Challenges and Counters
Age 15: Enters the Diamonds at the rank of Two. Four months after entering, challenges Citra Lam (3♦) to a singing contest and is judged the winner. Citra counters in mahjong, which Avery wins with a score of +64
Age 16: Avery challenges Alexandra Varnham (4♦) to a chocolate cake bake-off and is judged the winner by the panel of royals.
Age 17: Avery breaks up with Cristian Santiago Mendez (4♦)and takes a year-long sabbatical from the Deck. When she returns, she challenges Torvald Righi (5♦) to a jujitsu match. She wins by a close margin and is countered in fencing, which she wins more decisively.
Age 18: Avery challenges Antônia Corcoran (6♦)to archery and wins with a score of 28-19. Antônia does not counter. Avery is put in charge of the Diamond kitchens.
Age 21: Avery is challenged by Charlotte Berthier for her rank of Six to five-card draw. Avery wins the challenge by bluffing Charlotte into believing she had a flush to beat Charlotte's straight.
Age 22: Avery challenges Raquel Buckley (7♦) to a bicycle race around the Deck and wins with a time of 00:23:42. Raquel is close behind her with a time of 00:24:02, but does not counter.
Age 23: Avery challenges Margaret Van Der Aart (8♦) to a fencing match, which she wins by a close margin. Margaret counters in archery, which Avery wins with a score of 26-19.
Age 25: Avery challenges Jael Winthrop (9♦) to chess and wins. Jael counters in jujitsu, which Avery wins decisively.
Age 26: Avery challenges Farraday (10♦) to fencing and wins by a close margin, but is not countered. Farraday leaves the Deck. A few months later Helena, the Jack of Diamonds, also leaves the Deck and Avery is named Jack in her place.