Pre-Order Deryth's Gambit

The dark-haired elven woman sat quietly, her violet eyes peering intently over the top of her cards.  She had easily gauged two opponents at the worn wooden gaming table.  To her left sat a finely dressed human woman, auburn hair held in place with fine silver combs.  She nibbled on her lower lip when her hand was high.  Clearly, she had nothing this time, turning her withering gaze against the unwelcome attentions of the tavern barflies rather than focusing on the game.  On the right sat an inebriated young halfling, swaying slightly in the smoky air.  He proved easy to read, staring blearily at his cards, one of them facing out toward the other players.  The third player, a heavy-tusked, burly half-orc, played well the part of a buffoon, his brow deeply furrowed, as if struggling to know what to do next.   A slight gleam in his eye said otherwise.  There was cleverness behind the ruse, perhaps enough to rival her own.  Here was a seasoned player, not a novice.   It would take some su