Chương 145: Chapter 135-Chosen Chess

Tag. Short for 'Touch And Go'. An ancient and time-honored ritual that involves the person who is 'It' chasing and devouring those who are not. Most Tag rituals end in the sacrifice of about 5 to 9 children. A brutal, but effective ritual. What was it used for? Why it was used to keep the children in line, of course. Those little scamps! So, to be- Ok, Tag is just a kids' game, but with the Prideborn, I can never be too sure. Maybe she does mean a dark ritual where the lives of innocent children are at stake.

"What's Tag?" The form of Penelope shifts into that of the Prideborn.

"Why, it's a simple game. The person who is 'It' must touch another to transfer the 'It-ness'. So, would you like to play? ~" she asks with an oddly unsettling yet playful tone.

"Every game has a winner and a loser. What does the winner get?" I ask as I slowly push myself out of bed.

"Hmm. I don't know. Why don't we make it simple? The winner gets to decide what to do with the loser. How about that? ~" she asks as her claws tap on the bedframe.

"We need to set the win conditions and the time frame," I say as I pick up my belt.

"Why don't we do it during the Spring Festival? I'm sure it will be great fun. Now for winning. The person who is 'It' by the time the festival ends is the loser~," she says from right behind me. My hand grips the belt and The Chosen Blade that hangs off it. If I move even an inch in the wrong direction, she'll cut me down before I can even unsheathe the blade. I know this. There's no doubt in my mind that's how it would go down. Yet… Why do I feel no danger from her? This empty feeling from her.

It's like she doesn't harbor any malice.

"Ok, but don't go crying when you lose. What are you going to do in the meantime?" I ask as I fasten the belt. Her claws gently tap my right horn.

"Don't worry. I have other matters to attend to. Also, if you win, not when. You know what they say. Pride comes before the fall," she says and then disappears from view. Letting go of the breath I was holding onto, I collapse on the bed.

"Yellow. How worried should I be?"

"Very. Amongst the Sinborn, Prideborn has killed the most Chosen Ones. She may not be the strongest, but she has a way of getting to you. Be careful, Vashrin," Yellow warns as I look back at the empty space.

"I can tell how. I'll be careful. Can you warn me if you sense her? My senses are a bit off with her," I say as I head out from the infirmary.

"I will try my best, but there's only so much I can do. A tip from one who has fallen to her. Whatever form she takes, she always fiddles with her hands. It's almost as if she can't decide what to do with them."

"I'll keep that in mind." Walking out of the infirmary, I'm immediately greeted by the sight of Penelope. Wait, could this be Prideborn? She might have come back immediately just to fuck with me. How can I be-"Are you going to keep gawking all day, Charlatan? Some of us have places to be," Penelope says with her usual snark. No, that couldn't be anybody other than Penelope.

"Good to see you too, Penelope. Aren't you supposed to be at a tea party or something?" I ask as I lean against the wall.

"It was cancelled because of- Wait a minute. How do you know the schedule of the Tea Club?" she asks with genuine confusion.

"I know many things. Some come from mysterious sources; Others the public Tea Club meeting chart," I [Lie] as I try to walk away from her.

"Oh, that makes sense, or at least it would if we had a public meeting chart. How sloppy of you. There's something wrong," she says with a gleam of determination in her eyes.

"Of course there's something wrong. You are late to something," I say as I gesture past the door.

"Don't try to distract me. I can tell when you're lying, remember? Now, what are you hiding?" Penelope asks as she slams her hand beside my head, cutting off my means of escape.

"Penelope?"

"I don't want to hear it unless it's the truth." With a devilish smile, I lean in and whisper, "People are staring." Penelope looks around at the staring students.

"Why would I care if…" A sudden realization hits her as red dyes the tips of her Half-Elf ears.

"I mean, if you want those rumours that Hopper started to rekindle, then by all means, continue. Just keep in mind that it looks like you're flirting with me," I [Taunt] and give her a wink.

"I have something to get to. If you will excuse me," she says as she storms off. The moment she leaves, I give a small smile. So much fun and so close. My heart knocks at my chest, but I ignore it. Kat moves her rook. I move my pawn. Mateo looks ahead, bored out of his mind. I mean, who wouldn't be bored playing chess? Especially when you don't know how to play it. Now, you might be wondering why I'm playing chess with Kat and Mateo. I would also like to know."

Kat, I swear to the Gods if this is the only reason you called me, I'm going to leave," I say as the bustle of the food bank slows down." Oh, shut your trap. I didn't just call you and the Pipsqueak to play some chess," Kat says as she places her knight sideways." Is this some special version of chess?" Mateo asks. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation." It's the street version. Watch this!"

I say as I move the pawn straight across the board, " Pawn uses shiv on rook!" Mateo looks on in confusion." HAHAHA! You fool! You've activated my trap knight. I steal your pawn's money and his life!" Kat says in glee as she topples the pawn." NOOOOOOO! JEFFREY! Anyway, what did you call us over for?" I ask as I kick back in my chair. Mateo picks up the pawn." Jeffrey?"" I got a job. Going to meet the client here. Just be ready if he tries anything funny," Kat says as she looks over at the door."

Why would he want to meet here?" Mateo asks." Kat's the one who set the meeting up," I state the obvious." This is a learning opportunity. Pipsqueak, why would I want to meet here?" she says as she gestures around her. Mateo looks around the room." It's public and safe."" There might be some hope for you yet," Kat says as she ruffles his head." Correct, Kid. You got children running around, old folks playing some card game over there, and some parents are talking over in that corner.

This is the perfect place to meet a client for the first time. Especially if you're worried about them getting violent," I explain." Because if the client got violent, he would be stopped by the people around here, right?" Mateo asks."

That and the people that run the Food Banks are strict about keeping this place a no-violence zone," I say as I [Throw] Jeffrey at Kat. Kat catches it and turns to the door." My client is here. Do come running to the rescue if you hear him scream." Mateo looks over at me with confusion." Why him?"" Oh, we're not here to keep Kat safe. We're here to make sure Kat doesn't hurt him so badly that she gets banned from the Food Bank. It's happened before," I say as I think back on fond memories."

How are we supposed to do that?" Mateo asks." Keep an eye on her. If her tail starts to sway, we should probably step in before she kills him," I say as I point at her cat tail. Mateo stares at Kat as I pick up the chess pieces. The final knight rolls as I reach for it.

Fucking little piece of- A peg leg steps in front of it, stopping it. Looking up at the owner of the leg, I'm greeted by the face of a familiar old man. Familiar might be the wrong word. I mean, I don't even know his name; Well, it's more like I haven't asked and he hasn't told. I've seen him around, though. He's a cranky old asshole.

"Gonna pick that up, or you're just gonna stare at it all day?" he asks as he gives me a mean look.

"Still alive, Old Timer? Thought for sure you'd kick the bucket," I [Taunt] as I pick up the knight.

"I ain't gonna fuckin croak anytime soon. You serving lunch?" the Old Timer asks.

"Nah. I served breakfast today. Just hanging out with the family. They should be serving the last bit of lunch over there," I say as I point to the line. With a grumble, he shakes his head.

"No point. Teeth can't handle this 3rd rate crap. It's too hard on them." Flipping the knight between my fingers, I stop.

"Tell you what. Beat me at chess, and I'll give you some of the food I have on me. Made personally by me. Soft as snow."

"It'll be like stealing candy from a baby. No crying when you lose, alright," he says as he sits down. Sitting back down, I place the pieces on the board.

"How'd you lose the leg?"

"Ya know, most people avoid those kinds of questions," he says as he taps his peg leg.

"Thank the Gods I'm not most people." With a chuckle, he moves his pawn.

"No you ain't. Lost it on an expedition." As I move my knight, I squint at him.

"No shit. You were a soldier?"

"Gods damn right I was. I was in the delving division. I was a lieutenant. I've probably seen more of the Blight than you, the sky," he exaggerates as he moves his bishop.

"What is the Blight like?" I ask as I go to move my queen, but he corrects me, and I instead go for a pawn.

"Heavy. Dark. A fucking nightmare. Every time I went in there, it felt like a part of my soul was getting ripped out. I don't know about you, but I like my soul to stay in one place. It was some of the hardest work I've ever had to do," he says as he does a maneuver that I don't fucking understand.

"Glad to be out?"

"Fucking grateful is what I am! My company was attacked by those Devils. About killed my whole company. 250 well-trained and high-[Level] soldiers went in. 50 of us came out and were never the same again. I was lucky enough to be one of those 50. Wasn't lucky enough to avoid this, though," he says as he pulls at his collar to reveal splotches of purple skin, the telltale sign of a Blight Touched.

"We match," I say as I make a fatal move.

"Except I'm prettier," he says with a laugh.

"So, the Empire just leave you to rot?" I ask as I watch Mateo perk up.

"Empire wasn't around back then. Back then, it was the Calor Kingdom I served under. Can't exactly ask for anything from them now, can I? Also, check," he says with a half smile.

"Guess not. You don't care about eating my food?" I ask, testing the waters. The Old Timer licks his lips.

"You think I have a grudge against you? Maybe I do, or maybe I don't. If you had asked me when I lost my leg… I would've spit in your face, but things change. We're in an Empire now! Whole lot of good it does us. Checkmate," he says as he opens his hand. Passing him the bag of pastries, I give him a small smile.

"I'll win next time, Old Timer."

"In your fuckin dreams," he says as he walks away." Horned One! Her tail!" Mateo says as he pulls on my arm." Ah Shit! Not again."