A Court of Cards

♠One♠

"In most games, the King has more power dealt than the Jack. Yet, in some, they are of equal or even reversed strength."

I would like to dedicate this to @aneclarice! She made the lovely cover you see above!

Jack pivoted on his heel, the blade of his iron staff clashing against that of the Six's. The resulting clang boomed around the Black Courtyard, turning many Ten nobles' heads. Jack ignored them all and brought his staff down onto his opponent's groin, then flat against his neck.

The spar was over.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Jack turned his head up to the balcony expectantly. instead of seeing the pleased Black Queen's face, he was met with a rustle of silk and a swish of her gown as she disappeared back into the darkness.

Disappointed, Jack sheathed his staff and strode toward the doors leading into the Black Castle.

It was time to report to the Black King.

"Enter."

Jack bowed curtly to the Sevens guarding the door. For anyone below Eight, entering the Black Castle required special permission from someone in the royalty- King, Queen, or the Jack. Except for the Club slaves, of course- having been enslaved twenty-three years ago in the Arising, all of the Clubs' spirits were broken, so there was no danger of them attempting to harm the royals. After all, their Ace was slaughtered in the ending battle, wasn't she? Though they never found her body, there was no reason for those Club mongrels to have any hope. Nowadays, Clubs were used a bodyguards, laborers, and overall slaves. Unsurprisingly, their race was typically able to lift heavy loads.

Jack walked into the room, hand on the hilt of his sword. Keeping his eyes downcast in a show of respect, Jack bowed to the Black King and Queen.

"Report."

"There has been no sign of the Club Ace, Milord." Jack kept his voice emotionless, but inside he was churning in self-anger and disappointment. If he couldn't handle this mission, would the Black King take him off of the biggest case of the century- with a skyrocketing reward?

"This does not make sense. Her body should have been found when we burned the Clover Hall and massacred almost all of their people!" the King's voice boomed around the magnanimous throne room, echoes of Jack's failure repeatedly resounding in his ears. Jack straightened, his Adam's Apple bobbing as he swallowed.

"Mark my word, Sire," Jack stated firmly, "We will find the Ace of Clubs, dead or alive. And may the Joker come for me, I will personally deliver you her body."