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@andrew, thanks! I like this! Deathrock is finally getting involved. He sure sounds mean, which is good for a villain. My villain (Malcom Ace) isn’t mean at all, so it may be interesting when they clash. @kari-karast

Aleck stepped forward and drew his sword. He sawed through a rope and the wolf dropped to the floor.

“What a dumb trap. Nothing compared to the last one.”

“What’s the matter, Gradgrind? This isn’t one of Malcom Ace’s tricks, is it?” Aleck asked.

Gradgrind snorted. “Not this time. You have to come with me.”

“Actually, I think we should get the rubies first. They would make whatever we have to do easier. Right now I happen to be with these awesome guys who can really help me, and I don’t really want to leave them.” Aleck said.

“You would leave Bailie to Malcom Ace!” Gradgrind was having a hard time keeping from laughing.

“He’s never hurt her and never will. He’ll wait for me to come so he can nab me too. No, I need the rubies before I go. You can help me, old buddy. We could use a dog, er wolf.” Aleck corrected himself.

“Malcom Ace won’t like it. He’ll be mad that I failed the plan.” Gradgrind muttered.

“Ha! So this is one of his tricks! Now I am definitely ignoring what you said.” Aleck turned to the others, who had been watching. “Let’s go. This doesn’t change anything.”

Malcom Ace shuffled the deck, and dealt out cards. The cards hovered as if they were lying on a table instead of being suspended in the air.

“I see loose speculation will not do. I must follow the approach I have never lost by in this game, playing it out how it is.” He looked at his hand. “So I played Gradgrind, and Deathrock” here he motioned at another hand suspended in the air “played Trap. Aleck countered Trap and played Refusal to Gradgrind, counterattacking him too. So far it seems Aleck is winning, but I think likely if nothing is changed Deathrock will be the real winner, because his deck is evenly spaced with Traps. Unless I copy his lead and make my own traps to deliver the prize into my hand. But what is the prize exactly? I must find what gets more points: getting the rubies or getting Aleck. But I can get both, I am sure. I have Spadewick, yes I think I can do it. But what should I lay next?” Malcom Ace selected a card and laid it face down on the imaginary table. “Now let us see.” He looked around and clapped. “Spadwick! Where did that Jack of Dragons go?” Spadewick appeared around the corner sheepishly, with blood dripping from his lips.

“Who did you eat? Or do I want to know? I just hope it wasn’t one of Deathrock’s men. It was? Oh, Spadewick. You are impossible. You don’t eat one of your hosts unless you want to get killed. Of course, I know you are a dragon! Its not you I’m worried about, its me! I’m not invincible, and if I am near you and seem to be with you, I will be killed. Get away from me until I have need of you!”

Malcom Ace sighed. This was the luck element of the game, what your minions would do. He could predict Deathrock’s next move. He would play something to hunt Spadewick, and Spadewick’s master.