A confederacy of pawns
After a fortnight of devastating defeats, the King of Rohan began to think strategically.
First he suborned the Prince's older son, with the blatant bribe of a new horse. They sneaked extra lessons when his father was busy. Faramir's daughter took longer to corrupt: appealing to her sense of mischief did the trick. She led him to the relevant section of the library (it was regrettably substantial). And his sister proved an unexpected ally, interrupting her husband's game at crucial moments.
It was all to no avail. Déor's allegiance now lay forever elsewhere, and intelligence flowed both ways. Checkmate, again.
