As piece followed piece in rapid succession away from the game, both were finally left with just king and pawn, avoiding any possibility of checkmate and Dave ruled the game a stale.As piece followed piece in rapid succession away from the game, both were finally left with just king and pawn, avoiding any possibility of checkmate and Dave ruled the game a stale. "Damn! Good game, thank you," she said, reaching out a hand. Furry shook it gently. "You're welcome. Thank you, as well." She picked up her hand suddenly and said, "That was a drop." "Indeed it was," Shardik said. "Allright, everybody, inside. It's about to pour." Thunder rumbled, although there was no lightning yet that Nickolai saw. "It's hitting shore; that's where the static is coming from," Shardik commented as he closed the glass door behind himself. "Well, you guys can go out; there have to be more exciting places than this on Pendor." Nickolai found himself liking Shardik, but he couldn't say why. "Yeah," he admitted, "But when I get home, think about the fun I'll have telling my friends I spent the weekend hanging out with Shardik." "'Hanging Out?'" Shardik said. "Is that expression still around? True, that would be fun. But unfortunately, I've got some responsibilities, as do other people here. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go. Be back before shadowfall. Call me if there's trouble." He reached over and picked up a small notebook, kissed Aaden's cheekruff and wandered out, Molly with him. "So you're stuck with me," the large Mephit said gently. "I'm afraid I'm not going to get anything done today, not with a storm like that shaking outside. You could take off, like he suggested. Or I could show you around." "What, around the Castle, or around Pendor?" Furry asked. "Either," he said. "Would you like a guided tour?" "Yes, please," Furry responded. "Okay, a tour it is." He rose from the table, putting down his glass, and said, "Give me a moment to dress." He disappeared down the hole Molly had risen from and returned a moment later in a black-sheened kilt, a vest and a cap. |