The young Gelert followed Black Jack to his office.
The Wocky gestured him to the guest chair, though for once the club owner did not take his own seat in the luxurious executive chair behind the desk. Black Jack remained standing, appraising the Neopet before him.
"Blade," began the Wocky, addressing Ace by his real name. "I have a few questions for you."
"Yes, boss," said the Gelert politely, nodding slightly from his seat.
"Would you risk your life for me?"
"Yes," answered Blade, without the slightest hesitation.
"What about your siblings' lives?"
"I would."
The club owner was unsurprised at the answers, but they did seem to give him something to think about. He clearly hadn't gotten to his real questions yet.
He came over and stood right in front of the seated Gelert and leaned over so they were looking eye-to-eye. Black Jack's piercingly blue eyes stared deep into Blade's searching deep for the slightest trace of untruth.
"Would you be willing to die for my sake?"
The calm aura dropped from the Gelert. His eyes widened, making him look much younger.
"I…"
Those blue eyes drilled into him, forbidding him to lie. Demanding the truth.
"I don't know, boss," he said, lowering his head in shame.
"What about another's life?" demanded Black Jack. He suddenly smirked and opened his arms. "Say, all the Card Housers? Is the sum of their lives worth mine?"
The Gelert looked up, suddenly looking like a teenager racked with guilt. But this time he answered firmly. "No. I would never, and they are not."
Black Jack suddenly relaxed. It wasn't until then that Blade realized how tense his master had been. A funny smiled played in Black Jack's eyes.
"10C would. His life, and anyone and everyone else's. He would easily sacrifice them all to save my own."
Blade swallowed, having not been aware that the bartender's loyalty stretched that far.
"Boss?" he began, not sure at all where this was going.
"That is why I choose you, Blade, though by all rights it should be 10C."
The Gelert swallowed, sensing the club owner was talking about something very, very big indeed.
Black Jack sighed and leaned against his desk. He tilted his head back and stared out his skylight, up at the beautiful stars.
"The Queen of Diamonds was investigating a personal matter of mine. She has been captured and is being held hostage. The condition for not killing her is me. Though, I assure you, her captors have no intention of releasing her even after I show my face."
The Wocky's face stiffened and he turned to again appraise the young Gelert. Blade was listening intently and professionally, none of his personal feelings showing at all. Black Jack much appreciated that.
"I have no intention of handing myself over to another's whim, and I refuse to abandon one of my Card Housers. I shall take care of my own matter, and you shall rescue the Queen of Diamonds."
Blade, knowing Black Jack was appraising him even now, and secretly incredibly eager to do something for his master who he practically idolized, nodded firmly. "Yes, boss."
"Make no mistake. I am asking you to risk your life."
"Yes, boss."
"You are to free the Queen of Diamonds and the two of you are to immediately escape. I would prefer you both return to the safety of The Card House, though I put no such restrictions on you."
"Yes, boss."
"You are forbidden to come looking for me, and if, at any point, you are to find I am in trouble, you shall not come to my aid."
The Gelert hesitated. Black Jack's face hardened.
"The Queen of Diamonds is your mission. Or is it that you do not trust that I am capable of tending to my own personal matters?"
"I shall focus on the Queen of Diamonds, boss," said the young Brown Gelert.
Black Jack relaxed and carefully appraised the Ace of Clubs one last time, then met his eyes.
"I refuse to allow my Card House to get caught up in this mess," he growled. "Now leave me and wait by the rear exit. I shall be twenty minutes in preparing. No one is to know of our leaving."
The Gelert got to his rearpaws and bowed slightly. "Yes, boss. Thank you." And he turned to leave.
Black Jack was confused. Thank you?
At the door, the Gelert turned back, a genuine smile on his face. "Thanks, boss. For trusting me. I know my answer now. I would give my life for yours."
He left before Black Jack could respond.
The Wocky's shoulders drooped and he hid his face behind a forepaw, not that there was anyone to see.
"Why?" he mumbled, in true confusion. "Why do they all insist on giving what I don't want?"
End of Part Four
