"I am your king. You can't beat me," Arthur muttered, staring intently down at the chessboard in front of him. "That's treason."

Across from him, Terence leaned back in his chair. "Watch me." He smirked.

On the other side of the room, Gawain snorted. "Since when has Terence cared about social rules?"

Terence looked insulted. "Milord, you wound me. I am always the picture of decorum."

"Only in public," Kai broke into the conversation. "When you're alone with friends you change; you're rude and always boss around your master."

"How would you know what I'm like when I'm alone with friends, Sir Kai?" Terence replied smoothly.

"Ouch," Gawain muttered.

"And Gawain needs a firm hand to keep him in line. Without me he'd be completely lost."

"Hey!"

Terence ducked as Gawain's boot came hurtling towards his head.

"Watch it!" Arthur barked, pulling the chessboard towards him. "I am incredibly close to destroying this impertinent squire. Don't mess it up."

Terence laughed. "In your dreams, sire."

Arthur looked up with a slight smile. "Do you really think you can beat me? Even in your dreams?"

"Especially there, my king," Terence replied with a twinkle in his eye.

As the evening went on, the chess game between the Duke of Avalon and the Once and Future King grew increasingly deadly, with both Kai and Gawain resorting to dirty tactics to distract the two rivals.

Finally, Terence cried out, "Checkmate!" and Arthur's shoulders slumped with a groan. Gawain and Kai just laughed.

"I can't believe it. The great King Arthur bested by a squire," Gawain spoke mockingly.

"It's not my fault!" Arthur defended himself. "Somehow, he has advanced tactical knowledge. It's as if he's had experience controlling armies. It's not fair." He brightened. "I know, why don't you take over my kingdom so I can take a vacation?"

Kai barked in laughter. "He'd probably do a better job than you."

"Wonderful. Now I can take a break."

Terence laughed. "Sorry, sire, but I'd never want to take your kingdom from you." He smiled. "I'd hate to have a rebellion on my hands, with everybody clamoring to have you back."

Arthur slumped down in his chair. "Curses. Foiled again." He stared resentfully at Terence, then sighed. "Well, I'm done here. Have a good night." He rose to leave.

Terence laughed. "Have fun tomorrow, sire."

"Why, what's happening tomorrow?"

"You're meeting with the Duke of Wales and Baron Antony to broker a peace agreement." Terence smiled evilly.

"Ah, yes, thank you for reminding me about the hell that awaits me," Arthur responded dryly, glaring at Terence.

Terence beamed a bright smile at his king. "Anything for you, sire."