writing_shadows

There are two main ways to protect one's pieces: one can defend, counterattacking at every opportunity, drawing the adversary into traps and disposing of his ability to harm; or one can deny, evading the attack, removing the opportunity to draw blood.

As a cautious and tactical player, the Turk has always favoured a mixture of the two, using denial to enamble his defence. It is much harder when the pieces do not know their place, yet conversely more important to choose the correct tactic.

He knows that people do not like being compared to game pieces, so he would never compare Penny Dreadful to the queen, yet she is. She is the flexible, powerful one in the Motley and he knows that he must keep her safe and free to act. She will insist on putting herself in the line of fire, however; opening herself up to attack.

So be it.

He will simply have to defend with all his art, watch her assailants for opportunities and weaknesses, and keep his wits and his swordstick sharp.