Hermits Under the Old Capital

As for Yiying in the old capital, the chess piece is in my hand, who will win? "Political figures are obsessed with Go and chess. They are proficient in game theory and love the prisoner's dilemma." "Gamblers like poker and tarot. They may become the masters of fate, or they may eventually become slaves of fate. A spade represents yesterday, and three hearts represent the future." "The truly smart ones love dominoes endlessly. Rather, all cards are one of many dominoes. The more thoughtful and ingenious ideas on how to place the most important first card, the better." "I am the son of blindness and stupidity, and I died in the old capital yesterday." "My name is Gwen Hurst, the number one player in the Black Conspiracy." (Elements of the novel: gods and magic, swords and dragons, war and peace, lurking and assassination, young people's life insights...)