En Perpetua

  He carefully examined the board layout, trying to find the target of her aggressive moves. “You would think getting to set the stage for the conflict would give me an advantage, but consistently I find you giving me the illusion of board control.” The girl with black hair and golden eyes laughed, “I’m surprised you even notice. So many of my opponents act like moving first is somehow and advantage. Really, in a game of tactics, confidence must be tempered.” He found it ironic given how confident her smile was. Seeing a gap, he moved his piece behind her formation. “The fact that I can notice is what keeps you coming back. Picking my brain. And to answer your last question, I guess my opinion of heroic ideals HAS changed somewhat in recent days.” She analyzed the board as he pulled his grey cloak in more around him, “Blind idealism is what leads to Zealotry and oppression of those who believe themselves pure, but within balance I am beginning to see their role in society.” She lau...

There was once a young boy in a cold and distant tower. Hair white as snow and eyes blue as a glacier, he spent many of his days reading books of adventures had in lands and times of old. He would study both history as well as how to run a business. His mother was often overseas and his grandmother was always with her sister going to galas and events. His crisp attire was made for events he was never allowed to speak at, only observe. When he would seek to see the city, a driver and security detail would be assigned and there was no deviation from the course. No gaffes. No friends, as the common folk were always either leeches or liabilities. That’s what he had been told. An icy cage from which he had to observe the world. He craved stimulation. Meaning beyond a glad bauble, but he dared not act it out. His family was all he had. Any stray action could cost not just him but his entire family everything. All their status and connections and with that their resources would follow. He wou...