Quiet Move, Chess Interlude: Chess, #7

By Cathy Draig

So, you know that horse Anders stole? Yeah, turns out it's a show horse. And it's worth a lot of money. Oops.

 

But Retta and Anders can set it right if they return it. And they can finally have a honeymoon. Except Dart doesn't want Retta to go. Yet, she's the queen, she hates pomp and circumstance, and she can blend in as a woman traveling with her husband. Right?

 

Quiet Move is a novella that is set between Rook and Pawn. It's not necessary to the main Chess Series story arc but contains spoilers for the four previous books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cathy Draig
• Release date: Nov 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215128862

Book preview

Map of Jador

Map

Click for a high resolution map.

Pronunciation Guide

Continents/Countries:

Cesoli: sess-oh-lee

Jador: jay-door

Frapane: frahh-pane

Enestpon: e-ness-pon (like ponder; the T is silent)

Provinces:

Petidar: pet-i-dar

Uesdar: you-es-dar

Surmdar: sirmm-dar

Fontidar: fon-ti-dar

Sabladar: sab-la-dar

Rocedar: rowshh-dar

Roi: roy

Gods/Godesses:

Filarune: fill-a-rune

Shalltar: shall-tar

Other:

Chakrir: shack-rear

In chess, a player is said to make a quiet move when they do not capture, check, or threaten an opponent’s piece that turn.

Chapter 1

The day after my twenty-second birthday I was sitting in the Strategy Room admiring my new sign with swirly letters, and waiting for my husband to come back with some lunch, when I had an unusual visitor.

The Palace Stablemaster, Mr. Merrill, wanted to talk about the horse Anders had ridden back to the palace on. I frowned. Is there something wrong with the horse, Mr. Merrill?

He shook his head quickly, No, Your Majesty. It’s a fine animal. So fine, I believe it might be registered.

My eyebrows went up. Registered?

He nodded. Yes, most horses are of course work animals — whether farm work, or pulling wagons, that sort of thing. Those horses are bred for stamina and strength, but not for looks. The horses in the Palace Stable are chosen for their stamina and strength as well, but also with an eye to their look. There are also race horses — bred for speed, and short bursts of endurance. Finally, there’s show horses. Those are specially bred to bring out the best qualities and most elegant look. Those horses are registered. They are also usually marked in some way, most commonly by a stamp on their shoes, since that doesn’t take away from the esthetics of the animal.

My chest tightened. Of all the horses… And I take it this horse has one of those shoes?

Yes. His saddle and bridle were quite fine as well, although there was no paperwork included in the saddlebags, so I wanted to be sure you knew it was missing.

I sighed. And I presume show horses are quite valuable?

Oh, yes. And very rarely change hands without a lot more…ceremony…than this one did.

He shifted on his feet, and I could tell he didn’t want to ask how the horse had ended up in the Palace Stable. I nodded. Does the mark identify the previous owner? In other words, could it easily be proven this animal was the same one they…had…until last week?

Yes. Absolutely.

Excellent. Next question. I presume these horses are generally kept intact for breeding purposes?

He nodded. Yes, the stallions are not gelded.

And is the one we now have a stallion, or a mare?

A stallion, Your Majesty.

Okay, see if you can find me a mare show horse within a day’s ride. Preferably in Sabladar, if possible.

He gave me a puzzled look, but agreed and took his leave. Anders came in a few minutes later pushing a cart. I shook my head. I thought you were just going to send word. I didn’t realize you were going to retrieve the food yourself. You just missed Mr. Merrill.

He frowned. The Palace Stablemaster? What did he want?

By any chance, do you remember where you stole that horse from? Or at least well enough that you could find it again?

He thought for a moment. Yes, I believe I could find the farm again. He paused and met my eyes for a moment. I didn’t think about it before, but we should pay for that horse, shouldn’t we? He gave me a sheepish smile.

I rolled my eyes. Ah, yeah, something like that. Mr. Merrill was here to inform me that was a show horse — registered no less — that you stole. A valuable animal, I’m told. So…we’re taking it back. And, hopefully a second one as well.

His eyebrows went up. A show horse? What was that farmer doing with a show horse?

I tilted my head. Does it matter?

He nodded. If he didn’t have the horse legitimately, then yes. It was a working farm — barley from what I could tell. They had a stable of five horses, I believe. All work horses except the one I took. Which I figured was the only one the farmer kept for showing off. I didn’t steal his income.

Barley? Main ingredient in whiskey? There’s a large distillery at the northern confluence of the East and West Talfore River in Sabladar.

His eyes widened. Alright, how do you know that?

I smiled. Alecks. He explained the process to me one day. I brought it up because if the farmer in question supplies the distillery, it’s quite possible he came by that horse legitimately. I’m sure any suppliers have quite a lucrative contract.

He nodded. True. So, what do we do?

"Well, first we’re going to return the horse and tack that you…borrowed. And, I’m looking to see