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.Their anticipation was clearer, as was their absolute faith in Luce's ability.Kellin found it particularly annoying.He shoved all that remained of his wealth into the center of the table, mingling it with jewels, coins, and dice, then challenged Luce in silence.The big man laughed."All, is it?" He flicked onto the pile a glittering diamond."Worth more than yours." he said off-handedly, "but I'll have it back anyway." Then, with abject contempt, he jabbed a hand toward Kellin."Your throw.Boy."The insult stung, as it was intended, but not so much after all.To Luce, he was a boy, for the man was much older—but something else was far more 196 Jennifer Robersonimperative than answering a gibe at his youth and inexperience.If I could win this throw.I could yet string out the game a while and avoid offering the knife.Teeth set tightly, Kellin scooped up the six ivory dice.Carved markings denoted their value.He threw, and counted the values before the dice stopped rolling-Leijhana tu'sai— Relief crowded out the desperation in Kellin's belly.Sweat dried on his face.He maintained a neutral expression only with great effort, and only because he knew it would annoy Luce."Your throw," he said negligently, relaxing on his stool.Inwardly jubilant, he waited.The crowd around the table stirred; only one value could beat the total on Kellin's dice, and it was not easily accomplished.Luce grunted and grabbed the dice.His mouth moved silently as he whispered something and shook the cubes in his hand.A body shifted behind Kellin, breaking his concentration.A voice said irritably: "Don't push!"Kellin ignored it, watching Luce entreat the dice to fall his way, but within a moment the body pressed close again, brushing his shoulder.Kellin leaned forward in an attempt to escape the crowding.If they take no care, they will upset the table—And they did so just as Luce threw.A body fell into Kellin, who was in turn shoved against the table.Coins, jewels, and dice spilled, showering the rush-littered Hoor.Even as Kellin, swearing, rose to avoid over-turned usca, he recognized the miscreant- The expression in Teague's eyes was one of calculation and satisfaction, not regret or anger, though he voiced a sharp protest against the man who had caused him to fall.For only a moment Kellin's curiosity roused.A TAPESTRY OF LIONS197Then he turned back to Luce, who cursed savagely and dropped to his knees, scrabbling for dice.Others were on the floor also, gathering coin and gemstones.How many will make their way into purses and pockets? And then Kellin reflected that probably none would; Luce's hold over the men was too strong- A copper here and there might disappear, but nothing of significance.Luce came up from the floor, broad face dark in anger.A malignancy glittered in near-black eyes."The dice," he grated."I have them all, but one."Teague held it aloft."I have it." His smile was odd as he tossed the cube in his left hand; the right lingered very near his knife.Luce thrust out a hand."Give it here.""I think not." Teague had discarded his truculence and sloppy posture.He looked directly at Kellin."The die is weighted improperly.You have been cheated.""A lie\" Luce thundered.Teague tossed the cube to Kellin."What say you?"Frowning, Kellin rolled the smooth ivory in his fingers.It felt normal enough.The ploy could well be Teague's way of rescuing him from a difficult situation.He flashed a glance at the guardsman and saw nothing but a cool, poised patience.Nothing at all indicated Teague might be lying.Kellin considered.A second test of the cube divulged a faint roughness at one rounded comer, but that could come from years of tavern use rather than purposeful weighting."A lie," Luce declared."Give it here."Kellin stared back."You deny the charge.""I do!""Then you will have no objection if we test it." Kel-198 Jennifer Robersoalin kicked aside bits and pieces of soiled rushes.He grimaced in distaste as he knelt down on the packed earthen floor.It was a vulnerable position, with Luce towering over him, but he assumed it with as much nonchalance as he could muster.He dared not hesitate now, not before the ring of hos-tile faces -"A lie," Luce repeated.Kellin draped one forearm across a doubled knee.He gripped the die loosely in his right hand."If it is a fair roll, you shall have the knife." He saw it in Teague's hand, emerald eyes glittering."Otherwise, your remaining thumb is forfeit."Luce breathed audibly."Throw it, then."Kellin opened his fingers and dropped the cube.It bounced, rattled, then stilled."You see?" Luce declared.Kellin smiled."Patience is not your virtue." He retrieved the die [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]