King Cozy

Poppy has a warm, sleepy-slow friend: King Cozy, the king. He wears a big soft robe and a crown that's slipped a little sideways, and he moves very gently.

"One step," says King Cozy, taking a slow, cosy step. Just one square — but he can go any direction: forward, back, side, or slanty. "I'm never in a hurry," he yawns happily. "One gentle step is plenty for me."

King Cozy is the most important friend on the board — not because he's fast (he's the slowest!), but because everyone works together to keep him safe. Poppy, Rooky, the twins, Hoppy, and Queen Quill all watch over King Cozy. "We keep him snug," says Poppy.

Here is the gentlest, most important part: in Pawnmeadow, King Cozy is never grabbed or taken away. When the other side traps him so there's no safe square left, that's called checkmate — the game is simply over, and King Cozy stays right where he is, safe and sound. No one ever knocks the king off the board. "Trapped means the game is done," says King Cozy kindly, "not that I'm gone."