Jon was somewhat relieved to learn that it was just a game of chess. He was surprised that something existed so far away from where he lived.

That wasn't to say that he knew how to play. He knew where the pieces moved, and how the game worked, but everything was just sort of gibberish to him after. He didn’t understand how to win, or what to do, and often ended up avoiding playing the game with his father.

Jon realized he avoided doing a lot of the things with his father, so he made a mental note to maybe try to do things with him that he wouldn’t have done before he left home.

The most that ever happened with chess was that Jon would watch his father and Ben play. Jon never knew who won until somebody yelled in joy and somebody cursed, usually his brother the former and Jassiter the latter. Most of the other time was spent talking about other things and eating whatever snacks Velvet had brought them. Jon loved his mother’s snacks. Almost more than the ones at the ball.

Here, at this game, there were no snacks. Jon sporadically put pieces of his food into his mouth while he watched Hector and Luther stare intently at the board that they had set up a while ago.

There was no laughter, no cheers, just two men taking their time between each piece moved on the board. Jon hadn’t ever seen chess taken so seriously before. Maybe once between Jason and Dan, but that was a rare sighting.

Luther moved another pawn forward on the board, and Hector groaned.

“You should have seen that coming a mile away,” Luther said, not taking his eyes off the board.

“I did,” Hector responded, also not removing his eyes off the board. “I just need to figure out how to deal with it.”

“You know how to deal with it,” Luther responded. “Give up a piece.”

Hector groaned more.

“You guys take forever,” Tallow finally said out loud after neither Jon nor his friends spoke. Jon was surprised she spoke up since she seemed to be the one staring at the board most intently other than the two playing.

“This is why we play with hourglasses,” she continued.

“Luther and Hector don’t plan for the next day when they start a match,” Mallory whispered. “Sometimes, they would even leave the chessboard and come back another day to finish the game.”

“It’s pretty interesting to watch,” Mercy said. “I can see everything, but I'm not quite good at playing. I play other games as well.”

“Like what?” Mallory asked. “Go?”

“My uncle and my father play,” Mercy responded. “They have a-”

“It’s still your move,” Luther said loudly.

“I know,” Hector said.

“Stop stalling!” His father pressed. “You gotta give up a piece.”

“I’m trying to figure this out,” Hector replied. “You’re always winning these things.”

“You’re always losing because you refuse to give up a piece!” Luther yelled. “You gotta give one up, or I’m gonna force you to give one up!”

Hector suddenly swatted the entire chess set to the side. Pieces went flying everywhere.

Jon caught some in his lap.

“You wonder why we don’t even play anymore!” Hector yelled. “It’s cause you keep criticizing my moves while I’m trying to play the damn game!”

“Fine!” Luther threw his hands back in a moment of surrender, stunning Jon. “I won’t say anything, but you overdid your reaction, and now you done made a mess.”

Hector sighed. “Sorry, I’ll get it.”

“We already got it,” Mallory said, handing a pile of pieces to him.

“...Mallory… you don't have to-”

“Nonsense,” Mercy held up some pieces as well. “We wanna help.”

Jon had picked up some more pieces from the side of his wheelchair.

Tallow walked up and handed the two pieces she had caught in the air when the board went flying.

“I’m not picking up your mess again,” she muttered.

“Well, I’m gonna puke,” Luther said. “But I suppose I have time for another game.”

“Oh no!” Tallow pushed Hector aside. “I’m not gonna sit here waiting for Mount Angsty to erupt again. You’re playing against me, old man.”

“You know, you’re not a spring chicken yourself,” Luther grumbled as he started replacing pieces on the board.

“I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that,” Tallow said. “Or better yet, remind myself that you’re probably still single.”

There were a couple of snickers being hidden away from the center of the room. Hector covered his entire face with his hands for the next few minutes.

Jon just continued to eat.

Much like Tallow had said, her game with Luther moved much more quickly than with Hectors. Jon also noticed that Tallow was slightly more aggressive, taking pieces from the center.

“Looks like I’m playing someone with training, aren’t I?” Luther muttered as his hand hovered over the board, trying to figure out what to move next.

“Don’t play ignorant old man,” Tallow said, eyeing the pieces on the board. “You know that every Vindhazi agent has to go through training to become an intelligence officer, whether or not you become one, and like, we made the game.”

“That’s still a rumor,” Luther muttered.

“Actually, it’s a theory rooted in some fact,” Mallory quipped.

He changed his tune at Luther’s glare. “I mean, it’s still undecided.”

“Besides,” Luther continued, ignoring Mallory’s addendum, “no matter how much training you get, it’s experience that matters.”

“So what you’re saying is that you dropped Hector on his head as a baby then,” Tallow muttered.

Mallory heaved as he covered his whole face in his arms.

“I don’t get what that has to do with anything,” Hector said quietly.

“It means you’re hard-headed,” Mercy explained.

Hector put his hand to his chin in thought.

Jon would wait for Hector to explain the joke to him.

Luther finally looked her in the eye for the first time in the game.

“I thought we talked about that mouth of yours,” Luther muttered. “You better be careful what you do with that.”

“You expect me to be scared after seeing what you let Macy get away with saying?” Tallow asked. “Please.”

She gestured at the table. “And stop stalling so that I can take that knight of yours.”

Mallory and Hector hovered over the table.

“You’re right!” Mallory said. “Holy crap.”

“Yeah, Dad, give it up,” Hector said with almost a smile.

Luther sighed. He then took one of his corner bishops and moved it across the board, taking one of Tallow’s rooks.

“Aw shit,” she said. “Fine.”

She took it back with her other rook.

“I’m not scared of a point disadvantage,” she muttered.

“That’s your problem,” Luther said. “You’re not scared. None of you are!”

Jon could tell that the last part was meant for all of them.

He turned his attention back to Tallow. “Weren’t you on a mission to bring her back home?”

He pointed to Mercy as she spoke.

“Well, seeing how it’s all going now,” Tallow said, “if we win, then Daddy’s couch is gonna be home, unless you got some extra land to spare Hector and his wife.”

The room was quiet after that.

“...We’ll see after tomorrow,” Luther said. “We’ll find out just who’s sleeping on the couch.”

He stood up.

“You know, you guys look like you have each other’s backs,” he continued. “I almost wished I had that when I was younger. But people grow. And pretty soon, if you’re not careful, you’re gonna start getting in each other’s way, much like you’re about to do now. You think you know what everything means now, but trust me.”

He looked at Tallow directly again. “You worked under Sabez al Shair. They may try to keep his deeds under the rug, but I know the work he’s done. I respect the man, and I’m almost afraid of him. You could be doing so much more important work than wasting your time here.”

He looked at Mallory before Tallow could gather a response.

“You should have been administering at Northern academy by now,” Luther responded. “As well as helping do research and facilitating grants, but you turned that down so that you could gallivant with my son and the King’s Guard.”

“That’s not true,” Hector said. “Mallory said he got rejected.”

Hector turned to Mallory. “Tell him, Mal.”

Mallory seemed lost for words. He gave a weak smile and shrugged.

Hector's shoulders dropped in surprise. “Wait, you lied?”

“I stretched the truth,” Mallory said. “I mean, they can’t accept me if… ok maybe I did lie a little.. Or completely.”

“He lied because despite making such a jackass decision he’s not an idiot!” Luther stepped up and poked Hector in the shoulder.

“He knew how you would react, but he’s worried that you’re gonna cause a giant mess if he leaves you alone. In fact, I'm glad he’s here because you don’t really understand what a shit show he’s been trying to prevent from just you being here and bringing that girl with you.”

“Mr. Luther, really,” Mallory started. “I-”

“I’m gonna let you go,” Luther said. “But I'm gonna see how you fare tomorrow. If you can really make it… then good job, you made it. But what then? I know you might think you’re making the right decision… but I doubt it.”

Luther had finished sweeping the pieces back into the box. “Good game, then.”

He walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.

“I think he’s just mad cause I got him on piece advantage,” Tallow said.

Hector immediately turned to Mallory.

“What the hell, Mallory?” Hector said. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Things got interrupted,” Mallory said with another shrug. “Majorie’s interim director in the meantime anyway.

“Major would have been astounded to have your presence there!” Hector said.

“Hector, calm down,” Mercy said. Jon was glad she didn’t scream this time.

“If Mallory hadn’t been there, we wouldn’t have put the giant monster there,” Mercy said.

“If you’d stayed home then we wouldn’t have to deal with the stupid monster!” Hector responded.

Mercy huffed and drew her weapon, causing Mallory to immediately run in front of them.

“This is what he wants!” Mallory said. “Chill!”

He turned to Hector.

“I can always go back!” Mallory said. “It’s fine! It’s boring up there anyway. I learn more traveling with the King’s Guard. Really, Hector.”

Mallory tapped Mercy on the shoulder twice and she put back her tool.

“I’m glad I'm here,” Mallory said. “These guys are really petty. Everyone hates Harris, but they want to try to take control of this area as well. It’s nuts. And I don’t think there’s anyone else who can deal with it… for now, anyway.”

Hector breathed. “I need to take a walk.”

“Oh no, you don’t!” Mercy said. “Don’t go to her room!”

Hector had already turned around and left the room.

“That idiot,” Mercy said. “Why would he…”

“Hector’s workstation’s in her room,” Mallory told her. “That’s the only way he can be assured it won't be bothered.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate for a whole bunch of other reasons,” Tallow said. “But what are we gonna do with Hothead over there?”

“Stay here,” Mallory said. “Me and Jon will get him. He needs time to cool off, and we should be there for him.”

He looked at Mercy. “Nothing’s going on, promise.”

“Not a good look to make a promise right now,” Tallow said.

Mallory frowned.

“I believe you,” Mercy said, giving Tallow a dirty look. “We’ll be here.”

Mallory looked at Jon. “You ready for an adventure?”

Jon nodded. A week felt like a long time to not have an adventure.

Granted, it wasn’t very much of an adventure at all. Mallory used his magic to push Jon the entire time through the hallways. It did make for a smoother transition when going up the stairs, since Jon’s chair immediately started floating in view of the spiral staircase.

At the top, it wasn’t long before Jon and Mallory found Hector standing outside Amalia’s door.

He was talking to himself and pacing when he noticed the other two.

“Oh, hey guys,” Hector said. “Sorry about that.”

“Hector, you’ve carried me entire roadways with two broken legs. One with mine, and one with yours.”

He walked up to Hector. “I got your back. A little fire can’t scare me.”

“Thanks,” Hector muttered. “I realize that I might have made a huge mistake coming here before the tournament. I can wait ‘til after.”

“Back down then?” Mallory asked.

“Yeah.” With a nod, Hector and Mallory left Amalia’s door and they started walking back towards Jon.

Behind them. Jon saw the door crack open.

There was a ton of noise escaping the room.

Hector and Mallory turned back to the noise, just to see Amalia poke her head out.

“Hector? Mallory? Jon?”

“What’s all that racket?” Hector asked.

“Oh, there’s just a couple of us in my room,” Amalia said. “We’re spending some time here. Do you want to come in?”

“Come in?” Hector asked.

“I have to hurry up, so the smoke doesn’t leave my room,” she continued. As she spoke, black smoke was already starting to trail from over her head.

“Smoke? What? My stuff!” Hector quickly ran into the room and pushed past Amalia.

“Oh boy. We’re coming in,” Mallory said, walking in after.

Jon didn’t know if Mallory knew that the magic was still affecting him. In any case, the wheelchair started moving forward into the room as well.

Jon turned to the corner as he entered, stopping at Amalia’s side.

Her room was still large and pink as it had always been, but the major difference was that there were several large pink cushions spread out among the floor. Jon recognized all of them, including Robert, Cecil, Lysenthia, Gerald, and Sherry.

Sherry was lying on her back, holding up a pipe.

She looked up.

“Hi, Jon!” she said, waving.

“Since when did you know Jon?” Hector asked, making his way towards his workstation at the other end of the room, “And why are you smoking near my stuff. Hell, why are you even smoking here? The King’s Guard’s room is barely used.”

“It’s dark and scary in there,” Robert said. “We prefer it here, where it’s light.

He gestured to the lit presence of Amalia’s bright pink room.

“How are you Jon,” Amalia said, closing the door behind him. “I guess you seem to know a lot of us already.”

“Hmm…” Jon guessed so. It was still weird being around so many people his age. He was beginning to feel more lost than at the ball.

“We had a party, Hector,” Sherry called out to him. “Where people like to meet and become acquainted with each other!”

“Everyone already knows each other,” Hector muttered, going through the papers and books on his desk. “It’s dumb.”

“Of course, Hector doesn’t know how to enjoy a party with people he already knows,” Robert said. Jon watched as Lysenthia took the large pipe from Sherry and put it to her mouth, taking a huge breath.

He had never seen anything so large. Jason and Dan used to smoke on the roof of Dan's house back when Jason still lived at home.

At least, the few times Jon did see them going, they had rolled up pieces of paper. Seeing a large tool being used for it was a bit overwhelming.

“Hey, farmer!” Robert called. “Did you bring any of the good stuff with you? I know you types have the recipes for the wickedest stuff growing in your yards.”

Jon shook his head. He didn’t bring any. He never smoked, especially since Susan had told him to never do it. It would ruin his brain cells, apparently, and that scared Jon straight ever since.

“Do you want to take a seat?” Amalia asked Jon. “You could stay. I could even get you a cushion, and-”

“We really should be going,” Mallory said quickly. “I mean, I don’t mind, but you know, with Hector-”

“Where’s Cecilia?” Hector asked from his table. “And did anyone go through anything?”

“Everything is as is, Hector!” Amalia called. “And-”

“What does my sister’s location have anything to do with you,” Cecil said, standing up.

“I just asked a question,” Hector muttered, not bothering to turn.

Cecil began to take slow steps towards Hector’s back.

“Firstly, you've rejected her advances for years, and now, here you are, demanding for her.” He got closer to Hector, who still paid him no mind.

“I think he’s had too much to smoke!” Robert called. “He thinks he can take on Hector?”

“Sit down, Cecil,” Hector said. “There’s no need-”

Cecil pushed Hector hard in the back.

Everyone else suddenly sat up and started calling Cecil’s name.

“It’s not worth it!” Lysenthia yelled. “Sit down!”

“Cecil!” Gerald called, hard.

He and Robert suddenly stood up.

“You always take his side!” Robert said to Gerald.

“I’m not taking anyone’s side,” Gerald said. “I just think you’re being ridiculous.”

“And I think you’re just trying to kiss up ‘cause your father wants his father’s land,” Robert responded. “And he’s gonna sell his daughter-”

Gerald grabbed Robert by the scruff of his collar.

“Watch it!” Gerald yelled. “I’m not scared of you!”

“Gerald!” Lysenthia grabbed her brother’s shoulder. “Stop it. Not now!”

Gerald took a deep breath and backed away.

“Cecil,” he said. “There’s no need for a fight right now.”

“You wanna know where my sister is?” Cecil asked rhetorically, now right beside Hector at the worktable. Jon thought that Hector would push back, but instead, Hector just watched Cecil with steady breaths.

“I’ve been pushed harder by girls not my sisters,” Hector said. “But sure. Tell me.”

“She’s getting her hands dirty, trying to prepare for your mess up, tomorrow!” Cecil switched between yelling and not yelling. “But I doubt father’s gonna let her step in any way. I think he regrets getting mixed in with your crowd.”

“I’m sorry Cecil,” Hector said. “Cecilia shouldn’t-”

“It’s your fault-” Cecil pushed Hector back again, this time with both hands, “that you’ve turned my sister into a maniac. She should have never come to your mongrel house and train with that man of a sister you have-”

“Back off my sister!” Hector said, advancing forward instead of continuing his retracting. Cecil didn’t step back.

“Oh boy,” Mallory suddenly ran up to the two boys. “Hector!”

“My father let her be trained as a way to help her feel safer,” Cecil continued. Mallory tried to grab Hector, but Hector held out a stiff palm, telling Mallory to hold.

Cecil went on with his story. “But all you did was get her obsessed with your low-class culture. She was even gonna stop going at one point, but noo…”

He and Hector stood in each other’s faces. “You had to show her how to keep going. One little lesson, and she kept begging Daddy for the next few years to come back.”

“She came to me,” Hector said. “She wanted help.”

Cecil laughed, looking around the room as if everyone would join in with the laughter.

No one did, not even Robert, who looked down at the floor, but Cecil didn’t seem perturbed by that fact. It didn’t even look like he cared.

“I remember,” he said, turning back to Hector. We were getting ready to depart, all those years ago, and then you came up to her and told her about-”

He spoke the next part in a mocking voice. “Oh, you have to put your strong foot forward, but not too forward.”

He went back to his normal voice. “And then you put her grubby mitts all over her, trying to pretend like you were helping her-”

“I was helping her,” Hector said. “And it wasn’t her strong foot that was the problem. She was too erratic with her back-”

“It doesn't matter!” Cecil yelled. “You gave her hope. She thinks she could be like you. Hah!”

He turned around to the others. “You know what? I”m glad Hector’s getting married! Maybe they’ll send him away. Good riddance! We all know that won’t happen! But at least he can’t marry my-”

He had turned back to Hector when Hector placed his two fingers on Cecil’s forehead, stopping him cold.

Jon’s heart jumped in his chest, and he was certain it happened to everyone else as well.

Mallory was right next to Hector, his hands braced for whatever could happen next.

“I offered to help you too,” Hector said, “and you know what you told me?”

Hector bent back his other finger so that it was just his pointer finger on Cecil’s forehead.

“I don't have to do that. Daddy’s men will protect me. Hector will protect me. Cecilia will be there to protect me.”

“That was a joke..” Cecil muttered, shaking. “It was only a joke…”

“Was it?” Hector asked. “Because she’s protecting you right now.”

Hector pulled away his finger, making Cecil flinch.

“Let’s get back to the others, Mallory,” Hector said. “Cause at least I know they’re not a bunch of cowards.”

He walked straight towards the door, ignoring everyone else that he walked over.

“I hope your girlfriend’s ready for what’s coming to her tomorrow,” Robert said, turning back to him.

“I hope yours is prepared to find that her boyfriend is an idiot,” Hector said.

“Hector…” Amalia started as Jon and Mallory followed him out.

“I’ll speak to you after the tournament,” Hector muttered as they left her room. “Say hi to Duranny for me. I haven’t seen him all week.”

“Hector…” Amalia watched as the three men went back down the hallway. She at least got a goodbye wave from both Jon and Mallory.

Back downstairs, Mercy and Tallow had each taken up a bed leftover in the room.

“I thought you guys would have gone back to your room,” Hector said as he walked through the door.

“Uh, hi,” Tallow said. “Welcome back into our lives.”

“Sorry,” Hector responded. “I… My space is occupied.”

“By a-holes,” Mallory said, patting Hector’s shoulder.

Jon was still going over the scene in Amalia’s room. It was so different from what he had done at the farm before he left. He and the others had sat down in some wagons and ate food together.

Tallow sniffed. “Is that what you left to do? No wonder you’re so mellow.”

“I didn’t,” Hector said. “Especially not before a mission… or whatever this is.”

“Well, common courtesy is to bring some back with you,” Tallow said.

“I'm sure she’s joking,” Mallory added after seeing Hector’s glare to her. “But Hector’s right, we got held up by… some unsavory characters.”

“The other nobles?” Mercy asked. “Tell me about it. At least it’s better than having everyone else in the room try to break your arm. Or dislocate your shoulder.”

“I’d prefer that,” Hector said, sitting down on Jon's bed. “As opposed to cowards.”

“...You would, wouldn’t you?” Tallow asked. “Prefer everyone tries to beat you up.”

“Everyone stands behind mirrors and casts threats at each other,” Hector said. “But no one wants to approach me and fight. And I can’t…”

“Don’t worry about it,” Tallow said. “Just forget them. We got tomorrow.”

She shrugged. “I can’t even go back to my room. The bed is nice, but I can’t stand that I don’t feel wanted here.”

“Me neither,” Mercy said. “But I don’t want to sleep in the same room as my uncle.”

“So, it’s settled,” Mallory said. “I was already thinking about it. We should push the beds together-”

“Not on your life,” Tallow said. “I don’t like to be too comfortable the night before the fight anyway. If I’m fighting.”

“Who knows,” Hector said. “But we’re better off being prepared. Mercy should get a whole bed then. She needs the most sleep.”

“I agree with Tallow,” Mercy said. “I don’t like to get too relaxed either. I could be on the floor.”

“Nope,” Mallory pointed to the girls. “You share a bed. We share a bed.”

Mallory pointed to Hector. Then he pointed to Jon.

“And Jon needs to heal, so he gets a bed by himself.”

“Alright,” Hector said. “Sounds settled.”

This was a whole lot easier than last time, Jon thought in relief.