You have to learn to think six moves ahead in the Corners of Khorvaire.
Conqueror is a widespread and popular game all across the continent and beyond, but nowhere more so than here in Karrnath. From old men on street corners to student clubs in schools, the Karrns love their Conqueror.
I was at a House Message Station dealing with some correspondence (always Send your parents when you can, dear readers!) when a soldier wearing the armor of the White Lions burst through the entrance. Pausing for a moment, he looked my way.
“I have a Message of Royal Importance to be sent to his majesty, Kaius III immediately.”, he said.
I simply shrugged and replied “I'm sorry. I haven't touched a Message Stone in over four years. You'll have to ask at the desk.”
Once his business was complete, the soldier left at a brisk pace and, curious, I followed. He did not seem to object to my accompanying him but neither did he slow him pace to make keeping up with him easier. He lead me a short way away to a guild hall where row upon row of tables had been set up and a large tourney board had been erected on a dais.
The 4th Annual Cyran Memorial All-Ages Conqueror Tournament was under way. The hall was abuzz with excitement as those who had already lost their initial matches stood around discussing the ongoing games. Words like “the Hellekanus opening” and “the Zecklin series” and “the Karrn's Gambit” floated through the air.
The soldier I had followed stood silently as if he were guarding a post. I asked him what interest the king of a nation has in a simple Conqueror tourney.
“Putting aside the fact that his majesty enjoys the game very much himself, he also likes to keep an eye on young savant talents who play the game. He keeps track of them and occasionally offers them a scholarship to the Rekkenmark Academy. I suspect the young women at table 17 will be of particular interest. It's only two rounds into the tourney, but she is heavily favored to be a contender, and she's only 13 years old.”
I watched with interest as this young phenomenon easily made her way through the successive matches, going up against players twice her age and beyond. As they each surrendered their final piece to her, they shook her hand and applauded.
It is this author's great privilege to announce that the winner of the tournament was 13 year old Pippalinda “Pippin” Sattler.
We hope she has a bright future ahead of her in the Corners of Khorvaire.
Genbo Santor d'Sivis
