Chapterhopping...
Chapterhopping...
Chapter 1.17
After collecting her bounty from Klbkch, Erin goes to the market to demand a refund for the spoiled food she was sold. When the shopkeeper, Lism, refuses to return her money, Erin challenges his nephew, Olesm, to a high-stakes game of chess.
Erin Solstice receives her much-needed bounty money from Klbkch for her role in defeating the Hobgoblin Chieftain. Flush with cash, she heads straight to the market in Liscor to confront the shopkeeper who previously scammed her by selling her rotting food.
At the market, Erin initially mistakes a lilac-scaled Female Drake for her scammer before finally tracking down the true culprit, Lism. Erin aggressively demands a full refund for the spoiled provisions. Unsurprisingly, Lism flatly refuses to return her money, leading to a heated argument between the human and the Drake shopkeeper.
During the confrontation, Erin notices a chessboard nearby. Lism's nephew, Olesm, is introduced and revealed to be the highest-leveled [Tactician] in the city. Seeing an opportunity to get her money's worth, Erin proposes a high-stakes wager. She challenges Olesm to a game of chess: if she wins, Lism must provide her with the goods she originally paid for, but if she loses, she will hand over her newly acquired bounty money. Lism eagerly agrees to the terms, setting the stage for an intense intellectual showdown. Amidst the tension at the table, Erin also nonchalantly smacks and kills an Acid Fly that hovers too close to her.
Erin receives her bounty reward from Klbkch for the Hobgoblin Chieftain.
While searching the market for her scammer, Erin briefly mistakes a lilac-scaled Female Drake for the shopkeeper who sold her rotting food.
A belligerent Drake shopkeeper in the Liscor market who cheats Erin.
aka The Drake shopkeeper, The Drake +8
A young woman from Earth who stumbles into a fantasy world and takes refuge in an abandoned inn.as
aka Erin, the traveller +64
A polite, blue-scaled Drake who is the highest-leveled [Tactician] in Liscor. He is roped into playing a high-stakes chess game against Erin by his uncle, Lism.
aka The Olesm, the Drake +6
Erin locates Lism and demands a refund for the spoiled provisions, which he stubbornly refuses to give.
Lism's nephew, Olesm, is introduced and noted as being the highest-leveled [Tactician] in the city.
Erin challenges Olesm to a game of chess, wagering her bounty money against a refund in goods from Lism.
Erin smacks and kills an Acid Fly that hovers over her table during the negotiations.
An Antinium Senior Guardsman in the city’s watch; arrives at Erin’s door and greets her.
aka Senior Guardsman Klbkch, ant-man +31
“I am Olesm. I believe you know my uncle, who asked me to play in this match.”
“Do you wish to buy a necklace, Human?”
“Olesm. Oh yeah, that's what his name is.”
“Fuck you.”
“All the pieces are in the right spots? And these move like this?”
“We have already agreed to the terms. The Human cannot back out now.”
“Respect? I have tons of respect. Just for anyone who's not you.”
“So? Does that mean he's good at chess?”
“I'm surprised you know about this game. It was invented just a few years ago. By the Titan of Baleros himself. I've been playing it nearly since it came out, but it's not caught hold yet in a lot of cities.”
“Because I'm going to win.”
“I know. How good is my opponent?”
“Oh, I've seen a few players use it. Knights move like this, right?”
“All [Tacticians] can tell when they're being led into a trap! They're good at playing these games—they have Skills! Tactics are a [Tactician] thing—it's in the name! How do you not know this? If you play one in a game, they'll win almost every time! Plus, that idiot loves to play that stupid game!”
“Get your hands off that! This is a valuable item! These are custom-carved and based on the Titan of Baleros' standardized rules! The best [Tactician] in Liscor plays on these very boards I sell! I bet you don't even know how the game is played!”
“That good, huh? Got it.”
“Ooh, no check this turn. But watch out for your rook. It's that or your queen.”
“Check. And it's check if you do that too. And that…”
“Oh, right. It does say that, doesn't it? Too bad I can't read. But I do remember you had your prices listed as well, didn't you?”
“It's a chess board made out of wood. Unless it's made out of gold—which it's not—it's about as expensive as that food you sold me. So I guess you're selling this for three gold coins, too?”
“I hate to agree with that jerk, but he's right, Relc. I agreed to the wager, and I want to play. I'm going to win my money back and play some chess while I'm at it.”
“I have found this strategy to work in some of my games. It is fascinating to play such a new game of strategy, and so I always test new theories out on the board.”
“Really? Where does it say that?”
“Really? You heard about the bet?”
“Exactly. So stop calling me stupid or I'll hit you.”
“Later, maybe. Right now, I want to talk to the Drake guy who ripped me off the other day. You know; the one that took all my money. The ugly one.”
“I want my money back. I'll give you a few silver coins for what I paid, but I'm not leaving here until you give me my money. Now, we can do this the hard way and call a bunch of people over and you can lose all your business for the day, or you can give my money back and I'll—hey, is that a chess board?”
“Are you a player of chess, Human? If so, why don't we bet on a game?”
“That guy you're playing? He's a [Tactician]. The highest-leveled one in the city!”
“Miss Solstice. Please forgive my companion's interruption. We are on duty, and it is improper of us to disturb a member of the public without cause. But Relc insisted we speak with you once we heard of the bet that had been made.”
“Of course. My name's Erin. Erin Solstice.”
“You should think harder. I have played over a hundred games so far and won over two-thirds of them. If you truly are betting something important, it would not do to lose this game so easily.”
“I believe you have given her adequate information. If she will not listen to you, she will not listen to me.”
“Do you take me for a slow-witted hatchling or a Human fool? I won't accept food that's days old! Besides, this store does not give out refunds!”
“Your opponent is very good, and Lism, that slimy bastard, will refuse to pay you if you lose.”
“I'm not sure if the rules I know are the same in that case. This piece here. You can move a king together with a rook like this, right?”
“I'm not using any Skills. I am simply matching Miss Solstice in a game of wits, Relc. Practice makes the player.”
“I understand this is a bet made to recover your lost coin. However, I fear I must issue the same warning as Relc. The odds of you winning a game against Olesm are quite slim.”
“I've got a good memory. A really good one, actually. Perfect for numbers and lists.”
“It's not a stupid game. And so what if he likes to play? Like I said, so do I. And I'm a good player.”
“I don't think she gets it. Humans are kinda slow. You explain the [Tactician] bit to her.”
“Hrr. Yes. That's exactly how they move. You should call the Watch, Miss Human. You won't win this game.”
“Even—even if you have that bit of paper, what of it? I sell to many customers. And you—I barely remember what I sold to my last customer, let alone you.”
“A hundred? Wow. But like I said, don't worry. I like to play chess too. And I've played a…few games too. I'm not worried.”
“My business with you isn't done yet. I want my money back. You ripped me off the other day.”
“Oh hey, it is! It's just like—I mean, the pieces are different, but it's chess, it is!”
“Give me ten minutes to call over my player. Then I will teach you why it is unwise to bet against your betters.”
“My store's closed to you, Human. I won't sell to those without a hint of respect for others.”
“Yeah, everyone was talking about the stupid Human who was dumb enough to wager on a game of chess against that idiot.”
“I am uncertain at this point. Allow me a few moments to assess the board before I give you my opinion. And please, lower your voice.”
“You mean, we play a game of chess for my money? Why should I do that?”
“You seem to know this game. Well, well. This might be a good challenge after all.”
“Not many players lead with a pawn from the side. Most like going down the center.”
“A few. But should you not spend more time thinking?”
“Don't worry, don't worry. I'm having a blast. I just think fast about my next move, that's all.”
“The Council will spare you a few moments, Olesm. Just sit down and win a game or two.”
“It is a fair game. She let me name my player, and we agreed to the wager. There are many witnesses. It would be wrong to cancel the game now, Senior Guardsman.”
“Look, I'm glad you two care. But I've got this. It's fine. You'll see.”
“So? I offered you my goods, and you paid my price. That is a basic rule of buying and selling. I have done nothing wrong.”
“I understand this is a game with a wager. I would urge you not to bet against me. I am quite a good player.”
“A bag of flour, one pot of oil, a small bag of salt, sugar, yeast, four sausages, and two onions.”
“I'm not backing down. Let's play. Besides, I wouldn't want to disappoint the crowd.”
“I'm no expert. But there's a wager on this one, so I'll play my best. The white side moves first.”
“Let me play. You two can watch, but I'm going to play and win.”
“Humans!”
“It was just a lucky move. Well, not lucky, but it was quite nice, wasn't it?”
“Human, you and I have a dispute. I refuse to pay for goods sold, and you refuse to leave. So long as you're stinking up my storefront, I won't have any business, so I offer a wager in good faith. Win against the player of my choice and I will pay you back the money you paid me, though it will cost me my goods that I have earned honestly. Lose and you agree in front of witnesses not to bother me again. That is my best offer.”
“And pawns can move two spaces on their first move, right? And if a piece is here, they can take it diagonally?”
“Is that your uncle? My, you two don't look alike.”
“Think nothing of it. But if we're done with the interruptions, it's your move.”
“You're obstructing my business. Leave before I summon the Watch.”
“This? I'm getting my money back. Let go of my shirt. You'll poke holes in it.”
“Oh, that's check too. Sorry.”
“Oh yeah? What if I'm not happy about what you sold me? I think for two and a half gold coins you should be selling me enough onions to fill the bottom floor of my inn. So how about I return to you what I've purchased and you give me a complete refund?”
“I apologize, Miss Human. I rarely get a chance to play any games within the city these days. May I know whom I am playing against?”
“Are you sure, Miss? I really am quite good. I will be playing at my best.”
“That's check as well. See the rook?”
“Hey, you! Yeah, you. I know you. Stop the game. This isn't fair. The bet's off.”
“Oi, Klbkch. What's she doing? Was that a good move? It looked like a bad move.”
“That's right. I'm surprised you know that move.”
“Are you crazy? You're going to lose this game.”
“So you're really good at chess in Liscor, huh? Have you played a lot of games?”
“Why, I'd like to do business. Jerk.”
“So long as you win. You must win no matter what.”
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“I don't intend to lose either.”
“Stop playing. This isn't a fair game.”
“Well, so am I. It's still a fair game, isn't it?”
“And one crappy bag.”
“You can't cheat in chess. It's fair.”
“Indeed. It is all over the city.”
“What a delight. A Human? A [Trader]? What's this about, Uncle? I'm supposed to be at work, you know—”
“Wait a second. Have we met?”
“You don't say.”
“Indeed it does.”
“Am I? Why's that?”
“You still can't win.”
“No. Go away and let me play.”
“Well done, I hadn't anticipated that.”
“The best in Liscor.”
“Lism, that's a bit much…”
“Fine. Let's play.”
“Sorry about that.”
“No, it's not.”
“Oh, hi Klbkch.”
“You.”
“Correct.”
“I can.”
“You can't.”
“Check.”
“Check.”
“Check.”
“Check.”
“Check.”
“Check.”
“Your turn.”
“Indeed.”
“Check.”
“What do you want?”
“What are you doing?”
“No! Are you stupid?”
“So it is.”
“But—”
“Why's that?”
“Very!”
“Lism…”
“What?”
“Right here.”