Shadows on Water
You invite him over the threshold.
"Forgive my pitiful home. I'm a simple farmer now. Perhaps you expected more."
"This is luxury. I've grown used to sleeping with the horse."
As you take his coat your eyes fall on the long dagger sheathed to his waist.
"You have to protect yourself when you travel as much as I do. Not here though, I apologize. Perhaps you would take this from me."
You take the weapon and lay it on a side table, beside an unfinished game of Wei-Chi.
"Which are you?" he asks.
"White."
"Your pieces are isolated at the corners.You would do best to encircle your opponent."
"True. I was merely experimenting with a different strategy."
"Ah. I always play to win. But I am no scholar. Who is black? He plays well."
"My brother. Half-brother actually."
You call to your servant to prepare some food. While you are waiting you pour some wine, and talk of things outside the village with this bright, worldly man. You are surprised by how eager you are to know the latest news. In fact, as the sun slides under your windowsill, you find yourself getting drunk with this fellow. You know that he is here on serious business, that he will ask you to come with him to meet the new emperor, but for now you would rather postpone the matter.
"Forgive my pitiful home. I'm a simple farmer now. Perhaps you expected more."
"This is luxury. I've grown used to sleeping with the horse."
As you take his coat your eyes fall on the long dagger sheathed to his waist.
"You have to protect yourself when you travel as much as I do. Not here though, I apologize. Perhaps you would take this from me."
You take the weapon and lay it on a side table, beside an unfinished game of Wei-Chi.
"Which are you?" he asks.
"White."
"Your pieces are isolated at the corners.You would do best to encircle your opponent."
"True. I was merely experimenting with a different strategy."
"Ah. I always play to win. But I am no scholar. Who is black? He plays well."
"My brother. Half-brother actually."
You call to your servant to prepare some food. While you are waiting you pour some wine, and talk of things outside the village with this bright, worldly man. You are surprised by how eager you are to know the latest news. In fact, as the sun slides under your windowsill, you find yourself getting drunk with this fellow. You know that he is here on serious business, that he will ask you to come with him to meet the new emperor, but for now you would rather postpone the matter.