"We'll see," says Castle.

She lays out the pawn-promotion square for Promise out of pale wooden pieces. Queen in front, knight behind, rook to the left, bishop to the right. The steel outer square remains in place. Castle and Royal sit back down.

Castle makes her speech to the pawn about possibilities and choices.

The queen reacts instantly, flaring with a brilliant light. The knight throws bright sparks that don't form a clear image. And against all predictions, the rook flares too, dimmer than the queen but with equal clarity.

Floating in front of Promise, the light from the queen forms a sleek fountain pen wearing a beautiful crown woven from branches and leaves.

And all around her, the light from the rook forms an enormous tree. Her tree, to be specific, not the one she started in but clearly one of the same kind. Its faint, translucent wood and bark manages to give a strong impression of unwavering solidity. Its image rises majestically through the ceiling, up and up to a towering height.

Castle doesn't let the surprise throw her off to any measurable degree. She thanks the pawn and lets the spell fade.

Then she says, "Well, that wasn't exactly in line with expectations."