It was a very makeshift board, it was true, but Anatoly carried it over to where Freddie sat as if it were made of the purest gold. It was made to play chess with and therefore it was special. All the same, he thought Freddie deserved a proper set. Somehow, he would find a way to get him one, even if it meant making it himself.

He sat across from Freddie and carefully set the board down, white side facing the other man. "It has a charm all on its own," he said then sat back and waited for the game to begin.