Chapter 29 - Sacrifices and Logic (1/2)
”Ron to E2.”
”Arthur to D8.”
”Hermione to A1, takes castle. Check.”
”Harry to C6, take Knight.”
”Hermione to A2, take pawn.”
The chess match went in a very quick pace. The moment the white chess pieces made a move, Ron or Arthur would immediately send out another move. However, even with the quick paced moving and commanding, the game progressed slowly. Arth and Ron has to be mindful of enemy attacks. If they made a single sacrifice, one of them could possible suffer a serious injury, or worse, death.
Just as they eliminated the last pawn on the white side, Arth and Ron let out a groan. Harry and Hermione, who had both lost track of the game immediately put on worried looks.
”What's wrong? Did something happen?”
”Is anything bad going to happen? Did we make some sort of mistake?”
Arth shook his head. ”It's not that. With out next two moves, we will be able to win but....”
”But what?”
Ron took a deep breath. ”We will need a sacrifice.”
Harry let out a small growl. ”If it's what I think it is then don't. Don't do it.”
Ron let out a sigh. ”We can't do it any other way. Every minute we spend here is another minute wasted in stopping you know who.”
Hermione let out a shaky voice. ”W-who are we sacrificing?”
Ron went silent as Arth sighed. ”We need to sacrifice Ron. If he takes the knight over there, it will force the Queen to take Ron, which then allows Hermione to take the queen and end the game.”
Harry frustratedly stomped on the floor. ”Is there any other way?”
”There is but it will take too much time.” Ron put on a brave face before glaring at the queen with a hint of fear. ”It has to be me. You have to stop him Harry. Not me, nor Hermione. You. Although, Arth may be able to help you.”
A moment of silence.
”Ready?” Ron called, his face pale but determined. ”Here I go-”
”Ron to B3, take Knight. Check.”
Ron was magically forced to stepp forward, and the white queen pounced. She struck Ron hard across the head with her stone arm, and he crashed to the floor. Hermione screamed but stayed on her square - the white queen dragged Ron to one side. He looked as if he'd been knocked out.
Arth frowned. ”Why did the queen go easy on Ron? They obviously tried to kill Corvus when I sent him out as bait- as a scout.”
”Maybe because Corvus is a black bird and they are White chess pieces?” Said Harry as an attempt to be helpful. ”I mean, Ron is kinda pale and white.”
”Good thing Hermione isn't black in this fanfic, otherwise I dread what would happen if we had to sacrifice her.”
”What was that Arthur?”
”Nothing, it's something only the readers will understand.”
”What readers?”
”Again, something only the readers will understand.”
”I see?”
”Hermione to F1, checkmate.”
At once, the White king raised his sword and stabbed itself in the chest before crashing down to the floor heroically. All the other white pieces took it upon themselves to do the same.
Arth dusted off his clothes before giving Harry and Hermione a satisfied look. ”Well that went well.”