A frosty reception leads into a royal contest

"I suppose you must think I've lost my mind," you say to Duncan as he appears at your side. Though there were no public objections raised by those present to Katyana's imminent arrival, you are quite certain that every other person here has private objections - and surely Duncan must have a mentally numbered list.

"On the contrary, Sire," Duncan says, "I would say you handled the situation admirably. Lady Katyana surely did not expect this result from her arrival, and though I know her by reputation only, she is not one who is easily caught off-guard. It is unfortunate that you could not capitalize on the situation by bringing her in immediately, but of course it was prudent to inform your other guests. But may I ask why you deemed it necessary to remove your... original escort from the hall, especially on the arm of one such as Bertrand?"

"I shall have to explain that when there are fewer ears in the room, Duncan." The doors on the balcony above open at that moment, precluding further conversation. You look up and see that Katyana and her guardsmen have been let into the hall, and the conversation drops precipitously as all the eyes in the room swivel in that direction. Even the musicians go quiet.

"Lady Katyana," Duncan says, stepping forward. "Please, come join King Xavier and I for a glass of wine."

"That is gracious of you, Lord Duncan, but I prefer water to wine," Katyana says as she descends the stairs. Her own guards follow at arm's length, their eyes darting back and forth in a state of clear nervous tension - one of them even reaches slightly toward where his sword would be, if he were still wearing it. Sir Magnus descends the stairs with them but stops on the lower landing, standing with his sheathed swordpoint on the floor. (Magnus has perfected a move which allows him to whip the scabbard from his sword in a single mighty swing, so that it scarcely makes a difference in his reaction time whether the blade is in its sheath or not.)

The musicians are still silent - you look over to them and clear your throat slightly, and the flustered leader of the bards immediately begins to strum his lute once again. The music restores at least some of the warmth to the room, and conversation resumes, albeit more muted than before. Your wine glass is empty, and you are about to summon a servant to bring more, when Valerie approaches holding glasses for you and for Katyana. Hers is the clear sparkling water of Elyssia's springs, while yours... is the same, you are somewhat surprised to find, but with a touch of color which makes it indistinguishable from the wine. You flicker your eyes toward Valerie in the briefest of glances, meant to convey appreciation; she has made this rather clever move before, on occasions when you need your head clear but wish to keep up the appearance of enjoying the wine.

"Lady Katyana, may I introduce the Lady Valerie, Hostess of the Crown," you say, offering Valerie's more formal title - even though you are quite certain that Katyana is well aware of Valerie's true occupation.

"Welcome to Elyssia, Lady Katyana," Valerie says, greeting her with the same smile as she would give to any other visitor, and offering a hand which is lightly grasped by the Lady of Reznik. "I fear that the hospitality of our hall is somewhat wanting on this day... may the time come when you might enter this place and find it as warm as I do, and when those who accompany you may be guests rather than guardsmen."

"I would have been a fool not to expect a chilled reception," Katyana says, taking the slightest sip of her water. "My father's campaigns have made him an enemy of many, and it is understandable that his daughter would be viewed unfavorably by those who consider him as such. But there comes a time when one must take the first steps toward reconciliation, or old feuds will never become old enough to die. Do you agree, King Xavier?"

"Certainly, I prefer peace to war," you say. "Do you carry the message that Lord Velimir intends to stand down his armies and negotiate for peace?"

"I am here in a bid to open diplomatic relations. Whether that leads to peace or to war is for the future to decide."

"I am a man of war, myself," says General Ferdinand, who approaches on your left, "but a true man of war knows that the best-won battle is the one in which the desired outcome is reached without the battle itself ever having been joined. Forgive me this interruption, Sire... I could not resist the opportunity to introduce myself to our guest."

"Allow me the honor," you say. "Lady Katyana of House Reznik, I present Lord Ferdinand de la Vega, General of the Elyssian Armies and Strategic Advisor to the Crown."

"My Lady," the General says, bowing slightly. "Or, do you prefer the title of Captain?"

"As we meet this day with goblets in our hands rather than swords, perhaps we may forgo the military formalities, my Lord."

"I quite agree. Perhaps if there is time, my Lady, you would grant me the favor of a game of chess?" Ferdinand asks. "Your reputation precedes you in this matter; it is a battlefield upon which I would be most honored to meet you."

"Of course, I would be delighted," Katyana says, showing what seems to you to be her first truly genuine smile. "Are you familiar with the Mad Queen variant?"

"I prefer it, my Lady! It enhances the game greatly."

"If you are both so amenable, then what better time than the present?" Valerie suggests. "It might help to restore a more festive atmosphere, and if everyone intends to keep staring at Lady Katyana, it might as well be for a better reason." Valerie laughs lightly after her own comment, and it proves somewhat infectious; she really is invaluable when it comes to defusing a tense situation.

"Lord Duncan, would you be so kind as to arrange for the servants to bring in the chessmen and the thrones?" you say. "With your permission, Lady Katyana, we shall begin a game this very moment."

"Why not?" she says, lifting an eyebrow. "But if I may ask, King Xavier, for what purpose are the thrones?

"Pawn to F-four," Ferdinand calls, and his squire steps up to lift the pawn to the specified square, then backs off the board again. General Ferdinand and Lady Katyana face each other seated in oversized thrones overlooking the twenty-foot-wide chessboard, with pieces carved of white oak and dark ebony, large enough so that the kings and queens are nearly as tall as the players who direct their movements. It was General Ferdinand who pointed out to you that the polished stones laid at the center of the Great Hall could serve as a chessboard, and he presented the pieces five years ago as a gift from his house to the Crown, during the much smaller anniversary celebration at the time. You insisted at that time that you did not wish for him to let you win simply because you are the King... and as a result, he has beaten you soundly every time you have played.

"You offer the King's Gambit," Katyana observes. "Do you always sacrifice so early in the battle?"

"On the true battlefield, every piece matters," Ferdinand replies. "On the chessboard, a commander has the luxury of considering only the needs of the king."

"Very well then... I accept the offer. Take the pawn," Katyana says to her guardsman, who steps onto the board and makes the exchange.

The game has drawn a considerable audience; not only every one of the noble guests in the Great Hall has gathered around, but many of the servants watch from the balconies which surround the hall. Duncan has noticed the situation and gone to ensure that the feast planned for the evening does not suffer as a result!

"Bishop to C-four," Ferdinand says.

"Queen to H-four."

"To attack with the Queen so soon is not always wise," Ferdinand observes.

"There is no sense in wielding power if one does not use it," Katyana replies.

"Indeed. King to F-one."

"You run rather than fight, General?"

"Discretion is often the better part of valor, my Lady."

You wonder how much of their banter you can take seriously, and how much is meant as playful intimidation. You also find yourself hoping fervently that Ferdinand will win - it is only a game, but it would be of symbolic importance for your General to deliver a defeat to Lord Velimir's Captain and daughter.