Playing It Unsafe, Chapter 3

Playing It Unsafe

Installment 3

Here is the last section, finishing out the story...to see the first two sections, look back at the previous posts :)

His sword hit the ground first, digging into the surface of the battlefield. As it swayed softly, hilt upright it seemed to represent Pwan’s surrender of all that he valued; the comfortable, leather-wrapped handle of control and the sharp blade of vengeance, intersected in a cross-like fashion by the protective hand guard. The shield, the helmet, breastplate and armored collar followed in quick succession, each resounding with commitment as it struck the surface of a black or white square behind Pwan. He could feel the difference as he moved. Lightened from the heavy encumbrances his steps quickened; walk to a jog, then running outright.

Though still unsure why he was running, Pwan felt certain he was doing the right thing. He could feel the joy of the King in seeing him obey and heard the cheers from his friends, urging him on. They seemed to want him to succeed, but what was his goal? All he saw ahead after a few more squares of field was the edge; the end of the world as he knew it and in the enemy territory to boot. Pwan wasn’t fooling himself, he knew Pawns can’t go back-he could end up pinned by the edge in the very heartland of the opponent’s power.

Inexplicably, his enemies did not seem to want him to get there. He could read surprise and perhaps fear in the eyes of the first ones he passed. As soon as they could react they began chasing him. He saw the Knight who had captured the Queen up ahead. He was cutting a corner, heading to intersect Pwan’s course. It looked like Pwan’s run would end there, at the point of the Knight’s spear. Why hadn’t he brought his sword? At least he could have put up a fight with it, now he would just be taken shamefully with no struggle. He had no time to stop, no space to reconsider, and could still feel the King, willing him forward into the very path of the dark horseman.

At the last second a friend appeared out of nowhere. Flying past Pwan like a kite before a living wind was the white Bishop freed earlier by the Queen’s heroism. He moved in to threaten the enemy King, distracting the Knight just long enough for Pwan to get by. The Bishop forced the Knight to fight him in order to protect his own dark leader, thereby freeing the way for the little runner. He was sacrificing himself to help Pwan succeed!

Though not understanding much of what was going on around him, unaware that threatening forces were closing rapidly around his King, and with no idea of what he was going to do, Pwan was yet very aware that for some reason he must reach the far edge of the field. With the Knight out of the way he was closing fast, tears of joy streaming down his face, hardly able to believe he had made it this far.

Suddenly, there he was. Pwan slid to a stop in the very last square, panting, exhausted in every way. He had made it! His joy, though, was dampened by the unknown. What came next, now that he was here? He only had a moment to wonder before something happened that he never would have believed. Pwan had his first encounter with something from outside his checked field of experience. Someone was speaking, it seemed. Speaking to him!

“Is it your wish, Pawn, to give yourself up to ransom another prisoner?”

It is an ancient, primal law that provides this ability of transfer to the Pawns. Though the weakest of the warriors, they may yet become the most powerful through an act of chosen surrender, forcing the release of another prisoner captured in battle. They must go to the enemy stronghold, up to the very gates of the prison containing those taken in the combat and demand the exchange. It was this power, this timeless right that Pwan’s opponents had feared when they saw him dash for the edge of the field, toward their stronghold and prison gate. They feared him because he ran with abandon, holding nothing back. They feared him because they understood the inherent power that grows from acts of complete surrender. They feared him still, waiting breathless and silent for his decision. Would he follow through with the surrender of the very last thing he had, his freedom?

For Pwan, the decision seemed less difficult than his enemies supposed. His real choice had been made back on the battlefield when he dropped his weapons and set out on this all or nothing journey. It had been there that he had chosen surrender, giving up his own freedom and safety, trusting his leader. This now was simply an extension of that choice already made to follow the directions from his King. But that was not the half of it. One thing was going through Pwan’s mind as he stood there looking into his future, deciding what it should be. He could see clearly in his mind the lighted fire of love and concern he had seen earlier in the concentrated eye of the King as he had watched his Queen. He remembered, too, the Queen’s heroic, sacrificial rescue that led to her capture, and he knew what his choice must be.

As he spoke, Pwan’s voice held a new quality of confidence, illustrating the certainty he now had in the truth of what he was doing. No more questions remained, and no hesitation. Fearless and clear, his voice cut through the expectant silence that was holding the battle in breathless anticipation.

“Yes” he said “I want to give up myself to redeem the Queen!”

Afterward

The Queen’s reentry into the battle upset the balance of power and changed the momentum of action. She was so near the black King and was able to work together with Battlebar to affect a swift victory for the White army. Other soldiers helped too, of course. The Knight had a critical role in finishing the opponent and even Panzi did his part by helping block the Black Queen from reaching the action until it was all over.

The King and Queen were ever grateful to Pwan for his willingness to do the unthinkable in the face of danger. He, a mere Pawn, had made the deciding move that had saved their army and their people from certain disaster. It was his willingness to abandon his own desire for security, vengeance and personal glory that enabled him to choose the path of true glory in surrender.

Panzi was never the same again after that battle. The lessons he had learned about trust and attitude helped him become one of the most positive coaches for new Pawns the army had ever seen. He would regale the new recruits with humorous stories of days gone by and inspire them by recounting the story of Pwan the Valliant, the Pawn who had given up all thoughts for himself and run desperately through dangerous enemy territory to purposely force them to put him into prison. He would tell them all about how the battle worked, introduce them to the other troops and impress them with the idea that no matter what all they should always trust the King.

Battlebar, for his part in the victory, was nominated for the Brick and Stone Wall of Fame, a prestigious honor for any Rook. Upon receiving the placement, he was also given a new, improved outer wall using an upgraded type of brick, stronger and more durable. This wall proved to be a valuable addition, saving his life in a battle about six months later.

The Knight was promoted to the position of Lord Protector for the royal family and became famous for his wisdom and good counsel. He was eventually able to develop his own army, and as a King used his abilities of discernment and care for others to win great victories for the cause of truth and justice.

Pwan and Dreem got to reconnect in prison. Dreem had been able to learn much more about the things beyond the field, and they discussed his ideas to some length. They began to see their own lives on the field in a different perspective based on the larger reality. But that is another story for another time.

Upon their release from prison after the battle, Pwan was hailed a hero. He was praised and decorated, even given a gift by the FOP (Fraternal Order of Pawns). They had made him a walnut carving of his sword, rising cross-like from the surface of the battlefield where he had left it. He couldn’t quite say that he didn’t enjoy the attention for a short time, though his sacrifice soon faded into the story book of recent history, all but forgotten even by those who had lived through it. Attentions turned to newer things, newer people, but it mattered little to Pwan. He had a much more permanent motivation for his feelings of satisfaction in the part he had played. He knew he had given his all for a good cause. Unnecessary were the momentary cheers or praises of a crowd. Pwan knew he had obeyed his King and done what he needed to do. Awards were temporary, but he would always carry with him the lessons learned through surrender.

Symbolism and Notes

The names of the pawns are significant.

Pwan: Obviously a simple variant of Pawn, reinforcing his role as weak follower.

Panzi: (Pansy) relates to his fear and doubts about the King

Dreem: (Dream) points to his visionary role. He is the idealist who dies young…

Some may interpret the King as filling a God Role. That can work, and certainly there are elements of this. He could also in many ways be an earthly authority. Because of the unmentioned Chess player element, the King would not truly be in control, though he functions that way as far as the story is concerned. Certainly, the King communicates with his soldiers in a mystical, almost God-like way.

The ‘reality beyond’ that Dreem introduced; the world outside the chessboard represents the spiritual world, a reality we often overlook.

Pwan is part of the white (good) army vs the black (evil) army in the chess game.

At the moment where Pwan decisively surrenders, his sword becomes a cross symbol. This recalls Christ’s surrender on the cross in a subtle way while yet remaining very connected to the issues facing Pwan: Control, Vengeance and Security.

Beyond this there are many other ideas influencing this story. I have also attempted to include some elements and issues in the story that actually occur in our lives. Some examples are:

--Dealing with the ‘meaningless’ loss of a friend

--Lack of trust in a parent or authority figure is often a result of a weak relationship with them

--The question of where and how we place blame

--The difficulty of letting God work in his timing often creates impatience

--Vengeance

--Can we trust God even when we can’t see what’s going on

--Surrender to God’s will, regardless of personal comfort

--The Power of self sacrifice

Well, that is it! I wrote this story for a class called Narratives and Ideologies of Hollywood, where we studied story structure and writing techniques among many other things. Then, we put it into practice :) I hope you will comment and tell me what you think!

Thanks-

In Truth,

Stephen