100 Two out of Three (1/2)
With a light tap, the chess piece landed on the stone board, to seal the attacker's fate.
”It seems like it is my victory after all, Official Atau.”
In response to Epunamo's declaration, Atau nodded his head. A quick look over the state of the game was enough for the captain to see that he was out of moves.
”Seems like that's the case, huh?” After his indifferent response, Atau looked up again, towards the frowning man before him. In terms of appearance, Epunamo Villca very much took after his father. Tall, brawny, with strong eyebrows. To his great misfortune, even at the young age of thirty, Epunamo's hair showed first signs of his father's famous sparsity. However, unlike the dead lord of Cashan or most other Medala nobles, the young master's hair was kept short and practical. To top it all off, his red silk tunic was more reminiscent of a northern noble as well. With his preference for the more 'civilized' north, Epunamo wasn't Corco's prime candidate among Villca's spawn to become the next lord of Cashan, but he was first on the list nonetheless.
”However, this lord would not be so petty as to be upset by defeat. Official Atau should have fought with his full strength rather than try to pander. This Lord is convinced that Official Atau could have provided a much more satisfying challenge had he taken his time between turns.”
In defense to the nonsense accusations, Atau raised his hands. He also decided to ignore the young master's self-imposed title of 'Lord'.
*No reason to get caught up on details like this.*
”Ah, don't misunderstand, young master Villca. I don't have a habit of letting people win just to gain a favor. It's only that I have no patience for these sorts of games. My early game tends to be terrible, since I'd rather not spend half a day on a single move.”
Appeased by the explanation, Epunamo's face relaxed and showed his usual indifference instead. ”Indeed. Official Atau's play became markedly better in the endgame, with fewer pieces on the board. A few times throughout the ending, the official's tricky moves almost caught this Lord off guard.”
Rather than deal with the awkward compliments, Atau picked up one of the white pieces off of the marble board and observed it in detail. All the white figures had been carved out of beautiful, sparkling quartz, while the black ones had been created from black obsidian.
”These are beautiful pieces. It's really true that Cashan has the most beautiful stones in the world.”
Another frown answered Epunamo, but this one wasn't directed at the captain.
”It is unfortunate that we will not be able to add to that beauty for the moment. These stones are old heirlooms as well. Since father's journey, the third bastard stole the mines for himself and has since hunkered down within the mountain pass.” As he complained of his troubles, Epunamo snatched the piece in Atau's hand and began to put away the game with routine movements.
”That's exactly the kind of trouble King Corcopaca would like to assist with. As the first born of Emperor Titu, King Corcopaca understands young master Epunamo's pain, trying to retain his birthright and honor his father's wishes. I am sure there will be good cooperation between our sides.”
”Of course,” the eldest son of Villca answered with a shallow smile. Atau had noticed before, but Villca's oldest heir switched through emotions at a rapid pace.
*Too easy to read,* he thought, before Epunamo switched back over to his frowning state.
”This lord would not require assistance otherwise, but father's unsolved murder has created serious, unnecessary problems.”
”Unsolved? As far as I heard, Lord Villca was the victim of an assassination carried out by the Prime Minister, who had been instructed either by Great Ancestor Viribus or by King Pachacutec.”
This time, Epunamo combined frown and smile for a face of grim determination.
”If this lord were to believe these rumors, he would be just as great a fool as all the other men within Cashan. The notion that either of these parties would kill father is nothing short of ludicrous. After all, neither the King of the Center nor the Great Ancestor had any reason to do so. I have received father's letters home and thus am well aware that up until his death, he had close ties to both parties. Why would they betray him after they had achieved their mutual goals?”
”Sometimes, those closest to us are those most eager to do harm. Maybe they had agreed on a commitment they were not willing to uphold? After all, the powers of Arguna have done their best to fight against the Sachay over the passing months.”
”Yes, perhaps.” Deep in thought, Villca's heir stopped his cleanup work, a black piece left in his hand. Instead, he stared down the king's messenger before him. Uncomfortable, Atau tried his best to keep the conversation going.
”Not to be forward, but who would young master Epunamo consider a possible culprit, if not King Pacha?”
”If one wants to find the culprit, the best question to ask is: Who benefits the most? Which man would gain from the death of my father? And which man would gain from laying blame at the feet of the central powers in Arguna?”
Atau could feel his body tense by the slightest fraction. Fighting his instincts, he tried his hardest to look natural and avoid suspicion. Meanwhile, Villca's heir continued, unperturbed by or unaware of the mental state of his guest.