Matthew’s rock thrust from the earth at a gentle angle, leaning out over the cliff’s edge. He had been coming to the rock every day since arriving in Hawkdom to sit and dangle his legs above the abyss. The view had yet to diminish in grandeur. Here, high above the clouds, the mainland faded away. He could still see its forests and fields, but they felt different, more remote. He felt as if he sat on the shore and watched the ocean’s depths.

The distances had a strange effect on his mind. Even his troubles seemed beyond his reach. Matthew understood Queen Hawk’s indifference better now. What was it to him if Ganter conquered everything? The mountains would still stand. What was it to him if Talahdom fell? The wind would still blow.

Light played through the clouds. It cast rays all around, haloing the falcons and hawks who soared beside the cliff. To Matthew’s mind they were like courtiers at a ball. They swooped and twirled across the dance floor riding drafts like the rhythms in a song. Then dived into deep bows and leapt back gracefully, tempting another fair lady to join them. How graceful, how nimble their dance.

One courtier rose above the others. It spiraled upwards, higher and higher, a pirouette without end. As it drew level with Matthew he was struck by its beauty. Its cape was of brown and red, and its eye was of piercing gold. Matthew was mistaken. Here was no courtier. Here was a king! The wind died and for a serene moment the hawk hung there, lit by the sun. Then it trembled, its eye closed, and it began to fall.

It was like plucking an apple from a tree, as easy as that. Matthew reached out and grabbed the bird from the air. Only once the hawk was safely in his hand did Matthew’s heart begin to pound, for only then did he look down. He had stretched himself out completely over the edge of the cliff. Had he gone any further past the pinnacle of his rock he’d be dancing with the courtiers.

“To think I was worried about Ganter when there are a thousand other ways to die,” Matthew said to the hawk as he scrambled for safety, “It’s like being so worried about bears you don’t notice when a tree’s dropping on your head.”

The hawk opened an eye and stared wearily at him.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“Now what are you doing all the way up here? and why are you so tired?”

The hawk opened its other eye and clambered onto his forearm. There it began to preen, as haughty as any cat. As it did so, Matthew noticed a ribbon securing a scroll tied about its leg. He clumsily untied it with his free hand and unrolled it. It was a letter, scratched and torn. Matthew had transcribed enough letters to recognize the sort. The author had been on the move when they’d written it, and in a hurry.

My Queen,

I write with haste lest I be discovered by the horrors of which I now write. Thus I shall have to cut my formalities short and I request your pardon in advanced.

Dearest Queen Hawk, Lady of the Mountain, Hero of the Heights, and Most Mighty of Monarchs, salutations. I hope the weather is nice atop your mountain. It’s nice here. The sun has— I’ll have to stop there. One has seen me.

I now write whilst atop my horse so I apologize for any looseness of hand. I flee homunculi of stone, earth, and wood. Golems. The battle which you requested I view is over, though the sounds of slaughter continue behind me. I fear for the fate of even a single member of the Queen’s Regiment.

The creatures are drawing nearer, I must end this missive and go into hiding. Do not underestimate Ganter. Do not fight their golems!

Fair thee well Queen Hawk, Lady of the Mountain, Hero of the Heights, and Most Mighty of Monarchs,

Scout

P.s. I do not know if I will survive this, so consider this my final fair well.

P.p.s. Tell the kiddies I said hello.

The Queen’s Regiment was destroyed. Ganter had golems. Moldeth would become the new Burned City. The troubles of the mainland could reach him here after all.

Matthew burst into Queen Hawk’s chamber before he knew his feet were carrying him. He’d lost the hawk somewhere along the way. Queen Hawk was lounging atop her bed in a morning gown, reading a book. Her face quirked into a smile as Matthew strode over to her, “You’ve not been a diplomat for long, have you? You’re supposed to wait at least a week before you try to seduce me.”

Matthew waved his hand dismissively, He thrust the scroll at her, “Read this.”

Queen Hawk plucked the paper from his fingers and scanned it. Her eyes darted back to the top of the page and she read it again, this time more slowly.

Her eyes lifted from the page and stared deeply into his own.

“You and your retainers must leave at once. My servants will bring you supplies. While they are gathering them, I will write Talah a declaration of allegiance. You shall have a copy to bring to the other doms. This time they will listen to you, for Ganter’s cruelty has been revealed.”

Matthew bowed, “As I have done, I will do again.”

He hoped she was right.