The stench of sweat, alcohol and urine was almost intolerable.

Here and there lay strewn across the floor wooden stools, tankards spilling their contents into the mud, and bones discarded by a gluttonous patron.

An eerie silence hung over the tavern. All was still and empty, save for two lone dark figures in the corner.

Upon the table they were hunched over lay a board. On the board were counters of ivory and ebony.

They were gamers, playing The Game.