Don't blame the cards for the weakness of the house, [ she announces, loudly enough to be overheard by a pair of smug Araneans, social sycophants who no doubt would whisper of their conversations to other Araneans. They press one set of their arms to their mouths, tittering as youthful Andan students might, and Cheris nearly narrows her eyes at them. They'll leave when the entertainment goes stale, she doesn't doubt. ]

The cards are said to truly tell the future, who would not want to have an edge on the competition by knowing the direction that should be taken? [ She flicks the deck into two parts, and cuts it across her lap, before she stops fidgeting with it. Idle hands do not look so nervous. ]

They make for a clever game, as well.