“I see you’ve come again, my queen? But pray, why do you always leave your king behind on your travels?”
“Out of my way, Sir. I have no dealings with the Blacks.”
The queen stopped by the foot of the knight’s steed. In the fading light, the black beast’s nostrils flared and its breath billowed to edge her back.
“Such a talented and powerful woman with the White kingdom at her disposal yet she ventures into our stronghold alone. Some would call it foolish…”
“And some who call it are fools,” the queen replied.
The Black knight peered through the slit of his visor at the damsel below. Her beauty often beguiled the unwary. Many times through their checkered past he had fallen to her charms. He chased her and pinned her yet it was always a ruse on her part. The White soldiers lay in wait and though he hacked and slashed they knocked him off his horse leaving him to flee the battle.
“A fool is one who dares face a knight of the Black realm unarmed.”
“You assume I carry no weapon?”
“Unless a dagger is cloaked beneath your garment the only weapon you possess is your sharp tongue.”
“Sir Black, you underestimate me.”
“Perhaps in the past, for you also possess a sharp wit. Yet your mind is no match for raw strength. You have found yourself trapped, alone and defenceless.”
“I have faith to protect me.”
“Ha! You put your trust in God? Do you think He will reach down and pluck you into the air?”
“We shall see.”
“Might of beast and brick will always triumph over silly prayers and fruitless promises. I have a legion stationed at my castles. With one word I could wipe the Whites away.”
“The Blacks are mighty indeed yet their place is always second.”
The knight raised his visor and sneered. “Tell me why I should not cut you down?”
The queen glanced around but saw no help was near.
“Because you are a man of honour. Just like your brother was.”
The knight froze on his saddle.
“It is a pity. Such a noble and valiant warrior but his end was honourable.”
“Who…who did this? Tell me!”
The queen saw the rage in the knight’s eyes. His steed pawed at the dirt, ruffling the soil to the harsh beat of his master’s heart.
“Your brother fought with dignity until his dying breath. I grasped his hand as he was taken from this world. He spoke his final words into my ear.”
“Woman, I am warning you. Tell me who murdered my brother.”
The queen continued unabated. “It was a mere whisper yet those words will forever resound in my mind.”
The knight’s fury faltered. “What did he say?”
“You wish to know if he spoke of gallantry? Of serving the noble house of the Blacks? You demand that his last desire immortalize you as his sole heir, to uphold the family honour? Yet your brother’s last release was none of these.”
The knight’s fury ignited. He drew out his longsword and held it high.
“Damn you, woman. Reveal what my brother said or I will strike you in two.”
The queen knew that her time was up. Only faith could help her now.
“As I withdrew my dagger from his chest he said that life was a game and we are all but pawns.”
“No!”
The knight swung with all his might. As the blade swooped it stopped. The steed buckled as it tumbled to the ground, its legs cut from beneath it. The knight’s body was crushed as the horse cried out. Standing behind them, the white robes of the bishop were stained by their blood.
“As I said, Sir Black, faith has come to save me.”
The queen nodded to the bishop to make the kill. The knight’s form went still.
“Checkmate.”
