Welp, I got my email from Black Library saying they weren't interested in my 500 word story. Guess I'll try again next time. In the meantime here's my (very) short story about Eldrad and Vect having a friendly game of chess:
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Asdrubael Vect, lord of Commorragh, set a piece down on the finely crafted game board and sank back in his throne. He took up a flute of black wine and raised it theatrically.
“And thus, the trap snaps shut. A shame; I hoped this time the game would last a little longer.”
Eldrad Ulthran sat cross-legged, his eyes fixed on the board, his face inscrutable.
“My compliments, Asdrubael. It’s an expertly crafted trap, but not inescapable.”
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A retreat. Vect recognised the beginnings of the Yr-Lashaen defence.
“Ah, but there are traps within traps, my old friend. I must say I was sorry to hear of Ulthwé’s misfortune in the Elhorin expanse. So many brave souls lost…”
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“The price of victory.” Eldrad sighed. “One we are used to paying.”
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“Indeed. I only hope that price doesn’t become too dear; your army’s weakness is well known here in Commorragh. My people see an opportunity for sport and I can hardly deny them.”
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“Your people choose their sport poorly. Our warhost is bloodied, not broken.”
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“My dear Eldrad, you misunderstand. My concern is for your home, left behind without an army to protect it.” A smile tugged at the corner of Vect’s mouth. “The history of Ulthwé is so full of tragedy; I would hate to see it added to.”
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“There are other forces that could defend Ulthwé.”
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“Other forces? I know of none, except… oh!”
Vect leaned forwards sharply and gestured at the board. “You were right, old friend! Your citadel can yet be saved - you need only sacrifice your priestess.”
There it was. The trap within the trap. The only army that could protect Ulthwé was the one guarding Yvraine; the prophet of Ynnead and the most dangerous of Vect’s enemies.
Eldrad sat in silence for a long while, pondering the game, before finally speaking again.
“It is a fine strategy, Asdrubael. It does, however, contain a flaw.”
Vect smiled indulgently, relaxing into his throne and sipping his wine.
“Please, dear friend, enlighten me.”
For the first time Eldrad raised his head and looked Vect in the eye. “It’s not my priestess I need to sacrifice.”
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“Oh come now, can you not be gracious in-”
Vect’s smile froze as he looked at the board. Eldrad’s champion had moved to defend his citadel, just as Vect had planned… but instead of the priestess, the piece it had left undefended was a grinning jester.
“I’m afraid the harlequins have had a little fun at your expense,” Eldrad murmured. “Yvraine - the real Yvraine - is already beyond your grasp.”
For the briefest moment Eldrad felt his opponent’s anger blaze, white-hot and lethal - and then suddenly it was gone, smothered under an icy calm that was no less dangerous.
“I suppose I must salute you. I am not often so… misinformed. You are wrong about one thing though, old friend.”
Vect leaned forwards, his dark, predatory gaze fixed on Eldrad.
“Nothing is beyond my grasp.”
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