Dokeshi March: Prologue (Patreon)

Prologue

A man holding a sealed envelope with the violet-colored wax seal of House Sunday hurried down a dark hallway, his uniform a mix of garish colors and sparkling sequins.  His balding head was beaded with sweat, and a look of fear crossed his features.  As he opened the door to the room overlooking the main gambling floor, he had to shield his eyes from the glare of the bright flashing lights that came through the one-way glass.  He took a deep breath to steel himself, and walked through the semi-crowded room to approach the masked figure sitting on the throne.

“Lord March, there is news from the border with February.  Your agents from House Saturday claim the man responsible for the death of Lord January has now kidnapped Lady February, and they are headed this way!”  He passed the letter to the exceedingly large man standing near the Lord’s right hand.  The man wearing the jester mask didn’t move, instead staying focused on the table where several men and women were playing cards below.  “They passed through the barrier three days ago, and haven’t been seen since.  What would you like us to do, my Lord?”  Not getting the reaction he was expecting, the messenger leaned forward to see what had the focus of the most powerful man in the entire district.  “My Lord, we can mobilize your forces within the hour, and bring them to you.  All you need do is say the word!”

The news went through the advisors and sycophants spread around the room like lightning, causing them to gasp, then murmur in raised whispers about the new threat.  They were silenced by the flash of rainbow light coming from the diamond atop the scepter held by the Lord of the Month.

“Three times..”  The countenance on the mask flashed, showing the mad smile of the person wearing it.  “Three times you called me by the name of my father.”

“Oh, oh no… I didn’t -”  The man doubled over in pain, unable to speak after another flash of light erupted from the scepter.  The sound of retching from the invisible fist that struck the man was the only thing interrupting the sudden silence.

“I am not a traditionalist, stuck in my ways.  Or some dusty, old man!”  A flash of light and the sound of another fist striking the prone messenger accompanied his words.  “Don’t forget the Rules!”  Another flash of light, another blow to the poor man’s body.  “You will call me by my title, Dokeshi March!”  A final blow struck the man in the temple, sending him into an unconscious heap on the floor.  The man in the jester mask turned his fevered gaze upon the rest of the room, before turning back to observe the table below.

“Dokeshi March, would you like me to prepare the troops?”  The huge man waved for the pitiful looking messenger to be carried off.  “He was right about one thing.  We could bring the interlopers to you quickly.”

The mask shifted to show the painted face of a bored and irritated jester.  “Don’t bother, Cuddles.  Even if he does come after me…”  He pushed a button on a small console near the arm of the throne, and watched as one of the cards in the hands of the players below switched from a three of diamonds to an ace of spades.  “The house always wins.”