Sikong Clan, Sparrow Tower
At the center of Sparrow School, there stood a nine-story black tower called Sparrow Tower.
A dark cloud seemed to hang over Sparrow Tower at all times. Lightning flickered within it, followed now and then by a roll of thunder.
Beneath that cloud, Sparrow School remained gloomy even in daylight. Outsiders entering its grounds could hardly keep from looking up at the black tower. The cloud never seemed to move on, and the next flash of lightning always came from somewhere above it.
Sparrow Tower served much the same purpose as Peacock Pavilion: people came to request help or report incidents for the clan to handle.
There was one important difference. Here, the reports had to concern Sikong Clan directly. Anyone who brought a matter that failed to benefit the clan could be severely punished for wasting its time. A person coming to ask for help had to consider what the Sikong would gain from giving it.
