"Are you familiar with Intrigue, child?"

Karigan had recognized the game immediately— it was all the rage in
Selium. Two kingdoms battled for dominance, each piece possessing a
different ability. Arranging the pieces in various patterns created offenses
or defenses.

The pieces, in this case, were made of ivory or bone, dyed in the
traditional colors of red, green, and blue, and carved in the likenesses of
kings, messengers, spies, soldiers, and so on. The game was most difficult
when played as a Triad, with a third player who was random— the wild
card with no set loyalties one way or the other. The other two players
could petition the Triad for allegiance, but the Triad could choose not to
take sides and play for its own benefit. It was the never knowing of what
the Triad player would do that made Intrigue exciting.

Exciting, if you liked the game. Karigan didn't. She lost every time she
played. "I've played Intrigue a few times, but not often with a Triad."

Estral had been her only friend at Selium. There was never a third person
to play with.

Miss Bunchberry clapped her hands. "Splendid! Bay and I haven't
played with a Triad in a long time either. Child, you will be the Triad, and
if this first game doesn't last long, we can switch."

Splendid. Karigan remembered to smile, and because propriety was so
important to the ladies, she said, "I'm honored."

"That's good. I offered to a guest first as was proper."

Miss Bayberry nodded in solemn agreement.

They played long into the night, each taking a turn as Triad. The gentle
sisters transformed into ruthless opponents and Karigan found herself, as
usual, on the defensive. Miss Bay took a general and three of her knights.

Miss Bunch killed her queen and abducted a spy. She watched their pieces
march across the star-shaped board and annihilate her kingdom, and she
wondered, with a bemused expression, if she and Estral had been too kind
to one another. The sisters did not spare an inch where Estral would have
allowed a concession.

Karigan didn't consider herself a ruthless person. Rather, she considered
herself wise to the ways of survival. The swordplay "tricks" the cargo
master had taught her, the stories her father had told her of his perils and
adventures as a merchant traveling in far-off lands, her experiences far
away from home among aristocrats… these were basic learning
experiences for life. She had never thought of employing ruthless tactics in
a harmless game of Intrigue.

When the third and final round was won by Miss Bunchberry, the older
woman sank back into the sofa with an ecstatic giggle. "That was just so
fine. I could play endless games, but I know it's late." As if to accent her
words, the last embers of the fire crashed in the fireplace, sending a flurry
of sparks up the chimney.

Miss Bayberry's lips were set in a taut straight line. She had won two of
the three victories, yet she seemed none too happy about it. "I think the
child wasn't putting her all into the game. Perhaps she believed she was
doing the polite thing by letting us win."

Karigan blushed, as she often did, somehow feeling guilty. "I did try…"

"Tsk. Not hard enough. You've much intelligence for such a youngster.
Use it. Many of the situations you come across in Intrigue aren't too far
removed from real life. Many of the aristocrats use it as a teaching tool for
their children, and it may have been developed for that exact purpose."

Miss Bunchberry looked scandalized by her sister's outburst. "Bay, you
really oughtn't criticize our guest."

Miss Bayberry rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Bunch, sometimes one
must go beyond the bounds of propriety and speak her mind." She jabbed
her cane at Karigan. "Child, use your brain. Think on your feet. Being
polite and reserved is how we were raised, but we learned the hard way
that the rest of the world isn't that way. I've perceived from conversation
that you comprehend such things, like that swordplay with whatsit… that
Titmouse, or whatever his name was. In other words, child, propriety has
its place, but don't let your guard down. In real life, you never know who
the players of Intrigue really are, or what they stand for."