Salvania entered the forest with awe. She was surrounded with tall, wide, and burly trees that seemed as old as the earth itself. The blossoms that hung on their branches filled the air with sweet aromas that instantly put the mind at ease from every trouble. She found herself entering into a secret grove of wild oaks that had grown together to form a solid canopy. The ground was covered in grass so soft that it felt as goose down to the touch and all around, there were flowers of every color and shade. It was, in a word, spectacular.
Salvania closed her eyes and listened to the song of the birds singing their song of love and hope and of all things good. She felt the wind caress her face and smelled a hint of jasmine in the air. "Lovely, isn't it?" The voice caught her off guard and Salvania turned to see a woman of ageless youth standing at the entrance to the hidden grove. The woman wore a garment of white and a golden sash hung to her feet. She also wore a golden headdress woven with silver and a soft white fabric hung from it.
"Who are you?" Salvania questioned.
"I am Haldinaar, daughter of Detimnira, messenger for my lord Athoraan. His Lord sends me to ready you for a visitor from his courts, a man by the name of Seoden, son of Ecalar. This man, I tell you, is a man of fire, of war, and of power. You will do well to watch yourself when in his presence."
Salvania became worried at this news. "What is his business here, Haldinaar, daughter of Detimnira?"
The woman walked up to Salvania and stared into her eyes, into her very soul. "He is to inform you and your husband of the future safety of your kingdom and I strongly advise you to listen."
Salvania gasped, "How could this be? We are a peaceful kingdom and we have no enemies."
Haldinaar came closer and stared harder, "My Lady, I tell you nothing other than the truth."
"Then when shall I expect him?''
"The sun will set twelve times before his shadow shall touch your lands. You will expect him at twilight on the thirteenth day. Your husband shall join you and you both shall wait facing the west until His Lord's servant arrives. You will do this?"
"I will do as you have instructed."
As these last words left the queen's mouth, a strong wind blew through the trees. It became stronger and stronger and the trees soon began to sway dangerously. The earth shook and the sky above grew dark and rain poured out of the clouds as water is poured over a waterfall. Salvania became terrified and searched for the strange woman, but she was nowhere to be seen. Then there was a crash and another after it. Light flashed across the sky in warning of something much worse that was to come. Trees then began to fall all around her and Salvania knew this was to be her end. But no, it was not to be, for just as all hope failed, she awoke.
