Everyone tossed in a coin, and Tal began the deal. Burgess had expressed interest in making Tal’s acquaintance the night before when he had discovered his identity. While a few others had recognized his name as Champion of the Masters’ Court, Burgess had been more interested in his relationship to Duke Kaspar.
Burgess dealt in rare trade items, gems, fine jewelry, ornate statuary, and other items of value. His clientele were the very wealthy and the nobility of the city, including, according to him, the palace, where several of his more extravagant items were on display. He made no effort to hide his interest in making the Duke’s acquaintance.
Tal looked at his cards and saw no hope in bettering his hand. When it came to his turn to bet, he again folded. He caught indifferent cards as the deck made its way around the table, and it was his deal once more. While dealing out his cards, he glanced around the room. Besides the five of them playing cards, there were half a dozen other men in the room. Amafi was one of them, sitting a discreet distance away, watching everything.
After the hand, Tal tossed in a coin and waited for the next hand. As if making conversation, he asked Lyman, “Do you ever trade down in Roldem?”
Burgess picked up his cards. “No, not really. I’ve sold some items here to Roldemish traders, but have never been there myself.”
“You ought to go,” said Tal, looking at his own cards. He at last had a hand worth betting, so he waited, then called the bet before him. As he tossed in two cards and picked up the replacements, he said, “Quite a market for luxury goods, I’d say.”
Burgess looked at his cards. “So I hear. But it’s a hard place to get a foothold. Very old firms with a stranglehold on commerce down there.” He shook his head. “This will never do,” he said, and threw in his hand.
“I have a friend in Roldem,” said Tal. “He’s a Kingdom man. He might be able to help.”
“Really?”
Tal showed his cards, the winning hand, and gathered in the coins with a chuckle. “The cards have turned.” As the deck was passed, he added, “Yes, he’s a trader of some influence in the city, by the name of Quincy de Castle. Perhaps you’ve heard of him.”
Tal studied Burgess’s face. There was a tiny flicker, but Burgess said, “Can’t say as I have.”
Tal knew he was lying.
The game went on for another hour, Tal neither winning nor losing. By night’s end, the two traveling traders had done well, a local merchant had broken even, while Burgess had lost big. Tal had lost only a little. “Let me buy a drink before we say good night,” he said to Burgess as the others departed.
“Fine,” said the merchant.
Tal motioned for the serving girl and said, “Wine, the best you have.”
The girl appeared with a bottle and two goblets, and removed the cork. She poured out a tangy young red, loaded with the flavors of fruit, spices, and oak. Burgess sipped it and said, “This is good.”
“A blend of several grapes, from somewhere near Salador, I guess.”
“You know your wines,” said Burgess.
“I lived in Salador for a while. It’s a familiar blend. If I hadn’t been drinking ale earlier, I might even presume to guess which vintner made it.”
Burgess laughed. “I’ve never been much of one for wine. I prefer stout ale.” Seeing Tal was about to call to the girl, he said quickly, “But this is good. I’m content to drink it. Especially as you’re paying for it.”
Tal took a long sip, then said, “I could learn to love living here, I think.”
“It’s a wonderful city,” said Burgess. “Though I’ve never been to Opardum.”
“Neither have I,” admitted Tal.
“Oh, I thought you were in service to the Duke.”
“I am,” said Tal, taking another sip of wine. “But only recently. We met in Roldem, after the Tournament at the Masters’ Court.”
“That’s quite an achievement, Tal.”
Tal shrugged. “Every man has a skill or two. Some of us are more gifted in one thing than another. I’m a good hunter and swordsman. You?”
“I’m a successful trader,” admitted Burgess, “even if I’m a dreadful cardplayer.”
“Married?”
“Yes,” said Burgess. “My wife is visiting her family in Dolth. That’s why I’m out and about the city these nights. The house gets lonely.”
“Children?”
“A boy. He’s in the army, serving in the King’s Own.”
“That’s quite a position.”
Burgess pushed himself back from the table. “I’ve been selling items of art to the palace for twenty years, Tal. I’ve made some deals that have cost me profit to keep people like Lord Howell happy. My son’s commission didn’t come cheap, but he always wanted to be a soldier, and I didn’t want to see him manning some battlement with the Border Barons up in the frozen north.
“Besides, if he rises through the ranks, there’s a chance for a good marriage, perhaps even the daughter of a noble.”
Tal nodded. “Ambitious for your son.”