Sparrow’s P.O.V.
“Sparrow, they’ve surrounded the Palace city of Delton.”
“Go on.” I wave a hand out towards Raven, resting my head against my fist as I sit about the underground ebony throne.
“Delton has closed their borders. It seems the people outside are from the fallen city of Kasardis!”
“Are they infected?”
He nods before continuing, “We have reason to believe so. I’ve sent some of my spies, including some of my tops there.”
“Flacon, Robin and Swift, right? You can only be certain they are infected if they have those violet eyes, Raven.”
“Yes, Sparrow. How did you-nevermind!” he bows in respect at the change in question.
“Is there anything else, Raven?”
He stands quietly, before making eye contact. “No, but Sparrow... You don’t, if I may, seem surprised about all of this.”
“Am I supposed to be?” I arch a brow, crossing my leg over the other and release a heavy sigh.
“No, Sparrow...”
“Raven, I ask you to be frank with me. If you have other suggestions, then say so.”
“Yes, Sparrow.” he bows and then begins, “I just thought with news of infected, that you might consider it a bit more...” he looks at me, searching my eyes with his. “More calculation.”
“Raven, I can assure you that I have calculated my next step with this situation.”
“Next step, Sparrow?”
“Yes, Raven.” My patience for this is beginning to thin.
With that, the large ebony doors open, and rumble closed, Crow taking double paces towards the throne. Windows a story up that reside above ground, rein in some moonlight, illuminating the isle with a glow, making Crow, himself, illuminating.
“Sparrow, a word?” he asks, nodding to Raven who bows and takes his leave.
“No, stay.” I say, nodding for Crow to continue.
Crow throws a brief glance in my direction but gives an expression of surrender, continuing. “Sparrow, a large gathering of refugees from Kasardis are beginning to station their selves outside of Valantis.”
“Good. What is Valantis’s response?”
“The queendom of Valantis still refuses to lift their borders, however, they have sent blankets and other necessities for all refugees starting to gather.”
“Good.”
Raven and Crow nod, waiting for me to give my next order.
“Raven, I need the infected refugees to be disposed of outside of Delton. Make it a message to King Harion.”
Raven’s eyes go wide, but he nods. I continue, “Hawk will surrender some of our warrior spies to you for the mission.”
Raven scrunches his eyes in confusion. “My Sparrow, you mean to say that Hawk knows of this already?”
“Yes. He is already aware of my next step.”
At the continued confusion I continue, “Let me brief you. Raven, I gave you the order to keep an eye on Kasardis. I also anticipated not everyone would die from the incident. We would have two groups consisting of infected and the non-infected. Crow separated the groups, and you did well to report on the progress.”
“You mean-”
“It is as she says, Raven.” Crow chimes in.
Raven looks to Crow and then to me, defeated. I had set up the groups, being careful to get out as many non-infectious people as possible and separating the infectious. I gave Crow orders to have our spy cause a scene, rallying up the infected to lead their attention on Delton. After all, it was easy. Delton was a natural enemy to the two queendoms of Kasardis and Valantis and the people of Kasardis weren’t happy that their queen made trading arrangements with the king of Delton.
“That is what you meant by next step. I thought it was odd you would say ‘next’, instead of it being your first.”
“Always a step ahead.” Crow eyes me, a crooked smile lacing his lips. I ignore it and turn back to Raven.
“Go to Hawk. I want this to happen in four days' time.”
“Yes, Sparrow.” Raven bows and makes his way to the exit.
“Crow, a word.” I gesture to the war room.
He opens the door and leads me in. I take position on the other side, in front of the table. “The princess and the two boys are heading to Cherrwarden. After, they have plans to head to Landyserie where Amadexxus will accompany them.”
“I am curious to see how this will affect the princess.” Crow cocks his head, a hand to his chin in thought.
“Crow, I am not concerned with the princess’s feelings. What we should be more concerned about is her throne.”
“That far ahead, are you?”
“Crow, don’t be smart with me.”
He throws his hands up and chuckles before adding, “Ok, ok! Just stop glaring at me! I swear if looks could kill.”
I roll my eyes and slide my head wrap down before putting a finger to the map, tracing through my thoughts.
“Any bidders for her throne, yet?”
“Sarffique, Delton and Valantis are all eyeing it.”
“Sarffique, even? They’re all the way North-West, why would they be trying to grab their way down to Kasardis?”
“I assume they will rebuild it. Having a station in the South would make ruling much better with more territory. They already keep the North relatively in check and bullying the queen of Valantis would be that much easier.”
“Sparrow, there is something else I need to tell you.”
I look up at him and wait.
“I love it when you put your thinking face on!”
My cheeks heat up and I nearly growl at him, throwing a quill pen at him. He dodges easily and gives me a very suggestive face.
“I swear, you’re a child.”
“You love it!” he says, picking the item up and setting it back onto the table. “Now, how do you plan to keep the three from taking the throne?”
“That isn’t our concern right now. If they were to act now, it will be considered insensitive and besides, Landyserie has the say in that.”
“Auh, I get it. That is a reason you want them to be there.”
“Crow, keep pace with me, will you?” I cross my arms and cock my hip before stating, “If we lead them into Landyserie, the princess will be where she was meant to be before the fall of her queendom. The Royals Academy resides there, and it would be a way to showcase her appearance.”
“But her appearance there, wouldn’t it lead to some controversy on how she escaped?”
“I have that covered.”
“Of course, you do, just like the rest of you, unfortunately.” he winks at me, and I slap my face to my palm.
“Do you ever think of anything else?”
“Rarely! The thinking is your job, Sparrow.”
“You’re my second and should be thinking along with me.”
“I do think myself along with you.”
“Ugh, you’re despicable.”
“Hardly!” he smiles, and I can’t help but to as well. He moves closer and stops a foot away from me. “Sparrow, there is one secret I make an aim for knowing.”
“What is that?”
“The day you tell me your name.”
I look at him, my heart beating a pace faster. My name? “Are you crazy?!”
“No. The day you tell me your name is the day I know you have full trust in me.”
I stay silent at that. What is there to say? Did I trust him? I never tell anyone the full part of my plans, but Crow just has that influence to nudge a little more and more from me every meeting. Is that trust? I don’t even trust the Owl and he has far more reason for me to trust him than Crow.
“It’s alright if not now. After all, you have a nation to run. But, one day, I will wait for the day you decide to tell me. It will be your choice.”
I am about to speak but he speaks up first, “Now then, where were we?”
He takes a step back and glances back down at the map. My heart settles down a pace and I feel... how did I feel? Not guilty, but... would I be able to give him my real name? The whole spy system and Crow’s whole position relied on only a select few knowing my identity as the real Sparrow. If anyone knew my actual name... it would be the end. I would be that much more vulnerable.
“Sparrow?”
“Yes?”
“There’s that cute thinking face again!”
“Ugh!” I storm to the other side of the table, heat rising to my cheeks even more. “I work with a freaking child!”
He snickers and I give him the most annoyed expression I can muster. After a moment he rolls his eyes and looks back down at the war map with me.
“This message is to warn Delton to stay in check, am I right?”
“Yes.” I say before adding, “Delton is rash and very hard-headed when it comes to opportunities. He is the first to issue any form of force against taking Kasardis and its people. Before he was able to strike, that is where you came in.”
“Right. Lead the infected there and scare him a little, make an example out of them and... now what exactly?”
“Now, we get ready to receive the three in a couple weeks to Landyserie.”
“I understand the importance of the girl, Sparrow, but why keep tabs on the boys? Wouldn’t it be much easier to escort the princess and have her train, here? You could influence her much more-”
“Crow, that is all.”
Crow straightens, his expression a thin frown. I can tell I’ve hurt him, but business is business and telling him everything would just complicate things. Maybe trusting just isn’t in the cards for me.
“Sparrow.” he states is strictly and sharp, no enthusiasm as he shows himself out. A small ping of guilt rises in my chest, but I assure myself that this is the for the best.
I decide to make a small detour, after all, answers are what we needed. Advice would go a long way, too.
…..
After walking down the halls and such of the palace above ground, I make my way into the market. Smells of fresh meats and roasted vegetables linger through the breeze. I keep my face wrap as well as my shroud up to conceal my identity. In Tendron, the normal look consisted of dark leathers or dresses and coverings. This city is superstitious and with Kaltime, a smaller village outside consisting of a shrine, the elderly and more middle-aged people, the superstitions grew considerably.
I make my way down into the more residential area, spread away from the palace. I follow along familiar routes, small groups of people here and there keeping to themselves as they pass by.
Finally, I make it to a sizeable homemade of black stone and wood, my destination. I kick non-too-gently at the door twice and wait. A small sliding slit reveals a toothy smile. It slides closed abruptly and the door clicks open.
I make my way inside, the coolness of the interior making me shiver.
“To what do I owe this pleasure, Sparrow?”
“You know of my plans, yes?”
He nods and gestures for me to take a seat as he sits in a similar chair, opposite the other around a fireplace. He makes a swishing motion with both hands and then strikes, his hand in the direction of the fireplace. Sparks ignite and blue flame begins to lick the wood.
“Thank you. I don’t understand why you keep this place so...” I take a seat and cross my leg over the other, keeping my head held high and my hands in my lap. “Below standard.”
“Auh. Well, I do love a good cold morning.”
“It is in the middle of Nyar-of summer as some people call it-why is your residence so ungodly chill?”
He shrugs and chuckles. “Surely this isn’t the small talk you are meaning to flatter me with?”
“No, it isn’t.” I search for the right words. His presence never gets to me unless I am to ask him of a favor. “Owl, I need-”
“You need? Girl, haven’t I taught you well?”
“Isn’t this your position to offer my guidance when I see fit?” I counter.
“Be careful, Sparrow, or shall I say cat for glaring at me in those icy blue slits of yours?”
“Owl, I need guidance.”
“And I need a bottle of rum, but we don’t always get what we want, do we?”
“You don’t even know what I am about to ask, yet!” I slam my fist on the arm of the chair and he snickers across from me.
“Ugh, I work with children.”
“Are you referring to crow or myself?”
“Both of you!”
“So, you are asking the help of a supposed child... what does that, in fact, make you?”
“Forget it!” I shoot up from the seat and point at him. “It was a mistake to come to you!”
“Sit down.” he orders, intertwining his fingers and sitting back in his chair.
I stare at him, the heat in the pit of my stomach and the tension in my jaw beginning to relax. I don’t sit, though.
“Sparrow, you have a plan. The only reason you would come to me is if you feel unnerved by something. So, girl, tell me why you are unnerved.”
I search his features-the ones I can see. His sharp-toothy grin has become a thin line, his cheeks and above disappear into his hood. He bony hands capable of magic that only I or a dead man have witnessed. I take a breath and slowly slouch back into the chair, regaining my composure.
“It is how to address her throne. Yuran has been spotted; you obviously know this. Now, I have reason to believe you already know the outcome to this, Owl.”
“That isn’t what is unnerving you.”
“It’s the boys and thus, influencing the girl.”
“Auh, there we are. You’re worried about what exactly? Your first introduction?”
I look to the fire, not wanting him to pry further.
“But it isn’t your first time meeting the blonde boy, is it?”
“No.” I whisper.
He chuckles and prods, “Tell me that story.”
“There isn’t much to tell.”
“Auh, but there is. I came back from Kasardis and not a few hours later, you cornered me to tell you everything I knew about the boy.”
“That was a long time ago-years ago and is irrelevant.”
“Is it?”
“This is a waste of my time.” I try to ignore the pit in my stomach as I try to dissipate my annoyance.
“Ask your question then, little bird.”
Little bird: the nickname he used when I was younger. The nickname he used before I took full power.
“I am not a child!”
“You will always be a child to me. After all, I raised you.”
We sit in silence as I let moments go by. I stare into the fire before asking, “Why didn’t you teach me how to use magic?”
He drops his hands and faces the fire as well. Is he surprised at my question?
“The time will come.” is all he says.
“I want your guidance on how to handle the three.”
“Try being nice... that’s a start.” he faces me with another one of his toothy grins and I let out a huff.
“I am nice.”
“Not with that temper. Believe me, that, I did not teach you.”
I can’t help but smile at that. “I don’t need friends.”
“Why not? Having a friend is essential in gaining influence.”
“I don’t have any friends and I have influence.”
“Auh, but you have Crow. Do you not consider him your friend? I see the way he looks at you.”
“No, he is Crow and my second in command. I don’t have time for that.”
“You make your own time. Part of the perks of being in power. You have a friend in him, don’t waste it with that stubborn head of yours.”
I ignore his words and counter them with a demand, “I want answers, Owl.”
“Of course, you do. You’ve always said this, but I trust you’ll figure them out.”
“I always do.” I agree, thinking of the two boys and the princess.
“Those three... they will help me get those answers.”
“You already know one of them. The day you cornered me after my visit to Kasardis. You followed me. I always had the feeling at the back of my mind that someone was watching me. Perhaps, I taught you too well.”
I smile and can’t help but take pride in the hidden compliment. “I was always good at sneaking and watching.”
“Not was but are.”
I stand and look back to the fire, the blue flames beginning to turn into crimson embers, the flakes of wood and soot brushing the stone containing it. I begin to head towards the door to let myself out but turn back one last time. “I got another answer, today.”
“What is that?”
“I am capable of learning magic.” I don’t wait to see his reaction. I leave out the door and head back to the palace where the entrance is to the underground.
As I walk, I decide to take the longer route, going around the vendors. Malachi, Carson and Princess Lena. My, what a trio. As a child, learning how to fend with vultures around me, whether they be people at court or in the street, was all a part of my training to become the Sparrow. Being a girl in a kingdom, I never once got looked on as a potential threat. I was a child at the time, nearly seven or eight, I cannot remember, but I reported to the Owl every night about the information I would find out about the royals or servants.
One too many times, I would have to report to Crow, instead. Being a few years older than me, but still a child, he took the Owl’s place where my reports were concerned. I was curious as to why the Owl kept disappearing for weeks before coming back and acting as if he had never left. One night, I let curiosity get the best of me. I followed him across the territories to the queendom of Kasardis where he would be spotted helping a blonde hair boy with sea-blue eyes. Similar to myself in fact.
Was I jealous and angry? Probably. I remember watching and waiting. How a child of my standing survived a trip alone through the territories, I can’t recall except for luck. When I huddled onto the carriage the Owl was on heading back to the Kingdom of Tendron, I had gone through every possibility in my head; every reason why he would be taking care of this boy on the streets. I decided, once getting back there, to come up with a plan to get my answers.
Fortunately, Crow found me first before I decided to do anything rash. Gave me a swift stern talk before helping me decide to confront the Owl.
I gently brush over the dagger at my thigh. I imagine the adorned ebony, silver engraved etchings and the unique carving of a Sparrow hilt. The blade sharp and lustrous with a gold plating image displaying one line in the middle and a crow on either side of it. Crow had given me the dagger, my first dagger, when I told him the bare basics of where I had been. The first gift I had ever received.
Soon after, I cornered the Owl and all he did was smile and pat my head, telling me, his little bird, that I had proven myself to begin my next phase of training. That involved combat and conditioning in conflict. The first time I knocked the blade out of his hands, nearly a year later, he gave me an answer. He gave me the answer of that blonde boy’s identity and the reasoning behind the visits, all in two words.
I will never forget those words.
I smile at the memory and walk under a dark-stoned arch, in between some of the vendors hidden in between an alley. Those two words...
A small cold point pricks my neck and a force strong enough to unbalance me, jerks me backward. A large arm wraps around the front of me, making it hard to move.
"Haha, hello girly." a barley man, about a foot taller than myself, has hold of me. He hiccups before continuing, "Let's get som' fun over 'ere!"
The man moves me with him in lazy, sloppy strides, pushing me against a stone wall. I look out and see a vendor close up their shop, drawing the wooden panels and curse under my breath.
"Hey boys? Come over ere' an' have a bit-a fun, shall we?"
I hear snickering in the opposite direction that my face is pressed to. I bite my lip, calming the bile rising in the pit of my stomach before I add through gritted teeth, "Get away from you, you fat fuck!"
"Eh?" the man blinks a few times before drawing in closer, his breath putrid with the stench of tobacco and cheap liquor. "Wha'd you say, girly?!"
"Looks like she needs a bit-a fun, brother! Look at her, all frown! We'll show you a real good time!"
"If you touch me, you'll-" I begin to say but am pressed harder against the stone. The man begins unbuttoning his pants.
"You prick!"
"That's enough!" the man loosens his grip that is holding me face first against the wall and raises his other hand to strike me.
Smack!
In a matter of a second, the large drunk is laying on the ground, tears gleaming in his eye as he holds himself in a fetal position.
"The hell?! What did you just do?!" his brother charges after me, but I sidestep him and bring up my elbow at the last second, hitting his nose. Blood gushes and as he draws his hands up to the touch, I use his momentum to twist his arm, locking it straight.
He looks at me with wide eyes and stammers for me to wait, but I smile and bring down my arm. A horrifying crack leaves the man screaming on the ground, clutching his broken arm, a piece of broken bone protruding from the inners of his elbow.
"Next time, listen to me and don't take advantage of women. If I see you're faces again, I will stab you."
I turn to leave, but the large man gets up, seeming to have regained his composure, staggers toward me in a drunken charge. I slide my fingers up my thigh, grabbing my dagger and twist backward, landing it with his momentum, into his chest.
He stumbles and looks at me as if he isn't sure he is dreaming. I smile as I watch him fall to the ground, dead.
"You... you bit-"
"Don't. You need to get a healer or you sir, aren't going to make it either with all that blood."
His eyes stream with tears as he retreats to himself and clutches his arm, prying himself up. He stumbles back and heads in the opposite direction of me.
"Well, another one bites the dust." I turn and head back toward the palace arches without a single look behind.
ns 15.158.61.48da2
