Ty gave the rook the ugly line he had been measuring.
"Obsidian Sentinel, advance to G4 and take the flank."
The piece moved from F1 with no grace to waste.
Its first step dragged against the board as if the square wanted to keep it. The second step cut through a strip of cold left by Aldric's queen. Frost climbed the rook's base, found no gap, and cracked under the weight.
By the time the Sentinel reached G4, the path behind it looked less like a legal move and more like a dragged scar.
Ty's palm warmed against the edge of the table.
The rook planted itself beside the frozen lane. It did not glow to announce strength. It settled lower, shoulders squaring, head tilted toward the Sapphire Enchantress as if daring her to spend more cold.
Aldric's gaze followed the line from F1 to G4.
"You put a wall where a blade was needed."
"A blade can get stuck. I already have one doing that."
