Restoring the Ranks
I returned indoors from the balcony and climbed atop the low coffee table. A wooden chessboard spanned the surface, its checkered perimeter dividing two opposing factions. Inspection revealed a critical failure in the dark ranks: an ebony knight lay toppled across square C5. I confronted the disarray immediately. Gripping the carved figure by its neck, I hoisted its weighted body upright and drove its felt-lined base down onto the center of the square. I rotated the piece until its muzzle faced directly into the enemy line. The rank is now uniform, disciplined, and prepared for engagement.
