"Check-Mate"
"Innes was skilled, she decided. Skilled in the art of manipulation. Not in the art of love. He moved the pieces as he wished in this game that he played with others, towards some unforeseen goal that no one realized existed. Worse yet, no one seemed to realize that the game was being played… save a few of the pieces, perhaps."
~o0o~
As she sat in council with her peers, Eirika watched the gathered princes argue the merits of the various candidates to head up the restoration of Grado. Ephraim had vouched for Duessel, Joshua for Saleh. Innes of Frelia coolly eliminated both candidates from the running before introducing his own. Duessel, he argued, was a traitor to his people - no matter how pure his motives - and they would not hesitate to see his appointment as the reward from foreign kings for his defection.
Saleh would refuse to leave Caer Palen at all. Unless there were some incentive - and Innes calmly gestured towards Eirika's corner - that would entice him to take up the governance for a time. Ephraim promptly vetoed that idea with a firm shake of his head. That left the field open for the man that Innes would suggest to take the reins of reconstruction.
When he suggested that Seth could admirably fill the position, the others listened.
Eirika sighed inaudibly and turned away from the debacle in front of her. Innes was skilled, she decided. Skilled in the art of manipulation and not in the art of love. He moved the pieces as he wished in this game that he played with others, towards some unforeseen goal that no one realized existed. Worse yet, no one seemed to realize that the game was being played at all.
Would that this was some other day, when they all held forth for a common goal and united against a common foe.
She had known that it might come to this. While she had pursued her knight during the course of the campaign, Innes had pursued her. His declarations of love were patently uninspiring and Eirika had tuned him out to chart out her own course towards love.
Apparently that had been a mistake of sorts. It allowed Innes to see that her brother was not the only challenge that must be overcome in order to win her hand. It had also allowed time for him to study each piece in play around the queen that he desired.
Hence his current maneuvers. With Seth safely out of the way for the foreseeable future, Innes could chart a clear course to Eirika's hand. And once that was secured, what other plans might fall into place? Innes already showed himself the leader amongst his fellows - protest they might, but Ephraim and Joshua had fallen in with his plan in the end.
Neither could match him in this game.
Eirika suppressed a shudder. Was there anyone alive who could?
~o0o~
AN: Dedicated to Mark of the Asphodel, who writes a wonderful political intrigue with Innes. Go read 'Sleep of the Just' for a more inspired piece whilst I ponder writing more of this drabblish theme.
I have begun and now am stuck. I'll have to write more.
Given the dedication, this is also an early birthday present too, so enjoy it. I'll write more later.
As per usual, read/review. Let me know if anyone feels out of character, or if I'm running with implausible themes. Thanks.