Those words sliced through the room like a double edged stiletto switch blade cutting through butter. The room was plunged into a grave like silence. It was more than a dumb stroke of ill-luck, it was impossible! To the onlookers, there was a greater chance of the moon plunging down to earth than for Jack to lose.
What just happened?! What in the hell just happened?!!
The crowd broke into a frenzy of utter disbelief, regret and inordinate fear. Many of them hadn't the slightest clue as to how Jack had lost. The game had been too high level for many of them to know what had been happening on the board. But Jack's concession (which he had spoken loud enough to the hearing of the entire room) resonated and re-echoed through their dense skulls.
This was the definition of a shocking defeat- both metaphorically and literally.It really like seemed everyone but Lucas and the three girls had won. It was horrible.
While the onlookers wallowed in their propsective losses, Jack stared intently at the board. His eyes were fixed on the pieces as his mind reflected deeply on every single move both he and Lucas had made. As someone who never lost, he just could not stop obsessing about it.
Lucas had to take it upon himself to interrupt his very busy thoughts;
"We had a deal mister Jack. I believe its time we settle up."
Shaken out of his thoughts, Jack considered for a few seconds before replying. "Indeed, we had a deal. But I obviously do not have that much gold on me. How about follow me to my house as my guest?"
Before Lucas could get defensive, he threw in another tasty morsel to sweeten the deal; "I am more than willing to befriend someone as skilled as you are. Surely you understand that?"
Lucas observed Jack even more carefully now. He was the kind of man that loved to get his way. Even now, after losing the game, he was still trying to ensnare him into his original offer. He wanted to say no, but he and the girls actually needed a place to crash for the night. Plus, everyone within a one mile radius already knew he had recently come into a small fortune, and might be tempted to rob him.
"Fine. I will come with you but only for the night."
"That is wonderful. Come along now, there's so much I'd like to know."
He led them to his jaw dropping mansion.
...
As soon as Jack got out of the carriage, he pulled one of his servants aside and quickly gave him an inaudible order. The servant wasted no time and zoomed off in an unknown direction. None of the others took notice of it. At the time it seemed pretty normal, besides, they were too busy getting lost in the edifice Jack called his home.
It was an extraodinary vestibule. It spelled power, wealth and success. The mansion was a cross between a manor and a castle. With no neigbours around, it sat atop a hill, and reigned over the landscape in magisterial splendor.
They were ushered in by a group of well dressed servants. As they made their way in, the three girls could not help but giggle excitedly. This was the first time of being invited into the luxurious villa as guests. So, they could not contain their excitement. They chattered amongst themselves, drawing the attention of some of the servants who in turn shot them disapproving looks.
A few minutes later, seated at the lush victorian dining room, Jack casually asked Lucas; "What are you currently craving for? Whatever it is, ask and the servants shall hasten to prepare it for you."
Lucas glanced at Lolita and answered his host; "Honestly, I would kill for some lizard skewers right now. In fact, the more, the merrier." Lolita blushed slightly and managed to steal a peek at Lucas with silent gratitude.
"Great!" Jack boomed. "Lizard skewers it is then!"
He turned to the chief servant and gave the necessary instructions;
"You heard the man, move along and get enough for a feast." He glanced at Catherine, noticed she was a vampire and added another course to the menu; "Oh, and get some fresh blood for our vampire guest here."
The servant sped off and Jack began his first round of inquisition.
"Forgive me my dear guest, but I have been dying to ask this question; who is your teacher?"
"Oh, I don't have one, and I never did. Not really anyway."
Jack was even more intrigued. What made it more interesting was the fact that he could tell Lucas was telling the truth. Voicing his thoughts, he replied;
"That's very interesting. We'll get into that later, but what I really want to ask is why a genius such as yourself hasn't taken the professional exam?"
"Well, I am currently short of money at the moment. I really am just focusing on that for now."
"I see, hence the gambling..."
Lucas chorused; "Hence the gambling."
"Talking about gambling, you really fleeced half of the population there today! I doubt any would want to play with you after that!"
Lucas laughed softly. "I don't doubt that for a second. That was why I had to take as much of their money before hand."
"Smart. I guarantee you, you have made a lot of men fight with their wives tonight. I can almost picture them trying to explain to their women how the 'dancing ghost' ripped them off."
Again Lucas laughed heartily. "That's the thing with ghosts, you can never tell if they're real or not."
The servants soon ushered in steamy bowls of sizzling seasoned kebab, and the two men them chatted over trivial matters as they feasted. While they were eating, a servant hurriedly came in and announced that an important guest had arrived.
While the words were still in his mouth, a young man dressed in gorgeous clothes stepped into the scene. Jack stopped eating immediately and stood up to greet the guest in a formal manner. Everyone next to him dropped on one knee to pay homage.
Lucas observed from Jack's manner of salutation that the entity before him was the great prince of the country. Like clockwork, the three girls also repeated the same ritual. Although, Lucas did not want to, he had to imitate the ritual in order to maintain the status quo. So, very stiffly, he paid his respects as etiquette demanded.
The Grand Prince received them warmly; "Come now, no need to be so formal. We are not inside the palace right now. Please, just call me Leoneol."