Resolve, p.5
Resolve, page 5
Xeal selected yes, grateful that he had to play chess often in his last life as many NPC nobles would only meet with honorary nobles like he was over a game of chess. The worst part of this was you needed to play well enough that they felt you were a challenge, but not well enough to beat them most of the time. Fail to do either and they would likely not meet with you again in the future. This had led to Xeal developing his skills at the game quite well, even studying many of the famous games of the past. Still, he knew better than to underestimate a young noble who had likely been playing the game constantly since he could understand the rules.
Xeal smiled at Howard Mercer as he took his seat across from him behind the white pieces.
“It is good to meet you, Lord Howard,” said Xeal as he moved his pawn in front of his king forward two spaces.
“Indeed, though I dare say it could be under better circumstances,” responded Howard while moving his own pawn in front of the king forward one space.
“True, but life is what it is,” stated Xeal, moving his pawn in front of his queen forward two spaces.
“Indeed, life can deal us difficult hands at times,” replied Howard, mirroring Xeal’s move.
“It’s what we do with those hands that matters.” Xeal took Howard’s pawn in front of his queen with his own pawn in front of his king.
“True, sometimes trading blows is the best we can hope for.” Howard used his queen to take the pawn that had just taken his own pawn.
“All that trading blows does is leave both sides weak.” Xeal moved his queen side knight out to the bishop side, threatening Howard’s queen.
“True, sometimes posturing is for the best.” Howard brought his king side bishop out, stopping next to the knight, trapping it as if it moved, Xeal’s king would be in check.
“Posturing can be good for a time.” Xeal smiled as he brought out his king side knight to the bishop side.
“Although something meaningless at the time could prove consequential later.” Howard smiled as he once again mirrored Xeal’s move.
Xeal and Howard traded lines and moves like this as Xeal smiled as the game was playing out exactly like one of the games he remembered studying thoroughly between Aron Nimzowitch and Gyorgy Fluss in 1907.
Xeal moved his bishop to threaten Howard’s knight while being protected by his own. Howard responded by taking Xeal’s queen side knight with his bishop, putting Xeal in check, though Xeal simply took the bishop with a pawn. Howard moved his queen side knight out to the bishop side, allowing Xeal to take Howard’s other knight with his bishop. Howard quickly took that bishop with a pawn and Xeal simply moved his king side bishop out one space directly in front of his king. Howard moved his king side rook over one space, to which Xeal responded by castling his king, placing it behind the pawn that was threatened by Howard’s rook. Howard paused before moving his queen side bishop out one space, putting it catty corner to his own king. Xeal moved a pawn forward to threaten Howard’s queen and Howard moved the queen all the way horizontally to the king side of the board. Xeal simply moved his pawn that the queen had been blocking forward. At this point Howard was looking distraught as he was taking several minutes to make his moves while Xeal was only taking a few seconds. In reality, Xeal was simply checking to ensure that the game did not deviate before making his move. The moment anything left the script in his head, he too would need several minutes to figure out his next move. Howard castled his king to the queen side and Xeal pushed his remaining knight forward behind the pawn that he had moved on his last turn. Howard moved his queen directly in front of Xeal’s far king side pawn that had yet to move and Xeal simply moved his pawn forward, preventing Howard from putting him in checkmate with his next move. Howard looked lost for a while, finally just moving his king side rook forward two spaces. Xeal then took Howard’s last knight with a pawn. That pawn was taken by Howard’s remaining bishop as Xeal smiled, knowing the game was his.
“I must say, for one so young, you play very well.” Xeal took Howard’s last bishop with his knight, exposing his own queen by doing so.
“You flatter me. I feel like I have been dancing in your palm this whole match.” Howard moved his rook that sat next to his king straight across to take Xeal’s queen that had never moved from the start.
“No, it has been a top-class game from the start.” Xeal used the rook next to his own king to take Howard’s rook. This left Xeal with both his rooks, one knight and one bishop left, outside pawns. Howard only had a rook and his queen left and the match was already over.
“Yes, but now it is simply how much damage I can do before I lose.” Howard took Xeal’s last knight with a pawn.
“I am afraid that will be all you can do.” Xeal pushed his pawn forward, blocking the ones in front of Howard’s king and opening his bishop’s path to check the king.
“We will see, it is not over just yet.” Howard pulled his remaining rook back to his base line, protecting his king from one of the possible checkmates.
“No, it is.” Xeal simply moved his queen side rook over one space and trapped the king, leaving no way to avoid checkmate on the next move.
“I see. Well played. I dare say I can understand why my brother lost to you,” commented Howard as he smiled bitterly.
(Quest, “Impress Howard Mercer in a game of chess.”: Complete, calculating completion rate… 99% completion, rank S. Rewards: 1,000,000 XP, 10,000 guild renown points, improved acceptance by kingdom of Nium nobility…current acceptance rate 50% and 100 gold)
Xeal smiled as he shook Howard’s hand and thanked him for a good match, before leaving with Victor to return to the palace. After Xeal and Victor were out of sight, Howard still sat at the table looking over the game and how it had played out. He would sit like that for a good half hour before his guards announced it was time for the king’s address. Sighing, he stood and made his way to the to the palace where, like him, each noble house would be represented.
(*****)
Once Xeal and Victor had returned to the palace, Xeal found himself ushered into another room where his suit of armor was quickly changed out for formal attire. Once that was done, he found himself being led to the same room that played host to the banquet that Prince Victor had put on to introduce Xeal to the nobility. However, the room was set up differently, with a podium and stage added to the area below where the thrones were stationed. Additionally, only three thrones were there as only the crown prince was allowed to sit with the king and queen during this event. Xeal found himself positioned in the general standing area just off the stage where he could easily make his way up when called for. It was only a few minutes later when the room began to fill as the various representatives from the noble houses arrived to hear King Vincent give his address. Xeal knew that for many this was simply a formality and they would typically send their heir to attend as a way to help integrate them into the court. Which was why when Xeal noticed the amount of older men in the crowd he knew that this was not going to be a simple address like normal. No, there were expectations of major announcements being made today and Xeal doubted his courtship of Enye would be enough to draw this crowd.
As Xeal’s mind wondered about as to what was expected, a herald announced the arrival of King Vincent, Queen Eleanor and Crown Prince Victor. The room went quiet as all the nobles present knelt while the royal party made their way to their thrones, with King Vincent going straight to the podium to begin his speech. Xeal once again took in the thin man who was clearly in his twilight days as he prepared to give his address with a fierceness that was clearly channeled from his younger days.
“To all our kingdom’s noble houses, it is good to see you all here as we celebrate another year of the kingdom’s prosperity. Ever since King Vasska, our founder, rallied many of your houses to form our kingdom, it has prospered. There have been trials and tribulations that have tested our resolve and our ability to exist, all of which our kingdom has overcome. Even when it is a poison from within, we have triumphed. Now, as many of you know, I am getting older and with age comes wisdom as well as perspective. This year our kingdom, as well as other kingdoms, have been inundated by what many would see as invaders to our lands. These invaders simply appeared one day and they come and go from our world as they see fit. Many do not recognize our authority, and some don’t even see us as people.”
King Vincent paused for effect as he took in the reaction of the room and took a deep breath. Xeal felt a bit awkward as the only player currently present as many eyes had turned to him.
“Now as you all know, these visitors have not been all bad. Some show us reasons to hope. Our kingdom especially has much to be grateful for when it comes to these invaders who call themselves adventurers. One of them now stands among our ranks. He above all has done more for our kingdom than any other when it comes to helping deal with these adventurers. Viscount Bluefire has from the very start of this invasion pushed for him and his guild to integrate into our kingdom and form a symbiotic relationship. Very few other kingdoms have been as lucky as we have been with having Viscount Bluefire standing at the helm of the adventurers, and it is with pleasure that I announce his courtship with my daughter, Princess Enye.”
King Vincent gestured to both sides of the stage, which Xeal knew was the signal for Enye and him to make their way to stand next to him. Due to the placement of the stage, Xeal had not seen Enye yet and he got his first look at her for the day at that moment. She was eloquently dressed in a purple dress that left her neck line open where the princess-style necklace with multiple purple gemstones hung for all to see, as the pair of purple gem earrings glimmered as the light caught them. Xeal smiled brightly at Enye as she wore his gift to her in such a way to ensure everyone would notice it for what it was. Enye smiled back to Xeal as they came to a stop on opposite sides of King Vincent.
“Now I am aware that Viscount Bluefire is a bit low in station to be considered for courting my daughter. However, I trust that he will clear those doubts before another year passes by, among other things, becoming an earl through meritorious deeds to our kingdom, so that here next year we can all gather once more to join them together in marriage.”
King Vincent took Enye’s hand and placed it in Xeal’s, bringing them together and directing them off stage back to the direction Enye came from, before continuing his speech. King Vincent’s speech lasted for another 20 minutes before he drew it to the last item on his agenda.
“Now, as many of you know, I have been allowing my son and heir Victor to make more decisions for our kingdom over the last year. This is in preparation for him to assume the throne when the time is right and verify that he is indeed the correct choice to be the next monarch. I am pleased to say that he has shown that he is capable and ready to take up that mantle and I have decided that one year from now, Prince Victor will assume the throne in its entirety. I do this with full confidence that he will succeed in leading our nation to prosperity during these tumultuous times. Now it is time for this gathering to come to a close and for our kingdom to step forward once more to grow stronger with each day.”
As King Vincent finished, the room was filled with applause, both sincere and obligatory, as to do otherwise would be insulting to the crown. King Vincent could have simply stood and waved his hand and left it at that and the room would have still been expected to give him applause. This was one of the major issues with monarchies with too much power in the king’s hands; dissenters had to work from the shadows, meaning when you finally saw the knife, it was already being thrust at you. From what Xeal remembered from his last life, Victor would need to weather more than one of these individuals and Xeal was likely in some of their sights as well, now. King Vincent had all but declared that the next year was open season on Victor and Xeal. Any noble who wished to prevent either from succeeding had one year to do so. Xeal knew this meant that life in ED was about to become far more difficult as the power struggle of the next generation entered its final stages. In his last life, King Vincent hadn’t announced Prince Victor’s ascension to king for another year, and all Xeal could think about was just how much his actions had already altered things.
Xeal was pulled out of these thoughts when he felt a hand grasp his own and found Enye smiling at him. Smiling back, he exited the room with her as they were followed by a few royal guards tasked with Enye’s safety. It was a few minutes later that the pair found themselves in one of the nearby side rooms which had been set up as a staging area for the royal family to use for the day’s events. Inside awaiting them was the king and queen, as well as Victor, all of whom took notice of Xeal and Enye as they entered as Xeal bowed to them.
“Be at ease, Viscount Bluefire. You can relax a bit in private with us. After all, you will soon be family,” chuckled King Vincent.
“Thank you, my king, and thank you for your confidence in your son and I.”
“Good, you recognize just what the next year will be.”
“Dear, let us leave the serious topics for another time. Today should be a joyous occasion. Let the dark reality wait a little longer,” gently advised Queen Eleanor.
“Yes, yes, I simply am happy to know that he is aware of the gravity of the situation. Now onto you two, as I promised, I have arranged a special privilege for you both. While it may only be for a few hours, I have arranged the royal airship to take the two of you on a flight around the countryside surrounding the capital.”
“Thank you, Father, that sounds wonderful.” Enye smiled.
Xeal smiled as he knew that for guilds and players, even the simplest of airships were something only a tier 7 player could even dream of obtaining. For the truly massive battle-ready ones, even top guilds would struggle to produce, maintain and operate them. They were unrivaled when it came to waging war, and if a guild without one were to be targeted by a guild with one, defeat was almost a foregone conclusion. Xeal also knew that this was about the only way Enye would be able to leave the palace for the next year, or so, in a way that did not require a small army of guards. She was simply too valuable as a hostage and bargaining chip and she would remain so until she had her first son, so long as he lived.
“It is much appreciated, your majesty.”
“Think nothing of it. Now go and enjoy yourselves.”
Enye moved forward giving each of her parents a hug before returning to Xeal’s side and leading him towards the garrison where the airships were housed. When they arrived, they were greeted by the captain of the royal airship, Rupert Beckett, a level 250 NPC who looked to be in his mid-50’s, with salt and pepper hair and grey eyes that seemed to see right through you when you looked at him. Xeal instantly knew who this man was from his last life as he had been instrumental in Victor’s campaign to unite the continent and had died a hero in the final decisive battle that Paidhia and Habia had managed to pull together with the last remnants of their forces in a last-ditch effort to turn the tide of the war. Xeal still remembered that battle, including how he was among the players who had died to secure Nium’s victory that day. He had been an insignificant ant in the scheme of things that day and every other battle of that war, as it would still be a few years after that that he joined Twilight Sky and reached the level of the elite players.
“Ah, I see my two charges are here. It is an honor to be your chaperone for the day, Princess Enye and Viscount Bluefire,” stated Captain Beckett while bowing.
“We are in your hands, captain. I know that you will ensure our safety today,” responded Xeal respectfully.
“Of course. Now we best be off now while we still have daylight.”
Xeal held Enye’s hand as they boarded the airship which looked like one would expect a vessel from the 15th to 17th century would have appeared, except without sails. It still had the masts. They were just set up as miniature mage towers which a group of mages could channel their magic into to produce amplified effects for both offense and defense in a battle. Additionally, there were various weapon stations, both magical and mundane, set up from bow to stern on both sides of the vessel. As Xeal and Enye stepped on, Xeal instantly noticed the runes running along the interior. They were charged and ready to go. Each of these runes were like a small battery that held the power needed to maintain flight for any extended period of time. Xeal took in the whole sight in admiration as he could have only dreamed of riding on such a grand ship in his last life. Only the true powerhouses could afford such a massive vessel and the ones that had it hid them until absolutely necessary, as airships were targeted heavily. This was due to the fact that if they were left alone the battle was lost, and even if you lost the battle but destroyed or captured a major airship, it would be a massive blow to your foe as well.
As Xeal took in the airship, a hum could be felt as it started to lift off its supports until it rose above the walls that protected it while docked. Xeal watched as the capital came into view, growing smaller with each second, then the crew unfurled a pair of wings that extended 20 feet out at the stern, narrowing to the bow where they tapered off. Smiling, Xeal walked with Enye to the bow to enjoy the view as they sat together on viewing chairs that held no purpose but to allow a passenger to enjoy the scenery. Xeal draped his arm over Enye’s shoulder as they simply enjoyed the moment as the airship moved at a slow pace while traveling in a circle at the edge on the capital. To those below this was likely viewed almost like a parade would be, which was likely partly how King Vincent had justified Enye and Xeal enjoying the ride.
“Xeal?”
“Yes, Enye?”
“Are you sure you’re okay with how things turned out?”
“Things are not set in stone yet, but that’s life. All I can do is work with what I have been given and I think they will turn out just fine by the way things look.”
Enye smiled as she leaned in and stole a kiss from Xeal.
“One year, one year and you and I will be officially married.”
“Yes, though there is much to accomplish and figure out before then. Perhaps I should work to pay Victor back.”
