As I moved silently through the city, Mnex seized the moment.
"Now's the perfect time to teach you about the currency. Listen carefully."
'I'm all ears.'
"The money here works differently from the world you knew. The most valuable coin is called a Solmar, it's gold and mostly used by nobles or for large trades.
Next is the Lumar, a silver coin, that's the one you saw earlier. It's what people use for bigger everyday purchases. Ten Lumars equal one Solmar.
Then comes the Mar, the most common coin. It can be broken into four smaller pieces called Marn. People use Mar and Marn for almost everything, especially when bargaining or giving change."
'Solmar, Lumar, Mar, then Marn... Feels like a lot, but I'll get used to it. Wait, did you say ten Lumars make one Solmar?'
"Correct. And each Lumar is worth 100 Mar. For context, because I know your primitive brain still thinks in dollars, 1 Solmar equals about 1250 USD."
'Ugh. That means the 8 Lumars I earned today were almost a full Solmar. And we nearly dropped it! Mnex, next time you make a plan, think about how much money is on the line. In my past life, I had to work almost a month to earn that.'
"Your lack of success in that life isn't my problem. You were simply the result of your own choices."
'And now I can't even argue back. Somehow, that makes it worse.'
We finally reached The Muddy Pig.
Seeing the city under moonlight for the first time, especially on my first day, felt surreal. The streets were dim and quiet, lit only by the pale glow above. Thankfully, Raymond seemed to know every corner by heart.
We hadn't seen a single soldier along the way. They must have already swept through this district. Either that, or they were chasing that shady beggar, before he spreads his poison somewhere else.
Neither option was good news for us.
As we approached the tavern, Raymond broke the silence.
"Young master, how much money did you bring with you?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"You don't seriously believe a three year old carries pouches full of Solmar, do you?"
His face paled instantly. Clearly, the sarcasm landed.
"Then… how do you plan to play?"
"I'm counting on you. Worst case, we open a tab under your name. Borrow first, earn later. It's simple math. Let's go with that."
As I stepped toward the tavern door, just as expected, Raymond panicked and grabbed my arm.
"Please, young master. Don't do that. This is all I have on me. Just play with this, please."
"Did you just manipulate Raymond?"
'Of course. The trick is to start with something outrageous. That way, when you make your real request, it sounds reasonable. Works every time.'
"Your capacity for wickedness never ceases to amaze me. It feels like I'm being dragged deeper with each passing moment."
'Oh, Mnex… We've barely scratched the surface.'
"Let's see what you've got," I said, taking the pouch from Raymond and peeking inside under the tavern light.
"Seriously? You expect me to believe this is all you're carrying?"
A handful of Mar and a few Marn. Barely enough to count.
"If I lose all of it gambling, what am I supposed to eat until payday?"
"You're worried about losing? Who said we're going to lose? Come on, empty your pockets."
"No. I'm sorry, young master. I can't risk everything just because you think you're lucky with dice."
"I have to agree," Mnex chimed in. "Unless you've got a convincing offer, you're already on the back foot."
'Relax. I've got this.'
"Alright, then. How about a bet?"
"A bet?"
'Hook, line, and sinker.'
"If you give me everything you've got, and I bankrupt you tonight, then, when I become the Lord of House Godfrey, I'll pay you exactly 2,000 Solmar."
His jaw dropped. He stared at me, stunned, blinking like he couldn't decide if I was joking.
"But if I win..." I paused deliberately, letting the tension thicken.
"Fine! I'll do whatever you say!" he blurted, not even letting me finish.
I gave a satisfied nod.
"Now... hand it over."
We stepped inside, carrying every coin Raymond had kept: 15 Solmar, 75 Lumar, and exactly 50 Mar.
I let him keep the Marn. I'm not heartless. Well, maybe just a little.
This was far too much coin for someone like Raymond. But again, who am I to judge.
Mnex chimed in "15 solmar is considered a small fortune for this era."
I just let it pass in one ear and out another.
"So, what do you usually play?" I asked casually. "Dice?"
"For small bets, dice is always the safest option," he replied, eyes already sweeping the room.
The front hall was quiet. A few men sat at scattered tables, one hummed a tune to himself, and someone slumped over, fast asleep in the corner. No one paid us much attention.
We moved past the bar and slipped through the leftmost of the two side doors.
Now this was more like it.
The air shifted. Thicker. Louder. Heavier with tension.
The back room was nearly twice the size, dimly lit and alive with murmurs and the clink of coins. Dice skittered across tables. Cards were dealt with quick, practiced hands. Money changed owners without a word.
The room had tiers, slightly raised platforms along the edges, where small groups drank and whispered.
We picked one of the empty tables above and settled in.
"Alright, tell me," I whispered to Raymond. "Which game has the highest payouts? And explain it to me clearly."
As I scanned the tables, I felt it, subtle glances from every direction.
A child, here?
No doubt I was the first.
Good. Let them laugh. Let them underestimate me.
"The highest bets?" Raymond leaned in.
"That's always High Trump."
"Yes, it seems simple," he began, "but there are a few things to keep in mind…"
"Make Godfrey great again," I muttered.
"What? I didn't catch that, young master."
"Was that a political joke?" Mnex cut in. "Should I install a firewall next time?"
'Forget it. Focus on the game.'
I nodded, signaling Raymond to go on.
So, here's what I gathered:
High Trump is a four-player card game played over thirteen rounds.
In each round, everyone gets thirteen cards.
Before taking a seat, each player must place their full coin pouch on the table. If a player runs out of coins by the end of the game, the house will cover their final bet but only for coverage, not for raising. No one can ask for more than what they started with.
Before play begins, all players place a bet, and whoever bets the most chooses the trump suit. That player also declares how many tricks they aim to win with that suit. Minimum declaration: five.
If they succeed, they gain five points and lead the next round.
If they fail, they lose five.
Meanwhile, the others try to block them while winning tricks of their own, worth a point and winning more tricks doesn't grant more points .
At the end of thirteen rounds, the player with the highest score takes the entire pot.
The twist? Each new round starts with a bet at least one coin higher than the last.
If the first round begins at 1 Lumar, the second starts at 1 Lumar and 1 Mar, and so on.
"It sounds risky," I said. "And profitable."
"You've never played before. Maybe stick with dice tonight, young master..." Raymond's voice trailed off, eyes darting nervously.
But I had already stopped listening.
'Mnex, give me a scan. Which table's the hottest?'
"Initiating scan… Hold your gaze steady.
Scan complete. Target acquired: leftmost corner, furthest end of the hall.
Highest betting levels detected. One player is on the verge of collapse.
Move now and you'll make it in time for the next round."
I gave a small nod and turned to Raymond.
"Stay here. I'll play a few hands and come back.
And if you even think about running away…"
I leaned in slightly, voice cold.
"When I return, I'll have the soldiers drag you off, and make sure you regret ever being born."
He gave a dramatic bow, clearly trying to defuse the threat with humor.
"As you command, young master. I shall remain and… humbly await your glorious victory from afar."
I didn't look back. I just walked toward my target, the sound of coins and tension growing with every step.
Just as Mnex predicted, I arrived at the table right as the final cards of the 13th round were being played.
Tension hung in the air like smoke. Each man held a single card, but one of them was already scowling, jaw clenched tight.
He was losing.
"Argh! Damn it. DAMN IT!"
He slammed his card down, snatched his coat from the back of the chair, and stormed off toward the door.
"Come again tomorrow, Morgan!" someone called after him with a grin. "Always a pleasure to beat you."
"Enough, Hyness," another said softly. "Can't you see he's already furious?"
So that's Hyness, I noted.
In a flash, the grin vanished.
Hyness turned to the speaker with a glare sharp enough to slice through silence.
"Don't butt in, Charles. And why are you still sitting here? Haven't you lost everything too?"
Charles looked down, voice small.
"Just… one more game. Let me borrow. If I lose, you win. If I win, well, still a win for you. Everyone's happy."
"Whatever." Hyness waved him off. "If you lose again, I'll just take your workshop. Problem solved."
He raised a hand, and from the shadows, a man appeared, silent and deferential. He leaned down, whispered something, then produced a pouch and handed it to Charles.
No doubt about it. Hyness owned this room.
An old scar traced from above his left brow down past his cheek. His thick black hair was streaked with gray at the temples. Not handsome, but he didn't need to be.
He radiated presence.
I stepped forward, pulled out an empty chair like I belonged there, and said casually:
"Evening, gentlemen. Hope no one minds if I join."
Silence.
The entire room froze. Heads turned. Even the bartender stopped mid-pour.
I glanced across the room, Raymond was still standing exactly where I left him. Pale. Wide eyed. Mouth slightly open.
Then, like a crack in the dam, Hyness burst out laughing.
And the room followed as if someone had flipped a switch.
"What?" I asked. "There some age requirement I missed?"
Hyness wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling.
"Boi… do you even know how to play?"
"Of course, old man."
His laughter stopped. His eyes narrowed not in offense, but interest.
"You're playing High Trump," I said, calm and firm. "And I'm in."
I dropped Raymond's pouch onto the table. But right before that I slip my small fingers into to pouch and took out exactly 3 Solmar. The clink of coins rang clear and deliberate, just loud enough for the whole room to hear.
If you ask me why I did that, because you can't trust them. You never know what kind of trick they'll pull.
Hyness's grin returned but this time, it was razor-edged.
"Alright then… let the game begin."