Sanka

Jædana's hands trembled with excitement as she sent a message to Prince Uriel through his pigeon, "Sanka." She had been waiting for what felt like an eternity to hear from him, and finally, she had taken matters into her own hands. "Prince Uriel, how are you? Actually, I had not seen Sanka for so many days. I was worried about you. The soldiers are returning to their homes. When will you come? I want to meet you. Wherever you are, tell me right now. I will come there! Your future wife Jædana"

She knew that Prince Uriel's pigeon would definitely deliver the message to him, no matter where he was. And surprisingly, she got a reply, her heart racing as she unfolded the small piece of paper.

"Jædana, how are you? I am fine. I have just got a few injuries. I don't know when I will come back, but we are in the capital right now. The rest will be when we meet. And yes! You should learn to speak respectfully!" Jædana's face lit up with a mix of emotions as she held the message close to herself.

"Never! You are not worthy of being called 'Prince '! You used to trouble me so much," she whispered to herself, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. With a newfound sense of determination, Jædana ran to Elianora, eager to share the news.

Elianora sat under the tree, its branches swaying gently in the breeze, as she gazed at the delicate anklet that Kaidën had given her long ago, when they were just kids. Memories of their childhood flooded her mind, and a soft, wistful smile played on her lips. The wind whispered through the leaves, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and gently rustled her hair, framing her face in a picturesque manner.

Just then, Jædana appeared before her, a look of excitement radiating from her face like a warm sunbeam. For a moment, she stood there, taking in Elianora's serene beauty, her eyes drinking in the sight of her friend's tranquil expression. The spell was broken by the chirping of birds, their melodic trills filling the air, and Jædana exclaimed, her eyes sparkling like diamonds, "Elianora! There's good news!"

Elianora's gaze shifted to Jædana, and she smiled, sensing the happiness emanating from her friend like a palpable force. "Yes, it's written all over your face," Elianora said, her head nodding in encouragement, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me, what's happened?"

Jædana's words tumbled out in a rush, like a babbling brook, as she grasped Elianora's hands in hers. "They're in the capital itself!" Elianora's eyes widened, and she quickly stood up, her face alight with excitement, her heart racing with anticipation. She grasped Jædana's shoulders, her voice barely above a whisper. "Really?"

Jædana nodded, her own emotions threatening to overwhelm her, like a stormy sea. Tears of joy pricked at the corners of her eyes, and her voice trembled with excitement. "Let's go home and ask about this!" Elianora agreed, and together, the two friends set off towards their respective homes, their hearts filled with hope and anticipation, like two birds taking flight into a bright, sunny sky.

As Jædana approached her house, she noticed a bird perched nearby, its feathers a mesmerizing blend of dark blues and purples. It was unlike any bird she had seen before in their village, with an aura of mystery surrounding it. Jædana halted, her curiosity piqued, and examined the bird more closely, her eyes locked onto its piercing gaze. The bird, too, began to study her intently, its unblinking eyes seeming to bore into her very soul.

Jædana felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized the bird's eyes were an unsettling shade of red, like rubies glowing in the dark. The atmosphere around it seemed eerily still, as if the very air was heavy with foreboding, and the trees seemed to lean in, as if listening to their silent conversation. The wind, too, seemed to hold its breath, and the sky grew darker, as if night was falling prematurely. As the bird began to move towards her, Jædana swiftly retreated, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing with questions. Despite the ominous encounter, she didn't feel a sense of unease, but rather a thrill of anticipation.

Meanwhile, Elianora experienced a strange incident of her own. As she approached her house, she caught a glimpse of her reflection in a mirror placed outside, its surface glinting in the fading light. But something was off – her reflection appeared distorted, as if it was warped and twisted, like a funhouse mirror reflecting a grotesque image. Elianora felt a growing sense of discomfort as she gazed at the unsettling image, her mind struggling to comprehend what she was seeing.

As she turned to leave, the mirror suddenly shattered, the sound of breaking glass echoing through the air, like a thousand tiny bells ringing out in discordant harmony. Elianora's heart skipped a beat as she wondered if these strange occurrences were mere coincidences or omens of something more sinister to come. The broken glass seemed to sparkle with a malevolent glow, like a warning sign flashing in the darkness.