It was a very old pastime of his. He remembered that his uncle Martin had been the one to teach him to play so long ago in his youth. Martin was also the one who had first sparked his interest in knights. Trance thought about Martin and his family.
They were much closer back on Earth, but since they had arrived on Althora they hadn’t seen much of each other. However, since Trance was becoming better known for his exploits in the knight class he’d seen his uncle’s family more. The more he succeeded the more he saw of both his dad’s side of the family and also his mother’s. It seemed that he was meeting his extended family more and more with many of them attending his battles and then going over to his family’s house for a barbeque.
He moved the pieces and played quietly, trying to play both sides and rather enjoying himself. He was halfway through his game when Corena woke up. “What are you doing?” she asked curiously as she rubbed her eyes and looked at the unfamiliar game.
“It’s a very old Earth game called chess,” he explained. “My uncle gave me this game as a Christmas gift when I was eleven. He had taught me to play two years earlier and thought that I would enjoy having my own chess set.”
“Oh. The pieces look interesting,” she said, taking in the game pieces. “Could you teach me how to play?”
“Alright,” Trance replied, waking up more with the new excitement of showing her how to play. “I’m not the best player there is, but I’ll do my best to show you how to play.” So for the next ten minutes Trance taught Corena how to play chess. First he showed her all of the pieces and what they were called and how each piece could be moved across the board. He told her what he knew of the history of the game and that it had been around on Earth for several hundred years and that it was played all the way up to the global exodus.
“Wow! I was going to tell you when you told me what the pieces were called that there weren’t any knights on your world anymore,” said Corena as she lifted one of the simple plastic white horses that was one of the knights.
“Yeah, the game was originally invented and played when there were still knights for my planet’s militaries. I guess people liked the romance that the game brought to mind. That’s why I always enjoyed playing. It was a reminder of the time when there were knights, kings and queens, princes, and princesses,” he said, blushing slightly as he looked into her eyes.
After a few breathless moments Trance set up the board again and started showing the Princess how to play. The first couple games didn’t take long for Trance to win. He had the great advantage of knowing the game and how to play. He did his best to help Corena out; however, it didn’t take long for the Princess to learn the game and she was soon playing herself against him.
It was apparent that she had figured out a strategy against him, mainly using her queen and bishops, while he relied on more of his pieces, mainly his queen, knights, and rooks. Trance won twice more before Corena beat him. As they played again, Corena was enjoying the challenge the game presented and soon some of their teammates came over to see what was going on.
They watched curiously and Trance took the time once again to explain the pieces and demonstrate how to play. Corena beat him again and Trance had a bright idea and invited one of his team to play Corena. She beat him even as Trance tried to help him out, and then there was another player that took his place. Corena seemed to be on a real roll when Zam approached and beat her. Trance had taught him and Gracer how to play much earlier in the year, and now they could beat him.
More kids got to play and after a few more games, Trance and Corena played each other. King Maximus came over and looked down, intrigued at the game and inquired if he could play a game. “Alright,” said Trance slightly nervous. He had taught the game to most of the kids now, but here was the King of Cator wanting to play. With careful skill he taught the King to play and was amazed at how fast the King picked it up. Trance valiantly lost.
As the King and Corena played against him and got better so did Trance. All three traded wins and Trance could still beat most of his teammates. Trance’s mind kept track of how everyone played and how they moved the pieces. He didn’t think too much about it, but he did seem to have a knack for figuring out other people’s strategies and finding a way to defeat them. Now with the king joining in and playing, Trance suddenly had a bright idea. “Say, since I’m winning about two thirds of the time, how about you two team up and play against me,” Trance challenged Corena and her father.
The King and Princess looked at him and then at each other and then looked at him and replied, “You’re on!”
It was decided that the royal family would be white and Trance would be black. By this time a fairly large crowd had gathered to watch the game. Zak and Bear came up and sat near Kyle as they watched the game progress. Major Marlett also moved up closer and the more he watched the more he was impressed by Trance’s ability to solve problems and strategize. Trance’s parents watched on proudly and listened to the compliments people said about him. Heather and Sammy sat there and just rolled their eyes.
Trance had beaten his siblings so many times that it was no surprise to them that he was being so successful. They knew he was pretty good, but he seemed to be very good at the moment. Prince Mixim looked on jealously. He thought that he could win against Trance; however, as he watched the game progress he had to admit to himself that he wouldn’t be able to stand the embarrassment of losing to the Earth boy.
As the game progressed Trance found himself explaining the rules again to the gathering crowd so they could have some idea as to what was going on in the game. The royal pair played a very good game, yet somehow Trance managed to win. They played more games; Trance won twice more before being beaten three times in a row. They continued to play off and on. More people got to play as their meals were served. Trance was elated that his game had been such a huge success. Time was just rolling on as they played and they were moving ever closer to getting to their destination.
Soon the planet Caldar was coming into view. In just a few more hours they would be there and everyone would depart and head for their hotels to rest up before going to the end of year tournaments. Many on board had full confidence in their efforts to win at least a couple of top prizes. Most people fully expected Trance to be amazing.
Trance just prayed that he wouldn’t let his team, his family, and mostly Corena down. He didn’t know how the other schools from the other nearby worlds played in their battle games, yet if they were like the competition he’d had already he thought they might have a good chance to win. But there were so many other teams, could he have any success?
He bowed his head humbly and prayed that they have a good time and that nobody got hurt. And yes, he did ask that if possible his team might have some success and a couple victories.
Chapter 19
The Boulthorian Plot
As the Scorpio flew with Trance and his team as well as the royal family toward Caldar for the end of year tournaments, King Axlor sat in his council room on Boulthora. All year he had been sending in more raids on Althora and at the same time sending more arms and knights to his outpost castle there. He had also sent for all of his generals and advisors from their various positions in the galaxy and had been gathering them together for this council. Most importantly he had his son there with him.
Vengethor sat at his father’s right hand. He was rather tall, about six feet four inches, with dark hair and dark brown eyes. His rather young and handsome face was relaxed at the moment, but could reveal a very intelligent and cunning mind. He had returned a month after his father had been briefed by Bazar about the prophecy of the Griffin General, and he had been told that this general was a great threat to them and their plan. He had listened stunned as his father, King Axlor, told him about this new enemy and the Sphinx King’s desire for them to find and eliminate him before he could come to power. He knew that Boulthora was in an alliance with the Sphinx
and that this alliance dated back three centuries.
Vengethor had then been sent out with two battalions and three space battleships on a secret mission. He was now here from that mission to report the result. He was dressed similarly to his father in black pants, ultra shiny black boots, royal blue silk shirt, and a black surcoat with a silver unicorn on it. His eyes roamed the room and took in the other generals and admirals from the space fleet, gathered to give their reports and find out what was so important for them to be here for this council meeting.
On King Axlor’s left hand side was General Kass. Kass was Axlor’s most trusted advisor. He had served in the Boulthorian military for nearly sixty years. He was extremely loyal to Axlor and would follow any order from him no matter what it might be. Next to Kass sat General Tork. Tork was tall and had a slim build, yet he had proved that he was as tough and strong as any man with twice his bulk. In combat he was lethal and savage. He cared only about gaining another victory for Boulthora, regardless of the cost. Next was Yong, a nobler general. He was more loyal to Boulthora and its history and heritage than Axlor its king. Bruise was next, a huge sadistic general who had appeared to show mercy to one division of prisoners of war by giving them more comfortable sleeping arrangements and better food, three days before ordering their executions.
There were a couple of admirals beginning with Courak and Rattell. Together they had led many missions in space defending their home and expanding the Boulthorian Empire. Then there were four lower admirals and five lower generals, most with ambitions to move up and become closer to their king.
On Vengethor’s right was his best friend and ally, Roamer. Together they had gone on many missions and battled for the glory of Boulthora. They were the most successful tandem and won nearly every battle they entered, except for the mission they had just returned from. Next to him were six more generals and finally seven more admirals.
“Now that you are all here, let’s get to business,” said Axlor as he gazed around the room and got all of their attention. “First off, let’s hear from my son. So how did your mission go, did you fulfill your assignment and retrieve the treasure I sent you after?”
Vengethor took a couple moments to prepare his reply and then leaned forward and began. “Roamer and I were sent to retrieve the treasure that you desired. We arrived on Arathon as planned and were met with rather heavy resistance. We battled them back and advanced on them.” With a quick look he saw that all eyes were on him and that he had their complete attention. “We proceeded to search the area for the treasure and soon located it. The story we had heard was true; the treasure was indeed guarded by a very great bat. It rose up and quickly killed seven of my men in just moments. We also had to tend with a renewed attack by the locals, though our superior knights outmatched them. I moved into position to attack and slay the bat when a Griffin swooped down and slew the bat and then streaked ahead to where the treasure was hid and removed it before we got there.” He stopped and looked around to gauge the reaction of the gathered generals and his father.
“Are you saying that a group of Griffins showed up and beat you to the treasure?” asked Tork.
“No, it was just one lone Griffin. It was very strange. He came from out of nowhere and struck the bat down before I had a chance at it, and then he just raced ahead and removed the treasure before we could get to its hiding place,” Vengethor replied. He had known that this news would not be received well. On his flight back from Arathon he had prepared his report with Roamer and went over exactly what had happened so he could give an accurate report, even though it would be a negative report. In his experience and upbringing he knew that it was always best to tell the truth at the beginning even if it was painful and nobody wanted to hear it. Also he’d never have to constantly remember the details of a lie. Now the whole matter was on the table and nobody could say he was covering something up or hiding something.
“Very well,” said Axlor. He was disappointed that the assignment hadn’t been completed. Vengethor had no idea why he’d been sent by his father to retrieve this treasure. Axlor hadn’t even told him what it was, he just told him where it was probably hidden and that it was guarded by a great bat and that Vengethor was the one the “prophecy” said was to slay it. This matter of the mysterious Griffin was very troubling. But this issue could be resolved latter; there were other matters at hand that needed attending to.
“We’ll move on. There’s nothing more we can do about that treasure at the moment, we have two other matters to discuss,” Axlor said regaining his composure and taking command. “How are our efforts to locate this new enemy general?”
Bruise was the first to respond. “Sire, my men and I have made several raids on Althora and talked to prisoners, and nobody seems to know of any new general as you described. Most didn’t know what we were asking them. Either they truly don’t know of this general or they are hiding it very well. Many died without giving any information at all.”
Axlor scowled. This meeting was not going well. First Vengethor failed and now this. What next? “Does anyone else have anything to add?” he asked, trying as best he could to maintain his composure.
“Yes,” replied Kass in a smart controlled voice. “It could be that this general has not yet joined the military on Althora. We know what the “prophecy” in our Bible says, and maybe he hasn’t realized his destiny and hasn’t joined yet. It could possibly be that he may even be in school learning to be a knight right now.”
What Kass said seemed to get more positive remarks. He went on. “We all know that the sign of the birds around the Crown Mountains of Althora signals his coming, but that is only the first sign. No other signs have come to pass, so he may not be in position to take his place yet. It is time for most of the schools on the planets aligned with the Griffins to have their knight classes gather on Caldar for their end of year tournaments. Maybe one of the throng of young men there is the one we are looking for. Has anyone checked with the schools to see if there is a promising new knight among them?”
“Yes,” replied a general sitting three chairs from Roamer. “I have received a rather interesting report from one of our spies close to the capital. There seems to be a lot of excitement and interest in the new captain of the boy’s knights where Princess Corena attends school. It appears that he is one of the people that arrived about a year ago from a distant planet. It seems that Corena is quite taken with him in fact. I was also informed that he has been unusually successful leading his team to victory this year. I don’t think that he could be the one, yet he may be a threat to us when he joins their knights anyway.”
Courak spoke up. “I don’t know of any youth at the moment that might join and become this general and a threat to us, but I do know that the Althorians are quite able to defend their world. Last summer, when we were sent to try and capture the princess, one of my divisions landed and raided a town and I received a report that there was one farmhouse in particular that was well defended by a youth. I heard several stories about this farm. One that comes to mind, especially since hearing of the boy that Corena is taken with, is that the youth that defended that house was from that distant planet.”
Axlor sat back to ponder what he had just heard. The story of this youth bothered him, but he wasn’t exactly sure why. He was positive that this youth could not be the general that they feared. Of course it was possible that there were two youths being confused and that neither one was the general. There was something about the stories though that were troubling, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. “Alright, are there any other reports on this issue?”
“Why should we feel threatened by a youth from a far distant planet? Surely there is no way he can become an Althorian knight. We should continue to search the Althorian military. The man we are looking for might be a lower officer yet. I don’t believe that the man we want came from such a far distant planet,” said Bruise.
What Br
uise said made sense to many of the men gathered at the table. Vengethor nodded his head in agreement and said, “I absolutely agree, no boy from that distant planet could possibly be a threat to us.” And then he had an idea, “Maybe we should advance our original plan and go after the princess. You said that she is headed for Caldar for the tournaments held there. What if we launched a raid there to capture her?”
He looked at his father for approval and then around the table at the gathered generals and admirals. “We could land a battalion and march on the tournament, and while their forces try to come after us we could have another small group go through and search for her. With most of their forces engaging us she’ll be more vulnerable and we could catch her and be gone. Who knows we might even get lucky and come upon the boy we’ve discussed from the far distant planet. He’ll be at this tournament also, and we could eliminate him in the process. It will be hitting two targets with the same arrow.”
Many of the generals looked at each other before voicing their opinions on Vengethor’s proposal. Some thought that he had a very good idea, and a few, Bruise in particular, were very eager to take on the assignment and go after the princess. Axlor looked impressed at his son’s idea, yet before he decided to start considering the idea, he glanced toward a rather dark corner of the vast room. He thought he saw a movement and then turned to the group and gained their attention.
“That’s a rather intriguing idea. It will take some rather careful planning and swift action to take effect. We would have to move in three days time to be able to launch an attack while she is still on Caldar. The tournaments take about two weeks, and it’ll take one of our swiftest battleships nine days to reach the planet, eight if the engines are pushed to their max limit before hitting the barrier drive.”
Space Knights: The Arrival Page 22