orn considered the cards already on the table and knew he was going to lose. It is a pity though, in any other round than this card would give me a lot of points. Without thinking he slid a card up his sleeve and cringed. He half expected the card to glow or start to make noise, instead nothing happened.

He had just cheated, and the cards did nothing. He did not stop worrying until he used the card to win the next round. The deck was supposed to stop that. Why did I get away with it?