21 Checkmate to the king

In the three days at the strategic meeting, all the participants are busy making the orders received. George creates his group of armored soldiers equipped with tower shield. Drew organizes teams and trains young people. Michael, Richard and Doris manage the mine and other activities. Selin and Gemma have taken over the economy of the group and are already closing some nice contract for some jobs. John and his two boys run back and forth across the village and sometimes into the city. Simon focuses only on major problems and spends the rest of the time preparing the trip with Igor but above all learning how to stay seated on a horse. The boy has never ridden and the animals feel his fear. "Want to know something, horse friend? It will be a very long journey if you keep throwing me down!"

The whole village exudes joy and self-confidence. A perfect set of gears that moves in unison. Except a girl. Selin. Selin is exasperated. "Why do I have to work with this bum? Do you see her rubbing every time she can on Simon? Who knows what she will have done to my Simon with her stupid skill!"

John embarrassed answers "I have not noticed all this. Simon seems to me the usual, he is immersed in his thoughts while talking alone. Everything in the norm. Gemma is smart, nice and if I can afford to say something, she's really a beautiful girl."

"You have also been deceived! If it were not for that mischievous skill you would never have thought it was as beautiful as you never thought of me."

"Actually, I never thought of you. For me you're like Michael but more fragrant."

"I'm speechless."

"I did not mean to say you're ugly!" Selin's eyes start to look like sharp knives "Maybe it's better that I shut up and run to finish my assignments, bye!" And with a sudden jolt the boy runs off in the direction of the new square.

The girl left alone watches Gemma arguing with a group of soldiers across the street. The boys smile happily at her smiles. "Anger! I have decided! I will not let Simon escape me. It's time to take down the opposing queen and check the king!"

In the tent, Simon and Igor are looking at the map. After preparing the horses and inserting provisions and weapons into the demonic bag found by the count, the two are examining the possible paths. Selin rushes into the tent.

"Simon! I have finished instructing the boys on how to deal with the merchants in the city when we are not there. What are you doing?"

Igor "We are deciding whether to cross this river here or here" indicating on the map two possible fords.

Selin approaches Simon and leaning his chin on his shoulder says, "I once talked to a salt merchant. He came from Luberistan. He told me that he had flanked the mountains so as to find the newborn rivers. There is where it is easier to wade them."

Simon "You're right! You really know a lot of things."

Selin "Now that you've finished, would you come with me for a moment?"

Igor "Quiet, I'll do the rest."

Selin walks a step in front of Simon along the edge of the woods. From time to time, she turns her head to make sure the boy is following her or rather, looking at her well.

The girl was very careful with the choice of clothes for the 'king checkmate' plan. Nothing exaggerated. Simple trousers but adherent enough to let you feel the soft shapes that the fabric covers. A short shirt, above the belt, also this adherent and with a pair of buttons on the front left open in the right place. "I'm sure, yes yes, he's peeking eheheh"

Simon looks puzzled at the girl while smiling alone.

Selin "Here is the right place."

"Ok, what are we doing here?"

"What would you want to do?"

Simon's face in less than a minute is colored with all the colors of the rainbow. "I do not know ... I would like ... but if ... Maybe …. Not …. I don't know."

Selin laughs and picks up a wicker basket from behind a tree. "The lunch!"

"Ohhh sure" Simon with a sigh of relief.

The couple starts eating the dishes prepared by the girl. Small omelettes, bites of meat, fresh vegetables, some potato croquettes. All very good and to finish the fruit.

Selin thinks "Now or never. Because if I wait for him, it becomes night! "With a clumsy movement the girl tries to take a fruit from the basket sliding against Simon. Physical contact stiffens the young couple.

Simon in the confusion touches Selin in quite embarrassing points. Panic grows. Simon stands up suddenly and says "I didn't want to! Sorry! Your father will kill me! Did you hear what he told me? "

"So you'll throw yourself on that Gemma?"

"What are you talking about? Throw me on Gemma? What are we talking about?"

The king's check failed.

Selin gets up, settles everything in complete silence and begins to move away.

Frustrated Simon starts talking "I can't risk dying by touching you in a lascivious way. I decided in my heart that if you support me I will play my life asking your father to give me your hand. I'm no longer the scarecrow I used to be and I'm a commander. I think I'm suitable. I'm almost seventeen. My parents wonder when I will settle. So, if before your father's back I'll be able to conquer your heart, I'd like to ask for your hand."

Selin stops. She drops things. Check mate. Then she turns, runs towards the boy and, closing her eyes, kisses him on the lips, so strong that the foreheads hit each other.

The two rub the bump and then embraced they head towards the village.

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The next morning the whole Force of Fate company is neatly arranged in the new square. At the center Drew the operational captain. Around him there are ten armored warriors, George's new troop. Archers on the bottom. John, Michael and the new arrival Gemma on the left.

In front of everyone there are Simon and his small group. Selin at his left side. Desmond at his right side. Just a step behind Igor and George. On the sides there are three warriors and two archers. These five were chosen by Drew for their ability to adapt. Apparently they were among the first to enter the rebel army. Among the warriors one can see the mighty Marius armed with ax, his brother Darius armed with two short swords and a woman named Camille armed with a short spear. The two archers are instead two old hunters with gray hair, Todd and Franck.

In front of Simon the mercenary company is completely heterogeneous, old and young, men and women, swordsmen, archers and others armed with the most extravagant weapons, even a scythe and a spade. "I'll have to make some changes to their training once I get back."

"Soldiers, companions, friends! I'm proud to say that in a short time we have already done great things. Today I leave for a short trip. I want my order to be respected during my absence, to follow the instructions of the officers and to continue training. The war is imminent. I don't want to lose anyone and to do so we must make our strength to be overwhelming! Remember that we come from the mountains, strong and hard, but we aim at the stars, in the sky shining! To the future!"

"To the commander! To the future! "

The small group climbs on the back of the horse and starts to gallop.

Paul, the shopkeeper, amused, observes the scene and then, looking out the door, talks to his daughter "Every time I look at these guys, they seem more robust. We don't talk about Simon. He was a stick without leaves and now that I look at him, he looks like a handsome boy. I think you had to take him when he was still my aide hahaha, now with those two beauties by his side I don't think you have hope dear!"

The offended daughter responds "I was not even thinking about it." Turning around and going back into the house.

Worried Paul throws a handkerchief to her "Wipe the drool from your mouth" then burst into a roar of laughter.