Bird looked down at the ruins of the game, pebbles and shells scattered on the table. The crowd was laughing and calling for other feats from the old Wizard.
Tears sprang to Birdie's eyes. It had all been going so well. She could have paid back Olo, and had plenty left to continue her journey, but now this Dunedain and Wizard had spoiled it! What did these nobles know about want, and deprivation, and trying to be a small woman making her way in the world alone? Nothing. The just saw a cheat and montebank who needed correction by her betters. And she had done nothing wrong! Everyone was having such a good time until these two had come along. And now they would take everything from her.
Bird jerked her arm from Vorondil's grasp, fumbled in her pocket for the winnings, and threw them at Wizard and Ranger. "There! Take it then. Take it all! And may your food choke you!"
She pushed her way through the crowd, and weeping miserably, ran off from the inn into the surrounding forest. She was ruined.
[ August 10, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]
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