<div style="text-indent:1em;">Grim awoke to the rising sun, the first ray's tickling the scar tissue on his face.  He laid on his small cot for a moment as he accustomed himself to the aches of the day.  Most of his joints hurt lightly, that was usual, but today also seemed to come with a sharp lower back pain.  Giving an extended grunt as he pulled himself from his bed, he quickly dressed himself in a thick coat and his usual mask.  He had been asked to visit the castle for some reason, though they had neglected to share why.  But first, he wanted some food and possibly a drink to sooth his bones.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">Grim exited his small cabin as the sun fully rose above the mountains.  He had been asked to arrive at noon, which gave he a good few hours to eat and self medicate.  As he began walking through the castle town he noticed quite a bit of extra chatter among the people.  After attempting and failing to overhear the reason, he walked towards one of the local's whom was less terrified of him.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"What is everyone gossiping about this morning?"  The women took a half step back before she realized it was Grim who had spoken.  She was only less terrified.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"Well, it seems that the Princess Anastasia arrived in town.  Rode in and walked right into the weaponry shop."  Grim thanked her, changing course for the weaponry shop himself.  He had left his scythe with the boy there the previous day, it would be nice to know the time frame for its maintenance.  Besides, breakfast could wait.  Grim liked to make sure the young princess was keeping more level headed than her father.</div><br/><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">When Grim arrived at the store he lightly rapped on the wooden door beam.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"I heard some forest creature has lost it's way to this store.  You wouldn't happen to heard of such a creature, would you?"  While he tried to keep his voice even, there was a slight chuckle in his words.  Unfortunately, this also made his voice sound somewhat growling.</div><br/><br/>_______________________________________<br/><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">Jesper stared at the chest board before him, his hand raised in a light fist, thumb to his lip.  The opponent across from his sat relaxed in his seat, seeming to believe his previous move had guaranteed him the game.  Jesper was less convinced, looking over the board for a crack in the armor.  His opponents defense was solid, with his forward line set to advance.  But as Jesper was beginning to think he might have been beaten, her noticed a single flaw, or more potential flaw.  Bitting his lip, he pushed his queen to take the forward rook, putting her far away from the rest of his troops.  The opponent smiled, and quickly moved a piece to capture the queen.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"My dear Prince, you seem to have grown desperate.  I'd expect you to be more protective of your most valuable piece."  The duke said with a soft laugh, but he paused when he saw the smile spreading behind Jesper's hand.</div><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">"My dear Duke, I thought you a smart enough man to realize.  A valuable piece, is also the strongest bait."  He then moved his own rook across the board, sliding it directly through the place that had opened in the line when the Duke took his queen.  And such, now both side's were widowers, but Jesper had a piece dangerously close to his opponents king.  "I do believe this game will only last 8 more turns.  It was good playing you sir, you nearly had me beat."</div><br/><br/><div style="text-indent:1em;">In the end it took only 6.  The Duke panicked to save his king, putting him directly in reach of Jesper's bishop.  For his credit, he took the defeat with dignity, congratulating the Prince on a game well won.  As he walked away Jesper was helped from his chair and began to walk towards the sitting room for his mid-morning tutoring.  Today's lesson was evidently about the specifics of the Ximid's glass trade, fun.  Jesper settled in for a long, tiring lesson as the sun began climbing to it's peak.</div>