.
‘Forgive me questioning your wisdom sire,’ said the Knight, ‘but I am unassured of our readiness for battle’
‘We need to speak privately husband’ said the Queen. The King’s concerned advisors shuffled back and retired.
His mind unchanged, the army assembled atop a hill. A thousand pawns stood in nervous anticipation; scores of cavalrymen sat astride spirited steeds. The Bishop made the sign of the cross as the king lowered his flag. A rook squawked as the troops advanced.
Despite a hundred loyal souls perishing the fray was won.
Later at Court, a triumphant King raised his goblet, stuck out his tongue and shouted ‘Told you so!’
Post 1734
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Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle. The photo was provided by Jeff Arnold
In chess, of course, the king does not give battle (at least not until the very end). Though the king is th most important piece on the board, it’s the queen who moves and mates and slays
She tried, but he decided to go against her will. Thanks Neil
I wonder what the queen did for the king in the end…
I steer away from adult content! Cheers Björn
I wonder if this is how chess pieces see each game, as part of an epic battle that is fought over and over again! Great fun Keith.
It wouldn’t surprise me! Cheers Iain
A hundred souls… a mere bagatelle to a king of such masterly strategic powers.
Sadly yes, but that’s how it was. Cheers Sandra
Ha ha – told so seriously until that killer last line! Loved it.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
A kid at heart! Thanks Susan
In a grown-up mature sort of way, followed no doubt with ‘na na na na na!’
Exactly! All together now…..
Well done, Your Majesty!
Thank you, you can stand up now!
Dear Keith,
The maturity level of the king is underwhelming. 😉 Nicely played.
Shalom,
Rochelle
A kid at heart to whom war is nothing more than a game! Thanks Rochelle.
True to life, Keith. I’ve never mixed with royalty, but I’ve worked with a few people who adopted this king’s management style.
Haha! Me too!
Hi Keith … sadly that was the way it was, and still is in places … loved the story line … fun to read – cheers Hilary
Delighted to have amused you Hilary! Thank you.
The Queen needs to work on her powers of persuasion. Love it!
That she does! Cheers KB
That was a fun one… only because of how you ended it…
I’m pleased you noticed it – I’m not sure many did! Cheers Dale
Some take things too seriously…
The world needs more mature rulers like him. Oh wait, some countries already have them 🙂
I wonder which country you have in mind!Thanks Anurag
Ha!
Battle was fought despite not being prepared. Pawns were sacrificed at the altar of victory while the King drank his wine.
I couldn’t put it better myself! Thanks Abhijit
You managed to get all the pieces in there! Surely someone with such an attitude would never be in charge… 😉
It’s certainly unlikely!
The ending was funny. However, in chess, the queen is the more powerful piece, Cute story.
…hence the Queen taking him aside, but he chose to disobey her. Cheers Jo
How did she react to the victory?
She went off in a strop and locked herself in her boudoir with a bottle of mead!
Neatly done, Keith!
Thanks so much Liz
The sort of king who bounces on the four-poster. I kind of like him, but for those dead souls.
You’ve got him sussed! Cheers
Haha.. I like the king, already.
A great story. Elements of tragedy and comedy combined.
Thanks so much Priya
He might be the king but he is also a naughty boy. Stop pulling the footman’s ponytail this minute!
No point in being King if you can’t have a bit of fun! Cheers Jilly
Wouldn’t the last line be conduct quite unbecoming a king?
In real life yes, in tongue-in-cheek fiction no! Cheers Larry
Not a terribly dignified expression of triumph. One would expect more of a king, or any leader, for that matter, no matter how crushing or unexpected the victory. 😊
He’s not a very dignified King! Thanks for dropping by.
It is interesting to me that in chess, the Queen is the one to defeat; in reality, so many queens down through the ages have been nothing more than pawns themselves.
That is so true, although our current Queen is very much in charge!
the battle was won, but at what cost? poor subjects dying for the king’s amusement.
Mere pawns in his game, but that’s how it was in days of yore.
All hail the Queen!
God bless her! Cheers Lisa
I loved the ‘told you so’ moment. Awaiting a reaction from the queen 🙂
She wasn’t amused! Thanks, Piyali
One hundred loyal souls, was that worth the win? I guess for the king it was. Creative take on the chess set and entertaining tale.
Thanks so much Brenda
And the pawns go unrecognized as the king plays. Well captured.
Thank you Alicia
Ha! Ha! Now that is how mature adults should resolve arguments.
Exactly! Cheers.
That it is!
Told you so but at what a cost. I suppose if you’re king you can behave how you want
Nobody would dare to stop you! Thanks Michael.
Bahahahaha! Hilarious last line. Great story. Epic war
The ending was silly but also nice twist to the seriousness of battle – and nice way to use the chess pieces like this – Keith – you are creative with the wit
Very kind of you Prior, thank you
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Great story with an unexpected ending. Nice play, Keith.
Thanks so much.