Learning to bet

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 29th March 2018

Characters: Merlish, Eilomar, Stablehand
Description: Merlish learns a new skill at the Amber Hills Gather... Gambling!
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 3, day 9 of Turn 9

Merlish held on to her husband's arm, still intimidated by the crowd
milling around the stables to take a look at the contestants before
deciding which to pin their hopes on. "I can't believe they let
people look at the runners before the race! How do they know which
one to pick?"

"You either know about runners or you know who's been winning lately,"
Eilomar replied. His own knowledge of runner beasts was pretty
rudimentary. He had ridden a lot when he had been young journeyman
travelling from hold to hold and that's about it. "Or you can just
pick one you like," he continued with indifferent shrug.

"Well, how do _you_ choose?" she asked, relying on his Turns of
experience to guide her in this new adventure.

"Well, Emerald Falls Hold raises fine runners, and I see that Lord
Corowal has entered two of his to the race. So I bet the home-team,"
Eilomar replied.

"Oh, all right. Um..." She scanned the stalls. "Where are those ones then?"

"I believe that one and...that one?" Eilomar pointed two runners, not
being sure.

"Can we go look at them?" she asked, looking up into his eyes
pleadingly. Merlish was aware he was only out here because she had
begged him to allow her to place a bet on a runners race. After all,
it was _the_ thing to do at an Amber Hills Gather!

"it's muddy there," Eilomar grumbled but he did offer her his arm and
led her towards the runner paddock. He never could say no to her.

She grinned as she held tightly to his arm. "You are always so good
to me," Merlish said, giving the arm a squeeze. "So, which ones's
which?"

"Let's find out," Eilomar replied and spotted a stable hand with
Emerald Falls' knots.

"You there, which one of these are Emerald Falls' runners?" he asked
with arrogant tone.

Luckily to him the stable hand actually recognized him from the Harper
Hall and took no offence . "This is Emerald Raider," he picked up a
mentioned stallion's tether. The one with black mane and dappled grey
fur is Iron Sky."

"Oh! Iron Sky! He's the from Verdant Grove, isn't he!" Of course
everyone had heard of Emerald Raider, but she was sure had heard Iron
Sky's name as well. He was from a smaller breeder, but had surprising
success in the area.

"Eh, no. His dam is, though. Iron Sky is master Aivorn's prized
Iron-Bloodline," the stable hand corrected. "Emerald-line is much
older, Iron-line is what he started when he became the Stablemaster."

"Oh." And here Merlish thought she actually knew something. She
suddenly felt very foolish, and her face flushed. "Well, which one's
faster?"

Eilomar didn't like when people corrected his wife and scowled at the
beastcrafter. He was used to work with master Aivorn though, who was
far more intimitating than over weight master harper, so he just
ignored Eilomar's expressions.

"That would be Raider here. Sky's still too young to really win, he's
here for experience. In a turn or two, we'll see," the stable hand
replied.

"So he's the one I should bet on?" she asked, turning to her husband
for confirmation.

"Sounds like it," Eilomar said.

"Aye, ma'm," the stable hand confirmed.

Now that she had her runner picked out, all that was left was jumping
in and placing a bet! It felt so unladylike, and yet exhilarating!
"And, how would I do that?"

"Find the person who takes the bets," Eilomar replied and the stable
hand helpfully gave them instructions where to find the booker.

"Oh, husband, this is so exciting!" she whispered loudly as she
entwined both arms with his. "How much do you think I should bet?"

"Not too much," Eilomar replied when they walked towards the booker.
"One or two marks," he honestly had no idea what kind of sums people
bet with. Most of his gambling experience were occasional friendly
poker matches with fellow harpers and that had been Turns ago.

"I'll bet one mark then," she said. That way if she did well, she
could try again!

"Sounds reasonable, my dear " Eilomar agreed.

"Let's hurry so we can find ourselves a good spot along the track!"
As she allowed her husband to lead her, her eyes were already
wandering to the other runners on display. What a fantastically
scandalous way to a young lady to spend an afternoon!

What choice Eilomar had but to totter obediently after his much younger wife.
He would have prefered to enjoy the food and drink.

Last updated on the March 29th 2018

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