His Own Path

"What do you mean the tunnel is gone?" Cafer asked when he had calmed slightly.

The gnomic guard followed the advisor into a room where Xander and Baak were playing a game of chess. The two males, having only met that morning, seemed to have gotten along better than expected. Baak, who wanted to appear cultured, had allowed the pirate to teach him the 'gentleman's game' on the checkered board. They were so engrossed in the game that they barely acknowledged when Cafer entered.

"How did the meeting with the Council go?" Baak queried, not taking his eyes off his oponent's bishop.

Xander gave the advisor only a passing glance. "By the looks of it, not well...'

Baak placed his rook as he shook his head. "I told you we should just kill the Council and everyone who opposes us..."

"But then who would be left to serve?" Xander countered. He moved one of his pawns to punctuate his point.

Baak captured it easily and nodded thoughtfully. "Fair point. We should kill the annoying ones though."

"Ag