Free Web NovelChapter 230: Completing the Task
Wanda watched the golden canary with a mixture of fear and fascination, aware that any hasty move could ruin the only opportunity they had managed to create. The small bird, now seemingly more relaxed, hopped from branch to branch, getting closer and closer to the ground. Its golden feathers glistened in the soft light filtering through the treetops, creating an almost hypnotic spectacle that made Wanda’s heart race.
She knew she would have to be more patient than ever. The Golden Canary was a rare and cunning creature with a keen sense of danger. Therefore, any gesture, no matter how subtle, could send it flying, perhaps hiding deep in the forest where no one would ever find it again.
The environment seemed to cooperate with the moment. The gentle breeze that had been blowing a few moments before had died down, and even the natural sounds of the forest, the rustling of the trees and the singing of the other birds, seemed to diminish, as if the whole forest was paying attention to the hunt. Wanda could hear her own breathing, the sound of her heart beating against her chest, the feel of her fingers gripping the wood of the bow, even though it was now lowered.
Lucian, though hesitant, was clearly aware of the delicacy of the moment. His body, once tense, now seemed a little more relaxed, but Wanda could see the caution in his blue eyes, following the small bird’s every move. He held the net more lightly, his fingers ready to move at the slightest sign.
The golden canary landed on one of the lower branches, now less than ten feet from the ground. Its wings flapped lightly as it adjusted its position, and for a brief moment its eyes met Wanda’s. Her heart leapt, but she couldn’t help it. Her heart leapt, but she managed to stay calm. It wasn’t time to act; not yet.
She continued to wait, all her senses on alert, trying to reconnect with the magic of the forest. She could feel the faint pulse of energy running through the roots of the trees, intertwined in the ground like a great living web. Elmar’s forest had a life of its own, and Wanda knew that if she was worthy, the forest would help her. Her father had always said that magical creatures were extensions of that life, and now, more than ever, she needed the blessing of that natural power.
A slight change in the air around her indicated that something was about to happen. The Golden Canary, who had been watching the clearing as if deciding on his next steps, began to flap his wings more emphatically. For a moment, Wanda thought it was going to run away, but to her surprise, the bird descended to the ground and landed on a small bush with golden flowers growing between the roots of an old tree. It seemed attracted by the brightness of the flowers, perhaps believing them to be similar to its own feathers.
Lucian moved a little to her side, but Wanda discreetly raised her hand, asking him to wait. The young man raised an eyebrow, but once again decided to trust her judgment. The Golden Canary was now within reach, but Wanda knew that any rash action could jeopardize everything. She needed a strategy.
Then an idea came to her. She remembered her father’s words: "The forest has a life of its own, Wanda. It can be your ally, if you know how to ask for its help. Wanda took a deep breath and reconnected with the energy of the forest. She felt the flow of magic flowing through the earth, through the trunks, branches and leaves, and tried to subtly direct it to the small bush where the bird now rested.
The golden flowers began to move gently, as if touched by an invisible breeze. The Golden Canary, seemingly enchanted by the dance of the flowers, tilted its head and watched the movement with curiosity. Wanda felt the connection grow stronger and in that moment she was sure that the forest was on her side. She exchanged glances with Lucian, who looked confused, but was still waiting for her signal.
Wanda whispered so softly that Lucian could hardly hear her: "Now, slowly."
Lucian understood and began to move, his steps light and silent as a shadow. He moved a little closer, holding the net in a position where he could throw it at any moment. Wanda, for her part, slowly raised her bow, but instead of preparing another arrow, she simply held the string taut without arming the shot. It was a warning gesture, a way of letting the Golden Canary know that there was still danger, but that the danger was not real.
The bird continued to watch the flowers, still mesmerized by the movement. Wanda could feel the slight trembling in Lucian’s hands; he was ready to act, but he was waiting for her signal. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, each second becoming an eternity.
Finally, Wanda nodded slightly, an almost imperceptible gesture. Lucian acted with precision, throwing the net quickly and silently. The net flew through the air towards the golden canary, but just as it seemed to catch it, the bird jumped aside with impressive agility, narrowly avoiding the trap.
Wanda’s heart sank for a moment, but before disappointment set in, she realized that the bird had only moved a few inches, still close to the ground. Lucian’s net had failed, but he was already moving to try again. Wanda knew that the next attempt could be even more disastrous, so she acted instinctively. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
With a quick movement, she released the string of the bow without an arrow, the sharp, cutting sound echoing through the clearing. The golden canary jumped again, but this time the movement took it straight to the center of the clearing, where there was no branch to hold on to. For a brief second, the bird hovered in the air, and then Wanda knew she had her chance.
In one fluid motion, she lowered her bow and moved forward with calculated steps. The canary, still trying to gain altitude, flapped its wings desperately, but Wanda was already on top of it. With a slight twist of her body, she reached out and closed her hand around the bird’s small body, feeling the warmth of the golden feathers against her skin. frёeωebɳovel.com
For a moment, everything around her seemed to stand still. Wanda held the Golden Canary in her hands and felt its small heart beating fast, as fast as her own. The bird struggled a little, but Wanda held it gently, not squeezing too hard, making sure it didn’t hurt itself. She raised her other hand in a peaceful gesture and gently stroked the bird’s head, trying to calm it.
