When in Dis, I recall an encounter with a Savant child playing a game of “The Blue Steel Steals the Sky” with a Shriveled Elder,

I learned it was a common game of wits played in many a common coffee shop and highborn parlor alike in Dis.

The savant child appeared at the cusp of losing, surrounded on all sides, but appeared confident.

She shared with me this useful trick, if by some considered cheap, ‘to shelter the untamed fire under mighty wings’.

When I asked what she meant, she pointed next to her most exposed piece, arranged against stood a mighty army.

“When the key piece next appears, replace the Common Pawn with the Crested Shrike, and move beyond bounds, to grasp victory through defeat.”

I thought this trick most clever, and asked the Shriveled Elder if he could beat her cunning move, for he still held the upper board.

“Victory may be within reach, but do well to fear the Faceless man, hidden under the ninth blue moon.

For it is both the weakest piece and the strongest piece. He wields a pawn with every finger and moves against the passage of turns, against which nought but tainted dreams may stay; the twisting of the board anew.”

And with that he grasped each of the Savant Child’s remaining pieces, and replaced them with Laughing Fools.

“I win again, I think” he scoffed.

“Not until I admit defeat, old man.”

“You never do, yet I have as I recall, every round today I’ve taken all your pieces. Remember, there’s no points for second best.”

“I need but win once, old man, or never try at all. Another round?”

“Always.”

Then I saw the board was stacked from the start, it seemed most unfair. But the Savant Child seemed more confident with each game.

Soon I thought, the Shriveled Elder would find his match.

 

 

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