Guarding the Flank

Dusk overtook the window sill, so I dropped down to establish a proper night watch on the side credenza. An open chessboard sat abandoned under the lamp, its wooden ranks scattered mid-skirmish. One dark walnut knight stood stranded near the far border, completely exposed to an open diagonal. I stepped up to the carved stallion, braced my shoulder against its flank, and pushed with steady leverage. The weighted felt base glided across the checkered timber until it locked into formation beside a sturdy rook. Solid wood, balanced weight, and dependable backup. Now this flank is held.