Sword Mountain by Nancy Yi Fan Page A

color, my queen! An educated, sophisticated choice.”
    Sigrid preened at the flattery. Nobird has said anything so exciting today , she thought. She twitched her burly toes, but the applicant knew she was only waiting for more.
    â€œMature, stately, befitting a queen as yourself, yet with a subtle hint of youth.”
    â€œYouth … quite.” Sigrid looked up from examining a red nail. “I am quite young! But my eyes are failing me....”
    â€œThen allow me to present an example of my handiwork, Your Majesty,” said the applicant, opening his suitcase and drawing forth a package. “It’s the most exquisite, queenly type of spectacles, the lorgnette.”
    Sigrid tore off the paper with unladylike zeal and gave a cry of delight. She held up a pair of gold-edged glasses to her eyes. Her beak hung slack. “An owl!” Sigrid nearly fell back on her couch. “And I thought you were an eagle with a big head,” she said. “You realize there has never been an … owl among our castle staff?”
    â€œThen I shall be honored if I am lucky enough to be the first,” said Tranglarhad.
    Sigrid peered at him through her new glasses. “I don’t recall you telling me your name.”
    â€œI am called Tranglarhad, Your Majesty.”
    The queen shook her head. “Ridiculous. Your name does not sound intellectual enough for you to be qualified to teach here.”
    â€œBut, Your Majesty, it’s an owl name meaning ‘one who has a triangular head,’” the owl cried, gesticulating at his face, pointing out three angles made by his ear tufts and his beak. “The triangle is the most stable shape in the geometric world. To have a head shaped thus is to have knowledge most securely stored within the skull!”
    The queen considered, looking at her painted nails for a moment. “All right, then: What makes you think you’re qualified?”
    Tranglarhad knew how to answer this question. “First and foremost, I am not from the valley,” he said. “I am a native of Sword Mountain, in fact. I look up to the Castle of Sky every day.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œSecond, I possess a unique book called the Book of Heresy ,” said Tranglarhad. “Allow me to share with you a passage?”
    Sigrid nodded.
    Tranglarhad began. “Page 249: ‘Nothing will come of waiting alone. The best tacticians meticulously set multiple traps, all the while appearing quite friendly to their foes. Fatten up your enemies with your kindness, make them vulnerable so you can savor their demise....’”
    Sigrid was mesmerized.
    â€œMy! I do believe you to be a fine candidate,” she said. “However …” Queen Sigrid frowned.
    â€œWhat is it, my queen?” Tranglarhad murmured.
    â€œYou are a stranger. Not an eagle, and not of our tribe. The post of tutor, as you know, allows you a vote in the Iron Nest. It’s against the customs to allow a stranger into our government.” Sigrid looked torn. “I would still like to hire you, only as a tutor,” she said slowly. “I simply cannot give you a position in the Iron Nest assembly.”
    â€œI would be honored to be a plain tutor,” said Tranglarhad.
    â€œThen it is settled,” said Sigrid. “Will you be fit to teach tomorrow morning?”
    â€œWill evening do?” asked the owl. “I am nocturnal.”
    Sigrid nodded, beginning to trust the owl. “Evening classes shall be fine. Though you may see if the physician can prescribe medications for your ailment; being nocturnal is an unfortunate handicap. And after your classes, will you come to my drawing room to read me your philosophy book? I like it very much.”
    â€œIt shall be my pleasure, Your Majesty,” said the owl.
    A handicap? he thought. Queen Sigrid, you are much in the dark.

Music is laughter in radiant feathers.
    â€” FROM THE O LD S CRIPTURE

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