Dark Resurrection
Page 54
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During the next weeks, Jesus and Mary sat in the kitchen in the early evenings, learning a little more about their undead natures, gleaning information from the scroll of Herodotus with the help of Cyril. As it was written in Greek, Cyril read it aloud, Jesus occasionally looking at the script and recognizing many of the words.
“I told you it would be easy,” said Cyril, Jesus looking over his shoulder, goblet of wine in hand, quickly mastering the written aspect of the Greek language. One other item mentioned in the scroll was that vampires could assume the form of a bat, Cyril remarking, “From what you have told me, I suppose that passage is facetious too.”
“No, that is in fact true,” Jesus replied as Mary smiled.
“It is?” asked Cyril, taking a sip of tea while Jesus poured wine for he and Mary.
“We’ve transformed many times,” answered Jesus.
“Fascinating,” said Cyril, looking to the vampiric Christ, “How do you do it?”
“I don’t really know,” Jesus replied, “We concentrate on the idea and it happens.”
“I wonder if you can become anything else?”
“Don’t know,” said Jesus, staring out a window at the distant smokehouse, a light rain falling that evening.
Noticing a latrunculi board on a table in the living room, Cyril asked, pointing to it, “Do you play the game Julius?”
“Yes,” Jesus answered, returning to the conversation, “My father and I play often.”
“Would you care to play?”
“Sure, but I’m a formidable opponent for most.”
“If you are a player I am sure of that, but I warn you, you have not played me,” replied Cyril.
“Really,” said Jesus, smiling at the challenge.
Setting up the board, they played latrunculi, Jesus losing three games in a row to the teacher over a period of five hours.
“Damn, you are a good player,” said Jesus near dawn.
“So are you, but are too impetuous in your moves.”
“Meaning?”
“You only allow yourself so much time to deduce a move, and then, even if you are not sure, you make a calculated move, regardless of the consequences.”
“I always take my time planning strategy,” Jesus replied, “One can’t take forever you know.”
“Yes, but it is not long enough, evidently,” said Cyril, “You have a great potential regarding this game and should be able to beat someone like me easily.”
“How?” asked Jesus, looking about for his consort, she having long since retired to their room.
“By taking more time in planning your moves. You are too intent on trapping my eagle and that mistake gives me advantage in trapping yours.”
“I see,” said Jesus, staring at the board.
“It is high time, I should be getting back to my quarters,” Cyril remarked, noticing the horizon lightening.
“Please sleep late today friend, if my father asks, tell him I said you should,” Jesus replied, rising from the table.
“He may think me a vampire,” said Cyril, pushing in his chair.
“Believe me, dad wouldn’t mind.”