I looked around, but didn't see my Drebasty guard. I frowned. Now where had he gotten to?(When you fell, he charged Jorslan. He is the one who got the...dagger into Jorslan. Your Drebasty fell from the backlash of what he did. He is dead, and is being honored by his fellow Drebasty. Jorslan is having a bad time with a Drebasty wound, ) Svedra told me.Wow. I had known the Drebasty were an old and powerful race, but to crash a shield and manage to get a dagger into an almost full god? Ok, Jorslan. The winner of the hand was due the service; anyone who had raised to that level or agreed to match the bet had to pay the split for it. The winner could take the service or could bank it and bet it at a later time. There was a side pot that the payments went into. Theoretically, you could win a trip around the world in a hand -- and you could take it if you wanted it. If you owned one and wanted to bet it later, there was no requirement for anyone to add to the pot -- it was paid for. The. Whatever he needs to tell you, he’ll tell you in his own time. Which means---“ Carl raised his voice slightly since William looked like he was going to interrupt, “---he has to tell you personally. What he told me is just between us until he tells you as well.” “Okay, fine, I guess that makes sense. So what CAN you tell me?” William prodded a bit more impatiently. “Look, to be honest, John didn’t really tell me much. I still don’t know the whole story. But I know you’ve noticed that whatever. Friends?”“Yes, friends. Friends talk to each other, don’t they?”“So we’re friends now?”“Of course.”“But ... I mean ... you’re...”“The Head Villager. I know. Don’t remind me. And you’re a Townie. So what? We can be friends, can’t we? There’s no rule against it, is there?”“I thought there was,” I said, having regained some control over my vocal cords. I don’t think my brain had quite re-engaged yet though judging from that banal remark.“Well, you thought wrong.” She sounded weary—even more so.