Ethera blew into the trumpet; faces below looked up towards her as she stood tall on her balcony. She blew it long and loud. The women are smiling at her. She stopped and laughingly stretched the instrument forward. "I can't help it. I feel like it's the last time I can do this here," she said while using her left palm to pull back her hair as the wind was blowing gently amidst a drizzle.
Ethera watched the lightning when a voice behind her said, "Can't believe it's your last night here, my little angel." Ethera turned. "Mother," she beamed. Thunder echoed through the castle. "I've read ways to cope on a journey, but I'm already homesick," Ethera said, walking to Lady Chelia.
"I don't know what will help me feel calm while you're away. Where you'll sleep, what you'll eat—everything," Chelia said, clearing her throat, voice trembling.
Ethera fixated on her mother's eyes. "We will be fine, mother. At every step I will remember this castle. I will think about the comfort I have enjoyed here all my life". They walked towards the railings, Ethera still holding her silver-flushed trumpet in her hand, continued, "I have for years played along this road, bathed in its waters, and slept here in this castle called Gloves. Even though going to Jusikea is so enchanting and the best journey of my life, as much as the joy is choking me to the brim. Mother, a part of me feels tonight could be my last in this comfort." Lady Chelia shakes her head in disagreement. "Ok, maybe?" Asked Ethera but her mother looked on, on to the days ahead and said "Ethera, like your father said earlier, you're about to discover the greater splendor and comfort the world offers when you meet your lovely prince. And no, you will still have your entire hall to yourself anytime we request your presence. Your loving prince, in a recent letter, assured us. Neither of you will, for anything in the world, miss the High Rain festivals that our sweet kingdom hosts every four years."
The lightning is more visible now, sparks that fade the flames from Mount Parlon, Ethera, and Lady Chelia stood still, as if they were being entertained by the rumbling sound that had taken hold of the castle air.
As they gazed toward the far-off hills, the sky shimmered with color, and a flock of birds soared toward the castle. Their sweeping blue feathers sliced through the wind, their song rising in perfect harmony. The women erupted in laughter. Ethera hurried inside, setting her trumpet on a plush cushion before reaching for a wooden tray laden with Tandogh. A treat of wheat grains and sun-dried corn, beloved by their feathered guests.
"Sereti said she will make sure they come to greet you, and here they are," relayed Lady Chelia to her daughter, who is coming forth with the load she has prepared for them. "Indeed, Mother. My best friend is so considerate, she knows I must share tonight with our flying pals." The two ladies burst into laughter again.
The birds, seventeen in number, landed on the balcony rails before descending into the floor where Ethera sits with the large tray before her. Lady Chelia had gotten one of the Korbo on her right arm. The white-headed and blue-feathered birds are the most affectionate pets the people of the city have.
The young lady began with greetings, "Hey Vadians, Benolians, and Seretians. You all made it here. I can't thank you all enough, we shall have a party here..." "My Lady Chelia, where should the new books be?" A maiden asked loudly from the ground.
"Oh, I will join you now," Lady Chelia replied, pacing towards the room,"Let me see the packing now," pointing to the birds. They all gave a coo sound with nods of approval. Ethera replied, "Alright, mother," to the gathering.
"Now, I feel excellent. Let me tell you all how it all began. The journey I'm about to go on at dawn. A journey I have always dreamed about since I was sixteen, since the first and only time I met Direlki, my love." At the moment, all the birds have shared a silence, with only their beaks making sound at every contact with the tray.
"It was a particularly stormy night like tonight. Although more radiant. We had just arrived at the king's court for the feast, the noise of the cheerful company that welcomed us, along with many other guests. I was still in my carriage when the announcement of a royal arrival was made. A trumpet and loud ovation erupted, "Prince Direlki of Jusikea, welcome to the orchard of winks," proclaimed the announcer.
The Orchard of Winks isn't merely a castle; it's a palace of blossoms and pearls. Imagine, if you will, walls draped in sandpaper vine, courtyards overflowing with strawberries that whisper scented secrets to the wind, and fountains that seem to giggle as they spill their crystal tears and something else… something akin to pure magic.
The arrival, our arrival, is a moment to remember. The journey itself was a spectacle, but nothing could have prepared me for the castle.
The hall was ablaze with candlelight, reflecting in the polished armor of the royal guard. I wore my sapphire gown, the one Mother insists makes my eyes sparkle. But even the gown felt insignificant compared to the man I met. Prince Direlki.
He's from Jusikea, a kingdom I've only ever read about in books and kingdom texts. Direlki is… captivating. His eyes are the color of storm clouds, but his smile turns them into a dazzling sun.
We didn't have a chance to be near each other at first, but the dance brought us together. Even then, from the moment our eyes crossed, I felt he saw me. "My dearest King, my father, as you are aware, is recovering from a rare fever. Here, his heart has been even before the hunting that drained his strength. Teasing me regularly about how he would be glad if I could find one of your maidens befitting a lot of kings, for indeed here I am in the kingdom with the most beautiful women in all the realm." Yes, he was able to keep me interested as he conversed with King Dolgum.
We danced. Under the watchful gaze of a thousand stars that peeked through the open roof of the ballroom. I stumbled, of course, but he caught me with a grace that belied his warrior build.
A fleeting dance beneath the stars. A single night, a shared laugh, and then he was gone, back to his kingdom. Yet, the memory of that night lingered, a spark that ignited into a flame when the first letter arrived".