Page 21 of Soaring into the Midlife

"Ah, no, but thank you." I tried to be polite despite our disoriented state. "But maybe you could tell us where we are? We were just in an art gallery, and now..." I trailed off, gesturing around at the vibrant landscape that had replaced the gallery.

"Of course," Lady Bishop said with a warm smile. "You're in Chesslandia, home of the Chess Queen."

Of course we were.

As she spoke, the world seemed to come alive. Giant chessboards stretched into the distance, and living chess pieces strolled by, nodding cordially. Everything was so bright and surreal like we’d accidentally walked into a technicolor dream.

"Chesslandia?" Kendra asked skeptically. "How did we get here? And how do we get back home? We need to find some sort of portal."

"Ah, well, that's a bit more complicated," Lady Bishop said with an unsettling smile. "You see, this realm is ruled by the Chess Queen. Chesslandia thrives on strategy and intelligence." Lady Bishop smoothed her elegant black and white attire. "We have a plethora of delights for visitors to enjoy."

"Like what?" I couldn't help but ask, curiosity piqued.

"Ah, there's our elaborate chess museum where one can learn the history and evolution of this great game," she said with a flourish of her hand. "And let's not forget the bustling marketplace where pawns barter for enchanted chess pieces. Quite the sight."

"Sounds fascinating," Kendra said. It was clear that she wasn't quite ready to trust this whimsical world just yet. That made two of us. "But we need to find a way back home. Can you tell us more about this Chess Queen?"

At the mention of the Chess Queen, Lady Bishop's expression grew serious. "The Chess Queen is a powerful but unpredictable ruler. She holds the key to your journey back home."

"Great," I said. "Just what we need. Another unpredictable magical being."

"However," Lady Bishop said, "the Chess Queen only grants favors to those who prove themselves worthy."

"And how do we do that?" asked Kendra, her hands resting on her hips as she assumed her no-nonsense lawyer stance. If anyone could get answers, it was Kendra Justice.

Apparently, my bestie had had enough of this crazy reality.

"Ah, now that is a question best left to the Chess Queen herself," Lady Bishop said cryptically. "She is the ultimate arbiter of worthiness."

"Of course she is." I sighed, exchanging a glance with Zara. This whole situation was like a supernatural sitcom, the kind where canned laughter followed every ridiculous plot twist.

"All right then," Kendra said. "Let's go meet this Chess Queen and figure out what she wants from us."

"Very well." Lady Bishop's smile returned. "Follow me."

As we set off through the strange, vivid landscape of Chesslandia, I wondered what sort of challenges awaited us. Would we be able to prove ourselves worthy to the Chess Queen? And even if we did, could we trust her to send us back home? To our reality? There was only one way to find out, and that was to march onward, straight into the heart of this peculiar realm.

"Keep an eye out for portals," I said to Kendra. Zara could hear me with her vampire hearing. They both nodded.

The grand Chess Castle loomed before us, its intricate patterns and towering spires casting an imposing shadow over the colorful landscape. A chill ran down my spine as we approached, and not just because the castle's architecture looked like it could topple over at any moment.

"Behold, the Chess Castle," Lady Bishop announced with equal parts awe and trepidation. "Home of the enigmatic Chess Queen."

We followed Lady Bishop across a drawbridge made entirely of interlocking black and white squares, and through a pair of massive doors that swung open as if by magic.

The interior of the castle was as ostentatious as its exterior, the walls adorned with life-sized portraits of various chess pieces engaged in dramatic poses. I just hoped these paintings didn’t come to life. A moment later I snickered at the sight of a rook looking fierce, despite being nothing more than a glorified tower.

"Really?" I earned another disapproving glance from Kendra.

"Quiet," she said. "Remember why we're here. I wanna go home!"

Before I could respond, Lady Bishop came to a halt, gesturing grandly toward a set of double doors at the end of the hall.

"Beyond these doors lies the throne room," she said solemnly. "Prepare yourselves, for the Chess Queen awaits."

"Great," I said. "No pressure or anything."

With a deep breath, we followed Lady Bishop through the doors and into a cavernous room that seemed to stretch on forever. At the far end, an extravagantly carved throne sat atop a dais, and lounging regally upon it was none other than the Chess Queen herself. She was the epitome of power and grace, her regal form draped in a cloak of black velvet and adorned with jewels that sparkled like stars in the dimly lit hall. Her face was a study in contradictions, with sharp, calculating eyes and a gentle smile. As she surveyed us with a cool, appraising gaze, I was both intimidated and drawn to her all at once.