"Greetings, D, " he said as he walked from his car to the the shade of the
tree. "I see our brothers are late as usual." He pulled a small pair of
binoculars from his pocket and surveyed the surrounding desert. "I see
no one coming."
"Did you expect to, War?" asked Death with loosely hidden amusement.
"When have our two brothers ever been on time for a gathering? They
linger on long after you have left and returned to home, as well. I am
often left waiting endlessly for their antics to finish before I must
clean up and return myself. We could be waiting here for some time."
At that, War finally smiled. It was not the smile one would have
expected. This was an honest, warm smile that showed an obvious
admiration for his brother.
"Excellent, D... most excellent. That means we have time for perhaps one
game."
Death knew what was to come and waited patiently for his brother to
return to his vehicle and emerge with a chess board. This board never
left War's side.
"You know, D, I've only ever lost this game once... and that was to
you."
"If you hadn't been so preoccupied by Pestilence's infernal ramblings at
that time, you would never have missed such an obvious move." Death knew
his brother was a master of no equal in the game of chess, but he also
knew that it was far more fun to lose to his brother than to win. Only
his brothers could beat Death in any game, and losing was a rare
pleasure.
For some time, the two traded moves until, at long last, War came out
victorious. He smiled again. "Thank you, D. You will always be my
greatest, and most cherished opponent -- in this, or any other game."
Just as War was packing away the chess board, a faint, motorised whining
sound came from off in the distance. War retrieved his binoculars again
and saw, in the distance, a motorcycle approaching at breakneck speed.
He could make out nothing of the rider, save that he was wearing all
white.
"A rider in white approaches on motorcycle, D."
"Ah, " said Death, again with humour in his voice. "This is fitting.
Famine approaches."