Chapter 3
Avery didn't like to be woken early and Irina knew it. She would normally let her daughter sleep in, but at this moment it's more important for her to learn to be queen.
Irina had been in the study after a sleepless night reading when she got the message that an old woman had requested an audience with her. One of the things that made Irina a good queen was that she would always make time to listen to her people, and she had nothing better to do at the moment.
Avery had been called to watch to learn how a queen interacts with her people, something Irina had been meaning to teach her for a long time now. Irina nodded, signaling to bring the women in. Any other person might have gaged when they saw the women. She was ugly as a hag, warts and wrinkles covered her face, and her nose was 3 sizes to big to match the rest of her features. Irina kept a blank face, she was never one to show emotion, except on rare occasions with her family. "Welcome."
"Hello Majesty," the women said bowing.
"To what do I owe this honor?" Irina asked politely.
"I have come to bring a warning to you," the hags voice matched her face.
"A warning? Of what? Are the Starlings on the attack?"
"No, but if this war doesn't end you, personally, will pay dearly," Irina could feel her skin start to crawl.
"I already have. If you have not heard, I have already lost my son and husband to it."
"End the war or you shall pay more, along with your kingdom!" there was a flash of smoke and the hag was gone.
Irina didn't move, hardly breathed. She thought about what the threat could mean, Avery. There would be no one left to run the kingdom and it would kill Irina personally. She looked over at Avery, she had fallen back to sleep and most likely hadn't even seen the hag enter the room.
"Don't worry Majesty," the head of her security assured her. "Nothing will happen to you or the princess."
"Dahg, get my poison fingernails. I don't want that which to get any chances."