The Crow that Wears the Crown

Chapter 4

The Queen had been at her desk when the young girl enquiring about work arrived. Having just finished taking a report from Rook and was very pleased to hear how far she'd progressed. In this line of business with the good news often came the bad. In this instance the bad news was particularly bad.

News of the Beaumont clan's involvement with the Lockhart's was going to cause her problems. They had barely heard a whisper from the clan in the mountains, so what was it about Lockhart's that had them coming out of hiding now? She wondered.

"Stick with the original plan," she ordered, "you are doing well my Little Rook."

"As you wish my Que-" Rook was interrupted by the loud sound of laughter. The Queen thought nothing of it, it was common for members of the Crows to get rowdy in the evenings.

"I shan't keep you any longer, you have an important meeting to keep," the Queen rose from her chair, walking Rook to the door.

"Can't keep the Princess waiting," Rook grinned.

As the door opened the sound of a girls distressed scream grabbed their attention. Rook looked concerned towards the sound. It seemed the Crow's had found some prey as they circled a scared little mouse.

"Go see to the commotion," the Queen instructed, returning to her office, "And while you're there, do send the good Doctor in."

Rook nodded jogging over to the scene. The Queen watched the group disperse at her Little Rook's presence, laughing to herself as even the veterans backed off. Whoever the girl was it looked as if Rook recognised her and wasn't happy to see her or the way she was being handled. Thoughts of Rooks softness crossed her mind occasionally, a weakness which in time she was sure she could snuff out. For now, Rook was still a young, naïve child but she couldn't deny the girl got results.

She watched as Rook grabbed the youngster and left the scene after speaking to the Doctor as instructed.

The Queen went back behind her desk and waited for the Doctor to enter.

"What was all that about?" She asked as he stood before her.

"A young, desperate girl looking for work, said she needed the money," the Doctors straight forward answer was suspicious.

"So why was she screaming?" The Queen pressed.

The Doctor twirled a scalpel between his fingers, "Oh, I was just going to play a little with her," he answered sheepishly, "But your Little Rook ruined all the fun."

In the long run she knew Rook had made the better judgment. The last thing they needed was an investigation over the assault of a minor, an act that more have been move trouble to pay off than it was worth.

"I'm sure we can find you something else to play with," the Queen settled in her throne, "Speaking of which our scheme has hit an unexpected bump, but perhaps not a bad one." The Doctors eyes lit up. "I need someone who can find a connection between the Beaumont's and the Lockhart's."

"There are many little birdies at our disposal but why not send your favourite? Her talent for uncovering secrets is impeccable."

"She has her own part in this," the Queen replied standing and moving to her office window to watch as Rook rode off with the girl. "You can't win a game of chess with one-piece, Doctor."

"It shall be done," he replied, he knew better than to question the Queen more than once, once was a risk, twice was a death sentence.

He made a swift exit as the Queen returned to her desk, brushing her silver hair back she lifted a file from her desk., uncovering a photo of Rook and Sy's first meeting in the street, clearly taken from a secluded angle.

"You just have to keep those pieces in check."