If I'd thought the crowd noisy for the combats, I wasn't prepared for the enthusiasm for thisnew game. Aret's idea for a living chessboard had been a good one, and the warriors chosen aspieces had decked themselves out in their very best armor, with a shine and a polish to theweapons that told me they'd been worked on for hours. They'd used armbands to designatetheir color, and the 'pawns' had tried to make themselves look as uniform as possible.
But under all the noise and bustle and laughter was an underlying tension. The division that I'dseen in the war-leaders was starting to be seen in the army. Oh, no obvious insult was given toKeir or myself. On the surface all seemed well. But the games of chess were seen as beingXyian, and many had decided not to participate or watch for just that reason.
Not that the game seemed Xyian any more. To my horror, the time-honored pieces known as
'castles' had been replaced. Instead, the pieces were called ehats. I hadn't heard of this changeuntil the pieces took the board. Four warriors, two for each side, had stepped forward with furcloaks wrapped around them, and huge horns carved from tree branches. The other warriorshad to duck as they moved on the board, holding their heads low, and sweeping the area aroundthem with their horns. Laughter filled the air as the ehats snorted and pounded the earth withtheir feet.
The players strode at the ends of the boards, some pacing back and forth as they shouted theirmoves. The crowd then would chant the words, until that 'piece' moved into its proper place.
Warleaders, warriors, and even Keir had entered the chess tourney. The games had takendays, and had absorbed everyone's attention. Keir managed to win all his games and was in thefinal match.
His opponent was a woman that I didn't recognize, whose name was Oone. She was a muscular,thoughtful woman, almost as big as Simus, with short red hair and brown eyes.
I was watching the game board from the rise, wrapped in a cloak against the chill wind. Prestand Yveni had the watch, and were standing behind me, acting as a wind break. The game areahad been laid out with stones, and they'd managed to make the squares big enough that theknights could be mounted on horses. Which meant that the 'pieces' had to deal with someobstacles not normally found on a chess board. Still and all, it was an amazing spectacle.
Iften and the Warrior-Priest were avoiding the games, and were very vocal in their opposition.
They wanted nothing to do with me, or anything remotely Xyian, which frustrated my efforts toget a good look at Iften's arm.
But I had help.
Marcus came to offer me hot kavage. "Any luck?" I asked.
"Not so far. Isdra is trying to get closer, as is Rate. But they swear to me that it's almost as ifhe knows what they are trying to do."
Prest grunted. Yveni looked at him, then turned back to me. "Tell me again, why we are tryingto see the Second's arm?"
"Herself is curious." Prest said.
I looked at him sharply, but his face was neutral. Some time after Yveni had won the combat,I'd found her with Keir, Rafe, Prest, Isdra and Marcus clustered together, their conversationserious and intent. They'd broke off their words as I approached, but I was certain that thequirks and foibles of one warprize had been discussed hi great detail.
"Ah." Yveni nodded her understanding. "Do you wish me to try, Warprize?"
"Not yet." I sat, watching Keir make his first move in the game. Oone was intent, but quickand the game seemed to move as fast as they could call out instructions to the 'pieces andpawns'.
After a bit, Rafe and Isdra reported back, glum with their failure. I nodded, unworried. It stoodto reason that Iften would know them, and anticipate their interest.
As Keir's knight advanced to take one of Oone's bishops, Cadr moved up beside me, and knelt,adjusting his boot. "I got a good look, Warprize."
"And?"
"Not sure. He has his bracers strapped tight over his leather sleeve. He is using the hand, andflexing the fingers. I thought they looked a little swollen, but I saw no sign of pain."
"Pity." Isdra said.
I kept my attention on the game, and my voice soft. "My thanks, Cadr."
He stood, and moved off into the crowd without looking back.
I settled back on my stump, and pondered what that might mean. Magical healing? I'd readabout it in stories, but could the warrior-priests wield that power?
A wave of pure jealousy washed through me. To be able to heal everything with the touch of myhand. I'd give anything to be able to ease pain, mend wounds that way.
I was so lost in thought that I didn't really see the game, until the crowd cheered, and I lookedup to see that Keir and Oone had reached a draw. Oone studied her remaining pieces carefully.
"I could offer you a warprize."
Keir threw his head up, and glanced over in my direction. His eyes were bright, his smile sobright it took my breath. "Oh no, Oone. I have claimed my warprize, and will have no other."
