HL50 Prompt - Game
It feels like ages since I posted one of these (the HL/FF one was a bit of a cheat really). Anyhoo, we all know that Darius had a chess game with Duncan, but he also used to play against Richie too....
Monks and Bishops
“Do you really want to put that knight there?” Darius asked amiably.
“Why? Am I missing something?”
“No, no, but I can get mate in three moves if you put it there instead of taking my queen.”
“Oh of course, I am such an idiot!” Richie exclaimed.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself my friend. For someone so young you are very good.” Darius insisted. And you have plenty of time to increase that skill, he added silently.
The chess had begun as a way of keeping Richie occupied while Tessa and MacLeod got ‘reacquainted’, but it had quickly become a weekly fixture that both young man and old monk thoroughly enjoyed. Richie moved to take the queen and then contemplated the board.
“Darius, would you mind if I asked you a question?” Richie said at length.
“I do not mind the asking, but don’t expect an answer.” Darius replied with a grin as he moved his rook. Richie grinned back at him and studied the pieces.
“What do you think happens to Immortals when they die?” he asked, his voice full of his innocence.
“What a strange question. Why on earth do you ask that?”
“Well, the way Mac explained the Quickening to me, the essence of an Immortal enters the body of the winner and he gains all his knowledge and experience.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“But what about their soul? Is that absorbed too, or does that go to another place?”
“If I had the answer to that my son, I would not be in this church seeking answers.” Darius said with a wry smile.
“I’m not sure I would want to be Immortal.” Richie said looking pensively at his knight, “Fighting for your life, watching those you love grow old and die. Knowing that even your Immortal friends will die one day, or worse yet you might have to kill them. No, I would rather just be mortal.” He said with such gravitas that Darius smiled.
I hope you are my friend, he thought to himself before telling Richie,
“But there are benefits to a long lifeline. There is so much to see in this world, much of it quite wonderful. And it is always changing, and mankind is always changing. I hope for the better. Immortals and mortals alike should treat every day as if it’s their last. Grab everything that the world has to offer and give back what you can in return.” Darius said before taking Richie’s bishop.
“Wow, I never thought of it like that before. I’m going to do that from now on, live like every day is my last. I guess you never know when you might get hit by a bus right?” Richie asked as he moved his queen. He paused before a big smile lit up his face, “Checkmate!” he exclaimed. Darius examined the board and beamed.
“It is indeed, congratulations. Shall we start the next game?” he queried. Richie looked at his watch.
“No, I’d better scoot, there’s some of that life needs grabbing.” He replied as he stood up. As he walked to the door Darius called after him,
“What’s her name?” he said with a knowing smile.
“Simone.” Richie said with an even wider knowing grin. Darius watched with a smile as his young friend left before turning to the chess board to reset it for his match with Duncan.
He hoped that Richie would live a long and peaceful mortal life, he wouldn’t wish Immortality on anyone, despite what he had just told the boy. If, however, Richie should meet with a violent death, Darius knew that he had a good teacher and friend in MacLeod, and a healthy enthusiasm for life. He thought that Richie had what it takes to survive in the Game.
And just think what his chess will be like in a couple of centuries, Darius mused.