---
Elsewhere the Queen stood alone beside a window of her high castle, gazing toward the desert location. Where stars still flickered faint red, ghost of battle. She reviewed fresh parchments: casualty numbers long as river, lists of missing. Under "Scout-Leader Kai" a red glyph, "This Worker ant is Dead."
Her veil hid expression, but slowly exhaled clouded glass. "A pity," she whispered. "Mia speaks highly of him."
Yet strategy allowed no indulgence. She signed orders, passed a scroll to the steward, "Redeploy Vanguard to the border. Announce the day of mourning for all who died. Add that worked ant name Kai on dead. It will give Mia some relief. She got over attached to him."
Far below, in an empty courtyard, crystal chimes rang in restless wind an echo for souls still wandering dune shadow.
