Marc’s family wanted me to spend time with their son. Now, knowing what I did about my origins, it made more sense. I resolved to make sure I won.
What Devon could not have known, was that I was perhaps the best chess player in Lancaster. Marc had planned on it when he suggested I choose the game. The biggest unknown was Devon’s own skills, which I suspected might not be insignificant. “I will do my best your grace,” I answered him. “I would also ask that you grant me a private audience afterward.”
“No need to be so formal Mordecai, you are much like a son to me yourself, no matter your birth,” he answered courteously.
“It is about my birth that I would speak to you,” I said, and he looked at me with raised brows. Then he nodded.
“I expected this day would come,” he replied, “but let us see to the matter at hand first.” Marc had gotten closer and looked at me with questioningly. I shook my head in a way that told him this wasn’t the time.
Minutes later I was seated at a small table across from Devon Tremont. “Why don’t you set up the pieces, blacksmith?” he sneered, as if to suggest I might not know their proper placement. Without comment I obliged him.
“It appears you are a piece short, or don’t you know where the last piece goes?” he said when I had finished.
“I thought we might make this more interesting,” I replied. Honestly I’m not sure what had come over me. His condescending attitude had gotten under my skin. “I’ll offer a handicap of one of my rooks.”
“You insult me. Taking such a handicap puts you at a disadvantage. I would rather beat you with an even board, that none can claim your foolishness gave me the win.” He was no longer sneering, his mind working to decide if I was being clever or a fool.
“Let's sweeten the wager then, since my handicap might cheapen your victory.” A cold rage was on me now and I wanted to see this petty lord-ling sweat. “Say two hundred marks? And I will be your bond-servant, even if the duke pays my debt.”
Devon almost flinched at the number, “You seek to bet with money not your own, perhaps the good Duke has his own thoughts on your reckless disregard with his purse.” He glanced at James, “Your grace?” he waited for a reply.
“My money is as safe as if it were in the king’s own storeroom. I have no objection,” his words were calculated to make Devon unsure. He gave no sign of worry.
“Very well then, I accept your offer,” Devon replied calmly, but I could see the purple aura around him wavering with uncertainty. Over the past few days my ability to sense things had become more acute. He opened with his queen pawn.
The next few minutes were quiet as we played, and I became aware that my opponent was quite skilled. The knowledge threatened to undo my concentration but the anger within pushed my doubts aside. He offered a pawn sacrifice, a subtle gambit, but one that would cost him little given I was already down a major piece. If I took it I would find myself pressed hard on the side of the board where I was already weak.
I refused to take it and spent the next few moves improving my control of the center board. Then I offered a gambit of my own, placing a pawn in a seemingly indefensible position. He took time studying the position and while I waited I noticed the room had filled with people. Every notable staying with the Lancasters was there, along with the Thornbears and her grace, the duke’s wife.
Eventually Devon decided to ignore my gambit and I smiled at him. His uncertainty had led him to believe it was a trap. A pawn sacrifice usually is, but I had counted on his fear, my gambit had been a bluff. If he had taken it I would have been even further behind and at risk of losing completely. As it was, my pawn unbalanced his position and allowed me to take his defense apart.
He hadn’t seen it coming, but several moves later it became clear his position was fast becoming untenable. Sweat stood out on his brow and he glared at the board, seeking some way to salvage the situation. I had pinned his king’s knight and he was left with a choice of what piece to sacrifice. He responded by moving his bishop to put me in check, but the move exposed him further as I calmly countered, bringing up a pawn to defend my king. He was forced into an exchange of pieces that ended with my taking the knight. I was still behind in material on the board, but his position was scattered and indefensible.
A quarter of an hour later it was over. I slid my remaining rook into position and it was check and mate. I smiled at him graciously. I would have sworn he was ready to spit nails, but he held his tongue. “I must concede,” he said.
“Then it is time to settle accounts,” Duke James spoke now.
Devon stood, “I’ll write a letter of credit on my accounts in Albamarl.”
“You’ll pay him in hard coin. You made no mention of papers and clerks when making your wager!” James was angry, but it was calculated. He had already known it to be highly improbable even Lord Devon would carry so much gold while traveling.
“I don’t have that much with me! What man carries a strongbox while traveling?” Devon Tremont was flustered now.
“Then you’ll pay what you have and write the letter of credit to me. Your banks and clerks would just as easily cheat another man, but they will pay when I call your account due!” Then he turned to me, “You’ll get your reward Mordecai, I will not see a man insulted and then cheated to boot.”
Devon was red faced now, “You dare imply my writ is no good?!”
James Lancaster stared him down, and I was reminded of two mastiff’s squaring off for a fight, “I have no love for bankers. If you come to Lancaster again and seek a quarrel, bring your strongbox with you, you will have need of it.” And then he laughed. It was a deep laugh, the sort that starts in the belly and makes its way all the way up. I’m not sure how he managed it, given how hot the emotions were running, but it worked.
Soon enough everyone in the room was laughing with him. Devon didn’t laugh though, not at first. He had been thoroughly humbled. Yet he was smart enough to see a way out when it was offered. He joined in at last, and a bitter laugh it was; it was not enough to cover his bruised pride. Devon left quickly after that, and I wondered who would suffer for his anger this time.
I found myself beset with people who wanted to clap me upon the back, and within a half an hour I felt I was near to being thumped to death. Devon wasn’t popular it seemed. Marc’s father finally rescued me, “Let the boy be! He’s had enough for one day.” He cleared a path for us through the crowd and got me into the hallway. “I’ll see you in my chambers in an hour, Mordecai. Try not to be late this time,” he joked.
I winced at the reminder of my previous blunder, “Yes your grace.” He strode off down the hall and I decided I’d best go to my room and get my head on straight. Since leaving that morning I had had nothing but one surprise after another. I could still hear them laughing and carrying on in the room as I walked away. “Did you see Devon’s face!” “Two hundred gold marks!”
I ran across Timothy on my way back. “Evenin’ sir!” he said to me with his usual energy. “I heard you gave that Lord Devon a fine trouncing!” Word spread quickly; doubtless a crowd of the servants had been hovering outside the parlor while we played.
“Not as much as he deserves,” I replied, “but let's keep that between us.” I gave him a conspiratorial grin.
“Don’t worry sir, Tim here would never sell out his friends!” he gestured to himself with his thumb.
“I would be honored to be counted among your friends Master Timothy,” I said with mock exaggeration. That pleased him I think, even though he knew I was teasing him. For such a young lad he was remarkably sharp. “Would you do me a favor Timothy?”
“Sure sir!” he answered.
“Keep an eye out, and if you or someone you know sees Devon Tremont doing anything odd or suspicious, come find me. Can you do that?” I might have only a few friends among the nobility but perhaps I could turn the staff to my advantage.
“Glad to sir. It’s nice to see one o’ them get their comeuppance at last. Meanin’ no disrespect to our own good Duke o’ course!” he said.
“If you run into Penny let her know I need to see her, I’ve had a devil of a time finding her the past two days,” I added. He assured me he would and then we had reached my door. I said goodbye and stepped inside. The cool dark room was a welcome relief. I must be getting accustomed to the comforts of privacy and a feather
