Deadlands

Need Entertainment? Make a Chessboard Out of Straw!

Three weeks pass with ease. I find myself toiling with the hay and creating figures, buildings, and images. Is it a waste? Probably but that's the entertainment I'm able to find around here. Or talking to the guards and telling them jokes but they never laugh or even move from their assigned posts.

I form the last piece into a braid and attach it to the yellow and scratchy version of a horse. I lay the final piece down as a chess board is before me. I knock on the bars and attempt to get their attention.

"Anyone up for chess? I've got a board." I show them and they simply shove it off as unimportant.

They suddenly straighten up and mutter the casual word.

"Sire," a blonde figure appears and opens the gate that is holding my presence. "W-wait, you aren't allowed to go inside, King's orders."

"And it has been three weeks, go remind my father of it." They give a numb bow and go off to the chambers. The young prince stands with his shoulder against the metal cage and watches me. "Ekana, you are quite a sight. A full working set made out of straw. I am impressed."

"Oh, are you? Care to play?" He scoffs and closes the door. I tilt my head to the side and observe him. How odd he is acting, gentle and kind yet strong and stable. Well, partially stable, more sarcastic.

"Oh no, I do not care for games," he sits down on the opposite side and shows his hand forward. "I may be alert, but apparently I'm not as much as I thought. For in your kingdom a chess match is, taken extremely serious. I don't know if I am a worthy opponent."

"Oh please, I'll go easy on you."

"Oh, like you did in the challenge?" I laugh at his comment and he smirks. Oh, those blue eyes. Totally unlike any other. But where have I seen this vibrant type before?

"Okay, majorly elementary then?"

"No, but I will tell you one thing I'll agree too. Dining in the hall, receiving something proper to eat." I roll my eyes as the pawn moves forward (without magic too).

"Oh please, I'm on your father's death wish list. I don't think he would want me at the table he casually lounges at every meal." Arthur places a finger against a knight and pushes him forward. Well, another way of attacking, as always. "You always surprise me, if it's the best or the worst? I can't tell."

I move another pawn and he starts to hit his knee.

"And I thought you had tricks up your sleeves, moving two pawns forward, isn't that a boring move?" I raise both eyebrows at his notion and find myself smirking like he had done before.

"Well, let's just say the king and queen are nothing without those under them. Don't forget that okay? It is a vital part of ruling."

"And when did you start giving me lessons?"

"Well, I just thought you'd want to know. I thought it was common logic but your father has proved me otherwise. No offense."

"None taken, it's his kingdom, he can rule how he wants. I'm just someone he doesn't listen to, his own son." I shrug my thinning shoulders and let him move the second pawn.

"But that's the part that makes your father irritate me, a lot actually. He only listens to himself." Arthur lets out a dry laugh at this unsettling truth, for no one knows it better than him.

"You seem to know a lot about Camelot, the people, the Knights, even the Pendragons, us, my father and I. How were you able to gain it?"

"Oh, I don't think you need to know that quite yet Arthur. I like mysteries, you know that." He ruffles his hair and tension rises. "It's only the beginning Arthur, don't worry about making a wrong decision just quite yet."