Bushy Beard and Smooth Skin grumbled. But to Kevin’s horror, they agreed. This time, as the winner of the last round, Lydia was the dealer, sending the cards flashing out in neat, colorful piles to the other players. “Same stakes?”
“Same stakes,” they muttered, almost as one.
She’s going to lose. I know she’s going to lose. We won’t have a coin left and—Oh, I knew it! Bushy Beard impassively raked in his winnings.
“Lydia!” Kevin whispered frantically. “That’s enough! Let’s get out of here while we still have something left!”
“Hush. One more round, gentlemen?”
Smooth Skin nodded. Bushy Beard, fingering his winnings, was slower to agree.
“All right,” he muttered at last.
Lydia smiled. “But we’ve been playing a kid’s game so far. How about some real risks, eh? Major Arcana and double stakes, this rime? And winner takes all?”
Both men hesitated this time. Then Bushy Beard shrugged. “Why not?”
“What about you, my friend?” Lydia crooned.
Smooth Skin sighed. “All right. But just this one hand. I have ... other engagements.”
“We’ll try not to keep you too long,” Lydia said drily.
Fuming and terrified, Kevin watched Bushy Beard shuffle the entire deck this time, Major and Minor Arcana together, and deal out the bright-hued cards. Fists clenched, he watched Lydia thoughtfully pick up then discard card after card, her face a studious blank.
“Raise,” she said after a while, pushing a few coins towards the center of the table.
“Raise,” echoed Smooth Skin, doing the same.
Bushy Beard hesitated a long time, but at last added his share of coins.
The game went on. And on. Each time it was Lydia’s turn, she studied her cards for a time, then called out:
“Raise.”
That’s the last of our winnings! Kevin realized. If she loses this hand, we’ll be beggared!
It was Smooth Skin who hesitated this time, hand toying with the coins in front of him. “Raise,” he said at last.
Bushy Beard swore under his breath. “Too rich for me,” he muttered, throwing down his cards and stalking away.
Lydia smiled. “Show ‘em,” she said.
Smooth Skin showed his teeth in a sharp grin. “Beat this.”
He held The Emperor. The Empress, The Fool, The Knight of Swords and The Five of Wands.
“Interesting.” Lydia’s voice was grim.
She’s lost, I know she’s lost. We’re lost.
But then the woman’s gloomy face broke into a grin. “What a shame you didn’t have another Major Arcana card!
Her hand held The Magician, The Hanged Man, The Sun, The Tower, and The Lovers.
All Major Arcana cards. Does that mean ...?
