Forward
from:  The Pawn Who Would Be King
(coming August 2025)

          A passing stranger explained to the village, that building their houses on the beach was not wise. After the stranger was out of earshot, the villagers scratched their heads and laughed. They asked one another, “Why would one not want to live on such a beautiful beach?”

          Months later, after their village was complete, the stranger passed their way again. Realizing that the villagers were new to this part of the world, the stranger suggested that they gather foodstuffs since winter was on the approach. Once again, after offering advice, the stranger moved on. Once again, when the stranger was out of earshot, the villagers laughed. They basked in the waning days of summer, thinking their paradise along the beach, was a safe harbor. One asked the other, “What is winter”? 

          The stranger came again. This time on a horse at full gallop.. Coming to a stop, the stranger warned the villagers: “Not more than a few days behind me comes a treacherous horde, whose leader is well steeped in the art of guile. The leader will offer you this, and the leader will promise you that, but be mindful of what payment will be due!”     The stranger left the villagers heading inland. 

         A few days later the villagers awoke to fierce tide that washed their homes away. The troubled waters warned of the next day’s deep snow, chilling wind, and solid ice. As the villages, cold, hungry, and stranded on the ice, searched for a way to survive, a group, led by a smiling Prince arrived. The Prince stepped down from his horse and told the villagers that they were saved. “Your salvation is at-hand dear people. I know of a warm place complete with food, water, and buildings in which to make your homes.” He ordered his men to toss out chains, fitted with shackles, to the hapless villagers. “You have but to secure yourself to the chains, so that we may pull you to safety.” The villagers attached themselves to the chains as they were told. Slowly they were being pulled across the ice headed for the beach and the fate that was promised them. Just before they last of the villagers stepped off the ice, he turned to another and asked, “What does 'chattel' mean?”