Chapter 87

 Excluding the diplomats, senior and junior alike, the Vinolian embassy in Ginarcia employed  a sizable staff. Most of its members are of no interest to our chronicle, with the exception of a lamb, named Bik.

Not far from the embassy laid a tavern, which had become a regular water-hole for those working at the former. One day, after work, Bik went there, as he had done many times before. He found the tavern more full than usual, and among its customers were several faces he did not recognize. 

Bik did not mind the presence of strangers, per se. After all, its not as if he and his colleagues had exclusive rights to the tavern. However, he did not notice that all the tables (including his favorite) seemed to be occupied. This bothered him, because he had planned to eat and did not want to do so standing at the bar. Unfortunately, it seemed as if he had no alternative. He went up to the innkeeper, who greeted him by name and asked how things were at work, to which Bik answered that things were fine, thank you.

"You're sure there's no table available?" He asked, just to be on the safe side.

The Innkeeper shook his head.

Just then, one of the strangers, a mountain lion, came up to the bar.

"Excuse me" he said. "I couldn't help but overhearing, if its a table you want, then you're welcome to join me and my friends at our. Though its a bit cramped."

Having made this offer, which the lamb gladly accepted, the mountain lion turned to the innkeeper.

"Next round's on me" he announced.

These words were met with loud approval from the tavern's patrons. 

Having demonstrated his generosity once more, the mountain lion escorted Bik to the offered table. Soon after, a waitress came and took his order. As Bik ate, the mountain-lion, who presented himself as Kyros asked the lamb several questions about himself. Bik, flattered by the older male's interest, was more than happy to answer them.

"So, you like to play Xecho, eh?" Kyros asked.

"Oh, yes" Bik nodded eagerly. "It's my favorite game. I'm quite good at it, if I may say so. Do you play?"

"I'm afraid not, but my friend here does."  Said friend being the female lynx who was seated opposite of the two men. Bik had not really noticed her before (she seemed to be around his own age and was good looking enough, he supposed), but now he looked at her with increased interest.

"In that case, would you care to join me for a game, Miss? The Innkeeper keeps a set at his tavern that he lends out to anyone who's interested."

The Lynx agreed and, once he had finished his meal, Bik signaled for a waitress to clear away his plate. He then went up to the bar and after a quick chat with the innkeeper, returned carrying the game. 

"I'm afraid I won't be a very satisfying opponent" the lynx said, as she helped Bik set up the board. "It's been some time since I've played last and I'm pretty rusty."

"No matter" Bik said, "we can just play for the fun of it."

And so, the game began. It ended after twenty minutes, with the lamb as the winner.

"Told you" the lynx said, smiling apologetically.

"Oh, you did not do so badly" Bik assured her. "Shall we play again?"

"Yes, but this time, let us play for real."

"You mean for cash? Are you sure?"

"I am, but perhaps you're afraid that I'll beat you?"

The Question nearly caused Bik to burst out in laughter. At the last second, he managed to control himself.

"How much do we bet?" He asked.

"How about everything we have in our purses? Excluding what we owe for food and drink, of course."

"Sounds good to me."

As the second round went on, Bik noticed a notable improvement in his opponent's play. Before long, he found himself, much to his surprise, on the defensive; forced to protect his own pieces, rather than capturing his adversary's.

"I win!" The Lynx exclaimed, after nearly an hour had passed. Much to Bik's surprise.

Bik was now faced with two options: His first was to congratulate the lynx, pay the innkeeper with what he had left and go home. This would have been the sensible thing to do, and deep down Bik himself knew it. And yet, it was not the one he chose.

"Wait!" He said, grabbing the lynx's wrist, just as she was about to take, what had recently been his money, from the table.

The Lynx gave Bik a hard look.

"Sir" she said, "you had best let go, or you'll regret it."

Quickly, Bik obeyed. 

"I...I'm sorry" he stammered. "I didn't mean to...Look, you have to give me a chance to win back what I've lost. Please."

"But you have nothing more to gamble with" the lynx said, while nonchalantly flipping a bronze coin.

"I'll write you an I.O.U." Bik replied. "Double or nothing. No, triple."

"Triple or nothing?" The Lynx's tufted ears perked up. "Very well, I accept."

Pen and paper was brought and Bik wrote down the new amount, as well as his name. By now, Bik had regained some of his confidence. There was no way this lynx could beat him twice, right? It must have been a fluke. Still, best not to be too careless.

With this in mind, Bik played more carefully than he had done previously. At first, his new strategy served him well and it seemed that he would get revenge for his previous defeat. By now, the game was being watched intently by Kyros and the others. Bik did not mind this, let them bear witness to his triumph.

The Lamb was already savoring the sweet taste of victory, when he noticed a gap in his defense. Worse, the lynx had noticed is well and before Bik could rectify this, she had made her move. 

That was the beginning of the end. With his heart quickening, Bik scrambled to regain his advantage, but his efforts, though valiant, were ultimately fruitless. 

Bik gazed blankly at the board. Up until now, there had only been one person who had beaten him in a game of Xecho. His uncle, who had taught him the game in the first place. He could scarcely believe that this lynx had beaten him, twice. And yet, the proof of his defeat was there, staring him in the face. 

"Well, Risha, it looks like you've fleeced our new friend here good."

This remark provoked a general eruption of merriment . Aside from Bik, the only ones who did not join in, were Kyros and the person to whom it had been addressed. 

The Laughter added to the humiliation Bik sensed, causing ears and face to burn red. It also reminded him of the money he now owed the lynx (more than a month's salary) and the worst thing was that he had no-one to blame but himself.

How could I have been so...so stupid.

Suddenly, he became aware that the lynx was looking at him.

"I'll honor my debt" he muttered, in a surly tone. "Don't worry."

"Actually" she said, "I want to talk to you. In private."

She rose and gestured for Bik to follow her, which he did. To his surprise, the lynx led him upstairs to where the guest-rooms were located. She opened a door and, once the two of them stepped inside.

"There is another way for you to pay your debt" the lynx said, once she had shut the door. "One that won't cost you a single bronze."

Bik looked around the sparsely furnished chamber, his eyes landing on the narrow bed. 

What? Right here, right now?

"I see" he said, and began to undo his belt.

"Oh, keep your pants on" the lynx snapped, irritably. "Listen, you work at the Vinolian embassy's mail-room. Right?"

"Um, yes" Bik said, feeling a bit disappointed. "I sort the mail. Well, not by myself. There are..."

"Yes, yes" the lynx brusquely cut him off. "There's a way for you or your colleagues to recognize which incoming mail are important, without opening them, right?"

"There is". Bik's answer came hesitantly. He was beginning to see what the lynx wanted from him and he did not like it. 

"Good. Now, here's what I want you to do..."

****

Next afternoon, Bik left the embassy as usual, but, instead of heading for the tavern, he went into a nearby alley, where the lynx waited for him.

"Well?" She asked.

Stepping closer, Bik dropped an object into the lynx's outstretched paw. It was a small piece of parchment, rolled up and held together with a red seal. 

"This was the only urgent message we got today" the lamb said. "Are we done?"

The Lynx shrugged.

"Depends on whether or not its the message I want."

"And if not?"

"Than we'll do this again, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, until..."

"You know, I took a risk smuggling that message out", Bik cut her off. "If I'm discovered..." He shook his head. "You are the worst person I've met", he finished.

The Lynx did not pay any attention to Bik. She had broken the seal and was unrolling the message. Having read it, she took out the IOU. and began ripping it to shreds.

As he watched the IOU turn into confetti, Bik felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Tears of relief came into his eyes.

"We're done here" the lynx said. "Oh, one last thing..."

Bik was just about to leave, but something in the lynx's voice made him stay.

"I hope that I'm the worst person you'll ever meet. That's all."

And with those words, the lynx walked past Bik. For a moment, he stood there, watching her back, wondering where she was going. Then, he left too. In the opposite direction.