[Third Person].
Weeks passed quietly, and two significant changes had already occurred before the Annual Hunting Festival arrived.
First, Reginald Fellowes' house arrest ended. Officially, he was once again a free man. Unofficially, Draven still had eyes on him at all times.
Second, Xamira was no longer inside the palace. Draven had arranged it carefully. Without any scandal or suspicion, she had been removed discreetly only to return in a far more useful form.
---
This morning, in Meredith's Queen's chambers, the windows were open to let in the cool air of the festival day.
A flash of green streaked through the sky, then a small green bird slipped inside and landed neatly on the carved table near the balcony doors.
Meredith, who had been fastening the clasp on her hunting cloak, turned immediately. The bird chirped softly, and she walked toward it without hesitation.
To anyone else, it was meaningless sound, but to Meredith, it was clear speech.
