The Adventures of Caterwaul the Cat by Damon Plumides Page A

party soon came to a door, which was slightly ajar. The queen pushed it slightly, and it opened, revealing a good-sized room. There was a woven grass mat just inside the door, upon which was written the word “Welcome.”
    â€œWipe your feet,” called a voice from within the room.
    The room was lit by torches and candles that flickered in a smoky haze. Still, even squinting, it was difficult to see inside.
    â€œWipe your feet,” said the voice again. “What, were you raised in a barn? There’s a mat there for a reason. Your feet are filthy. I don’t like it when people track mud into my home.”
    It was difficult to see far into the room, but as they moved further inside, the queen was able to make out the shape of a woman. She was dressed all in black and had long, matted, gray hair. She was sitting on a rickety, old chair. The queen and her party moved deeper into the room, first carefully cleaning the dirt from their shoes.
    â€œIs there a chance that any of you lot plays chess?” she asked.

9

    Knight Takes Pawn
    â€œC hess,” the Witch repeated. “You look like civilized folks, surely you know the game? I would like to play.”
    â€œI play,” answered Druciah.
    â€œAre you any good?” the Witch inquired, tilting her head to the side the way a parrot might. The torchlight emphasized the opaque whiteness of her cataract. “I haven’t had a game of chess in a while, but it’s been longer still since I played anyone worth his salt.” The Witch rose from her seat and walked over to a shelf and grabbed a wooden box. “Come over here and sit by me. Your men too; tell them to make themselves comfortable.”
    There were few places to sit, and none of them looked particularly comfortable. Still Warwick Vane Bezel III and the guard sat down.
    â€œMy playing partners have been limited of late and no challenge either. The rat can’t play at all, I’m afraid. You and I shall have a game, Druciah,” the Witch said.
    The queen moved a rickety chair over to a table, and the Witch moved her chair accordingly. She opened the wooden box and revealed an intricately carved set of chess pieces. The carvings were beautiful, the work of a master.
    â€œThis game set was given to me long ago by my grandfather,” she said as she began to set the pieces. “I always play black, my dear, so you will go first.”
    Druciah picked up the white queen. She gently rubbed her index figure over its contours. “Beautiful,” she whispered. It was the most detailed chess piece she had ever seen. She put the piece down on its appropriate square. “How do you know my name?” she asked.
    The Witch chuckled. “I know lots of things. Some of them not so pleasant, and I would prefer not to remember them.” She finished setting the pieces. “My dear, there is nothing that goes on in my forest that I am not aware of.” She smiled slyly. A few of her teeth were no longer there.
    â€œA game then?” she said. “It’s your move, white.”
    Druciah moved her queen’s pawn forward two spaces.
    The Witch grinned. “Interesting. You may give me a game after all. You are either very bold or very stupid. We shall see which one it is.” She countered with her own queen’s pawn cutting off Druciah’s.
    White followed by moving her left-hand knight in front of her bishop’s pawn. Black countered by moving her right-hand bishop’s pawn up two spaces.
    Druciah next moved her knight to take the Witch’s queen’s pawn.
    â€œAha!” said the Witch. “You are a player.” She took her finger and knocked over her own queen indicating her concession.
    â€œWhy did you do that? We’d only just begun playing,” asked the queen.
    â€œI can see very clearly that you have me, my dear. In twelve moves, most likely. You are a very clever player. Not everybody would have the