Applause and cheers break from the crowd gathered around Cardinal Delwin's pulpit. A larger crowd than last year, you notice, but the pews are far from full. Delwin descends, looking hopeful yet tired, his wrinkled face showing more age than it has in recent memory. You nearly turn to leave, but Delwin catches your eye and motions you to join him. You make your way from your pew to the front of the church, and join him as he heads down the halls towards his chamber, two acolytes in white trailing.

"You wanted me, Father," you say in reverence.

"Patience, my son. What I have to say to you can wait until we are in my chambers."

He continues down the hall, his two tufts of white hair framing a face you recognize is wrinkled with worry. I've spent nearly every day for the last seven years with this man, something's wrong.

"Father," one of the acolytes interrupts the silence, "if Vista controls all of our destiny, why must some of us suffer?"

Pushing whatever preoccupation had him aside, Delwin straightens, giving his green and gold cape life. "Vista has a very precarious role in the heavens, my children. He has to keep the balance between good and evil, between order and chaos. If either side ever gained the upper hand, the results would be disasterous. If there were no suffering, how would people learn mercy, and humility?"

The acolyte nods, apparently satisfied. "Study hard, Eric, and you Cory, and some day Vista will shine his light on you, much as he has done for Calvin." Arriving at his door, he says to the boys, "My door will always be open, my sons, but for now Calvin and I have business to attend to. Come back if you have any questions."

As the acolytes leave, Father Delwin pulls out a cord from around his neck, revealing a set of dice in a glass case and an iron key. He seems to study the dice for a moment, before using the key to unlock his door. Opening the door, he motions you inside.

You've seen the office many times before, and welcome the incense and chemical smell of the place. Books litter Delwin's oak desk, much in the same way his artwork seem to litter his walls. His cabinets are open, and you have to clear a chair when he motions you to sit.

"I'm sorry about the mess, Calvin, but I'm afraid I've been very busy lately. Everyone trying to discover the cause of the phases and all. It remains quite a mystery, I'm afraid. To me, at least. I have never received such a feeling of dread from Vista as I have when I ask him about this. The balance is in grave danger, Calvin. I'm sure of that now."

"But, this is hardly a matter to speak of at this time of year! The Festival of Rath is tommorow! And my goodness m'boy, I don't think I've seen such a turnout as I saw today in a great many years. Tommorow the tournaments shall begin, and we have over two hundred champions involved! All of them looking for a kiss from Lady Jes, that little wench, but nonetheless she is a prize that will cost us little and keep our coffers full."

"Which brings me to the business at hand. Listen, Calvin, I realize you are bitter about what happened last year, especially since the circumstances of Sir Raymond's win are still suspect, but I wanted to wish you luck this year. I think you should push that all aside so you can stay focused on winning this tournament." A phase breaks the moment. A shadow of a man passes in front of you, and then dissappears as the phases ends.

"Calvin, you look preoccupied. Is there something you wanted to ask me?"

Delwin spins, staring at you for a thoughtful moment. "It is nothing, my son. My brother is very ill, though, and I wish I could see him. But his sickness prohibits, so let's not worry on this, my son. It is good to hear such confidence from you though. That's the Calvin I know!"

A nervous silence as you think fills the air. After a few false starts you finally manage, "Father, I feel that it is time I leave and see the world. I know when I tried before Vista wasn't pleased." You rub your bald head nervously and continue, "Maybe this is a sign. After the games I could see some of the world and do Vista's will at the same time?"

Hurrying on to finish his point, "The church guards have taught me weapons and how to protect myself, and Vista smiled on me when I won Mercury, and ..um.. well.. I have bought some supplies. I could leave?"

Delwin laughs for a moment, looks to the heavens, and waits. Moments later, he say with a grin, "Well, no lightning yet. Looks like you have Vista�s blessing, for now. Be sure to be penitent, and Vista will smile on you on your journeys. Where will you go?"

Leaving father Delwin, Calvin descends into the church gaming area. His open and friendly face would seem to indicate that he is an easy mark for the professional gamblers here. However, regular church patrons seem to avoid calling attention to their games as he passes. Finally, a table of cardsharks call him over to join their game.

"Joshua, Telisin, good to see you boys! Who�s this ripe looking vic.. uh I mean friend?"

Joshua, a seedy man who would frown until the day that he left this world, replied in his short, abrupt manner, "Ees a bud, likes a game of poker. Gotsum money, so ees playin wit us. Git lost, Calvin. I ain�t eaten all day."

The blonde stranger with a warm smile extends his hand, "Aladaile, my good man. Just arrived here today, for the festival tomorrow. I hope to capture the heart of the good Lady Jes..."

"...Ain�t nuttin good �bout that wench...." Joshua tries to interrupt.

"And I�m looking for title and parcel, and I think this tournament is as good a place as any to get started on a good reputation."

"...Ain�t even gots a heart to catch, I �ouldn�t think..."

You catch Telisin�s cat-like eye and give him a quick nod, which he returns. Telisin is an elf, who, though he moved here many months ago, has had a very difficult time picking up the language. His speaks softly and very deliberately on the rare occasion he does speak. You�re not yet sure if that�s because he�s careful of the language, or because that�s how he speaks.

"Good to meet you, Aladaile. I hope you boys don�t mind me joining in on a couple of games."

"I sed git lost Cal..."

"Good, glad to hear it," you say, taking a chair from a nearby table.

It makes for quite an entertaining evening, actually. While you and Telisin slowly take money from Joshua and Aladaile, Aladaile tells you of the successful retaking of the throne in Lalanis Falls by King Tamis. He had joined the king�s army, and tells you of a spectacular (maybe a little too spectacular) story of foreigners who retook the castle and destroyed it at the same time. Apparently, the king gave his two sons to the foreigners for their help, and they have since disappeared.

His stories are perhaps a little too entertaining, though, and you find yourself distracted from the game. Before you know it, Aladaile has regained his losses and is looking to turn a profit.

"Fuck this! I quit!" Josh screams, looking at you with his trademark frown and throwing his pair of threes to the table.

"Yes, I�ve had a good evening, but I must rise early tomorrow for the tournaments. It was nice gaming with you gentlemen." And with this, Aladaile takes his leave. Telisin rises and nods, and takes his leave as well.

You look at the coins before you. Five gold tonight. Nothing big, but considering the subtleties Aladaile was using, and the skill of Telisin, you made out okay.

When you get home to bed, sleep comes quickly.