Find the girls.

You weave through the crowd before you arrive at a table with a couple dozen placements for bets. The dealer has a large stone die with faces of all different colours, and he's just recently thrown it. Some people around the table look happy, though one in particular looks rather distressed. It's Niki. Her face is flushed dark and she watches as the dealer pulls a pile of coins away from some of the patrons, and distributes to those that won.

It's kinda like Roulette I guess. A little bit of Craps.

Amara rubs her hand over her back. "Please calm down. You will do better next time."

"You're right!" Niki reaches into her pocket and pulls out a handful of coins. "I've already lost twice, but third time's the charm, right?"

"You did what?" you ask. I don't want to know how much she's already lost.

Niki gives a thumbs-up. "Ah. Now there's my good luck charm. Here we go! Just for you, I'll bet everything I have."

You grab her wrist. "No, no. Bad Niki."

"I apologize. I admit that I have become quite entranced as well." Amara hangs her head.

"This place is pretty wild," Niki says. "Amara here already got hit on by some guy in a suit, but don't worry. I scared him off."

It's their money, but I know if they waste it all here, they'll beg me for more when we get back to the castle. I'd rather not deal with it. And knowing Niki, she'll break something if she starts losing, and then we'll get the boot. I'd rather not be on a list the first day stepping foot into the city.

Amara perks up her ears. She turns around and then places a hand on your shoulder. "The woman is here," she says.

You follow her sight and see the black robed figure from outside. She's standing near the wall, once again looking right in your direction. Fortunately you don't feel like this is the place someone would try to attempt a ****. There are far too many guards and other prying eyes. It's still unnerving that she's present, however. There's something strange about her and it isn't just her third eye.

"Why don't we go talk to her?" Niki suggests. "I don't want someone staring at us all day. What if she's a spy or something?"

I agree. It's hard to trust anyone now, especially with all this talk of Demon Kings. You nod.

She doesn't appear threatened by your approach. If anything, her eyes are welcoming. She bows politely and then looks between your trio with a smile. "Greetings again, travellers. I apologize if my lurking made you uneasy. You are simply quite interesting, and I have found my time here to be boring."

"Damn! I wouldn't call this place boring exactly," Niki says.

"As I said before, finding treasure here is certainly possible, though many here seek only the allure of copper, silver, and gold. That is sadly not what interests me. Such currency is common. Your group, however, is different than many others. I can tell right away that you have suffered the experience of many hardships. You have certainly gathered many trinkets on your adventures."

"Hell yeah. We've been through a lot," Niki says.

The woman nods. "If you would not mind, such a challenge is something that allures me. Play a game. Just us."

"You can do that here?" you ask.

"Past the door not far from the stage is a room of tables for those that wish to play games of their own. While it is not as easy to be granted access as the casino itself makes little in return, I possess permission to play within. I would be overjoyed to abandon these trivial games of chance so that we may take part in something that requires real strategy, with real stakes."

"That better not mean my soul or something."

She smiles. "No. Such a thing is not what I seek. Given you are an adventurer, I have a feeling that magic items perk your interest more than simple wealth."

"I mean yeah. Magic item shops don't seem common, and all I got are a couple. I'd love more."

"As would I. There are many magical artifacts so rare that they would be worth more than a fortune."

Your attention is stolen by a stumbling man. You see straight away that it's the same suited man that so rudely took the waitresses away several minutes prior. His glass has only an olive left inside and he's definitely feeling the effects of his drinks--red to his nose, a sway in his step. He looks over Niki with a strange smirk on his face.

"Hey, baby." It seems that his flirting knows no end. "Your skin's like chocolate... I'd love to take a bite."

But Niki responds with a terrifying glare. "You're the guy who said creepy things to Amara! Are you seriously trying again already? It's barely been ten minutes, man. This is just sad."

"... Huh? Oh, it's you again... Wait a minute. It's you again!" His eyes widen as he overlooks Niki a second time. It seems like it took him a moment to notice. He tries to step back, but it's the three-eyed woman that grabs him by the wrist, and shoots him a piercing stare.

"You are looking for a fun time, correct?" she asks.

"Y-Yeah. That's right, my sweet cupcake."

"That is good to hear. Come with us and I will provide you with fun."

"You sure talk strange, but I like your face." He snickers.

"Follow me." She begins walking towards the aforementioned door with no hesitation. "Let us begin. I grow excited."