HOW TO BE A QUEEN

THREE

The shadows curl around my body, engulfing me in a blackness that I have become all too comfortable with over the years. My only guide is a crumbling wall. I descend a stone staircase, careful not misplace my footing and slip. Cal never allowed me down here when I was younger- you're business is above ground he would always say to me. I used to think this stairway led to dungeons or a torture chamber, I wondered what kind of horrors awaited at the bottom but to my disappointment, it is nothing like how I imagined.

"Ana my dear" a voice sings-Cal's voice

The door groans as it closes behind me. There are no dungeons, there is no torture chamber, just a room full of books and an open fire- very disappointing indeed. A wine glass meets his lips as he gestures for me to come a little closer even though he is clearly in the middle of a business meeting. Opposite him, in a brown stained chair, is a woman a little older than myself, her lucent amber orbs ignite with something quite indistinct but I can't quite put my finger on it. Her orbs stand out against her deep dark skin and silvery hair.

I drag my gaze away from her and drop the green sack at Cal's curled feet "A siren's tail, dried out as you asked"

Cal takes the bag and examines its contents before hiding it behind his chair and smiling, his eyes wrinkle in the corners. Cal is old, not too old but old enough to be my father. His stark white hair is a big contrast to his slightly red cheeks and icy eyes. He dresses in dark colours, always, and that gave him an air of mystery. No one knows Calal Windsor as I do and no one can incriminate him, he is forever changing just like the wind.

His bones crack as he bends over himself and pulls out a small cream bag of this weeks pay "And here is my gift to you," he hums and places the bag in my waiting hands. Working for Cal means that he takes care of me in return, I get him what he needs and he gives me what I need; Medication for my father and sister, food and money.

"How rude of me not to introduce you to my guest!" He cackles but the woman is not amused. "Ana this is Celesta, a daughter of a rich merchant in Crait. Celesta this is Ana, I consider her my daughter. She's the best smuggler I have"

"Your only smuggler" I correct him, brushing strands of his white hair away from his round race "All your other smugglers are somewhere doing time for getting caught," I say, leaning onto the back of Cal's chair.

"I should have trained them the way I trained you" he sighs. "Anyway, we were discussing a deal. Celesta's father—"

"Stepfather" Celesta interrupts. "That man is not my flesh" she has a thick accent, one that I've never heard here but it must be common in Crait.

"Yes, she wants a potion that will slowly kill her stepfather from the inside out"

"Kill him?" I gasp. "Why do you want to kill him? It may not be my place to ask but isn't that slightly irrational?"

"No" her voice is harsh and callous, there is a poignant chill in her voice that scrapes my insides "In my region they call him Jäher—filthy, an abuser doesn't deserve to live, don't you think?"

An abuser doesn't deserve to live.

Her face twists into a bitter, painful scowl. Anger beckoning in her eyes, it reminds me of my devastating shortcoming. I recognise the bitterness in her eyes like my own. Is that what I look like? Bitter and angry? At least there is one thing we have in common. I know she will not shy away from her demand. After a short pause, I hear myself mumble "No, I suppose they don't"

Cal heaves himself from his seat and waddles towards an open bottle of unfinished wine and poured more into his cup. "Ana is your best bet at getting the ingredients you want Celesta"

How kind.

"However, I've given her the next few days off because it is her birthday tomorrow. We can make do with other smugglers, for the time being, I'm sure they will be just as efficient" he reassures her.

Celesta seems perturbed at Cal's comment but eventually, she nods and accepts. I can tell she is still not entirely at ease with the whole situation, she probably would have felt better if I dealt with her but like Cal said, I'm off for the next few days.

I seize the opportunity to escape from this claustrophobic little room which has no windows, air vents and practically little space to move. Plus, I have to collect my maintenance loan.

"I'm off" I quickly say, "I'll be back in a few days" I wrap my arms around Cal's shoulders and kiss his cheek gently, his face blushing as I did so.

"Enjoy your birthday my dear" he calls "Oh and Ana" his voice trails as the words fizzle out. Suddenly he looks sad, his shoulders drop and his eyes hold mine for a few seconds. "The Reaping, I— I just want to say that"

"I'll be fine" I force a small unconvincing smile. 

Cal's icy eyes soften as though the ice caps in them have melted completely. "You truly are very important to me, aside from business, you are the daughter I never had and I would hate to lose you"

"I would hate to lose you too, old man" I smile sadly and head for the door.

~*~

[ T R A N S L A T I O N S ]

Jäher- Filthy (Maandūki)