The Brotherhood of The Black Rats

4.27 Rook Takes Pawn

In Tompkins Square Park they play chess from dawn till dusk and sometimes, if the match is an exceptionally exciting one, well on after the sun has set. More games of chess are played in the square’s tiny corner at the cross section of 1st avenue and St. Marks Place than anywhere else in the city. People come from all corners of the five boroughs and then some to participate in the age old game of skill and strategy. Yet none of them so loved the square and its many varieties of Chess players to take its name as their own, save one. That’s why Captain Reinhardt of the Grey Guard knew exactly where to find the old Bloodmaw Tribesman the day that followed.

Thompkins was wearing the glamour of an older man when he stepped into the park that morning. His beard was made of the finest white whiskers money could buy. They wrapped around the front of his face like a veil hung from underneath the black knit cap he wore on the top of his human head to guard against the brisk morning air. His grey flannel shirt added another layer of protection against the cold as well, fitting right in with the other early risers who had come to set up their games for the day.

He carried his pieces in a box under his arm. Even the most inexperience of players knew enough not to bring out sets that they didn’t want disappearing, but for Tompkins the art of the game was as much in the pieces as it was in the players. That’s why he favored his set of White Ivory and Black Basilisk Bone engraved pieces given to him as a gift when he first came to the mortal realm to study at the Secret College all those years ago. A much simpler type of glamour kept any would-be chess thieves uninterested in his ornate collection, casting them as simple plastic pieces to any onlookers who couldn’t appreciate their craftsmanship.

He carefully set them out one by one and waited for the day’s first opponent. It did not take long for The Grey Guardsman to come up to him.

“Captain Reinhart,” said the Troll as the other man took a seat across from him. “I hardly would have expected you in these parts on a morning such as this.”

“Been a long time Thompkins,” said the man. As he took his seat he adjusted the twisted metal torque around his own neck. “What ten years now?”

“Has it really been that long?”

“Sine the vampire wars?...yeah, the force was never the same without you.”

“Oh really?” inquired The Troll.

“You were the best of us; a true inspiration for the trolls back home.”

“I seem to recall things a bit differently—“

“—But that famous temper of yours, that’s what did you in you know.”

“Is that why you came here today. I must admit I never took you for a man of chess?”

“You never took me for a man at all, we both know that. However you are correct, I’m not here to play any games.”

“Then why don’t you quit while you’re behind.”

There was a silence then. The Grey Guardsman let the Troll’s quip hang in the air between them a moment before continuing.

“You read the papers this morning?” asked The Grey Guard throwing down a folded roll of newspaper down on to the table. “Had a run in with a Gutter Mage Guild last night, a nasty gang of bastards they were.”

“Won’t argue with you there,” stated Thompkins. “Why is it, whenever a Gutter Mage gets his first taste of real magic his first inclination is to go run and join a gang?”

“Because they’re all weak, even those born to magic in this world insist on clinging to their houses and their schools.” Answered Reinhardt before placing his finger over a photo on the front page especially this one here, thought he could steal from one of the most powerful houses in the Dragon District.” He added.

Thompkins looked at the photo, in it a smiling Kai appeared cropped from a larger image of him maybe little more than a year old. He looked happier than Thompkins had seen him in a long time.

“Friend of yours?” asked Reinhardt.

“Can’t say that I know the face,” Answered Thompkins sternly. “What makes you think that I would?”

“I digress,” said Reinhardt breaking the silence. “This gang last night had a rather particular odor to them.”

“Hmm, the old troll nose strikes again.” Chimed Thompkins with a wry smile

“They smelled of Bloodmaw,” stated Reinhardt.

“Really?” asked Thompkins a look of utter Surprise on his face.

“Yes, you wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you?”

“Can’t say that I do Captain.” Answered The Troll. “I’ll keep my ears to the ground though, you sure it wasn’t Greyfang or Nightroot?”

“Oh yes,” said The Captain, “The odor was quite distinct. I knew it at once.”

“Well this is most disturbing news; Bloodmaws don’t often get the chance to cross over. There’s me, my brother… but he’s overseas, I had a distance cousin at one point…or maybe it was a nephew?”

“For old times’ sake I’m going to tell you this once,” began Reinhardt deliberately cutting the other Troll off. “Whatever you’re doing when you’re not playing chess, stay out of the Dragon District.”

“Well it wasn’t me,” protested Thompkins at last.

“Oh I know it wasn’t you. You’ve got a temper on you no doubt,” Reinhardt continued rising to be on his way. “But we both know you don’t have the guts to run with a Gutter Mage guild.”

This time it was Thompkins who said nothing in reply. Instead he let the Grey Guardsman declaration sink in a moment longer than it needed to.

“You know me too well,” said Thompkins nodding his head. Then thinking quickly he added “You know there’s a fellow who comes around here every so often with the kind of connections you’re looking for actually, goes by the moniker of Spider, you might try tracking him down. It’s what I would do-”

“-Just let me know if you hear anything, it’ll be like in the good old days when you were first showing me the ropes.”

“Ah, yes just like the good old days indeed.”

“And take care of yourself Thompkins, there’s some serious business brewing.”

“Isn’t there always?”

To that the Grey Guard smiled. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I’ll see you around , enjoy your chess.”

“I always do,” Said the Troll bidding the Captain of The Grey Guard farewell.

After Reinhardt had made his departure Thompkins stuck around for a few games of chess with the day’s first eager players. It was the natural thing to do in case Reinhardt had left a tail on him. He let his mind wander as the games progressed, mulling the Grey Guard’s words over in his head, only half paying attention to his Mundane opponents. The Troll would have to be very careful making his way back to The Crimson Breech and the others, especially on the Staten Island Ferry.

“Are you with me Doc?” he asked once certain the cost was clear.

“Queen's Knight Pawn, to Queen's Rook seven.” Came the invisibile voice above his head. “How is that for an opening move?”

Thompkins gaze was contemplative and long, as he watched Reinhardt cross the street and fade from view. “Oh we're long past opening moves my friend. I trust you'll keep an eye on young Reinhardt for me?”

“Already on it,” said Doc. “I didn't realize your ties to The Grey Guard ran that deep.”

“It was long time ago,” replied the Troll “Another lifetime even.”