#debukefarmhold

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Meanwhile, at another troll lodge, another chess game goes on.

Did Zara expect Hearth Agnes, of all people, to be a master player of chess at the farm? Possibly not. Yet, judging by the tense gaming going on between Agnes and Vashti, this is proving to be a good match.

Zara sits near her sister, threading a tatting shuttle through a series of intricate loops. She doesn't give advice, per se...

Nearby, Earl and Clem exchange money.

Vashti raises a brow, "You are Russian" She says to Agnes surprised, as the woman counters some classic attempts.

"No, but I dated one once. Poor fellow was a defector" Agnes finds her own piece's advance rebuffed, "You're no slouch yourself."

"Never, my sister."

Vashti smiles at Zara,"Ah, you bet on me I see sister. Apologies for the fortune you are about to lose"

"Zara is too civilized to bet period, unlike some youngsters around here" Anges says "Really, Clem, Earl, couldn't you try to be discrete?"

A snort. Dainty, delicate... but a snort.

"Not like you won't know it doesn't happen, Aunt Agnes" Clem smiles

"hardly the point" Agnes says downing a bishop

Vashti smiles, "Zara has her moments of...sports madness. "

"Tisn't madness. It's... well-directed and justified passion."

"zara's loyal is all" Clem agrees

"Mind you, her family is a bit scary on a tear" Clem adds

Earl shrugs "I've never been that into sports myself."

Vashti chuckles and severs a pawn

"You'll learn."

"Or save the effort, and just agree with me."

Earl smiles "I may not be sports wise but I know the enemies of the Mets are my enemies" Dutifully

"He's the bright one" Agnes says, as she and Vashti continues to trade moves and sometimes pieces.

"Aye. A genius, my Artist."

"At the least, the last to be kicked off the isle" Vasthi looks tickled

"Agreed." Zara rather looks like the cat whose caught the cream.

Earl blushes lightly

"Or we could be hermits upon the isle..."

"Oh Earl's always been in a world of his own" Agnes says and gains the advantage.

She threads an arm through Earl's. "Nay. He was in mine, though mayhaps he knew it not before."

Earl squeezes Zara softly "It really became a world worth living in when I found you."

A quiet smile, and she rests her forehead on his shoulder. "Aye."

Vashti looks over at the two of them with a fond smile.

Clem says "Hey, don't let this lovey dovey stuff slow things down. I've got money riding on this."

Agnes says "Indeed," A piece forward, "Maybe instead we should talk about young Cadman and how you're enjoying his reports and the poetry they come with?"

Clem's turn to purple "Aunt Agnes"

"Has he found the seed?"

"He's hinting that he has" Clem admits "And..there's other things"

Vasthi looks mischievous, tempted to pry as only a pooka can

"Oh? What other errands hast the fair maid commanded?"

"It's no nevermind" Clem says "He just...writes a good boast"

"Important."

Vashti seeks to whittle a path for her pawn to transform

If anyone knows about transformation, it would be a moth pooka..

"mmm yes, fine younng man in his way" Agnes admits not letting the subject go.

And blocks that avenue

A gentle nudge - Vashti has an alternate path.

Vashti takes that path, and soon ..has a pawn become a queen.

Only to have Agnes move one knight and declare "And Check mate"

"Hmph."