AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Even so, the particular trap Xandra had waiting for the Dexion was sure to come as a surprise to him. If Cassia did her part to help spring it, would she find it was a trap for her, too?
The princess rose and strolled to a nearby table. She gestured at the game board there. “Honored Master, I know an area in which you are sure to be most qualified. Will you join me in a diversion beloved from Selas to Solorum to Corona? I have here a Prince and Diplomat set. You will easily recognize this, for it is our adaptation of what is called Kings and Mages in your part of the world. Surely a mage of your caliber is a great enthusiast for the game.”
“Of course.” Chrysanthos eyed the board of gleaming wood and its carved playing pieces. “I must wonder what the result would be, if I brought my rules to your table, Eighth Princess.”
“But you cannot bring your rules, Honored Master. You must play by mine, even if you do not know them. Isn’t that the tradition in your land, as well? No one is taught the rules of the game the first time they play.”
“Indeed, we must all watch others and learn by observation until we no longer lose upon every attempt.”
“I am sure it has been many years since you were a student at this board. Your considerable skill with your own rules will surely make you a quick study of mine.”
“Are our two sets of rules so very different as one might believe?”
“Well, I can tell you that Hesperines always play fair.”
“Is there such a thing as playing fair at this game, Eighth Princess?”
“If you’re good at it, you don’t need to break the rules. You make them work for you. Better still, you make improved rules.”
“Is that what your people have done? Make new rules to suit you?”
“Come find out.”
“It will be my pleasure to analyze your gameplay, Eighth Princess.” He extended a hand toward the table for her to go first.
The princess took a seat at the table, and Chrysanthos sat across from her. With Harkhuf and Eudokia, Cassia and Lio drew near to watch. The embassy gathered round, and Skleros lurked on the edges of the crowd with the Prince’s Charge on his tail. Mak and Lyros posted themselves behind the princess, while Menodora began a new song on her lute, filling the air with an inviting melody.
Xandra put her chin on her hand, studying the board. “I learned this game from its namesake prince.”
“And which of your brothers is that?” the Dexion asked.
“The one you didn’t meet this week. If you’ve been keeping count, you will know who that is already.”
“I did wonder at the absence of the First Prince. So your tutor in this game was one of the Blood Errant.”
The princess smiled. “Now is your chance to ask for a second to help you.”
“I’ll manage.”
“Well, I shall choose a second, so you will feel all right about doing the same.” She looked around her at her friends. “Ambassador Deukalion, you learned this game from the diplomat himself, your uncle. We shall make a formidable team.”
If Cassia noticed Lio’s uncertainty, surely the other Hesperines did as well. At least she and Lio were united in their surprise at what shape the princess’s plan was taking.
He answered, “I will do what I can, Princess Alexandra.”
“Now the threat is sufficient, is it not?” she asked Chrysanthos. “You need a second.” Her gaze settled on Cassia. “Lady Cassia, have you ever played Prince and Diplomat?”
“No,” Cassia replied, as she had when they had planned this, but with trepidation now. With one hand, the princess seemed eager to put Cassia at ease, but with the other, she set up Lio as her own ally and Cassia’s opponent.
“You are a diplomat,” Xandra encouraged. “Why don’t you join us?”
Chrysanthos cut in, “It’s hardly fair to subject Lady Cassia to our little game. She has never even seen a Kings and Mages board. Among our people, women occupy themselves with productive pursuits, such as weaving and gardening.”
Cassia wouldn’t play along with the princess, but she would play to teach Chrysanthos a lesson. “Perhaps I have learned something in the weaving room and the temple gardens that will help me at this, too.”
Lio pulled up a chair for her to Chrysanthos’s right. When she seated herself, Lio eased her up to the table before he rounded the board to take his place at Xandra’s right. Chrysanthos opened his mouth to speak.
Cassia held up her hand. “Honored Master, you must not give me any hints. That is against the rules, is it not?”
