Warnings: Depiction of gambling.

Chapter 17: The City that Tempted Fate Part 5: The Lucky Stars Casino

It was well into the morning – just before half past ten according to the clock – by the time they were all crowded into the breakfast room to eat their breakfast. Food had been saved for them especially but it had long cooled, not that they minded all that much. Evan and Aranella were back in their pirate clothes, while Roland had opted to remain in his Dellian attire. "All right, let's get down to business," he said, getting straight down to business. "The first thing we need to do today is visit one of the casinos to corroborate Bradley's story. I'm pretty sure he's telling the truth but at the same time, we can't go blindly trusting the word of a total stranger."

"Aye," Batu murmured in agreement.

"But in order to do that, we're going to need to get our hands on the dice they're using in the casinos, which will likely involve a little pickpocketing."

Tani grinned mischievously. "Oh you can leave that part to me."

"Perfect. Once we get the dice and confirm Bradley's story as being true, our next course of action currently eludes me. What we want to do is talk to Ya Ya, but she'll likely be with Pugnacious and I have no idea how we're going to separate the two."

"And how are we going to find the factory if it's in the Grand High Roller's Hall?" Evan added.

"At the moment, we should be focusing our efforts on discovering how Pugnacious came to be broken hearted in the first place so we can fix it. The factory is just a symptom of that problem, and dealing with his broken heart will take care of the rest."

"Maybe we should be doin' as they do in Goldpaw and be trustin' te Lady Luck," Batu suggested with a grin.

"Oh Batu, no," Aranella replied and they all laughed.

"Getting in to see the Grand High Roller shouldn't be a problem, given that we're visiting royalty and Envoys of Niall," Roland elaborated. "It's finding an excuse to talk to Ya Ya alone."

Aranella hummed in thought. "We would need to come to Pugnacious with something of relative importance but not so important that he would deal with the matter personally."

"Right," he agreed.

"If we asked him for help do you think that would do it?" Tani suggested.

"Considering the fact that he's currently in a mindset that has him hoarding wealth, I think that unlikely."

"Unless we had something to offer, like," Lofty pointed out.

"Sure. But what?"

"It doesn't have to be real though does it?"

"I'm pretty sure they'll want to see the thing we're offering."

"But we could make it up! Cast a spell! That sort of thing."

"And what would this made up thing be exactly?"

"If he's in a wealth hoarding mood like then, what about something that would make him more wealth, see? Gold? Precious gem stones? Diamonds?"

"If we offered him something like that, he'd definitely want to examine it first to make sure it was legit, and I don't imagine conjured gem stones would hold up to that kind of scrutiny."

Lofty deflated at that. "It was just a suggestion, mun."

"What about the sky skimmers?" Aranella suggested.

Batu, Tani and Chingis immediately stiffened. "Now'old on, lass-" Batu began.

"To look at that is," she clarified. "We know they have Bradley, although we won't be mentioning him by name. So we could offer Pugnacious a sky skimmer for their inventor to look at and possibly create a new invention from."

"That sounds feasible," Roland said.

"Well… so long as'e just be lookin' that is, and not be copyin' the design…"

"But the sky skimmers won't be affordin' him more money," said Chingis. "So what if'e be refusin' that?"

"Then we'd have to think of something else…" Roland replied. "Though don't ask me what."

"Higgledy pig?" Runcible spoke up.

"He wants to know if there's anything they can do to help," Lofty translated.

"Uhh… not that I can think of," Roland replied. "But if I do, I'll let you know."

"I suppose there's no reason to assume that he's obsessed with money to the point where he would refuse the chance to look at technology from another kingdom," said Aranella. "I'm sure he would see the potential application of transportation that can fly through the air. Or if he is, then perhaps Ya Ya will see sense instead."

"Right," he agreed. "At this point it seems like our best – and only – plan of action. If things don't go our way, we'll have to cross that bridge when we get there. Otherwise, are we ready to go?" There was a chorus of affirmation. "Then let's go."

Goldpaw was very different in the light of day. While still a very colourful city, it wasn't nearly as garish or vivid as its night time appearance, and there were less people out and about as they moved through the streets.

Lady Pekingese had graciously agreed to continue holding their sky skimmers until they had a better idea of what they would be doing for their second night, with the understanding that a small fee would be incurred if they wouldn't be returning to the Dreaming Camomile Inn. So now it was Chingis' turn to gawk at the shops and the decor as they made their way up to where their map indicated was a casino. "I were too busy corralin' the skimmers te fully appreciate'em," he explained. "But it sure be a sight even now. So different from'ome."

They came to a building with four giant dice on display – each with a different face – and a guardian lion sculpture looming over the green double doors that served as the entrance. It was also covered in an inordinate amount of lightbulbs, both electrical and neon, although they were currently off considering the time of day.

"Ye think this might be one o'the casinos?" Batu asked, a hint of sarcasm colouring his tone.

"I think so," Evan replied.

"I bet this looks proper grand at night," Lofty remarked.

"Well with any luck, we won't be staying long enough to find out," said Roland. "Let's go in."

The casino guard, a dogfolk man dressed in dark blue and green robes and a dark blue hat adorned with a green orb that was presumably made from glass, greeted them when they approached. "Welcome to the Lucky Stars Casino, visitors." He glanced down at Evan and Tani. "Ah, since you are new here, I must inform you that children are not permitted to gamble."

"Glad to hear it," Roland replied. At least they've got that right. "So would it be all right if they just watched?"

"Provided they remain under adult supervision at all times, then yes that is allowed." He glanced down Lofty. "However, pets are not permitted-"

"Pets?!" Lofty shrieked and the casino guard jumped. "Youe'd better not be talking to me, pal, I'm a Kingmaker!"

"Oh, b-begging your pardon, I-I didn't realise. Then does this mean that I stand in the presence of visiting royalty?"

"Uh, yes," Evan replied. "I'm King Ivan Pennybristle Doldrum."

"I see. Your Majesty," he bowed. "I do hope you understand that as you are still a child, you are still not permitted to gamble despite your royal status."

"No, that's all right. I understand."

"Very good. In which case you are all welcome to enter the casino. We have some house rules that you will be expected to follow. They are displayed on the hanging scrolls just inside the entrance and we ask that you please read them before entering the game area. We hope you enjoy your visit to the Lucky Stars Casino and may Lady Luck smile upon you." He stepped aside, allowing them to enter.

The interior of the casino was no less grandiose then than the exterior, although the lighting was subdued allowing for a calmer atmosphere to permeate the building.

As the casino guard had said, the house rules had been inscribed on multiple hanging scrolls that were lining the wall just inside the entrance. They covered basic conduct while inside the casino as well as the rules being used in their card and dice games. "You guys remember what we're doing, right?" Roland asked rhetorically. "We're here to get our hands on some dice. Nothing else. So don't get distracted."

"Actually, I would suggest that at least one of our party participates in a game or two," Aranella advised. "It will look very suspicious for us all to enter without playing anything after all."

"Good point," he conceded.

"And I'll be able to use the distraction to swipe some dice," Tani added.

"Right. So who wants to play?"

"We volunteer," Batu, Chingis and Lofty spoke together. Evan, Tani and the higgledies laughed.

Roland and Aranella exchanged looks. "Batu and Chingis at least do seem the most likely to be into gambling," she observed.

"Sure…" To Batu and Chingis, he said, "Just don't get carried away all right? We only have about four hundred guilders left, and we'd rather not lose it all in one go."

"Hmm. Perhaps we should stick by them in order to keep them in check?"

"Yeah… perhaps we should."

"Oi, what about me?"

"Lofty, you are not gambling."

"Why not, mun?!"

"Have you ever gambled before?"

"Well… Not exactly, like. But I can learn, see!"

"Not while our limited funds are at stake." Lofty sulked at that.

"Don't worry yerself, Master Lofty," Chingis assured him. "We can be teachin' ye te gamble if you'd like, the Sky Pirate way."

"Really?" He asked hopefully.

"Aye."

"Go on then!" Lofty cheered and Roland sighed.

"Let's'ave ye watchin' first afore we move onte the teachin'."

"Righto! Show me how it's done like!"

"Aye." Chingis gently picked him up and placed him on his shoulder.

"Higgledy pig!" Runcible and Wiff-waff both objected.

"The higgledies want to come too, mun," Lofty translated. So Chingis held out his hand to where he thought they were standing but Tani stopped him.

"Hold on," she said. "I think you two can help me. Since no-one else can see you but us, that means you'll be able to play the part of lookout. So when no-one is looking in our direction, give me the signal and I'll swipe the dice. You got that?"

"Higgle!" They both saluted.

"Great." She scooped them up to sit on her shoulders. "We're ready."

"We'll be playin' the dice games last," said Chingis.

"Last?" Roland repeated with a frown.

"Aye. We should be playin' a couple more afore that. Te avoid suspicion as ye said."

"Aye," Batu agreed. "Playin' jus'one game don't be seemin' right."

"Oh?" Roland folded his arms. "Is that what this is about? Or are you just trying to persuade us to let you play more games?"

Batu and Chingis exchanged looks. "Both," they replied in unison.

It was Roland's turn to exchange a look with Aranella. "Well," she replied. "At least they're honest." He just sighed. Evan and Tani giggled.

"Let the games begin, mun!" Lofty exclaimed.

They approached the chip exchange desk. The cashier, a dogfolk woman in a red dress, bowed. "Greetings visitors, and welcome to the Lucky Stars Casino. Please note that we ask for a minimum deposit of twenty guilders per person in order to play." So forty guilders for the two of them, that wasn't too bad. "How many of you will be playing today?"

"It just be us two," said Batu.

"Very well. And how much will you be buying?"

"I think we can allow them twenty five each," said Roland. "What do you think?"

"Yes," Aranella agreed. "That sounds like a reasonable amount."

"Aye. Then twenty five each it be."

"Very good. Then that will be fifty guilders in total if you please." Aranella handed over the fifty guilders and the cashier counted out their twenty five chips each. She smiled before bowing once again. "Have a wonderful time at the casino."

"Thank ye, lass," they replied before moving away. "Now where be them card games?" Batu asked as he cast about the room for their first port of call.

"Our card games are in the next area," the cashier explained. "Through those doors."

"Why be that?"

"Dice games are more popular in Goldpaw than card games as they test your luck more than they test your skill, so they're the ones we have out front. But there is a certain level of luck to card games as well – some more than others – so they have their place here too."

"I see. Thank ye, lass."

"Of course."

They entered the card playing area and descended on the first table they saw. The croupier, a dogfolk man in dark blue and green robes and dark blue hat just like that worn by the casino guard outside, bowed to them and smiled. "Welcome, visitors. This game is called Thirteen Cards. Have you played before?"

"I do be knowin' of a game by that name. Some traders bought it te us Sky Pirates a long time ago. But let's be'earin' the rules anyway."

"Very well. Each player will receive a thirteen card hand. They will then have to divide their cards into three hands. The front hand is the lowest ranking hand and subsequently contains three cards. The middle and back contain five each with the back hand being the highest ranking. All three hands are placed face down from back to front with the back hand being closest to the player. After all hands have been set, each player will announce whether or not they are playing their hand."

At this point Batu cut him off. "I'll stop ye there. It be the same game after all."

"Very good. Then, do you care to test your luck?"

"Aye."

"And how many of you will be playing?"

"I'll go first."

"Very well. Then let us play." The deck was shuffled, the cards were dealt, the bets were set and play began. Batu and Chingis did so well that both ended up walking away with more money than they'd put down. "Goodness me, Lady Luck is with you today, my friends. Why not use that luck with some of our dice games?" Roland barely managed to keep his face straight at that; Knowing the dice were rigged gave that suggestion a whole different intention.

"A fine idea." Chingis agreed enthusiastically, and so they returned to the front and descended on the table nearest the door.

Tani whispered to Runcible and Wiff-waff. "All right listen up you two. We're going to let them play for a bit before we swipe the dice, all right?"

"Higgle," they replied.

"I'll cough to let you know when."

They saluted. "Higgle."

The croupier, a dogfolk woman in the standard dark blue and green robes and dark blue hat bowed politely. "Welcome, visitors. This game is called Red and Black. Have you played before?"

Batu and Chingis exchanged looks. "Can't be sayin' we'ave," Batu replied.

"Worry not, I shall explain the rules. The game uses three dice. I will throw two of the dice and you will confirm the numbers rolled. You will then decide if the third roll will bring the total number rolled to eleven or more, or less than eleven. If you believe it will be eleven or more, you call "red". If less, you call "black". Are you following so far?"

"Aye. It be simple enough."

"Very good. In order to make play a little interesting, when three ones are rolled, or three sixes, red and black are swapped. So even though three ones are less than eleven, they are red. And three sixes are black. Do you understand the rules of play, or should I repeat them?"

"That not be necessary. We follow."

"Very good. Who will be playing first?"

"Go on, Chingis," Batu offered. "You should be playin' this first. I'ad first go at the cards after all."

"Aye, aye, boss."

"And what will your starting wager be?"

"Ten guilders." He placed a chip down.

"The house will match your bid." The croupier placed a chip down as well. "Now let us begin." They gathered around to watch as she rolled the first two dice, and Tani positioned herself close to the croupier, but not so close as to be invading her personal space. The first two dice landed on a six and a one. "A six and one," she declared. "That makes seven. Will you call Red or Black, sir?"

Chingis pondered before deciding on his answer. "Red."

She rolled the dice. The dice settled on two. "Bad luck, sir. The total is nine. Black is victorious." She collected the chips before asking. "Would you like to roll again?"

"Aye."

"What will your bid be this time?"

He placed another chip down. "Ten again."

She did the same. "The house will match your bid." Chingis lost the next two games. "Can I tempt you with one more?"

Chingis sighed. "Aye… One last game be all I can be affordin' anyways." She let him win this one in order to keep him hooked, and he ended up blowing his winnings on another two games. "I be all out," he said. And with that it was Batu's turn.

While Lofty, Evan and the two pirates were absorbed in the game, Roland and Aranella suddenly found themselves having to fight to keep their attention firmly on the rolling dice as Tani had coughed and shortly after the higgledies gave her the all clear. She carefully removed one of the unused dice sitting on the croupier's station and pocketed it before she winked in their direction indicating her mission had been accomplished. Once the round was finished, Aranella spoke up. "All right, I think you've both had enough. Else we'll be here all day."

"Aye," Batu agreed reluctantly. "I suppose ye be right. And I be down to me last chip anyway, so it be best to bow out gracefully." They thanked the croupier and moved away. He lowered his voice to ask. "Did ye get the dice, girlie?"

"What do you think?" She replied with a triumphant grin.

He grinned back. "That's me girl."

They returned to the chip exchange desk in order for Batu to cash in his one remaining chip. "Thank you for playing at the Lucky Stars Casino," the cashier said with a bow. "We hope to see you again."

"Perhaps ye will."

Once they'd left the casino, they ducked into a secluded area that was low in foot traffic in order to present their findings. "Well, that third dice was definitely dodgy, but it was a lot more subtle than Lady Luck," Roland observed.

Chingis scratched his head. "Was it?"

"Of course it was," Tani replied. "And here's why." She drew the dice from her pocket. "Watch this. If I press the one…" She pressed the face and sent the dice rolling with a flick of her wrist. It landed on a one. "We get a one. And if I press the five…" She pressed the face. It landed on a five. "A five! Now two…" She pressed the two. It wavered before landing on a two. "Beginner's luck!"

"Cheeky beggars!" Lofty cried in indignation.

"Higgledy pig!" The two higgledies shouted.

"Gosh!" Evan exclaimed.

"So that be'ow it's done," Chingis grumbled.

"I see," said Aranella. "Pugnacious certainly wouldn't be able to get away with that for the dice roll of Lady Luck."

"No," Roland agreed. "Bradley said the dice was operated remotely, which means the dice must have some kind of remote control device, which means that someone must be operating the device as it lands, hence the reason the dice rolls are so… well… sloppy."

"You would know more about that sort of thing than any of us."

"Right… What I'm getting at is, Pugnacious could be operating the remote himself, which isn't out of the question since I was too focused on the dice roll to see what he was doing while it was rolling."

"As was I," was the unanimous consensus.

"Or it was operated by someone else. And now that I think about it, that someone else could very possibly be Ya Ya."

"You really think so?" Evan asked.

"But you didn't think she was in on it before," Tani added.

"That's why I said, "now that I think about it". Her reaction earlier could all be just an act. And if that's true, talking to her won't get us anywhere. We may even wind up getting kicked out of Goldpaw…"

"Is there a chance that she isn't involved?" Evan asked.

"Well yeah."

"And was she broken hearted, Lofty?"

"Not that I could see. But that doesn't mean she's not in on it," Lofty replied.

"I would've said that her reaction seemed genuine," said Aranella. "But after what happened in Ding Dong Dell, it seems that I… I can no longer trust my own judgement…"

"Aww, Nella," Evan and Tani both objected. "I trust your judgement," Evan added.

She smiled. "You're kind as always, Evan."

"Well… In order to get to the bottom of what caused Pugnacious' broken heart, we'll have to do something," said Roland. "You're the King, Ev-uh… Ivan. What will that something be?"

Evan pondered before giving his reply. "Well… Bradley's involved with what's going on, but not because he wants to be. So it could be true for Ya Ya as well. I think we should give her a chance."

"All right. Then we'll go to Pugnacious like we originally planned, and hopefully we'll get to talk to Ya Ya one to one… or uh… you know what I mean."

"Right," they chorused. "But where the devil do we be findin'im?" Batu asked.

"There was a pretty swanky looking building at the end of Fortune Square," said Tani. "Like Bradley's house but huge, and waay fancier. I'll bet he lives in there."

"Makes sense," Roland agreed. "So that's where we'll start."

A/N: For the purpose of keeping chapter lengths relatively even, this is one of two that unfortunately ended up being on the short side.