Chapter 494: Hiring Children (1/2)
Feeding the cows was fun but Zero and Mitchnew decided to leave after a while. The doctor decided to visit a few children who were playing a game using some sticks and stones. He observed them curiously for a long while and Mitchnew smiled. She knew the game and it was nostalgic but for Zero who had never seen it before because the children in Half Moon Village preferred playing hide and seek, it was fascinating.
”What are they doing?” he whispered to Mitchnew who explained that these children were playing a strategy game.
”The sticks represented troops and the stones represented money. Every child starts with the same number of sticks and stones. Then they will take turns challenging their opponent with a simple wager by putting either sticks or stones in the centre pool. Depending on the outcome of the wager they will gain the resources in the pool, lose the resources to the pool or have their resources frozen in the pool. The wager is usually a stance of attack, defend or retreat. The one with a greater number is usually at an attacking advantage. The one with a defending wager usually has greater finance and the one who retreats usually forfeits what he added to the pool.”
Zero nodded and continued to watch the children play after Mitchnew's explanation. Now he understood those strange gestures they were doing. The attack gesture was made by putting both arms outwards, the defend gesture was made by crossing both arms in a cross over the chest and the retreat gesture was to put their hands up in a surrender pose.
The more Zero observed, the lesser he understood. ”Why is he retreating and discarding all his troops to the pile? He doesn't have any sticks left, only stones!”
Mitchnew laughed. ”He intends to use his remaining troops to weaken both parties in the pool by retreating. The rules say that if you retreat, the other players who have existing troops in the pool must also match the number of troops that are 'retreating'. In other words, it's a one for one exchange. He might not have troops now but by retreating, neither of his friends can attack him successfully. All he has to do is defend and they will continuously lose to him because he holds the highest finance here. This is his win.”
Zero wasn't too sure about it so he continued to observe. True enough, the boy who threw in all his sticks won that game eventually after eight turns and Zero clapped loudly. His cheering made the children turn their heads in his direction with startled expressions. The doctor didn't miss this chance to bounce over and introduce himself, asking if he could join their game.
Mitchnew didn't stop him. In fact, she too asked if she could join and the children were more than happy to have extra players as they scavenged around for more sticks and stones. Truen and Bob watched Zero and Mitchnew immerse themselves in a game and strike up a conversation with the waitress who happened to be the mother of one of the children there.
”What are they playing?” Bob asked and the waitress grinned.
”Bet you've never seen it before. No offence but this is a game taught by the retired general. It's a war game often played by those who served the military or were out in battles. The kids learnt it from him because they couldn't go to school. All their knowledge to read, write and count came from the old man too.”
Curious about such a benevolent person, Truen couldn't help but ask if they could meet this old general.
”Oh, he's the innkeeper of Black Boar. The one that the beggar children often visit and seek shelter in on cold nights. He's a real teddy bear that everyone around here loves. The guards and some of the southerners occasionally try to stir problems around here but with good old Gary around, nobody tries anything much.”
Bob uncrossed his legs. ”Where is Black Boar inn? We were actually headed there on official business but our friend there got sidetracked.”
The waitress put her hands on her hip and eyed them. ”Official business?”
Truen gave her a business-like smile. ”An undisclosed contact told us we could find a person we are looking for there. We're not here to cause trouble.”
Before the waitress could say anything else, there was a loud hoot of laughter from outside. Zero was laughing so hard and Mitchnew threw her sticks down as she groaned. The boy who won earlier was dancing for joy on the spot as the other children clapped gleefully.
”Pay up!” the winner demanded and Mitchnew scowled.
Mitchnew reached for her money pouch and was about to hand it over when the waitress rushed out of the tavern and smacked her son on the head, apologising to Mitchnew and refusing the assassin's money pouch.
”But mom!” the boy protested. ”I won it fair and square!”
Zero was surprised when the waitress had a dark look on her face as she pinched her child's ear and gave him an earful in front of everyone, not caring if it attracted stares.
”How many times have I told you to leave money-making to the adults? What would people think if you cheated others of their money in games? Money has to be earned through hard work!”
The boy rebelled and Zero had to stop her from hitting her son while Mitchnew looked on with concern, horrified by the lady's reactions. Bob and Truen came rushing out of the tavern too and tried to stop the lady from overreacting but her son was stubborn, refusing to apologise.
”What's wrong with earning money using my strengths? Old Gary and Dina do it too! Why can't I? There are no laws saying that children cannot work! Besides, I didn't steal anything.”
Zero froze when he heard about Dina and Gary. He exchanged a look with Mitchnew who shook her head. However, they knew what they had to do at this point.