Roads unknown

I R I S ”Good.” Having made her point, she refrained from scoffing at Jack.  She let him talk, a smirk spreading across her lips, from subtle to brazen, as he described the jewel. The first time she laid eyes on one of those precious stones it was gracing the neck of a woman belonging to the rare creed of prostitute who was good enough at her craft to call herself concubine. This led her to discover a surprising enjoyment in playing cards, as well as a growing tendency towards winning when she did. It appeared that what started with a dreamy image of a well adorned concubine would end with the image of a well adorned smuggler. Alas. “That’s quite a request.” She crossed her arms and looked him up and down. While she appreciated flattery and a polite 'please' as much as the next criminal, winning the Heart was a difficult task. “Since it goes beyond what we initially agreed on, I’ll require payment in return.” Although it was adding steps to an already complicated plan, the challenge had her feeling eager.