Dharmaraj

In the city of sin the dizzy wheel spun twirling glittering talons of light. He closed his burning eyes, raw lids squeezed out the tears and in the hot, pale glow within appeared the faces of those he loved. The smooth deck spilled, splashing blood, toppling the pile of white chips. In the polished surface beneath he saw strangers stripping his palaces, strangers driving his chariots, strangers sifting the leftovers. The cunning wheel stopped the crimson knave laughed and in the distance slowly, the gathering scavengers stirred. 'Don weeds, precious ones huddle up for a long journey; the dice are loaded. See! see! the spotted ivory winks!' [From The Used Book]