“The Castled King” is a 493 word flash-fiction story written for the Solstice Raven 2026 writing competition on WritingBattle.com using the prompts: Fish Out of Water (genre), Golden Child (Character), and Chessboard (object). It placed in the top 16 in the Final Showdown.

“Where have you been?” Arthur asked as his older brother sat down on the bed opposite him; a chessboard lay between them. Rain pinged the windows as lightning illuminated the room, followed closely by thunder.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come sooner.” Sterling smiled. “You still have this thing?” He pushed a central pawn forward.

“It was yours.” Arthur paused. “I couldn’t get rid of it.” He slid a pawn forward to block. “You remember how to play?”

“Just like riding a bike.” Sterling side-eyed Arthur, sliding a second pawn directly alongside his first. “It’s us.” The two pawns sat stoically on the wood, facing Arthur’s lone soldier.

Arthur chuckled, his eyes darting between his brother and the chessboard. “Stupid move,” he said, taking advantage of his brother’s mistake as he knocked his pawn from the board.

“Sometimes, you’re forced to make sacrifices for the greater good.” Sterling lifted his knight and dropped it in the fray with a dull thud, punctuated by rolling thunder.

“Sure.” Arthur brought a second pawn forward in support, baiting his brother to attack. “There’s no shame in admitting you forgot how to play the game.”

Sterling laughed, sliding his bishop into play. Arthur felt warmed by the emotion—a sound he hadn’t heard in far too long. “You’ve been good? Dad’s not being too tough on you?”

“I’ve been OK. Miss you. Mom misses you.” Arthur’s mouth screwed up. His brother didn’t fall for the bait. Sterling was always three steps ahead. What was he planning? “He lets me know every day I’m not his golden child, but…” He nudged his pawn into position, threatening Sterling’s Knight. “I’m what’s left.”

“Yeah.” Sterling looked toward the window, his frame shimmering faintly in the light. “I know Dad can be tough. He has a way of pushing you out front while he hides in the corner. It’s a lot to handle.” Sterling castled his King.

Arthur shook his head. “It is.” He quickly slid his pawn forward, toppling Sterling’s Knight with a thud. “Silly move.”

With the path now clear, Sterling moved his Queen into the open lane, taking Arthur’s pawn. “You mentioned Mom. Is she OK?”

A sharp flash of lightning flooded the room, outlining the scars running down Sterling’s wrists. Arthur instinctively recoiled, his breath catching.

“Her and Dad argue a lot,” Arthur whispered, moving his Queen into play. “I hear her saying she doesn’t want me to end up like you.”

Sterling slid his pawn diagonally to Arthur’s Queen. “Good advice.”

“Dad’s not doing too well either.” Arthur captured the pawn without hesitation. “I hear him cry out around this time every night. He must be having nightmares.”

“Good.” Sterling slid his Bishop past the defense, stamping it down on the board, staring diagonally at Arthur’s King. “Check.”

A burst of lightning caused Arthur to shut his eyes. When he opened them, the space across from him was empty.

Through the bedroom wall, his father began to scream.

Photo by Fynn Zentner on Unsplash

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