A Simple Game

" So, tell me. What's new? "

" Your pawn, my bishop."

" We-hell! Aren't you the clever one! My castle, your pawn."

" My kn- wait, no. Heh. You're not getting this one. "

" Oh.. no, that's not the purpose. My q- hm."

" Hah! Did you really think I would fall for that again? "

" No, not really. This will take a while... now, tell me. Tell me everything."

" No. Interesting quote though, although a little annoying."

" Right.. well? "

" Well.. see. Recently this company I've joined. We've had a little.. incident."

" Incident? "

" An assassin of sorts. An engineer. Clever, sneaky, armed to the teeth with bombs. Almost killed a few of the company on his own... clever little bastard."

" You don't care for them, don't you? "

" I dislike some of them less, perhaps. But see.... that's not the issue. He's dead. Blown apart."

" Ah. Hm.. that could change the situation."

" Exactly. He could be an ally instead of an enemy. "

" But you mentioned your company had priests and shamans. "

" Yes.. but you've forgotten, he died in an explosion. "

" Fragments of a soul.. hah. Those people will have a hard time trying to put it back together. "

" Oh, but they won't. Not without me. "

" Of course not. Wait, you intend to work with them? "

" Perhaps. It depends. See... if they realise how much of an asset his soul will be to someone else, they might decide to try putting him back together, and I will be an obvious ally in this. But if they don't... I have free reign."

" Aha... clever, very clever. And if they don't work with you? "

" I'll be working at my own time. If they don't... well. They'll never get the job done."

" And what would you ask of them? "

" Perhaps I will have more favor. Perhaps, gold. We'll see.. but you know what I would enjoy? "

" Hm? "

" That shaman, grovelling on his knees and begging me for help."

" Unlikely."

" Heh. Of course. But that would be so very satisfying."

" Perhaps.. you could force him on his knees? "

" At some point, perhaps. We'll see if that opportunity presents itself... perhaps even make him cry. Now that would be downright hilarious. "

" Hah, I bet it would..."
" Well, it's still your turn."

" Of course. And my win. Queen to bishop. Check."

" Not yet.."

" Hah, not admitting defeat are you? Well, you know it's inevitable."

" Nothing is set in stone, Thorn. Castle to bishop. Countercheck."

" Hm.. you are getting clever, aren't you? "

" Perhaps."