First Contact, First Interaction

Sadiki had spent the entire day guarding Prince Eirik, his mind racing with unease. Though he masked his worry behind a stoic expression, he couldn't shake the gnawing dread that gripped his heart.

It had been days, yet he hasn't heard anything from the people that took his mother, and the silence was driving him to the edge.

Even Prince Eirik had begun to notice the strain in his demeanor, and Sadiki had to work harder to keep his emotions hidden. The last thing he wanted was for Eirik to grow suspicious.

As the day drew to a close and his shift ended, Sadiki made his way back to his quarters, exhaustion settling into his bones. The palace was quieter at this hour, the halls dimly lit by flickering torches.

He pushed open the door to his room and stepped inside, ready to collapse into his bed. But something stopped him cold, there, lying on the bed in plain sight, was a folded letter.