Page 4 of Lord of Misrule

“And about time, too,” mumbled Rook. “I am so glad this stupid game is over. I don’t know why I even let you talk me into playing it in the first place. I should be spending time with Rose and Beowulf.”

“I agree about this being a waste of time,” chimed in Daegel. “It’s over, Tolin. You lose.” He started to get up but Tolin stopped him.

“Nay, nay, nay, sit back down,” said Tolin in a scolding voice. “All of you.” A smile widened across his face. He plucked a card from his hand and plopped it down over his sister’s queen of horses. “As you see, I have just played the Tolinoffel of Bells.”

“The what?” asked the steward, getting pulled into the conversation. The man squinted and leaned over to look closer at the card in play.

“It’s a card that can’t lose,” explained Tolin. “Each of the Tolinoffel cards of the deck automatically trumps the others, hence Raven’s queen. Therefore, I won! Once again, the pot is mine.” Tolin chuckled and scooped the pile of coins together, dragging them across the table to him.

“I feel the need to go pray in the chapel. I hope I haven’t risked my chance of becoming a knight because of Tolin’s awful game,” complained Daegel, getting up and walking away.

“Don’t worry, Brother Ruford will never find out,” Tolin called after him.

Someone approached behind him, clearing their throat. “Tolin, what are you doing?”

Tolin didn’t need to turn around to recognize the voice of the abbot of St. Basil’s Monastery, Brother Ruford. The stout, round man was also the uncle of Tolin’s father.

“Brother Ruford. How good of you to join us.” Tolin slowly turned to face him, his hands still covering the heap of coins he’d won from his siblings.

The screaming of a young child was heard from across the great hall, causing everyone to cover their ears from the piercing shrieks.

“That sounds like my daughter.” Raven stood up and brushed off her gown. “Excuse me.”

“She sounds more like a Banshee, not a tiny little baby with the fragile name of Sparrow,” scoffed Rook. “My son never screams like that!”

Raven frowned at her twin. “Please don’t say such things about your niece. She is too young to know now, but someday might hear your insults.”

“She’s right,” said Tolin. “Even if the girl does scream like a Banshee.”

“It is a stage my daughter is going through, since she is teething. Rook’s son doesn’t have teeth yet,” Raven replied. “The nursemaid is having problems calming her lately, but it won’t last forever.”

“We hope,” said Rook in not much more than a whisper.

“I’d better go to her.” Raven turned to look over at the steward. “Oh, what was it you wanted, Emeric?”

“I’ll handle it. Go calm Sparrow before my ears blow out from her noisy crying,” said Rook with a wave of his hand in the air.

“Are you really playing cards during Advent?” asked Brother Ruford with a frown.

The monk didn’t alarm Tolin in the least. But Tolin almost laughed aloud when he saw the disturbed look on Rook’s face. His older brother quickly tried to change the conversation rather than to admit to the monk that he willingly let Tolin lead him astray.

“Emeric, what is it you want?” asked Rook, putting all his attention on the steward.

“My lords,” said Emeric clearing his throat. “This is of great importance.”

Tolin ignored him, scooping up his winnings and shoving the coins into his pouch.

“Lord Corbett won’t be happy when he finds out you are all playing cards during Advent,” Brother Ruford told them.

“My father left me in charge, and I didn’t think it was a problem,” Tolin defended himself. “I mean, I am planning all the entertainment during the Yuletide celebrations and I needed to test out my new game ahead of time to make sure it will go well. That’s all.”

“I see,” said Ruford. His beefy hand shot out, open palm upwards. “So, then. I am sure you meant for the winnings of this evil gambling during a holy day to be given to the church. As repentance for your sin and to help pay for decorating the church for Christmas. Right?”

Tolin looked at the man’s open hand and then over to his brother. Rook nodded slightly and his clenched jaw ticked. While Tolin didn’t think he’d done anything wrong, he was sure Brother Ruford would make his life a living hell if he refused. Rook also wouldn’t let him hear the end of this if he didn’t agree. He let out a sigh. Dangling the pouch of coins from two fingers, he dropped it into the holy man’s open hand. “Of course, that’s what I had in mind, Brother Ruford. It is all for the church. Until I win it back, at least,” he said, the latter under his breath as he collected his cards.

Rook heard and glared at him now. “Tolin, all you ever think about is having fun. Eating, drinking, and making merry is all that’s important to you.” Rook’s hands waved in the air dramatically as he spoke.

“What’s wrong with that?” Tolin shrugged. “It sure beats always being frustrated, tired, and grumpy like you.”