After parting ways with Kaiwed something closely related to an eternity was spent on reaching perfection for tonight’s banquet. A hot, almost scolding bath of rose water awaits her when she enters the echoing bathroom, and where wine had failed to ease her troubled soul, the sensation of being completely immersed in the warm water hands her a small measure of peace. She scrubs and rubs her fair skin until it almost blooms into the shade of her long hair and by the time she finally abandons the bath, the water has gone cold. The following hour is spent sitting wrapped in a pale bath sheet close to the chamber fireplace while her loyal handmaiden – Ava – tries her best to sort out the red disarray of tangles and knots. The old woman pulls and tugs on the long tresses with the comb and excuses herself once in a while when her handling earns her a low whimper.<br/><br/>Ava have never been one for words. She is of a quite nature and rarely asks any questions beyond the master and servant relation, and Falena cannot help but to appreciate it now more than ever. Everyone that had become privy to the fact that she was finally embracing life fully with a good man offered their mighty congratulations and of course, with all those years sitting around, waiting and only growing old while doing so, they only expected her to be happy as a flea in a doghouse by now. Finding someone that was willing to share life with her, despite being considered as old, is not something good – it is closely considered as a<em>miracle</em>within their western society. The thing is that she is far from happy and the miracle does not seem like one. There doesn’t exist any enthusiastic butterflies within her that tickles her insides with their fluttering wings; there is only sheer trepidation and angst leaking from the unravelling situation.<br/><br/>Finally the dress arrives. It is a doubled layered silk satin gown dyed into the latest trending colour; blue. The sleeves are short and don’t reach her elbows, but like the rest of the dress – they are loose and nothing squeezes tight and shows off what little curves she owns. The first layer of fabric reaches all the way down to the floor, while the second layer is made out of white lace decorated with crystals and cut just below the knees. Design-wise it is a quite simple gown, nothing too extravagant or out of the ordinary. Loose, long and straight dresses was the on-going fashion trend among the damsels.<br/><br/>After donning the dress Ava worked her miracle with Falena’s hair. Mixing sugar and lukewarm water in a bowl, she dips her hand in it and squeezes life into her frail curls, magnifying them. The final result is a simple dress and a simple hairdo – and together it is a far cry from the dress to kill motto her mother had tried to convince her to embrace for tonight.<br/><br/>A small piece of courage is found at the bottom of a large cup of wine. Falena checks and double-checks herself a thousand times in front of the mirror before deeming herself decent for tonight. When arriving at the great hall of the castle, she sees that the first couple of guests already had joined their company and was in full fling mingling with each other. She greets them all kindly as she pass them by, taking a good look at the hall as she went and realized that her father had certainly out done himself for the feast. Tonight the great hall lived up to its name with every right.<br/><br/>The builder of castle Kynos had been a man desiring something grand; something that would put the fortress on the map. According to the tale the architect had been given free hands, yet limited resources. The man had been a poor mathematician though, and several miscalculations had in the end left the great hall without a roof. Desperate to meet the end of the thirty-year long build, he made a gamble and struck a deal with a crystal miner from the mountains. They provided him thin yet sturdy, transparent slices of a rather common mineral and after a few trial and errors, the great hall got a roof worthy for its colossal size. It was spectacular during evenings when the moons and the stars would shine brightly and offer a cold light to illuminate the hall.<br/><br/>However in spite of the architectural beauty of the great hall the ancient castle was more known because of something else. Among common people it was called the Owlery, due to the grey hallow tree in the court yard that the castle had been built around. There was always a snowy white owl or two to be spotted there, watching from the barren branches and not minding the sparkle of activity that always surrounded them.<br/><br/>“Is he here yet?” She asked carefully once she met up with her father. Kaived only shook his head in response and Falena breathed a small sigh of relief. It would have been embarrassing if it had turned out that one of the guests she had greeted turned out to be him. Together they greet and applaud the men and women that arrive, all of them carrying some political importance within the city. Eventually they moved down to sit at the table, and she had just managed to seat herself when another round of applause echoed within the stone walls of the hall. Business and family rarely dined at the same table, and Falena had only met the chieftain enough times to recognize him and remember his odd name. It was not even him, and yet her heart took a frightful leap. She sucked in a breath and gazed over to the red carpet. Her brain had already made the connection that father and son most likely arrived together, and that fact scared her.<br/><br/>Judging by the way the man’s gaze stuck, it had to be him. Their eyes met and the breath she held was only released when he finished the small act of courtesy and offered her a chance to look away. Her heart was pounding wildly, acting as if she had just run to the shore and back with wolves at her heels. In the truth, she actually considers running to such a degree that she glances toward the door over her shoulder, but fails miserably to execute the spontaneous plan when the two nomads trekked closer.<br/><br/>She cannot think, she cannot process anything; she cannot take in the way he looks, the way he moves, the way he looks at her. Opinions turn up blank and she doesn’t know what to make of him. To her, he is only a bundle of great anxiety walking closer and closer.<br/><br/>Kaived had already risen from the chair to greet them more personally. “Welcome my honoured guests.” She heard him say as they shook hand and by the sound of his voice, it wouldn’t be a surprise if his smile reached from ear to ear. “Please, have a seat.” The Lord gestured to the two seats left to his right and after they seated themselves, he was glad to make the introductions.<br/><br/>“Wheat tongue, I know you have met my daughter before. However I know that the same cannot be said for you, young master Whisper.” Kaived began, his eyes resting on the young man. “I am pleased to present to you my beloved Falena.”<br/><br/>When their eyes found each other again and locked tightly, she willed herself to speak and it was a miracle that her voice came out so calm. “Good evening, master Whisper.”<br/>