Page 73 of Wingless Crow: Part 1

“He gets to keep his head on his shoulders and his rank.”

Wasn’t that the truth? The game truly mimicked life way too closely. Maybe that was the reason King Tiane liked it so much without even being that good at it. Every win, real or fake, boosted the king’s already over-inflated ego.

“But that’s exactly what the High General starts with,” Sparrow noted. “Which means when he wins, he really gets nothing.”

She was too perceptive for her own good. And for his good, too, for that matter.

* * *

The hour he’d allocated for their game session ended way too soon. He couldn’t believe the time when it was over and even considered having the wall clock in his sitting room checked.

As Sparrow rose from her seat, thanking him sweetly, misery descended upon him. The only thought keeping his mood from growing completely sour was that she’d be back again tomorrow.

He walked her all the way to the door out to the hallway. His men lounging in his receiving room stood to attention, sliding curious glances at Sparrow.

The moment the door closed behind her, Alcon turned to him.

“Her Majesty the queen wishes to see you, High General.”

His spirit plummeted even further at the mention of the queen.

“When?”

“A man from her personal guard came by forty minutes ago with the summons. I told him you were preoccupied with an important matter.”

Alcon knew him well.

“Good.” He nodded.

Forty minutes ago.

Rumors traveled faster than storms or wildfires in Elaros. The queen would know soon enough that his session with Sparrow was over. There was no point in angering her by making her wait any longer than necessary.

“I’ll go see her right now.”

“Do you want to take a few men with you?” Alcon gestured at his guards, ready for his orders. Every one of them had been handpicked by Voron from the men who had fought at his side during the many wars in Sky Kingdom’s turbulent past. Every one of them he’d known for decades and trusted with his life.

There was no need to drag his men along, however. He had a feeling the queen would want to see him one-on-one, anyway.

“No.” He headed to the door. “I won’t be long.”Hopefully.

Ascending the wide, decorated stairs to the queen’s apartments, he didn’t doubt that her summoning him had everything to do with Sparrow coming to his rooms. The timing was a dead giveaway.

Queen Pavline sat in a carved chair on a raised marble platform in one of her sitting rooms. Dressed in aesthetically arranged silks and precious jacquards, with her left breast exposed, she posed for one of the resident artists of Elaros.

She cut a cold glance at Voron, not turning her head.

“You made me wait.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty.” He bowed as etiquette demanded but offered no explanation as to the reasons for his delay.

She waved her hand at the painter and the apprentice impatiently. “Leave us.”

The two women bowed before exiting the room. The queen relaxed her pose, dropping her shoulders. Her neck must be sore, too. The headdress set upon her purple hair was massive and looked heavy.

“What was the human doing in your rooms?” she went straight to the point.

It was about Sparrow, after all. Just as he’d expected.

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