Clods of dirt and grass and rock sprang free from the ground under Maple’s hooves as Ravena rode toward the Glass City. She flew through the White Forest, past the Palace, through the market, and pulled Maple to a thudding stop in front of Haven’s Bakery. The windows were dark, but she had nowhere else to go. She pounded on the thick, wooden door. “Mr. Haven!” She cried, “Mr. Haven, please! I need your help!”
The door swung open and a bloodshot Mr. Haven stood before her, clutching a small, square piece of paper—or maybe a photograph—in his hand. He looked like he’d been crying, but perhaps it was blurriness from the sudden awakening from sleep.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Haven, I didn’t want to wake you and I hope I didn’t disturb Mrs. Haven and Charlotte.”
“Whatever is the matter?” He stuffed the paper into his breast pocket. The whole truth—the poaching and the gold coins and the Queen’s lobsters and Thal who she might’ve loved was actually the reviled Thalor Grimscar and was meeting a dealer tonight—all spilled out in one breath. Mr. Haven just listened, compassion knitted into his brow. She finally sighed, freed from the burden she’d carried to his doorstep. Mr. Haven pulled her into his arms.
“I had no clue,” she whispered, tears darkening his shoulder, “and I want to do something but I think it’s too late.”
“Oh, Ravena, it’s certainly not too late to do the right thing.”
“Will you help me?”
He squeezed her hands. “Of course, dear girl. That’s what love does.”
This was the reassurance she needed. Mr. Haven grabbed his coat and kissed Mrs. Haven goodbye and a few moments later they were off to the palace.
. . .
Ravena had underestimated how well-loved Mr. Haven was. The palace guards greeted him with enthusiastic familiarity. After a brief introduction, he gestured to Ravena. “My young friend has information on the disappearance behind Her Royal Highness’s lobsters. I’m afraid it’s of the utmost urgency.” They were ushered in at once, and after answering the same question for an ascending hierarchy of employees, they found themselves in the sitting room of the Queen herself. Ravena and Mr. Haven sat shoulder-to-shoulder on an ornately embroidered chaise lounge for what felt like an agonizingly long time. Somewhere in the palace, a clock sounded. It was nearing dawn. What could be taking so long?
Finally, Queen Tressa of The Glass City swept into the room with remarkable poise for such an ungodly hour. Her charcoal hair tumbled down and around her shoulder in a loose braid, and even her sleeping robes looked monarchical. She was younger than Ravena had assumed her to be, and she found herself feeling intimidated by this peer-aged royal who wasn’t a peer at all. The two stood at once.
“Mr. Haven,” Queen Tressa turned to the silver-haired baker. “I understand you have something urgent to discuss.” She gestured for them to sit.
Mr. Haven bowed, and Ravena awkwardly dipped into an unpracticed curtsy before retuning to her seat on the lounge. “I’m afraid we have a problem that requires immediate action, your Highness. I’d like you to meet my dear friend, Ravena Windwalker.”
Ravena smiled timidly, then said, “If it please your Highness, I have some troubling information.”
Queen Tressa focused her grass-green eyes on Ravena. “Proceed.”
With a long, deep breath, Ravena recounted the last three weeks as clearly as she could. The jumbled story drew to a close with a very quiet, “I’m so sorry.” Every droplet had been wrung from her heart, and all the details were out for the world to see. A pregnant silence hung in the air.
“Let me see if I understand,” the Queen’s mouth twisted up in bitter amusement. “You spent weeks poaching my lobsters and selling them to Thalor Grimscar. And now you expect me to trust you with this.”
Ravena’s eyes brimmed with hot tears of embarrassment.
The Queen stood sharply, eyes flashing. “Your naiveté astounds me.” She raised a hand as if to summon her guards.
Mr. Haven shot out of his seat and cleared his throat. “Er, may I speak with you in private, my Queen?” She nodded and he followed her to the windowed wall that overlooked the water gardens where he spoke in hushed tones. After a few moments, the Queen walked over to Ravena.
Ravena’s teary eyes locked with Queen Tressa, who no longer looked angry or despairing or fire-and-brimstone, but unnervingly restrained. She’d half-expected the Queen to scream or yell or throw her straight in the dungeon. But the Queen didn’t do any of that. “You are fortunate indeed that Mr. Haven speaks of your strength of character. For all your ignorance and reckless behavior, I have found you to be honest. Nevertheless, there will be consequences. For now, leave Grimscar to me; I will take care of this at once.” She hesitated, then wiped the tear that spilled over and ran down Ravena’s cheek. In a flash, she was out the door.
Ravena wiped her eyes, filled with conflicting emotions. She wondered what was to come. Imprisonment, probably. But right now there was something bigger than her pride that weighed on her heart.
“What will happen to Thal?” She turned back to Mr. Haven. “I know I should hate him, but I’m worried.”
“My dear, he’s not for us to worry ab—” The door swung open and the Queen stepped back in.
“The issue is resolved.”
“So quickly? How?” Ravena searched Mr. Haven’s face. His confused expression matched her own.
The Queen beckoned for her. “Come and see.” She led them through the doors and out onto the terrace that overlooked the water gardens. Ravena couldn’t believe what she was seeing. A boat had entered through the drawbridge, maneuvered by Thal. The vessel was piled with golden lobsters and items from the palace. The guards moved quickly, and before long all the lobsters had been moved into their rightful places. The garden practically glittered now, moonlight gleaming off the shells of each lobster. Thal was roughed out of the boat and led away by the guards. As he passed underneath the terrace towards the interior of the palace, he lifted his eyes and found hers. A hint of a smile crossed his lips, and then he disappeared through the door.
“He turned himself in?” Ravena turned to the Queen.
“Indeed, even while you were telling me what happened,” she explained. “He returned all the lobsters and everything he’d stolen from the palace. He promised to lead my guards to the whereabouts of his henchmen. They’ll be following him there immediately.”
“What are you going to do to them?” Ravena asked.
“They shall face a trial, as is their right.”
“And Thal? Er, Thalor. Grimscar.” She stammered.
“I have more than enough information to justify execution. He said he was willing to endure whatever punishment I thought fair. He cared only that you were taken care of after he’s gone. Thalor Grimscar is a man guilty of more thefts than I could count on all the hands in this palace, but he made a wise decision when it counted. That is not for nothing. If he remains true and helps the guards find his men as he swore to me, I will not execute him; this I can promise you.” The Queen crossed and took Ravena’s trembling hands in her ice-cold ones. “But one honest decision cannot atone for the scale of his crimes. If he doesn’t lead us to his men, he will be executed at dawn. But even if he does, I have chosen to banish him from the Glass Kingdom.”
“Banishment?” Ravena gasped, “Where will he go?” She felt her voice quiver.
The Queen laughed wryly. “Is banishment not a gentler punishment than death? Grimscar did all of these things knowing fully well the consequences of his actions and his lies. I’ve arranged for him to cross the Glass Sea. He has been taken into the custody of the harbormaster until his ship docks in two weeks’ time. He is no longer my concern.” She frowned, trying to be empathetic. “I know this must be confusing and overwhelming. This man clearly loved you, in his own way,” she squinted almost undetectably, “and the look on your face tells me you loved him, too.”
Ravena’s heart crumbled. He did love her. And of course, the Queen was right, she loved him too. And that was the last time she would see him. Unless…
As if reading her mind, the Queen spoke. “I’m afraid it won’t be possible for you to see him. The harbormaster doesn’t permit visitors.”
“At least I know where he’s going,” she spoke softly to Mr. Haven. “I guess I could always follow him.”
The Queen wrapped a stiff arm around her shoulder just a little too tightly and walked her inside. “If I were you,” she said flatly. “I’d forget about Thalor Grimscar. I’ve figured out exactly what you need. You’ve been living a very small life. And I think it needs to be even smaller.”
River of Glass is a lighthearted fantasy novelette about lies, loyalty, and the price of redemption, with a slow-burn romance beneath the current. This is a tonal departure from my usual work, written just for fun, and it will be shared here in eleven installments.
Chapter Eight coming on February 24th, 2026.
© Sophie Alexander, 2026. All rights reserved. Do not repost without permission.
