[i][color=aqua] [u]The Frozen Candle[/u][/color][/i]

"No coin, no play," a blacksmith said, he was a large man with a long dark beard and a quick temper.  He crossed his arms across his chest and grunted as Dalious Durendail approached the table.  There sat four of them, playing a game of pirate dice.  The majority of the winnings seemed to be in the blacksmith's favor.    

[color=steelblue]"Listen lads, I have a horse,"[/color] Dalious assured the working men of Exodus. [color=steelblue]  "There, notched just outside.  Black as the night and as swift as a sparrow.  I call her...[/color]  He winced his eyes in thought briefly.  [color=steelblue]"...Night Sparrow.  Uhm.  Winner takes all, savvi?"[/color]  Dalious pointed through one of the windows to the horse, of which he stole from someone and somewhere else.

The blacksmith and the others went just outside to take a look, all agreeing by shaking their heads and nodding.  They sat back down at the table, pulling up a new chair for the newcomer.  Each man put five dice into a mug, shook them all up, then slammed them down on the table upside down.  They got quiet as they were in thought, but upon the ending of every round became again loud and drunk.  By the end of the hour, the last two men of the mini tournament were Dalious and the blacksmith, the largest pile of coin on Dalious' side.

[color=steelblue]"Three sixes."[/color]

"Exact!" the blacksmith spat.  He had two dice left, one being a six and the other a three.  He was confident Dalious had two sixes, plus his own six would justify his claim.  They showed their hand.  Of Dalious' three dice, he had zero sixes, leaving the blacksmith's six as the only one.  "Damn you outlander!  You've won every single damned game since we started!"  His face was red and heavy in sweat.

[color=steelblue]"You've one dice leffft, mate,"[/color]he slurred.  Everyone was either wasted or passed out.  The drinks kept coming regardless.

They shook the cups of dice again and slammed them down.  At this point Dalious was incredibly drunk, and realized this was not only a game of dice, but also a game of who could hold their liquor longer.  Shot after shot they took, seemingly almost with every turn.     

[color=steelblue]"One four."[/color]

"TWO FOURS!!!!"

[color=steelblue]"Three fours."[/color]

"Ahhh, lies!!"

They revealed their hands again.  The blacksmith had a single four, while Dalious had two fours and a five.  

[color=steelblue]"Three fours, I win,"[/color]  he said and smiled.

"Ahh cheater!!" the blacksmith yelled and nearly waved his drink off the table.  He put his hand near his sheathed blade, but did not draw it out.  Instead he stood there hesitant and drunk.

[color=steelblue]"Only if you catch me!"[/color] Dalious spat back.  He actually had not cheated this time, so he took offense.  He eyed the blacksmith suspiciously, his wooden club hanging from his belt was a quick first defense for him.  However looking around the room he noticed that others were siding with the blacksmith's drunken ways and demeanor.  [color=steelblue]"No need for murder so early into the festivities, gentlemen.  I trust we can get behind this in a civilized manner, we are all here together."[/color]  he spoke as he began transporting his earnings into his pouches along his belt.  

"I'm pretty sure no one would miss your kind," the blacksmith replied and laughed, he sheathed his weapon completely and cracked his neck.  

[color=steelblue]"Nonsense we are all the same kind, the coming togetherness of kingdoms,"[/color] Dalious continued.  [color=steelblue]"We are all fighting on the same side, mates.  We are all brothers and sisters.  Devine's bless us, one and all.  All for one, or something like that.  Who's with me?"[/color]

Someone punched Dalious square in the jaw and a fight broke out.