Chương 8: Chapter 8: Playing Ludo
Three weeks had passed after Alyssa and Baelon rode on Caraxes. During these three weeks, Alyssa had been spending more time with the Dragon Keepers, pestering them when Vortigren would be ready for his first flight. That day, her enthusiasm to learn had peaked, and she visited the library with Baelon, wanting to learn more about dragons. Of course, her enthusiasm had dimmed after a couple of days, but that was to be expected of any three year old.
Daemon began to behave more fatherly with Alyssa. He braided parts of her hair and tied it like a bun. Alyssa flaunted her new hairstyle to everyone present. Of course, it reverted back a week later she noticed that Baelon didn't like it much.
Baelon sat on his bed after breakfast, bored out of his mind. Studying was Baelon's favorite pastime, but he couldn't concentrate on books all day long. Alyssa was also in his room, playing make-believe with some dolls that she had fashioned.
Baelon did realise that there wasn't much entertainment in the middle ages. This was especially true for children. Adults could play cards and gamble, or watch Tourneys arranged by the lords, but children didn't have many options. Some particular games that children could play were Come-In-My-Castle, Hide-The-Treasure, Cyvase, and some other games that Baelon couldn't remember.
Seeing that he was free, he decided to introduce a familiar game to Alyssa. "Hey Alyssa, do you want to play a game with me?"
"What game Baelon?" asked Alyssa while continuing to make the two dolls in her hands kiss.
"How about Ludo?" said Baelon.
"Ludo? I have never heard of it," said Alyssa with a questioning tone,"How do we play?"
"Its pretty simple, wait a minute. Mary, can you bring me a dice and the Chess table along with its pieces."
"Chess? Forgive me Prince Baelon, I have never heard of Chess before." said Mary.
"I meant Cyvase," Baelon corrected himself.
"Yes my prince," Mary left the room to get the pieces.
As soon as she left to fetch the pieces, Baelon opened the door and said,"Ser Richard, can you come inside the room."
"Yes Prince," one of the guards stationed outside his room exchanged glances with his fellow men and told them to watch the corridors.
"You called, my prince?" said Richard.
"Richard, what can you tell me about Runestone? I want to know more about the town." asked Baelon.
Ser Richard answered honestly "Runestone, my prince? Well, it's no King's Landing but it a nice city compared to the others in Vale."
As Ser Richard continued to speak, talking about the founding of the city. Baelon pressed further," That's not what I wanted to hear. I want to know what type of people occupy the city."
"Well, our ports are quite busy all the time. All the ships coming from the Narrow Sea have to stop here to restock for their journey. That's why many inland merchants sell grain and wine in larger quantities. Travis's street is pretty famous in Runestone. All travelers stop there to buy what they want."
"Is Travis street really famous?" asked Baelon.
"Of course. In fact, there is a saying. There is nothing present in the south of Runestone that can't be found in Travis Street. If you didn't find what you're looking for, then you haven't searched hard enough," Richard proudly proclaimed.
"Anything?" Alyssa asked Richard with stars in her eyes.
"Of course, swords, axes, fruits, fish, locks, keys, armor, shields, and the finest whor~*cough* nice women offered in Vale of Arryn can be found here." Richard hastily concealed the last part.
"Do we get our food from Runestone," asked Baelon.
"Yes prince, we receive a carriage of goods to be inspected every third day of the week," answered Richard.
"Baelon, take me to that street," Alyssa asked Baelon while holding his hands tightly.
"Princess, Travis street is too dangerous. There are bandits that prowl around. They like to take away little children the most," Richard opened his arms and made a scary face.
"EEP!!" Alyssa hugged Baelon, her face buried in Baelon's arms.
"Okay Richard, thank you. I'll tell Alyssa that it's too dangerous," said Baelon.
Richard bowed down and exited the room. Baelon asked Alyssa, who was still buried in his arms," Alyssa, can you keep a secret for me. Don't tell mother or anyone else for that matter."
Alyssa's eyes flashed with excitement," Secret? Tell me brother!"
"Shh!" Baelon put a finger on his lips. He walked to his bed and felt around, trying to find the hidden mechanism. With a click, a section of the wall swiveled inwards, revealing a secret passageway.
"Is this a secret room Baelon?" asked Alyssa.
"Yes, it's a tunnel that leads somewhere, I'm guessing outside the castle or at least past the gates." said Baelon.
"Baelon, let's go inside," Alyssa wanted to pull Baelon inside, but Baelon held her firmly," Not today Alyssa, it's not safe outside. We'll go in a few more years."
"Why William?" asked Alyssa.
'Uh oh, she never calls me William, unless she's really upset, but it's too dangerous. Assassins, kidnappers, human traffickers, serial murders, and maybe rapists will target us,' thought Baelon, but he voice his reasons," Alyssa, the reason why I told you this is for your own safety. If anything happens, we will escape through this path,"
"Can you keep it a secret until then?" asked Baelon.
"Okay Baelon," she held his arms," Can you take me with you when you go?"
"Yes, but you can not tell anyone else what you see." Baelon promised her.
Just then, Mary returned with the Cyvasse pieces and a pair of wooden dice. "Thank you Mary." Baelon thanked her.
Setting the pieces aside, Baelon fashioned a rudimentary Ludo board with chalk on the floor. He also drew 4 boxes on each side with four dots outside the map. He took the black pieces for himself and set aside the cream-colored pieces for Alyssa. After he was done, Baelon explained the rules to his sister.
"Alright, Alyssa, here's how Ludo works," Baelon began, pointing to the single dice they would use. "We only have one die, and if you roll a four or a six, you can bring one of your pieces onto the board. But here's the catch – if you land on an enemy's piece, you send it back to their starting area, and you get an extra turn."
Alyssa's eyes widened with excitement at the new rules. "So, it's like a race to get all our pieces out while trying to knock each other's pieces back?"
Baelon nodded, impressed by his sister's quick grasp of the concept. "Exactly! And the first one to get all their pieces into their home base wins. But be careful – you don't want to get your pieces sent back to the starting area!"
"But brother, why are there four boxes," asked Alyssa.
"That's because we can play Ludo with up to four players," said Baelon.
"Can we call father and mother as well?" asked Alyssa.
"Not today, but if you play well, I'll ask later," said Baelon
With a determined nod, Alyssa picked up the dice and gave it a roll, the anticipation evident on her face as she watched it tumble across the board.
"A four!" she exclaimed, grinning as she carefully selected one of her pieces and placed it on the starting area of the board.
"Off to a good start!" Baelon praised her, reaching for the dice to take his turn.
As the game progressed, Baelon and Alyssa found themselves engaged in a spirited competition, strategizing their moves and cheering each other on as they raced to get all their pieces onto the board and into their home base.
In the end, it was Alyssa who emerged triumphant, her final piece landing safely in her home base as she let out a triumphant cheer.
"Congratulations, Alyssa! You won fair and square," Baelon said, grinning as he offered his sister a congratulatory high-five.
Alyssa beamed with pride, thrilled by her victory. "Thanks, Baelon! That was so much fun. Can we play again?"
Baelon nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Of course, Alyssa. But this time, I'll be the one winning."
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