.
‘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
.
.
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
She tried, but he decided to go against her will. Thanks Neil
LikeLike
I wonder what the queen did for the king in the end…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I steer away from adult content! Cheers Björn
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It wouldn’t surprise me! Cheers Iain
LikeLiked by 2 people
A hundred souls… a mere bagatelle to a king of such masterly strategic powers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly yes, but that’s how it was. Cheers Sandra
LikeLike
Ha ha – told so seriously until that killer last line! Loved it.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
A kid at heart! Thanks Susan
LikeLike
In a grown-up mature sort of way, followed no doubt with ‘na na na na na!’
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly! All together now…..
LikeLike
Well done, Your Majesty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, you can stand up now!
LikeLike
Dear Keith,
The maturity level of the king is underwhelming. 😉 Nicely played.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A kid at heart to whom war is nothing more than a game! Thanks Rochelle.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Keith … sadly that was the way it was, and still is in places … loved the story line … fun to read – cheers Hilary
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delighted to have amused you Hilary! Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Queen needs to work on her powers of persuasion. Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That she does! Cheers KB
LikeLike
That was a fun one… only because of how you ended it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m pleased you noticed it – I’m not sure many did! Cheers Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some take things too seriously…
LikeLiked by 1 person
The world needs more mature rulers like him. Oh wait, some countries already have them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder which country you have in mind!Thanks Anurag
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Battle was fought despite not being prepared. Pawns were sacrificed at the altar of victory while the King drank his wine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I couldn’t put it better myself! Thanks Abhijit
LikeLike
You managed to get all the pieces in there! Surely someone with such an attitude would never be in charge… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s certainly unlikely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ending was funny. However, in chess, the queen is the more powerful piece, Cute story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
…hence the Queen taking him aside, but he chose to disobey her. Cheers Jo
LikeLike
How did she react to the victory?
LikeLiked by 1 person
She went off in a strop and locked herself in her boudoir with a bottle of mead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Neatly done, Keith!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Liz
LikeLike
The sort of king who bounces on the four-poster. I kind of like him, but for those dead souls.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve got him sussed! Cheers
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha.. I like the king, already.
A great story. Elements of tragedy and comedy combined.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Priya
LikeLike
He might be the king but he is also a naughty boy. Stop pulling the footman’s ponytail this minute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No point in being King if you can’t have a bit of fun! Cheers Jilly
LikeLike
Wouldn’t the last line be conduct quite unbecoming a king?
LikeLiked by 1 person
In real life yes, in tongue-in-cheek fiction no! Cheers Larry
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s not a very dignified King! Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so true, although our current Queen is very much in charge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
the battle was won, but at what cost? poor subjects dying for the king’s amusement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mere pawns in his game, but that’s how it was in days of yore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All hail the Queen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
God bless her! Cheers Lisa
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the ‘told you so’ moment. Awaiting a reaction from the queen 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
She wasn’t amused! Thanks, Piyali
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Brenda
LikeLiked by 1 person
And the pawns go unrecognized as the king plays. Well captured.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Alicia
LikeLike
Ha! Ha! Now that is how mature adults should resolve arguments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! Cheers.
LikeLike
That it is!
LikeLike
Told you so but at what a cost. I suppose if you’re king you can behave how you want
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nobody would dare to stop you! Thanks Michael.
LikeLike
Bahahahaha! Hilarious last line. Great story. Epic war
LikeLike
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very kind of you Prior, thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
〰️〰️😊〰️〰️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story with an unexpected ending. Nice play, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much.
LikeLike