Random stories

The Queen lay on the bed, beaten and bruised from the fight I'd just witnessed. In front of her, the Knight paused, raising his sword.

"Strike me down, and this war will finally be end—well? Will you get on with it?"

"I'm trying!" The Knight shifted in the strange dancing movements that he'd used in the battle. I paused, holding my rope close to my chest. I was not to be seen until I was ready, and some of the riggings still needed to be in place. Keeping an eye on the conversation, tied another knot. "Do you know how hard it is to kill someone when you can only move in 'L' shapes?" He moved again, seemingly away from the Queen, but managing to get at least one foot closer. I bit back a giggle. It was rather ridiculous to watch. But still, I had a job to do. Playing out the rope, I felt it hit the ground behind the bed. Still, the Queen and Knight were locked into their little drama.

"Well, would it help if I got up? I really think you should hurry up." The Queen made to move, before falling back down. Her legs weren't working properly. I swarmed down the rope, testing the strength of the rigging I'd set up over the room. It would hold long enough. As soon as my feet touched the ground, I entered the combat and was thus bound by the rules of the game. Edging out in a diagonal from the back of the bed, I raised my arms over my head, still holding the rope. The knight whirled toward me, though very obviously not taking a step.

"Hold there. Who are you? What are you doing here?" Moving on the next diagonal line I could find, I drew closer, my usual hopping gait seeming to unnerve him. "Stop there! I'm warning you!" The Queen met my gaze, her face showing resignation.

"How in the world did you get in?"She said. I made a slight bow, one equal to the other.

"One opponent at a time, My Queen. Always, one opponent at a time." My hands tightened on the rope, muscles bunching in my arms. I was close enough to the Knight now. Bending my knees, I jumped, in one powerful motion, aided by the rope and my arms. Flying through the air, I flashed over the Knight, barely avoiding the sweep of his sword. As I landed on the other side, I turned, watching the Knight topple to the side, dead. A gasp came from the direction of the bed.

"It's you! The deadliest assassin in the land. Have you come to claim your prize?" I turned. Halfway through that sentence, the tone had gone from shocked to sensual. Sure enough, her position was a little suggestive. I shook my head at her.

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm a King in my own right, and have a wonderful Queen of my own. She would never approve. Besides, my employer doesn't pay for extras." Arraying herself properly, the Queen sat up, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed.

"Well, can I at least know the name of my rescuer?" With a smile, and one hand still on the rope, I bowed.

"You're wrong. I am not your rescuer. This war between the two kingdoms still must end. It has ravaged too much, dragged on for too long." I readied myself for another jump, as realization flashed across her face.

"You—" I leapt into the air, soaring over her head. The Queen fell dead at my feet.

"But, I suppose it wouldn't hurt if you know my name now." I stared at the two dead bodies, the rules of the game releasing me. They were both truly dead, the combat had ended.

"I am...King Checkers."

---

Submitted by Mooses_little_sister on Tue, Jul 12, 2022 to /r/WritingPrompts/

The prompt

"You have bested me, sir knight. Strike me down so that this war between the two kingdom could finally come to an - oh do get on with it!" "I'm trying! Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to kill someone when you can only move in 'L' shapes?"