Word: Lateral

lateral

American  

[lat-er-uhl] / ˈlæt ər əl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the side; situated at, proceeding from, or directed to a side.

   a lateral view.

2. pertaining to or entailing a position, office, etc., that is different but equivalent or roughly equivalent in status, as distinguished from a promotion or demotion.

   a lateral move.

3. Phonetics. articulated so that the breath passes on either or both sides of the tongue, as l.

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                The Fae had some very strange games. Walter was finding that out very well. He had played many games in his time. While he could not say he had played every game humanity had created, he had a good foundation. Which is why he could say with certainty that this game was very odd.

                The board had spaces that moved. The pieces could change based on a dozen different factors. Even the rules themselves seemed to be fluid. Or at least, Walter could not understand them. For all he knew, his opponent was simply cheating constantly by making up rules that suited him. If he was, then Walter had no chance of catching any cheats, simply because he had no idea what was cheating and what wasn’t.

                All he knew was that he was losing.

                “Come on, friend. Make your move.” Walter’s opponent said.

Walter had no idea what the Fae’s name was, which was by design. The opposite was also true. It was one of the cardinal rules of dealing with Fae to never exchange names. But that was not something Walter was worried about right now.

“Make your move.” The Fae said with a too wide grin using a mouth that was wider than any human’s. “Forward or backward. Advance or retreat. Which is your choice?”

“I’m thinking. You’ll have to forgive my slow moves. I am, as you know, new to this game.”

Walter never took his eyes off the board, even while speaking. He had four pieces left, while the Fae had seven. And all four of his pieces were under threat. Walter had to move one of them, but doing so would likely cause him to lose another. The problem was how the pieces would change. Moving one forward would strengthen that piece; while moving it backward weakened it. The problem was that the weaker piece would be able to protect move of his remaining pieces in the short term, while the opposite was true of the stronger piece. Short term loss versus long term gain. And both would likely lead to a worse board state.

“Of course, of course.” The Fae replied. “I just wish to make sure you are really thinking about that game. I can be so hard to know with you humans.”

Walter did not respond. He put his entire focus on the game. Should he move forward and put his hopes on a single strong piece, or try and use several weaker pieces? And of course, there was the board movement to consider. Whatever that was.

He huffed. There was no way of knowing what the best move was. Not with his lack of experience and knowledge. So, he would just have to move and see what happened. He reached out and touched a piece.

                “Ah, you have selected? Wonderful! What shall it be? Strength or weakness? Forward or back? I cannot wait to see.” The Fae said cheerfully.

                Walter was about to move his piece forward when he paused. Something dawned on him. Why was the Fae so insistent that he only had two choices? The Fae’s words had put that idea in his head, but was it really correct? No. No, there was a third option. He could move his piece laterally. That would keep its power the same, but change the nature of that power. But what would that do?

                Walter looked at his opponent. He knew there was a trick somewhere in this move. But what was it? Was it forward? Backward? Or the one left unsaid? He took a deep breath and moved his piece.

                The Fae’s mouth twitched. The smile faded for a brief moment at the sight of Walter’s move.

                “A side move.” The Fae said. “How bold of you.”

                The board spaces began to shift and change. And suddenly, none of Walter’s pieces were under threat. In fact, several of the Fae’s pieces were now being targeted by his. It was not a complete shift, and Walter knew he was still in danger, but at least he had a turn or two to think.

                “Yes, I do try and be a bit unusual from time to time.” Walter said.

                “Let us find out if that was the right play, friend.”

                Walter nodded. He had bought himself some time. Now he just needed to make the most of it.