Scene XI

Anxious curiosity was everything that wandered her thoughts as she walked back into the tall building, overseen by cloudy skies that were menaced with strong winds of rain.

Ewelina recalled the days before when the brakian child would blankly stare at the unusually clear air, and murmur to herself words that at this time she could understand.

— In some days... Nu's skin cannot shine as bright... —

... The words of the child foretold as it was the sharp instincts of her race. Announcing dark days when the sun would not assist her nature to emerge fully.

'... Sinister sky and... The Castle's people are busy...' — The young woman contemplated as she caught a glance of more armoured men, marching their beasts in the direction of the cared stables.

Her disrupted tranquillity continued to escalate in apprehension at the distinction this day was conveying in comparison to the others before.

And so, Ewelina reached the populated square in front of her Spouse's residence. Bowing slightly to the busy men as her cloak covered her visage in a cautious gesture, solely to slide easier into the residence.

The buzzing sound of working servants inundated the fief. Making apparent the difference between the quiet time she left to attend the stables and the rushed one she came back to.

Ignorant of what was occurring, Ewelina abstained from asking any of the passing servants and went directly to her private stances, where the brakian child had stayed behind entertained by her wish to play the role of a Lady in her chambers.

Going down the stairs that led to those stances, Ewelina met the one who would finally inform her of the reason behind the arriving men, as he also was in her search to commence certain preparations.

"Her Illustrious Ladyship! ... It is fortunate I have crossed paths with you this promptly." — The proper warden saluted in traditional austerity to the one wedded to his Master.

"...Uth... Has something occurred?... Everyone appears to be busy..." — She insecurely inquired, glancing at the back and forth of the Castle's inhabitants on the upper floor she came from.

"..."

Uth followed her concerned gaze to watch the people move with hast as he also listened to the far sound of the brutish men giving loud orders to the others arriving at the outside square.

Lightly, a frown wished to appear in his clean countenance as an irritated sigh at the noise was deprived.

"... Kindly follow me, Archduchess. I shall explain once I escort you back to your chambers."

"..."

Unsettled at his demeanour, she agreed. Going further down the Barbican stairs, to then see that only the underneath townlet was as calm as the days before.

Arriving at her private entrances, Ewelina entered the stance, finding her personal servants also busy with other preparations.

"Bring that here... Get the oils, too." — The young woman heard one of the servants order the other as she irrupted into their haste.

"..."

Overwhelmed, Ewelina simply observed. To then glimpse at the Castle's custodian that owed the rightful explanation she sought.

"Our Lord has reached his Home."

"!.... When... did he...?"

"It has not been more than an hour. His Illustrious Dignity crossed the fortress' at a peaceful pace. And his men are currently settling back in his grounds after a long journey."

'... He has come... Back to his distant Lands...'

"Where is he at this time...? I ought to..." — Nervous, Ewelina's throat dried, lowering her voice as she continued to speak.

"... Your meeting will not be until later, Archduchess."

"...why..." — Fearful, she managed to mumble.

"... My Lord's Wife. It is tradition for the Spouses in the Myrkzver's Archduchy to reunite at their shared stances when the Lord has been away for many moons... On this occasion... Although you have yet to meet for the first time. Our Lord has requested for this tradition to still stand to formalities... Therefore, it shall be at a later hour that your meeting is to take place."

"... Where are... Where are these shared stances you mentioned?"

A glance between the servants and the warden was exchanged in short quiet. As in agreement to speak.

Hence, the steps of the solemn man moved knowledgeable of what she ignored. Swiftly closing to the decorative fabric in her chamber's wall that elegantly rested its heavy fall in velvety folds on the cold stoned ground.

His limb extended to grab its edge, pulling on it as he continued to move, to finally showcase the hidden door behind the decoration.

Delicate wood, of a clear hue that pertained to a young tree with intricate decorations of dark iron, was found. And at its centre, a red sphere of small size shined dimly like waves of magma.

"..."

"The room next to yours is the Archduchy's Marital Chamber. As you have seen, the one Entry of the three on this floor that is found at the centre... is the one that leads to the Spouses' resting chambers."

'... right... Next door...?' — Overwhelmed, Ewelina traced with her eyes the newly found entrance in her bedroom. And imagined the door in the middle that stood prominently between the two in the corridor.

"Nevertheless, privacy for the wedded is their rightful luxury. This door is a link between your private chambers. And its craved gem is to announce the other of their partner's cravings..."

'... crave–'

"There are a few more things that should be informed to you on this matter, yet time is hast as night will quickly fall in the Sortnafeigr Lands."

Loosening his grip on the curtain, Uth ended his quick explanation to his Master's confused Wife and moved once more through her bedroom to tell the other servants their last duty for today.

"Women. The Archduchess' preparations cannot have flaws... Polish her beauty for our Lord who is to meet his Wife for the first time tonight."

Encouraging the women with the thrill these preparations had as a purpose, Uth commissioned the blushing servants... To then cast his severe gaze upon Ewelina, and bow in deep respect.

"I am to request the powerful to grant Her Grace good fortune... and success in this celebrated occasion."