Ron's Chess Game

The Flower Fairy lifted her chin. "Hmph. I can do all sorts of things. Pick any one of them, and I could run circles around a whole crowd of wizards."

Luo Bin took it for boasting and paid her no mind. He jogged back to the wooden door, slipped the key into the lock, and gave it a hard twist. Click. The lock sprang open.

That was it!

With the silver key's job done, Luo Bin let her go. Compared with when they had first entered, she flew more slowly now, and her path wobbled even more.

"Is everyone ready?"

Luo Bin asked with his hand on the doorknob.

"Ready! Charge, brave and fearless Flower Fairy!"

Xiao Ying brandished her green arrow, raring to go.

"Maybe I should find time to work out how to make a shrinking potion!"

"Luo Bin, with Xiao Ying around, at least we won't be on edge the whole time!" Hermione said, covering her mouth as she giggled.

The Flower Fairy landed on Hermione's shoulder, evidently agreeing with her.

Forget it. Even if he stuffed Xiao Ying into a cloth bag or a pocket, she would probably stab through the fabric with her green arrow. If the result would be the same, he might as well let her come along in plain sight.

"Get ready. I'm opening the door!"

Once the three of them and the Flower Fairy had nodded, Luo Bin pushed the door open. The next chamber was so dark he couldn't see his hand in front of his face. But the moment his left foot crossed the threshold, bang, bang, bang! A dozen or so white lights came on, illuminating everything inside.

"Ron, is that a chessboard?"

"Obviously," Ron said, swallowing hard in fright.

Ahead lay an enormous chessboard. The black pieces