"Now that the roughhousers have abandoned me, is there an intellect in this place who would consider a game or two?" queried Vanderdious with mock sadness.Lord_Of_The_LEGO wrote:"A pity this room 'tis too small for spear-throwing," grinned Dordrot, "I'd like to see where my spear-throwing stands next to the champ. Fraun Jerlock said I was the best he had ever seen."
Freena stretched her taught features into a warm smile and tossed back her long dirty-blone hair with a flick of her head.
"Once this snow melts, it's a date." she said.
Randolph, who had been read, smiled and heaved himself out of his chair by the fire.
"I'll give it a try, though I'm a bit rusty..."
"Then you're in for a treat..." cackled Vanderdious evilly, pushing the pieces back into place.
Three hours later, Vanderdious had beaten Randolph three times, but each time it had been harder. Now, on the forth game, both Black Falcon were gripping the checkered board with white knuckles as they watched eatch other manipulate the pieces. Once in a while there would be a triumphant whoop from one side and a groan from the other as another rook or pawn or knight was captured. At one point Vanderdious let loose a torent of exagerated evil laughter when he captured Randolph's queen with his own. Randolph soon repeated the laugh when one of his pawns made it to the back row and was upgraded to a queen.
Now both of them were sweating. Carefully, they positioned their remaining pawns and advanced. Both ranks were decimated, and soon Randolph was reduced to his king, queen and one pawn, where Vanderdious had four pawns and his king. Both were uncertain of victory, until Vanderdious gave a suddenly chuckled and moved a single pawn.
"Check."
Randolph moved his king out of the way. Vanderdious moved another pawn.
"Check."
Randolph moved his king again. Vanderdious moved his third pawn. Suddenly Randolph knew he was done for. Resignedly, he moved moved his queen to protect the king. Vanderdious captured the queen with his fourth pawn.
"Checkmate."
Vanderdious wiped his forehead.
"Tyco, Randolph, ye remember quick! I daren't ask for another game...I might lose this time..."
Vanderdious winked. Randolph laughed and helped put the pieces away. Everyone was quiet for a while, while the Lone Falcon and Barbod wrote and everyone else sat and thought their own private thoughts.
"Anyone for checkers?" asked Dordrot at last. Everyone else chuckled. It would be a long winter.