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I examined my new disguise, making sure I had all the right features. It would be unlikely Peter's associates would invite a woman to play in their rigged game. A young man would be a more likely target. Besides, it amused me to make myself look just enough like Peter to be his son. I enjoyed creating a character for these kinds of deals. It kept life interesting.
I straightened my vest as I walked out of my rented room above the saloon Peter told me his associates gathered at for their weekly game. One of the resident ladies was leaning on the railing and gave me a flirtatious smile. I gave her a wink and a tip of my hat as I walked by her.
"Evening, Miss."
She put a hand on the front of my shoulder and examined me. "Do I know you, hun?
"Unlikely, Miss. Never been to these parts before. Got into town last night."
"Business, pleasure, or both?"
"Business, mostly."
"Only mostly, city boy?" She lightly ran the backs of her fingers along my stubbly jawline. I put on an appropriate amount of blush for a young man the age I was portraying. "Maybe if you finish with your business, I can treat you to some country pleasures."
I feigned a nervous laugh as she leaned against the railing again. "If I've got time, I might take you up on that, Miss."
"Rose. You can call me Rose, city boy."
"You can call me Sylvester, Rose." I tipped my hat to her again as I made my way downstairs. The saloon was still fairly empty. A few patrons chatting at the bar and a couple more of the resident ladies scoping out their potential clients for the first part of the night. I sat at the bar and surveyed the drink choices.
"Why the disappointed look, lad?"
I turned my attention to the burly Elf behind the bar. "You don't have my favorite liquor."
"What you lookin' for? I hide the good stuff from the riff raff." He gestured with his thumb to the men standing at the other end of the bar.
"Torik's Blood Wine."
He silently sized me up before he nodded once and disappeared into the kitchen. He returned with a dusty bottle with glass too dark to see through. He popped the cork off and poured the thick red liquor into a tumbler for me.
"We don't have many requests for this. I'm not going to have any trouble tonight, am I?"
I sipped my drink, feeling warmth spread through me. "It isn't my aim to cause trouble. Came to pay respects to a friend who recently passed."
"You're one of Pete's friends? Didn't think he kept friends of your sort."
"I suppose we were more acquaintances. I have to collect a debt from his associates."
He clenched his jaw with a sharp exhale. "Pete said he was going to seek some...help for the troubles those fellas were plottin' in the shadows. Guess he didn't listen when I warned him not to bring a Demon into this. Too late, now, I suppose. Don't bust up my bar and don't harass the residents."
"Violence isn't my forte, sir. I'm much better with the tiles than my fists."
He gave me a gruff grunt before going to attend to some newly arrived patrons, leaving the bottle of blood wine with me. I laid more than enough money on the bar and took the bottle and glass with me to a table in the corner. I watched as the saloon filled with patrons and patiently awaited my targets.
I didn’t have long to wait before a small group of men walked in and immediately went to a table in the far corner of the saloon. My main target went to the bar to order their drinks, so I tilted my head and concentrated on what they were saying.
“Evenin’, Reibus.”
“Corbin. What can I get you and the boys tonight?”
“The usual will do. Minus one for poor Pete, of course.”
“Of course.” I heard the barman line up three shot glasses and pour some whiskey in them. Mid-shelf from the smell. “You boys playin’ tiles tonight?”
Corbin downed one of the shots and tapped it on the bar for another. “That’s the plan, though it is difficult to have a good game with only the three of us. You know any suckers, I mean, players who might want in?”
“No one that hasn’t gotten sick of your antics. All the regulars won’t play you. You’ve heard the rumors, haven’t you?”
Corbin scoffed. “The ones about me killin’ my best friend? Yeah, rumors spread like wildfire in a small town like this. You don’t think it was me, right, Reibus?” There was a dangerous edge to Corbin’s tone.
“Course not, Corbin. I know you better than that. Why don’t you ask the new fella’ in the corner if he wants to play? He mentioned he was here looking to learn a thing or two about playing the tiles.”
I took the opportunity to glance around uncertainly at the other patrons in a lost way.
“Who is he?”
“Didn’t ask his name, Corbin. He’s some city kid lookin’ to live a wild and free life like all the others.”
“Easy mark if I’ve ever seen one. Thanks, Reibus.” Corbin dropped off the shots at his table and made his way over to me. “Hey there, stranger. Heard you was lookin’ for a game of tiles.”
I put on a nervous smile. “I am, yes. I’m rather new to the game, but I learned the basics before making my way out here.”
He grinned down at me. “You can join our game if you’d like. I’ll warn you, though, we’re experienced gamblers and deal in some fairly steep bets.”
I frowned at him. “I sadly might have to turn down your offer. Most of my money went to making my way out here. I was supposed to meet someone here that was going to help me get on my feet, but he hasn’t shown up.”
“Don’t worry about that. We’ll front you some cash. We can all spare a portion of our pots.”
I smiled up at him and stood, extending my hand. “Sounds like a deal, Mister. My name is Sylvester.”
“Folks call me Corbin.” He took my hand to shake it, yanking his hand back and staring down at it.
“Something wrong, Mr. Corbin.”
He shook his head slowly. “Nothin’. And it’s just Corbin.” He brought me over to his table, still rubbing the middle of his palm. “Boys, this is Sylvester. He’s gonna join us tonight, but needs a small loan from each of us to play with.” The guys made not well feigned sounds of annoyance as they made a small pile of money in front of the seat in the corner which Corbin directed me to sit in.
“I really appreciate your kindness, gentlemen. I’m sure you’ll win the whole pot back.” We all had a small laugh as Corbin began passing out the tiles from their carrying bag.
Here goes nothing.