Reluctance ~ freewrite

The monthly poker game at the Majesty's Inn is in full swing. There are only 3 groups of players left and I am very confident about getting to the final table.

The hardest part of playing in such a crowded event is not getting caught. You need to lose just the right amount to make winning everything extremely believable.

"Another, please!" I say loudly and raise my brass jug in the air without looking up from my cards. I have three Kings in my hand and I know they have nothing.

The barmaid fills my jug and I take a sip and then grunt, I look up at the last one left in this hand. "Bull I say!" then with a show I place my cards facedown and slide them between the discarded ones.

My opponent smiles to himself, thinking he bluffed me. "I had nothing." He says and embraces the chips he just won.

"Well, now I know." I say then show a smirk. I play a couple more hands a bit loosely and when it is just me and another left the horn is blown for interim.

_{Part 1}

After the break, I will join the final table, which will include the Inn Keeper himself, his daughter Lucy and a handful of other players who have made it through the gauntlet.

My only goal is to get the attention of Lucy. She is the main reason many play in these tourneys. Aside from being the only mage protecting this town from the onslaught of demon creatures. Lucy blesses those she chooses and provides them an audience with the Fates.

It goes without saying that anyone that yearns for more will go to great lengths to get to Lucy. I am no different.

The next game is starting. Final table.

"Good evening Lady and gentleman, may the Fates be with you," I say as I slide into my chair.

"They are always with me," Lucy replies tritely.

The cards are dealt, and I have nothing I care to play. I do have something I care to lose though.

"All in!" I announce to the table. Immediately I feel Lucy reaching out to read my cards and I block her sense. "I fold." She says to my challenge. "Fold." the entire table responds.

For the rest of the hands I play normally taking the cards as they come. No cheating or sensing. I have achieved my goal. I was certain of that. Anything more and I would be giving too much away.

Lucy observed me the whole game. The perplexity from being blocked was evident in every glance. I kept feeling her sense reach out, not to cheat but a kind of knock at the door.

On the final hand, there is only Lucy, a stranger and I left. I go all in again and this time I not only block her from reading my cards but also reply by reading hers.

She responds by betting it all also, the stranger follows. I know I have won. Placing my cards the fools courage fades from the other players face. I don't think I have ever seen anyone broken in a mere second.

Lucy folds as to not show her cards. I smile and nod in her direction and then look at the man now sobbing across from me.

"You can have it." I say and push the winnings over to him and raise my jug to thank the Inn Keeper for the glorious event. The crowd loves it and swarm in around the man I just gave my winnings to.

That lets me slip away and go outside. It is a beautiful full moon evening, with a slight frost in the air that invigorates. I am not really sure if it is the frost or what I see happening next though.

"Who are you?" Lucy says softly beside me. I got lost staring at the moon while leaning precariously back on the rim of a fountain. "A mage, like you," I reply.

"I know that. Who are you?" She repeats.

"I am Traugh." I plainly reply and slightly tilt my head to better see her face in the moonlight. "You are beautiful." I tease with a smile.

"Do not play games with me." She says and steps back then straightens her posture even more. The moonlight seemingly made her glow. I don't think I have ever thought that black hair could glow.

"May I speak to Fate," I ask, getting to the point. Keeping my expression relaxed and trying to hide my clear trepidation, I add urgency to my request. "I am only here to speak to Her. Please."