" He smiled, then glanced behind his back and out the window." He smiled, then glanced behind his back and out the window. "But do it early; it's going to rain soon. And if you get hungry, I really recommend the Londenumen Inn at Tuilpalya. Ask for the roast lamb special. And get the beer. Or, if you hang around here..." "They better hang around here," said another sleepy voice from the hole in the floor. "That young femMark has a game to play this morning, remember?" "I almost forgot," Shardik said, apologetically. "Of course; you're going to play chess against my lovely daughter, aren't you?" Furry nodded. "I did say I would." "Yes, you did," the fox said, rising from the floor. "Good morning, fahs," she said, leaning over and giving Shardik and Aaden pecks on their respective cheeks. "How's everything this morning?" "Bright and sunny," Shardik answered. "For a few hours, at least." "What?" Molly replied. "Oh," she said, looking out the window. "Better get moving, then," she said, smiling. "Are you ready?" she asked Furry. "As I'll ever be," Furry replied. "Dave, set it up and raise the Castle to Overlook. We're going to play with the playset." "Of course," the AI replied calmly. The walls of the crater, visible just below the level of the residencies, began to fall away, although Nickolai felt no perceptible motion. "Come, my dear," Molly said, holding out her hand. Furry took it and allowed the fox to lead her out to the patio. Nickolai followed behind them. The plain of glass-smooth stone shimmered for a second to be replaced with an enormous chess-set, made of black and white tiles that appeared to grow (or was that glow, Nickolai wondered) out of the stone; in the correct positions stood the correct pieces, although not the traditional pieces. Nickolai reflected that he'd seen chess machines where the pieces fought out the moves, although the outcome was never in doubt; it was merely for entertainment, making the taking of a piece more dramatic. And as Molly and Furry exchanged moves he saw that was the case; pieces walked, fought, died, and faded away. Although he had never found chess terribly exciting, he became wrapped up in the game as Furry and Molly instituted a timing mechanism in the hopes of outplaying the oncoming rainstorm, as first Molly took Furry's queen and Furry returned the favor, placing Molly in the first check of the game simultaneously. |