After Matilda left, the tent fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the soft rustle of Aureth's shallow breaths. Elysara stared at the untouched bowls of broth, her mind churning. She wanted to believe Matilda's words, but trust didn't come easily—not anymore.
Unable to quiet her thoughts, she reached into her satchel and pulled out her mother's diary. The worn leather cover felt familiar in her hands, its edges smooth from years of wear. She ran her fingers over the delicate etchings on the front, the initials L.D., and swallowed the lump in her throat.
She opened to a random page, the faint scent of aged paper filling her nostrils. Her mother's elegant handwriting greeted her, each letter flowing effortlessly across the page. Elysara adjusted the lantern beside her, its soft glow illuminating the text.
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Diary Entry - The Third Crescent
Oh, where do I even begin? My heart is still racing, and I feel like if I don't write this all down right now, I'll just burst! Tonight was… magical. No, beyond magical—it was like stepping into one of those fairytales Mother used to tell me when I was little.
Okay, focus, Lyanna. Start at the beginning.
I was in a forest that seemed alive in ways I can't even describe. The trees were massive, like guardians of some ancient secret, and there was this music everywhere, soft and sweet but also kind of sad. And then I saw it. The tree.
The Veilspire Willow. Oh, Heaven's grace, it was as beautiful as always. Its branches glowed like molten gold, and its leaves shimmered like they were stitched from tiny bits of sunlight. The air around it felt warm, almost comforting, like it knew I was there and wanted me to stay.
And then, she appeared.
Her name is Vanessa, and let me tell you, she looks like she walked straight out of a painting. She has these amazing bright green eyes—like emeralds, but prettier because they actually sparkle when she talks. And her hair? It's this deep brown color, tied back in the most effortlessly perfect braid. I don't know how she manages to look so elegant in the middle of a forest. If I tried that, I'd have twigs and leaves sticking out everywhere. Oh, and her cheekbones! Don't even get me started. They could probably cut glass.
Anyway, we were both drawn to the Willow. She said it had been calling her, just like it's been calling me. Can you imagine? A magical tree literally summoning you? I didn't know what to say—I mean, what does one even say in a moment like that? "Oh, hey, cool tree, nice to meet you?" (I didn't say that, thank the stars)
We talked for what felt like hours. She's two years older than me and so confident it's almost unfair. She has this way of speaking that makes you feel like you're the only person in the world who matters in that moment. I felt… safe with her. Like we were meant to meet, meant to be standing under that tree together.
And then, just when I thought my heart couldn't take any more surprises, she told me she's the Veil Bearer.
Yes, you read that right. The Veil Bearer. At first, I thought she was joking, but no, she was completely serious. She said the Willow chose her, that it gave her this connection to the Veil itself. I didn't know whether to curtsy or faint. I mean, what do you even do when you're standing in front of someone with that kind of destiny?
But she didn't act like it was some huge, heavy thing. She just… smiled. Like it was normal. Like she wasn't carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. I don't know how she does it.
I think… I think I've found a friend. A real friend. Not someone who just tolerates me because they have to, but someone who sees me.
Vanessa said we'd meet again soon. I hope she's right. There's something about her, something about the way she looks at the world, that makes me want to be better. To be braver.
Oh, stars, I've already written so much. I should stop now before I fill this whole diary. But if this is just the beginning, what's next?
Diary Entry - The Fifth Crescent
Vanessa and I met again today, just as she promised. I was half-afraid that she'd forget me entirely, but there she was, standing under the Veilspire Willow as if she belonged to it.
Okay, confession time: I spent way too long deciding what to wear before I left the cottage. I know, it's silly. It's just Vanessa doesn't seem like the kind of person you can show up in front of looking like you just rolled out of bed. Not that she would judge me or anything—it's more about me wanting to look like I have my life together when I'm standing next to someone who literally glows.
Anyway, when I arrived, she smiled at me in that way that makes you feel like you've been wrapped in the coziest blanket. I didn't know I needed it, but I did. We talked more today—really talked. About the Willow, about the Veil, about… everything.
She told me what it means to be the Veil Bearer. How the Veil connects all life in Eldoria, and how it's her responsibility to protect that balance. She didn't make it sound easy. In fact, she looked a little sad when she spoke about it, like she carries a weight that no one else can see.
But then, out of nowhere, she grinned and said, "Enough about that. Tell me about you, Lyanna."
Me. She wanted to know about me.
I told her about my parents and our little cottage by the glade. About how I've always felt out of place in Vihnlox, like I was meant for something bigger but didn't know what. And then I told her about the dreams. The ones of the Willow, of the light, of something pulling me toward it.
She listened to every word like it was the most important thing she'd ever heard. No one's ever done that before—not like Vanessa did. It wasn't just polite nodding or feigned interest. She truly cared.
Oh, and guess what? She taught me something today! She said that every Songbearer has a unique melody, a song within them that the Willow recognizes. It's how she knew I was special too. She said my melody is "soft, but strong." I don't even know what that means, but the way she said it made me feel like maybe I do belong here.
We stayed until the sun started to set, and as the light filtered through the Willow's branches, it felt like the whole world had paused for us. For the first time in a long time, I didn't feel alone.
When it was time to leave, she reached out and took my hand. Her grip was firm but gentle, and she said, "We're connected now, you and I. The Willow chose us both for a reason."
I wanted to ask her what she meant, but the words got stuck in my throat. She looked at me like she already knew what I was thinking.
"I'll see you again soon," she said, and then she was gone, disappearing into the trees as if she'd always been a part of them.
I feel different now. Lighter, maybe. Or stronger. I don't know how to describe it, but something inside twinkled.
Is this what it feels like to find your purpose? To find your place in the world?
I think… I think Vanessa is going to change my life. Maybe she already has.
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As Elysara read on, confusion crept over her. Her mother's words about Vanessa were filled with such admiration, a deep connection that seemed more than friendship. Lyanna spoke of Vanessa's green eyes and the way they shared laughs, like they had known each other forever. Elysara's mind whirled. Was this what it meant to find a kindred spirit?
But her mother had been married to her father, Valen. They had shared an undeniable love. Could her mother have been attracted to Vanessa? The thought made Elysara uneasy. She had always believed in her parents' perfect, unwavering love. But now, reading this, she wasn't so sure. There seemed to be something deeper between Lyanna and Vanessa, something unspoken.
She closed the diary slowly, her heart racing with questions. Had her mother ever questioned her own feelings? Elysara wasn't sure, but the thought lingered—there was something in those pages that her mother had hidden, and something Elysara might never fully understand.