Американские боги

           Whilenotallofthesmellswereappetizing,Shadowrealizedsuddenlyhowhungryhewas.

           Thetwomenmovedtheirpieces,blackandwhite,turnandturnabout.Aflurryofpiecestaken,ablossomingoftwo-piece-highkings:nolongerforcedtomoveonlyforwardontheboard,asidewaysslipatatime,thekingscouldmoveforwardorback,whichmadethemdoublydangerous.Theyhadreachedthefarthestrow,andcouldgowheretheywanted.Czernoboghadthreekings,Shadowhadtwo.

           Czernobogmovedoneofhiskingsaroundtheboard,eliminatingShadow’sremainingpieces,whileusingtheothertwokingstokeepShadow’skingspinneddown.

           AndthenCzernobogmadeafourthking,andreturneddowntheboardtoShadow’stwokings,and,unsmiling,tookthemboth.Andthatwasthat.

           "So,"saidCzernobog."Igettoknockoutyourbrains.Andyouwillgoonyourkneeswillingly.Isgood."Hereachedoutanoldhand,andpattedShadow’sarmwithit.

           "We’vestillgottimebeforedinner’sready,"saidShadow."Youwantanothergame?Sameterms?"

           Czernoboglitanothercigarette,fromakitchenboxofmatches."Howcanitbesameterms?YouwantIshouldkillyoutwice?"

           "Rightnow,youhaveoneblow,that’sall.Youtoldmeyourselfthatit’snotjuststrength,it’sskilltoo.Thisway,ifyouwinthisgame,yougettwoblowstomyhead."

           Czernobogglowered."Oneblowisallittakes,oneblow.Thatistheart."Hepattedhisupperrightarm,wherethemuscleswere,withhisleft,scatteringgrayashfromthecigaretteinhislefthand.

           "It’sbeenalongtime.