Page 72 of Tiger's Trek
“Why can’t you open the box? Obviously, you’re able to manipulate corporeal elements. You’re playing cards with us as we speak.”
Nik felt a breath of cold air wash over his face. It was fetid and reeked of all things rotted and decayed. Lifting his collar to his nose, he coughed once, trying not to gag, and then took a few steadying breaths before lifting his mug of sbiten and sipping.
“The tin is protected. It was locked and sealed by my lady wife. To open it, one must have earned her favor. And I, unfortunately, have never earned that. Not in my mortal lifetime. Nor will I earn it in the hereafter.”
“But what does it contain?” Eldar pressed.
“Is it a map to treasure?” asked Andrey.
“He already said there’s no money,” Eldar said.
“But money and treasure can be two different things,” Andrey replied.
“That much is true,” replied the ghost. “But what is inside the tin is much, much better than anything you can possibly imagine.”
“Better?” said Andrey. “What’s better than treasure?” His face brightened. “Oh, I know. Gold!”
Eldar cuffed him on the back of the head. “Same thing, durak.”
“Life,” Nik guessed.
“Life?” echoed Andrey. “What do I need that for? Already got it.”
“Perhaps not for long,” the ghost said, chuckling as he played a card. “Aren’tyouplaying for your life, Nikolai?” he asked.
“Indeed I am,” Nik replied, defending the attack.
Eldar then took a huge number of cards. The play continued in silence until the draw pile was exhausted. Finally, it was down to two players: Andrey and the ghost. Back and forth they went, until Yuri put down a card, and if Andrey could have played, it would have been a draw. Unfortunately, he couldn’t.
The ghost said, “It appears as ifyouare the durak, my sad little friend.”
“Yeah...” His face fell, but then it brightened. “Yeah! Means I win, don’t it?”
“No. I’m afraid you lose.” The knife rose in the air and then whipped back and forth in two quick slashes. Blood gushed from Andrey’s throat, and he clutched at it, then slipped from his chair to the floor.
Nik gathered the cards and began shuffling. “Was that fair?” he asked. “You didn’t negotiate the stakes before gameplay commenced.”
“Nothing in life or death is fair, is it? Didn’t a great man once say, ‘Not being able to pravit the world, I pravit myself’?”
“Is that what you did to your children?” Nik accused. “You governed them todeath?”
The table holding the cards began to shake.
Eldar pleaded, “Nikolai, stop antagonizing him!” Turning to the ghost’s chair, he said, “He didn’t mean anything by that, Praded. He was only...” The knife rose in the air again, and the tip pierced Eldar’s neck. A drop of blood trickled down his throat.
“Keep quiet, boy, if you want to live,” Yuri warned. “Remember: I have no problem killing my own flesh and blood.”
“Why?” Nik asked.
“Why, what?” asked the ghost, picking up his cards.
“Why did you do it? Kill your children.”
“You think I wanted to?”
“Are you saying you didn’t?”
“Of course I didn’t. Why do you think I’m here, haunting the place? It’s becauseshewon’t let me leave. Won’t let me forget.”
