Some troubling news

"Pawn takes bishop," Katyana says, several moves later. "I confess, General, that the prodigious sacrifice of pieces on your part is somewhat surprising... you move to protect your pawn, but leave a bishop open to attack?"

"A pawn can be the most important piece on the board, my Lady."

"To a pawn, perhaps."

"Or to a queen. Pawn to H-four."

The move leaves Katyana's queen directly threatened, as Ferdinand indicated. You recognize his strategy in a general sense; Ferdinand has often begun a game by seemingly offering his pieces to the slaughter, only to come back in a devastating finish. He has defeated you often enough with this strategy... it remains to be seen whether Katyana will fall into the same trap.

"Sire," Duncan says quietly into your ear.

"Yes, Duncan?" you reply, still watching the game. Katyana, with no other options, has moved her queen back one space to escape the attacking pawn.

"Sire, I was ensuring that this spectacle did not distract the castle staff too much from their duties, and I came upon Lord Bertrand. He was quite agitated... and alone."

This does not bode well! "Follow me to the anteroom," you tell him, and together you make your way to a side door leading off the Great Hall to a small room meant for private conversation.

"The Vixen was not with him?" you ask, once the door is closed.

"She was not, Sire. And, as I said, he seemed most out of sorts - not at all like himself."

"Did you question him?"

"I meant to, Sire, but he was some distance away, walking quickly away from me, and... Sire, you must understand, I am almost eighty years old." Duncan hangs his head shamefully.

"Duncan, please do not blame yourself for that which cannot be helped," you insist. "I have benefited far more from the wisdom of your years than I could ever have hoped to do from the speed and agility of your youth. All of us so fortunate to live so long must grow old; I can only hope that I will do so as well as you have."

"Thank you, Sire. Be that as it may, it would seem the Vixen has escaped. I have alerted the Castle Guard, of course, but one of her cunning will likely elude them."

"Duncan, you should know this: the reason I sent her away from the Great Hall was because Lady Katyana came here specifically to seek her out - and she knew exactly who the Vixen was."

Duncan's eyes grow wide. "How is this possible?"

"I do not know, but we must find her - and we must find Lord Bertrand as well. It may be that he discovered her true identity during their time together, and that is what has him so upset. He was extremely taken with her, for some reason - though I do not think it was a simple matter of attraction, she is almost young enough to be his granddaughter and I have never known him to be so drawn to such women."

"I will see to it that Lord Bertrand is found. I wish I could promise the same for the Vixen, but we both know how elusive she is."

"As a precaution, Duncan, alert the guard at the armory and the stronghouse to be at their most watchful. I am not yet ready to announce that the Vixen is at large in the castle, but it would be foolish to pretend that nothing is amiss."

"I quite agree, Sire."

"I had best get back to the chess match; our guests are finally beginning to relax and enjoy themselves again, and I have no wish to see them become agitated. Please keep me informed of all developments, Duncan - and recruit my squire to assist you, in case young legs become necessary."

"Yes, Sire. I take my leave."

"Bishop to D-six!" Ferdinand says firmly.

His squire, who had hesitated to make the move, proceeds to do so. Even with your knowledge of Ferdinand's unorthodox chess strategies, it seems like a fool's move - you cannot help but wonder whether Ferdinand actually intends to lose, though why he would want to is beyond you.

"You leave not one, but both of your rooks open to attack," Katyana says quietly. "What mad manner of chess do you play, General?"

"Sometimes, the best way to end a siege is to let the walls of the castle fall," Ferdinand says. "So long as the king may escape, the game may yet be won."

Katyana's reaction to Ferdinand's comment is as startling as his move; she seems, for a moment, actually fearful. She recovers quickly, however, and replies with, "Bishop takes rook at G-one."

"Pawn to E-five," Ferdinand says, and this time there are a few audible groans from some of the audience behind him (those who placed wagers on him to win, no doubt). The move leaves his other rook available for the taking, and sure enough, Katyana does so.

"Queen takes rook," she says, smirking slightly. "Your castle has fallen, General."

"But my king has not, which is more than can be said for yours," Ferdinand replies. "King to E-two."

Katyana looks down at the board from her throne, suddenly seeming alarmed. "Knight to A-six."

"Knight takes pawn at G-seven. Check."

"King to D-eight!"

"Queen to F-six, my Lady. Do you wish to resign?"

The last few moves have been called out so quickly, the squires could not move the pieces fast enough; it is only when Ferdinand's queen is moved into place that you can see what he has done. As a result of sacrificing nearly all his powerful pieces - including the queen herself, with this last move - he has managed to completely trap Katyana's king with his knights and remaining bishop. Although Katyana's total losses during the game have amounted to just three pawns, none of her remaining pieces are in a position to stop Ferdinand's final attack.

Katyana is silent for a moment, looking at the board not as one who seeks her next move, but in disbelief that she has somehow managed to lose while being ahead by two rooks, a bishop, and her queen. Then she sits back in her chair, and says, "Let us finish, for the benefit of those watching."

"As you will, my lady."

"Knight takes queen."

"Bishop to E-seven. Checkmate."

The crowd applauds, and you join in with them - it was a game very well-played. Katyana and Ferdinand step down from the tall thrones and come over to your side of the board, where Ferdinand kisses Lady Katyana's hand. "A most enjoyable game, my Lady," he says. "My profound thanks."

"General, I find no shame in losing to such a masterful opponent," Katyana replies, "but instead, a great honor in having played against you at all."

You step forward to congratulate both players... and then, in the reflection of a polished suit of armor across the hall, you catch a glimpse of the Vixen on the balcony behind you, her bow fully drawn and her arrow aimed toward the chessboard.