In the dappled moonlight, a woman donned in a black gown stood before a peepal tree. Its leaves danced and swayed in harmony with the wind's gentle touch. An owl perched upon her shoulder let out a haunting hoot as she lovingly caressed its feathers. The rhythmic hoofbeats of a horse drew nearer, and a man in a black cloak jumped from the horse and approached her.
"What's the news you brought, Shadowrend?"
"My lady, our spy has sent word through a raven. Princess Naimishi will arrive in Aashanti tomorrow morning. She is eating the food I secretly replaced, without missing a beat," Shadowrend reported, handing a small papyrus to the woman, who accepted it from his grasp.