Sunlight glinted on the eagle's wings as it flew over the stream into the room with its windows thrown open. Paper thudded against wood and the eagle flew further into the forest to hunt.
Helena put on her round gold-rimmed glasses and began reading the letter addressed to her, her stormy grey eyes surveying the words scripted on the parchment.
Most of the letters she received that day were from her three fellow council members, stating the goings-on in the Alpine Forest. According to the letters, she gathered that things were going smoothly. However, one letter caught her eye.
We are still watching, but the cloud in the west has grown. The sky there gets darker every moment, and we are worried. I occasionally see bursts of red through the thick smog. I think witch activity is brewing again, and we have to be prepared for anything. The witches are cunning, and they will stop at nothing to get the symbol of power and wisdom: the Eagle Circlet. Keep it safe, Helena, while we figure out a plan to stop them.
Faithful forever to our cause,
James of the Falcons
Helena let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose and taking off her glasses, setting them on her table. Just then, a knock sounded against the wooden door of the room, as a voice rang out from the other side, "My lady, may I come in?" "Please do."
An elf with straight brown locks and sky blue eyes entered, holding a stack of papers. "Elliot, please set them down on the table here, thank you." He put the papers on the table and asked, "What troubles you, my lady?" Helena sighed, and read out the contents of the letter, saying "Witchcraft has been reported in the west, on the slopes of the Volcano of Fire. This is alarming and something has to be done about it. If not, the witches will attack and destroy the land, and everything I've worked so hard to preserve over the years."
Elliot questioned, "My lady, is it because of that incident years ago? When the old woman came and-" "Don't speak of it! DON'T SPEAK OF THAT!", Helena spat. "She's what cost me what was dearest to me. My family. She is the reason WHY WE HAD TO CLOSE UP! DON'T YOU SEE HOW DANGEROUS TRUSTING STRANGERS CAN BE?! Look where it landed me! And all of us, just because of my stupid mistake!"
"Apologies, my lady, I didn't mean to-"
"Get out. Leave!"
"As you wish…"
Helena slammed the door behind him and rubbed her temples. She didn't know what to do. She knew she had to do something, but she couldn't take action alone. She needed help.
After checking that Elliot had disappeared from the hallway, she stepped out and began walking to the training grounds, her personal assistant Nessa joining her halfway.
Blonde curls lifting in the wind, Nessa asked, fixing Helena with brown eyes, "My lady, where are we headed?" Helena responded, "The training grounds, Nessa. I need to ask a favour…"
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"Lernael!" Helena called, looking for her captain of the guard. A copper-haired elf stepped forward, acknowledging the raven-haired elf's presence. "My lady" Lernael spoke. Helena waved her hand, dismissing Lernael from her training for the time being, and calling her off the grounds. "Lernael, I have a task for you. Well, James of the Falcons has brought this to my attention,"Helena spoke. Lernael immediately perked up, upon hearing the name of the black-haired elf. "What of him, my lady?"Lernael tried to mask her excitement.
"He sent me a letter, speaking about the stirring of witchcraft in the west. I would need to ask you to create a few battle plans" Helena spoke. Lernael was deep in thought, then responded, "Right away, my lady!"
She turned to leave, but Helena called, "Wait! Lernael, I have one more letter for you!"
Lernael looked bewildered. "A letter, my lady?"
"Yes, it's regarding the Feast of the Eagles next month. It's addressed to you. Please take some time to read it."
As Helena left, Lernael opened the envelope and took out the letter, her emerald eyes scanning the contents.
Lernael,
I hope this letter finds you well. It's James here!
Since the Feast of the Eagles is coming up next month, I thought about asking you out, as my partner for the event. I think it'd be a great honour. Care to join me then?
Please respond soon! Can't wait to see you then!
Lots of love,
James
Crimson red tinted the elf's cheeks as she thought of the ravenette elf and how handsome he'd be on that day. With great excitement, Lernael got back to her training.