The Wanderer
Yazam proved correct: the tavern keeper granted Balsa the evening off of work easily. The tavern keeper didn't mind her going with Azuno, but he wasn't the only one Balsa was worried about. If she went to a clan lord's castle, she might be forced to stay overnight out of politeness, since she would be accompanying Azuno, who was an honored guest. And she and Jiguro were fugitives from Kanbal. It was possible that a Kanbalese lord or one of their pursuers would be at Lord Takanu's castle. She couldn't even think about going there without talking to Jiguro first.
Balsa found Jiguro sharpening his spear with a whetstone, sitting near the tavern's well. She told him about Lord Takanu's invitation in a voice barely louder than a whisper, eyes cast down.
Jiguro wiped excess moisture off his spear point with a rag, then said, "Is that so? Sounds like a rare opportunity indeed. Go on, then, and have fun."
Balsa looked up at Jiguro, surprised. She'd expected him to say no. "Is it really all right for me to go to the castle of a clan lord's main supporter?" she asked. "Isn't it dangerous?"
Jiguro didn't smile, but his eyes were laughing at her. "Lord Radam doesn't have dealings with King Rogsam. He never has, to my knowledge. And I haven't heard about any other Kanbalese warriors in the area except for us. You should always be careful, but I think you'll be safe enough."
"But..."
Jiguro stood up and rested a heavy hand on Balsa's head. "Stop worrying so much," he said. "It's not every day that you get to see someone of Lahura's caliber play."
Lord Takanu's castle came into view in the distance. The sight of it made Balsa catch her breath.
This is just a retainer's castle, not a clan lord's? It's ginormous!
Balsa's father had once taken her to the the Yonsa Clan's castle when she was a very young child. She could barely remember that. To her, this castle appeared to be far larger than any building she'd ever seen in Kanbal. Kanbal's buildings were also constructed out of the dark gray gut-rock of the mountain, as a rule, but this castle's walls gleamed in the light of the setting sun with a mirror shine.
The guard on the gate was a young man who didn't recognize Azuno. Azuno said a few words to him, and he let them pass into a garden dotted with large, mosquito-repelling fires that belched smoke into the air. Azuno led Balsa along the garden path and found the back door without any trouble. She'd been to this place many times before.
An old matron dressed as a maid greeted Azuno with a fond smile. "It's been ages since you've come! How have you been?"
Azuno made polite replies while the maid led them into the kitchen. The maid insisted that Azuno and Balsa sit and have a meal before playing. There was a large bird roasting over an open fire in the kitchen. It was well-basted and dripping with juices. Balsa ate too much without realizing it, but no one seemed to mind.
After dinner, a messenger from Lord Takanu came and led Azuno and Balsa to Lord Takanu's personal chambers. The hallways were made of the same polished stone as the castle walls. The temperature was pleasantly cool, but not cold. The castle must surely house a lot of people, but Balsa didn't hear many, and the hallways were surprisingly quiet. She guessed that people must have plenty of space to move around here, unlike the crowded, noisy tavern where she and Jiguro lived and worked. The castle felt strangely comforting to her: quiet and safe.
Balsa was a bit surprised that she and Azuno had been summoned to the lord's personal living space instead of a receiving hall or a banquet area. The room he greeted them in was quite large. A window on the western wall let in the early evening air. A man sat in a chair with his arms settled on the armrests, supporting his face with one hand.
The man's eyes lit up when Azuno entered the room. "There you are, Azuno! I was getting impatient."
Balsa felt a sudden surge of tension from Azuno. Azuno's shoulders tensed up briefly, then relaxed. Lord Takanu spoke in a hearty tone and looked hale and well. Balsa had heard from Yazam that his leg was bad, but there was no trace of pain or weakness in his voice. If this was what he was like now...well, Balsa imagined that he must have been uncommonly strong as a young man, before his fall from a horse.
Azuno knelt down on the room's carpet before Lord Takanu, bringing her forehead to the floor. "At long last, we see one another again. I thank you for your greeting from the bottom of my heart."
Lord Takanu chuckled. "Now, now, raise your head. Surely we don't need so much formality between us."
Azuno kept her face cast down, but she smiled. "I'm embarrassed to have you see me this way, aged and wrinkled as I am."
"What are you talking about? You appear unchanged to me. Let's not make this a contest over who's suffered the most in their old age."
Azuno sat up and introduced Balsa, then sat in a chair across from Lord Takanu. Balsa sat in a slightly lower chair at Azuno's side. The difference in status between Lord Takanu and Azuno was vast, but there was no awkwardness in their conversation. They spoke to one another in the same way as old friends. It was hard to believe that Azuno had been so nervous when she'd first entered the room.
Lord Takanu and Azuno talked for a long time without playing any susutto. Balsa grew bored of listening to their tedious pleasantries. When is the game going to start?
The conversation dragged on. Balsa thought she might fall asleep before anything actually happened, but fortunately, she was wrong.
A knock at the door restored Balsa's focus. Lord Takanu gave his permission for the man at the door to enter. The man was unfamiliar, young, and very tall. The light of intelligence dance in his eyes. He was smartly dressed and combed for his audience with Lord Takanu.
Azuno bowed deeply to the newcomer. "Ah, Lord Salom! Look how much you've grown!"
Lord Salom blushed faintly, discomfited by Azuno's casual words. She spoke to him as if he were a familiar child. Lord Salom came closer to Lord Takanu and stood by his chair.
Lord Takanu patted Lord Salom on the back. "My grandson certainly has grown up, and he has very good prospects for the future. He is skilled in both governance in warfare, but he hasn't yet surpassed me at susutto. I thought to invite him to this game. Is that all right?"
"Certainly," Azuno said. "I look forward to seeing you play, Lord Salom."
Lord Takanu smiled, then said hoarsely, "This may be the last time I play against you in this game of long susutto, I think. Has it really been more than fifty years since the start of it? If I don't ever get to play it again, I would ask that you allow my grandson to take my place at the competitor's table."
At long last, Azuno unfurled her long scroll of parchment, briefly recounting the long game up until this point in time. Lord Takanu picked up his die, as did Lord Salom. Azuno clutched hers between two fingers. The game was about to begin.
Lord Salom observed his grandfather silently, but his eyes never stopped moving. He was like a fish darting between reeds, searching for opportunities in the game that would allow for a win.
Balsa stood behind Azuno and observed all three competitors. After a few rounds, Azuno and Lord Takanu really started to compete, and Lord Salom got swept up in the fierceness of their moves. Balsa thought the atmosphere of the game was like spear fighting, with each competitor striking a blow or stopping one at every turn.
Balsa had never seen a susutto game quite like this one before. They weren't playing for money, but even if they were, she suspected it would make no difference. All three of them were experienced players who made their moves confidently without a scrap of hesitation. There was no clear frontrunner for the first several rounds.
But then, Lord Takanu began to falter. Maybe he was tired. During his long conversation with Azuno, he'd said that he hadn't played long susutto in a long time. But even when he started falling behind in the tally logs, he refused to give up.
Balsa had underestimated Salom at the start. He was smart, just like he looked, and if he was less confident than his more seasoned elders, that didn't mean he lacked anything in terms of focus or resolve. Balsa tried to predict his moves and was repeatedly surprised by his choices.
Azuno, too, was full of surprises. Her attack pattern was flawless. Balsa saw a few minor weaknesses, which Salom in particular tried to exploit. But Azuno saw her own weaknesses clearly, and permitted no gaps to open in her defense. Balsa had never seen her adopt such an aggressive strategy before. If this were an actual battle, Azuno would be winning, hands down.
Balsa lost track of time. When Lord Takanu finally called the competition over for the evening, Balsa almost jumped out of her skin. She felt like she'd been observing from the bottom of a river, in a place without distraction or sound. Hearing Lord Takanu's voice made her feel like her head was breaking the surface of the water. Sounds, smells and other distractions started making themselves known again.
Lord Salom had been taciturn for most of the night. He didn't speak now, but it was clear from the look in his eyes that he was keenly interested in the game, and in Azuno as an opponent.
Lord Takanu leaned back in his chair. He looked exhausted. "A splendid game," he said. "You haven't lost your touch at all, Lahura."
Azuno blushed a little and grinned from ear to ear. "I thank you very much for saying so. But I'm afraid we've been up all night...I forgot to give due consideration to your health, Lord Takanu. Please forgive me."
Lord Takanu waved his hand dismissively. "I wouldn't have invited you to play if I cared about such a trivial thing." His eyes shone with mirth. Though he was tired, Balsa thought he looked much younger than he had when he'd first greeted them, as if the excitement of the game had given him a short burst of the energy of his youth.
"Games of long susutto like this are only possible with you," Lord Takanu said. "Wouldn't it be better to open them to the public to see? Or perhaps wager money to make things even more interesting?"
Azuno gaped in shock. She'd never played this game of long susutto for money, and she'd never accepted a public audience for it, either. But she was not at liberty to refuse the recommendation of Lord Takanu. "I, uh...if you desire these things, Lord Takanu, then we can certainly arrange something along those lines."
Lord Takanu nodded along to her words, seeming pleased by his own suggestion and Azuno's acquiescence. "Perfect! Let's do it tomorrow. I can have everything arranged by tomorrow evening. We'll hold it in the grand receiving hall, so there will be plenty of room for spectators. How does that sound?"
Lord Takanu sounded eager and anticipatory. Azuno bowed low to the ground. "Please feel free to make the preparations," she said.
Lord Takanu looked to his grandson. "Are you free tomorrow, to participate?" he asked.
Lord Salom glanced between Azuno and his grandfather, then nodded. He excused himself, bowed, and left the room.
Azuno also bowed and excused herself, but Lord Takanu called her back. "I have a favor to ask," he said.
"Oh?" Azuno said, turning back to face him. She was standing in the doorway with Balsa behind her.
"At tomorrow's game...please let Salom win. For me."
Azuno flushed faintly pink. She held Lord Takanu's gaze, tilting her head in confusion.
"He is still young, but he's tasted his share of success and failure. For him to win against the famous Lahura would do much to burnish his reputation. I want him to have this accomplishment to his name. I'm sure you understand."
Azuno's lips trembled slightly. She cast her eyes down and refused to look at Lord Takanu or Balsa. "I sincerely thank you for everything you have done for me, Lord Takanu." She took a deep breath, then raised her head.
"I will try my very best to do as you ask, but there is always some amount of chance involved," she said. "I cannot promise to lose."
Lord Takanu smiled. "I shall trust in your skill, Lahura."
Azuno walked along the village path in the predawn light with faltering steps. Balsa walked beside her in silence. Azuno's mood forbade speech. Lord Takanu's retainers had sent them back to the village's main gate, but they had to walk back to the tavern themselves.
Azuno's sighed deeply when the lord's retainers were finally out of sight.
Balsa couldn't restrain her curiosity any longer and asked, "Why would he say something like that to you? It's not fair, having you lose for the sake of his grandson. Does he make you do stuff like that a lot?"
At first, it seemed like Azuno didn't hear Balsa's question. She kept walking, eyes straight ahead. Then she stopped moving and shook her head. "No. He's never asked me to do anything like that before."
"But then..."
Azuno shrugged. "Lord Takanu was a warrior in his youth, before his injury. He applies the strategies of warfare to long susutto because that's all he knows, and all he can really do. He's never even seen a game of short susutto, like the kind we play at the tavern. He's not aware of all the factors that go into winning the shorter games." She lifted the lamp she held a bit higher so that she could see better, then resumed walking. Her feet dragged a little on the dirt path.
"Lord Takanu asked me for a favor," Azuno said. "I've served as a gambler under his patronage for more than fifty years. This is the price I have to pay." Her voice was quiet. Balsa couldn't see her face well, but it sounded like she was crying.
"That's right," Balsa said. "And you've been winning for him for fifty years. Why not win again? It would be what everyone expects."
Azuno said nothing in reply.
"I know he's powerful," Balsa said in an encouraging tone. "But you're way better than him at gambling. He fell for all of your surprise attacks, and that Lord Salom guy is even worse. You can use the obvious disparity in skill as an excuse. Nobody would blame you."
Azuno looked back at Balsa. She looked like she wanted to say something, but she didn't. She turned away and continued walking back toward the tavern.
That night, Azuno visited the tavern keeper in his private rooms. She didn't come out for a long time. Balsa started getting worried. What could they possibly be talking about? She stood near the tavern keeper's door, waiting for Azuno to come out.
Jiguro was having dinner in the tavern. He noticed Balsa watching the tavern keeper's door and came up to her. "Are you really so concerned about what they're talking about? Leave it. I'm sure it's fine."
Balsa shook her head. "I don't think they're talking about gambling stuff. At least, not only gambling stuff. That's what worries me."
"I've heard that tomorrow's tournament will wager money," Jiguro said.
"Yeah."
Jiguro took a sip of tea, then placed his cup down on an empty table. "Do you know how Lahura makes her money?" Jiguro asked.
"Doesn't she make it at gambling?" Balsa asked with a little frown.
"The money that Lahura wins is not her own. She lives in service to a clan lord's retainer, who pays for her food, lodging, and travel expenses. Win or lose, the clan lord's retainer has agreed to support her."
Balsa looked up at Jiguro, still frowning. "I...didn't know that."
"No, you wouldn't," Jiguro said. "It's not something she talks about. I sat and drank with her once and she told me the whole story. I was surprised, too. She makes a lot because of her reputation, which means that her sponsor needs to pay her a lot."
Jiguro glanced around the tavern, which was noisy, then said in a voice barely heard, "This is Rota. Many gamblers are supported by government money here. Lahura is successful, yes, but she's old, and soon she won't be able to earn her keep at gambling anymore. The lord who sponsors her probably sees her as a liability. I think he wants her to lose so that the rumor will spread around, and then he'll have to pay her less. It's a common story, sadly."
The tavern keeper's door finally opened. Azuno appeared exhausted, but she was clear-eyed and seemed steadier on her feet. She noticed Balsa staring at her and gave her a lonely sort of smile. Grinding her fists into her hips, she went slowly back to her own room.
Many guests were invited to watch the tournament between Azuno and Lord Salom. No expense was spared on the spectacle. People talked among themselves for a long while before the game began, speculating on strategies.
Azuno didn't use her cavalry forces in the game at at all. She attacked with more ill-suited pieces like merchants, artists and the occasional assassin. Her defense was strong and difficult to pierce through, but her attacks were uncommonly weak.
Lord Salom had no unified strategy, but his attack forces gradually started wearing down Azuno's defense. Azuno's was careful not to make it too obvious that she was losing. She often scored points against Lord Salom, but the general trend favored his attack forces.
This was how Azuno would make her money tonight. Not by winning, but by losing.
Lord Takanu looked askance at Azuno often during the tournament, hoping to catch her eye, but Azuno didn't turn her face to him even once.
And so, Azuno lost the game of long susutto that she had played for more than fifty years. Lord Salom gained glory and reputation as a gambler and was gifted land in his grandfather's dominion. All Azuno would receive in exchange were a few silver coins.
The receiving hall erupted in thunderous applause at Lord Salom's victory. Lord Takanu rose quietly from his seat and bowed his head deeply before the assembled guests. He seemed not to hear any of the words of praise lavished on him for hosting such a splendid game. Slowly, and a bit off-balance from his bad leg, he made his way out of the receiving hall.
This is the end of The Gambler.
EvilReceptionistOfDoom has written an alternate (much happier) ending, which is linked here.
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