Page 76 of Tiger's Trek
“Haven’t you learned yet, boy? Everything in life is a game. I told you, didn’t I? Walking away with your dignity intact, shaking hands with everyone at the table, that’s how you play. Don’t matter if you win or lose. Don’t matter what hand you’re dealt.”
“Yeah? Well, nobody ever said anything about playing with ghosts!”
“Ghosts? What are you doing playing with ghosts? Can’t trust the likes of them.”
“It’s not like I set out to do it.”
“Yeah, well, didn’t learn much, did you? Same lesson still applies.” He sniffed again and grunted.
“Shows what you know. I won forgiveness in a deadly game. That’s not bad.”
“Yeah. You’re right. Not bad. Not bad.” Pasha kicked Nik in the shin.
“Ow! What did you do that for?”
“Because! You’re letting a precious gift like forgiveness go to waste. Here you are letting your sorrow suck the life out of you while you carry around a trump card like forgiveness in your pocket and never play it. I suppose it serves me right for letting you go off on your own. The young people of today are idiots. What a waste. If I had your wiry frame, your hair, and your, ehm... let’s just call it vim and vigor, not to mention your two eyes, coupled with my vastly superior mind and experience, why, there’s no telling what I could accomplish.”
“Hold on. Letting me go off on my own? Pushed me, is more like it.”
“Are you still dwelling on that when I’m talking about vim and vigor, boy? You really need to pay attention to the important stuff. Besides, you say apples, and I say apples. Now then, as to the terms of our agreement. I believe we said something to the effect of you shrinking that sorrow and I’d reunite you with your friends. I was generous too. Gave you much longer than a week.”
“You did. Yes.Verygenerous.”
“And that if you didn’t, you’d do something for me.”
Nik sighed. “Right. Yeah. Well, what did you have in mind?”
“Oh, not much. Not much,” Pasha said, rolling back and forth on his large feet.
He scratched his head. “It’s just that, well, my gal has made up with me, and she says I never take her anywhere. I told her to name the place and time, and she did. She wants me to take her to the Games.”
“The Games?”
“Yeah, the Games. There’s betting. Food. Lots of action. It’s a real good time. The thing is, she’s got this sister.”
“Wait. What?” Nik started backing away. He put his hands up and shook his head. “No way. No! Absolutely not!”
“I’ll cover all the costs. I’ll rent us some nice transportation. You’ll have a lovely time. I promise!”
“You’re kidding me, right? Tell me you’re joking.”
“Sorry, kid.” He held up two fingers. “You should know that Pasha Pogodin never jokes about two things—women and gambling.” He paused and put up a third finger. “Also, food. Can’t forget food. Not necessarily in that order. Come on, boy. We’ve got dates waiting.”
“Pasha! I said nyet!”
“Come along, mal’chik who doesn’t deserve to be young! Let’s see some bounce in your step. Vim and vigor, lad. Vim and vigor!”
Chapter20
KEEP YOUR EARS WIDE AND YOUR MOUTH NARROW
“Danik?” Veru said. “Are you quite fine? You seem... you seem off. Are you perhaps overworked? What’s vexing you?”
He let out his breath and stepped aside. “It’s nothing, Tsarevna. I simply hit my thumb with the hammer.”
“Did you? Let me see.”
“Nyet. It’s fine. Ne volnuysya. Don’t fret. Go inside. I need to cool off out here for a bit.”
