There’s a book called The 3am Epiphany, which sounds like some dodgy enlightenment book but is actually a bunch of writing exercises, this is exercise 151.

Prince Kristoff from the neighbouring kingdom of Gavernia was visiting, accompanying his sister on what was ostensibly a marriage discussion but was doubtless an information-gathering exercise, to see how ripe Jarbrea was for the plucking, under its new king. 

Well, Xavier would show him that Jarbrea’s king might be new to the throne, but was a force to be reckoned with, and a king to be respected. 

They would play a game of Dynasties, and Xavier would beat him. Beat him with strategic planning and honed battle plans that would send a clear message. Jarbrea was strong, and its borders were to be respected, or the annihilation on the game board would be repeated in real life. 

He’d met both Prince and Princess the day before, at an official presentation in the throne room but now, this was a private, informal get-together in his personal study. Just him and the prince, he had no idea what the princess was doing with her day, Xavier had no time for marriage, he had a kingdom to secure. 

Prince Kristoff arrived, his face lighting when he saw the board, set up and ready. “You play Kingdom Quest?” 

“We call it Dynasties.” 

The prince grinned and looked over the board as he took the seat Xavier indicated, while his attendants joined Xavier’s near the windows. “It looks like there might be some small differences, what’s that green section there?” 

“Farming land, flat and open.” Perfect for a battlefield. 

“Good, good, so you’ve got the mountains there, and the rivers. This is a wonderful model of the lands. I must ask your steward for the name of the crafter who made this – I’d love one at home.” He looked across the intricately styled board at Xavier. “Now I’m sure I’m going to do things that aren’t in your rules, so please pick me up on anything I’m doing wrong.” 

Xavier forced a brief smile; his opponent was being far too convivial. No doubt an effort to lull him into complacency. “I’m sure we’ll be fine.” 

“Right, so, who are you being?” 

An odd way to phrase the question, but Xavier answered. “I’m the blue pieces.” 

“Ahhh, Jarbrea colours, of course. And you’ve had some very impressive commanders over the centuries.” 

Was he implying they didn’t have impressive commanders now? Xavier would show him! 

The irritating young man was still chattering, and grinning. “So if I’m yellow, then I guess that makes me Skuvanian. This is going to test me.” 

Hopefully he’d shut up once they started playing. 

Xavier moved first, setting up a series of battle-forts along his borders. Kristoff countered, if you could call it a counter-move, by setting up waystations along trade roads and a couple by the river. What was the point in that? 

The prince was still talking; he sounded almost like he was in some sort of play. Ridiculous. Xavier tuned him out, focusing on building his power and expanding his lands. 

Two hours later, Xavier stared at the board. How? What? Kristoff had control over three quarters of the lands, without once fighting a pitched battle. Those damn waystations had given him control over the trade routes, and through those, a stranglehold on not just the raw materials for weapons but even, as he expanded, food and other necessities. 

Kristoff was grinning. Of course he would be, he’d just successfully threatened Jarbrea’s very existence. He reached across the table to shake Xavier’s hand. “I’ve never had the chance to role-play General Mo-Xing before, this has been the best game of this I’ve played.” 

Mo-Xing? Xavier must have looked as confused as he felt. 

His steward approached the table. “I’ve been speaking with your ambassador, Prince Kristoff. It may interest you to know you and His Majesty have, in fact, been playing two different games.” 

What? 

“It appears that, while the boards and pieces are much the same, the nature of Dynasties is fundamentally different to that of Kingdom Quest.” 

Kristoff naturally asked. “In what way.” 

The man cleared his throat. “While Dynasties is a strategic game of warfare, Kingdom Quest is a role-playing game that aims to put the player into the character of a previous ruler, often of a wildly different culture.” 

He’d just lost to someone play-acting some obscure foreign general? Xavier wasn’t sure his life could get any worse.