The fourth

 two elders sat playing chess

they knew in order for one to win

one of their kings would have to die

the goal in playing power

the role to play in order to devour

only one king will remain

only one king will have the say

and in this victory of the game

the board is left in a gory mess

with swords ran through rooks

decapitated knights and pawns

and even bishops and queens

lacquering the wood with blood

and what would be left of the court 

for the newly ruling king

would he have dismembered hands

serve him his chalice of wine

would drained torsos bow at his whim

and bring him tidings from his allies

what allies would come to him with open hands

and not bearing daggers behind their backs

for it all was a filthy battle fought

by the strategizing hands of the elders

who whispered dark and deadly words

into the ears of their pieces

and to all those who would eat up their lies

these foreign elders playing their game

on a land not of their own footsteps

but a land at least one of them would 

gladly have a remaining king rule

alas not even a village-sized blanket

could sop up all the victor's drool