New Beginning 750

Captain Sevante was studying the makeshift game board when her adversary harped: "Check- mate!"

He laughed with victorious abandon. "Take that, cap'n!" Alden said. He cracked his knuckles in a satisfied manner and then hooked his hands behind his head. It was early afternoon and the sloop's sails were filled with a balmy breeze that gave the crew ample time to dally.

Idalia de Sevante scowled. "Aw, Drega's mercy! I hate this game." She hunched over the game board and pushed back a lock of blood...