A soft chuckle echoes from the other side of the table. The figure leans forward, his dark hood pulling back. Orange light bathes his withered face.
"Even if I have the one thing you've been searching for."
His voice and green eyes are as familiar as my own. The air stills in my lungs as I lurch to my feet. He does the same, mirroring me as we clap each other's hands.
"Gree," I breathe. "Fuck, you've gotten old."
He swats at me as I take in the deepening wrinkles around his eyes and the gray at his temples. It's been a year since our paths last crossed.
"The beauties of the Silk Pillow can attest to my virality."
"Cheeky bastard."
"Takes one to know one. Who do you think you learned your charm from?"
There's no point in arguing with him. My teasing nature was indeed cultivated by him.
Gree took me in as an orphan toddler, wandering between ships in a small port city. He taught me everything from being a sailor to how to properly bed a woman. I became a man thanks to him. He helped me find my crew, gave me an incurable thirst for more, and protected me from myself.
He is the closest thing to family I've ever had. I owe him my life a hundred times over. Merigold can wait a little longer. I have enough gold to sway her away from whatever man she's currently entertaining.
"What are you doing here?" I ask. "I thought you were sailing to the southern reefs."
"I was. Until I heard of your tales of finding theHoney Potand learned you were making port here."
"Aw, Gree, did you miss me?"
The old man rolls his eyes. Reaching under his cloak, he produces a bag made of coarse tweed. Gree drops it onto the tabletop.
"I've come into possession of something quite valuable," he states.
I raise a brow.
"I'm listening."
He gestures towards the limp sack.
"Won it off a merchant in the Lowtides. Lost two bricks of gold and ten bags of silver for it."
My interest is beyond piqued. What small treasure could be worth such a hefty sum?
Reaching for the bag, I gently pull the top apart. I purse my lips at what I find.
Or lack thereof.
"Hate to be the one to tell you this, Gree, but it's empty."
A secretive smile stretches across his wind-chafed face. He produces a small deck of cards. They are made of sleek black paper and back-filled with gold. Their glimmering surfaces rival my coins for brilliancy.
"It's a peculiar treasure. One that only reveals itself once it's been won." Shuffling the cards deftly, Gree smirks. "I only saw it once I beat the merchant at his own game."
"Sounds like you were swindled. What could be in a bag of this size worth that much gold and silver?"
"Play me and find out."
Licking over my lips, apprehension stills my tongue. My hesitation stretches long enough for Gree's hands to pause his fluid movements. With a shrug, he reaches towards the sack.
"If you aren't interested?—"
