“Only forwards, no diagonals. Can only take one at a diagonal, though,” Avery observed, moving her own pawn. Rallian nodded and moved his next piece, a knight, forwards. “And a knight?” “L-shape. Two vertical, one horizontal space.” Avery maneuvered another pawn, out of the way of a rook. Rallian nodded before moving a bishop diagonally across the board, taking Avery’s pawn from her first move. “Bishop?” “Diagonal. I assume the tower-” “Rook.” “Rook would move in only a straight line.” “Correct. A queen can move anywhere, but the king can only move one space at a time. If I capture your king, then I win. But if you can beat me and capture my king, then I would like to ask you to be my advisor,” Rallian offered. “I have one more condition, though. I won’t do anything to you like the Corazians will, especially if you tell me honestly as to what you are, and show me that distinguishing feature that sets you apart.” “Deal.” Avery offered her hand, which Rallian shook. “Now, let us continue our game.” The game was over within minutes. After Avery had figured out the gist of the game, she had figured out a strategy that would end the game within a short period of time, implying that she was still trying to figure out the game while completely outmaneuvering and outthinking Prince Rallian. Rallian was surprised at how quickly she had beat him, when he had thought he was going to beat her. “How?” Rallian questioned, staring at the board, where his king was rendered useless. Avery didn’t reply, but unfurled her wings instead. “Sky-Walker royalty, Avery?” “I guess. Probably, since my magic’s like what they say the royalty’s is like. But I’m not entirely sure,” Avery admitted, folding her wings once again. “Wait,” Rallian uttered, holding out a hand. “Your wings are white, like snow. There’s something strange about that, though. Most Sky-Walker royalty don’t have pure white wings like you. Is there something different about you that might explain it?” “There’s a song-prophecy thingamabob that talks about this, I think. Hair like onyx, wings like the purest mountain snow, eyes as blue as the summer sky and the ocean paired as one, or something like that,” Avery offered. “I think that’s what the song talks about. Corynn and I found a book that has those lyrics in it. Actually, I think I have my copy of it in my bag. Could you hand it to me?” She pointed to her satchel, which sat on the floor, next to Rallian. Rallian handed it to Avery, who opened it up and pulled out a new-looking black leather- bound book. Opening it to a page covered with messy handwriting and multiple sketches in ink, she pointed to a passage. “I might not be able to write neatly, but it works for me. I haven’t finished translating it all yet, but I can read the passage for you, if you’d like.” “I have a question before you read it. Who exactly is Corynn?” Rallian asked, glancing over the page, then looking Avery in the eyes. “My mate.” Avery tried to look away. “Then are you both males?” “No.” “Then what are you and Corynn?” “We’re mates. I’m female. Normally. But we got cursed, and now we’re genderswapped,” Avery hurriedly explained. “And then I got recruited because we didn’t know that there was a Corazian soldier coming for recruitment until it was too late, so I got recruited, and now Corynn’s home with the rest of the family, and I’m stuck with having to fight in this pointless war because Land-Walkers are really stupid and don’t think before they speak and decide to insult someone else and cause wars, or even their greed for land, and it drives me batty.” Avery’s tone changed as she spoke, becoming more rushed and irritated-sounding. “Calm yourself, Avery,” Rallian interrupted. Avery startled, staring at Rallian. “Good?” Avery nodded. “Now, can you read the passage to me?” “Alright. When the castle has fallen, and the Archipelago abandoned, a queen will come forth from the land. Hair as black as onyx and the deepest night; wings as white as new-fallen snow; skin tanned like wheat; eyes like the sky reflected on the ocean’s surface. She shall call back those of the sky from the peak of Wingtips, and bring about a new age of revival. And she shall be known as the Savior of Sky for ages after.” Avery looked up from the page. “That’s essentially it.”
