New Friend

As they walked towards their buggy, Elianora's expression turned thoughtful, her brow furrowed in concern. The fading light of day cast a golden glow on her face, illuminating the tiny wrinkles on her forehead. "I don't like this big mouth at all," she muttered, her voice barely audible over the sound of their footsteps on the gravel path. The crunch of the gravel beneath their feet was the only sound that broke the silence.

Jædana shot her a curious glance, wondering who she was referring to. Her eyes sparkled with intrigue, and she slowed her pace, waiting for Elianora to elaborate. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle breeze carried the whispers of the trees. But before she could ask, Elianora's hands began to move deftly, loosening her bun and letting her hair cascade down her back like a river of night. The dark locks rippled in the fading light, like a living entity.

She looked at Jædana strangely, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief, as if she was hiding a secret. Her gaze was intense, and Jædana felt a shiver run down her spine. The sensation was like a cold breeze on a winter's night, sending goosebumps down her arms.

Then, with a swift motion, Elianora started braiding her hair on one side, her fingers moving with a practiced ease. She made a separate braid, which looked exquisite on her, the intricate patterns weaving together like a work of art. The braid seemed to shimmer in the fading light, as if infused with a magic of its own. The sound of the braid being woven was like music to Jædana's ears, a soothing melody that calmed her nerves.

Jædana's eyes widened in surprise, and she whispered in Elianora's ear, "Did you eat some Wolf's Bane?" Her voice was laced with concern, as if she suspected Elianora of being under some sort of hallucinogenic influence. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, but Jædana's senses were on high alert, as if she had detected a hidden danger. Her heart was pounding in her chest, like a drumbeat in the silence.

Elianora's expression turned bewildered, her eyes clouding over like a stormy sky. "What are you saying? What did I do?" She looked at Jædana as if she had lost her mind, her gaze searching for answers. Her voice was laced with confusion, like a ship without anchor, drifting in the storm.

Jædana's eyes sparkled with amusement, but her voice was tinged with a hint of worry. "You never do that!" she exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper. The sound was like a soft breeze rustling through leaves, a gentle whisper that only the trees could hear.

Elianora's face flushed with realization, her cheeks burning like embers. She had let her modern thoughts slip out in front of Jædana, and now she was struggling to cover her tracks. "That..." she muttered, her voice trailing off as she tried to think of a suitable explanation. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts, like a knot that refused to unravel.

'What should I do now?' she thought to herself, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew she had to come up with something convincing, or risk arousing Jædana's suspicions further. The stakes were high, and Elianora's heart was pounding in her chest like a drum. The sound echoed through her mind, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked beneath the surface.

Just then, Elianora heard Vanessa's voice from behind, which stopped her in her tracks. The sound of Vanessa's voice was like a gentle breeze on a summer's day, soft and soothing. "Elianora, what you just did was really commendable," Vanessa said, her voice filled with sincerity. Her words were like a warm hug, enveloping Elianora in a sense of comfort and appreciation.

Elianora turned to face Vanessa, her expression softening. The fading light of day cast a golden glow on her face, illuminating the tiny wrinkles on her forehead. Vanessa continued, "I know that we city girls sometimes say such things that offend or hurt others, but nobody has ever replied to us, which would make us realize where we are wrong." Her voice was laced with a hint of regret, as if she was acknowledging her own past mistakes.

Vanessa's eyes shone with gratitude, like stars twinkling in the night sky. "I am thankful from the bottom of my heart for what you did today; you took my side!" Elianora's face flushed with embarrassment, her cheeks burning like embers. "It's not like that, Vanessa," she protested, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know that there's nothing wrong in your heart, and the one who speaks clearly on the face is better than the one who says one thing on the face and something else behind the back."

Jædana, who had been watching the exchange, nodded in agreement. Her eyes sparkled with understanding, as if she knew exactly what Elianora was trying to say. Elianora glanced at her, then back at Vanessa. "Anyway, I think we should leave. The evening is falling, and we are not sure that we will be completely safe from the Carnifex!" Vanessa's eyes widened in concern, and she nodded hastily. "Absolutely!" The three of them turned to leave, their footsteps echoing through the silence like a gentle drumbeat.

As they walked, the sound of crickets and rustling leaves filled the air, a soothing melody that accompanied them on their journey home. The sky was painted with hues of pink and orange, a breathtaking sunset that signaled the end of the day. Elianora felt a sense of peace wash over her, as if the events of the day had finally come to a close.