When Zarqa heard the knock, she already guessed who it might be on the other side.
She opened to find Ali Baba standing before her, and something about him seemed troubled. " Can I…"
She moved to the side, inviting him into her room. " You're not with the prince today?" He raised an eyebrow.
Ever since he had collapsed and Shula began the process of treating him, she hadn't left Arslan's side. Partially because Shula said that he would still need some tending to while he was recovering, and partially because the boy himself wouldn't let her go.
Zarqa shrugged. " No one would appreciate a maid joining the nobles and the important folk in their meeting."
Ali Baba couldn't help but agree to that. " And who would enjoy their company anyway? It would be boring."
A small smile appeared on Zarqa's face at his snub, and she moved to open the window. A great black bird flapped its wings and dropped on her windowsill, cawing its greetings to her.
