The Black Jester (Episode One, Kings of New Orleans Series)

Storming through dark back alleys on the way back to his home, the Black Jester rounds a corner and jumps, startled by the figure that waits for him. He draws a knife and prepares to decapitate the man.

  “Vengeance! It’s me,” the Blue Jester says hurriedly, throwing his hands up in surrender. He learned a long time ago not to sneak up on his friend, and if by chance he did, to show his surrender as fast as possible to avoid getting his head knocked or sliced off. The Black Jester’s inhumanly fast reflexes and his brutality warrant great caution.

  Relaxing and lowering the knife, the Black Jester grunts. “What are you doing?”

  “Look, don’t you think this is all getting out of hand? Blades and the Gold don’t ever question the King’s motives, but I’m starting to wonder if we aren’t being played.”

  Confused and annoyed by the question, the Black Jester shrugs and begins to pace. He’s not one to want to talk about things, but he’ll do anything for Justice, including try to listen to his protests. His mind is starting to wander back to the girl.

  “The things we’ve been doing lately go against every grain in my body, Vengeance. I never wanted to be an accessory to murder.”

  “You don’t kill,” the Black Jester offers as consolation. He hopes that’s enough to end his friend’s qualms.

  “The police are narrowing in on some leads. I don’t know how long I can keep them at bay. And the Detective… he’s a good man and he’s trying to do the same thing we are. He just wants to do the right thing. Stop the bad guys. I don’t want to see him get hurt.”

  “Keep him out of it,” the Black Jester says in a softer tone. “If you want him to live, keep him away.” His easily distracted mind becomes flooded with thoughts of Rose White, and he jogs in the direction of the girl, his exit forcing an end to the conversation.

  The Blue Jester lingers briefly, resting against the brick building’s side to reconcile the meeting with the other Jesters. He contemplates his next moves and can’t help but fill with apprehension about the fate of the Jesters and of Detective Jenkins.