Swords and Cards

(OOC – Happy New Year guys!)

“The metal never makes the weapon,” Kline added softly to the conversation of steel. “I believe that part of the soul of the smith goes into the blade when he forges it. The smith makes the weapon, and the warrior wields it, the last thing you need to worry over is the material.” He looked at the group. “This is why an orc army in plain steel can overcome a troop of paladins in blessed armor. I have seen it. Regular steel besting a mithril blade because the one who forged it and the one who used it.” His eyes went to Gularzob. “I think he would agree.”

“What a romantic notion! It's somewhat superstitious and anecdotal, yet I also think a truism,” Kalena said, putting on mock airs to amuse Eliza, but at the same time pleased to hear Kline expressing himself as far as his personal beliefs. If he was essentially saying that the skill of the blade's wielder and its forger trumped the quality of the steel itself then she had to mostly agree.

Kline shrugged and turned to smile at her. “I prefer my sword to have some heft to it, some weight, I like to swing it as much as it will swing me.”

“How utterly inelegant, and not to mention, tiring on your arms. You might as well be using some big axe or a hammer,” she said, ribbing him. She hoped he wasn't making some kind of double entendre. “I myself prefer a lightly constructed sword, no more than a few pounds in weight; something fast, easily manoeuvrable, and sharp. Speed does tend to make up for lack of heft, and cutting power should come from skill and technique rather than simple brute strength.”

Down in the game room, Kline found a seat at a table and took out a bag of coins.

“What's your game, gentlemen and lady? Tabula, Senet, Mehen, Lions and Jackals?” Kalena asked with charming archness.

Lafayette shrugged. "I do not believe I know any of those games."

“Senet and Mehen I suppose are a bit obscure; they're games from Kemet, a hot desert land where I spent some of my formative years,” Kalena told them. “Tabula is a game you might know better as Backgammon.”

“I think we should play Ransom,” Kline said. He picked up the deck and explained the rules, at length. When he finished he looked around at them. “Do you wish to try it?”

“I would love to,” Kalena said, taking the chair across the table from him. She enjoyed learning new games, especially betting games.

Sitting down at the table as well, Eliza was being over dramatic as usual. "Kalena, dear sometimes I think you are taking advantage of me. You know how bad I do at card games."

“No one is forcing you to play, Lize,” Kalena replied with a tolerant smile. “But I'll put up the money for you if you like.”

Trained to respond instantly to her each and every single whim, a slave across the room in seconds began counting out another hundred coins from an alabaster and gold jar.

"I have twenty platinum coins. Does that work?" Lafayette asked.

Kalena frowned. “Platinum is roughly twice as valuable as gold, but I know it takes more platinum to make a coin. Gular, as our resident expert on metals, how much would you say those are worth here in Dalen?” she asked, looking to the orc blacksmith.

"Are we waiting for your guests to arrive or leave before our little deal?" Lafayette asked Kalena, eluding to their sparring match.

She caught the eagerness in his voice. “Oh, I do apologize. I'm afraid it entirely slipped my mind. We can spar after we finish playing cards.” She looked to the others and explained: “Lafayette and I were going to do a little fencing. Care to join us? He prefers the épée. A poor sword that doesn't have a cutting edge. For both thrusting and cutting I prefer a sabre. With one in hand I have been described as nothing less than poetry in motion.” She gave a boastful smile as she took her cards and examined them.

<Tag – Kline, Lafayette, Gularzob, Eliza, and optionally, Lars, Isai, and Chiren/Jack.>