Denial of the Whisper

Chapter Thirty-Six.

Chapter Thirty-Six.

Sighing, I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

I had changed a lot in the couple of weeks – or months- that I'd been here. Caaln had brought me here in the summer, and now, we'd already reached the peak of autumn. Today was the day of the feast of light, Berthyan. The whole castle was on fire, and that was... quite literally. There were fires everywhere in the courtyard, except for a round circle in the middle of it, the place, where Rhydomir would arrive.

Rhydomir Raldas, Lord of Wyntern Falls, and his mate, Mysla.

I had read about Wyntern Falls in one of the books Dylana had given me, and from what I read, it was a beautiful country. It seemed to be similar to High Ilryn, but who was I to tell? I was nervous and curious about meeting another Lord and also, about the festivities, which I was told, would last for three days.
Today, there would be a great reception at the great hall, and tomorrow, there would something take place that I was told was called 'The Dance of the Flames'. Dylana had not told me a thing about it, and in the book which she had brought me, there was no clue to be found.

Sighing again, I tried to find a flaw in my hairstyle, but didn't find any. The maid that had been here half an hour ago to help me, had perfected taming my hair.

I don't think I had ever looked that... mature. That much like a woman.

The dress Dylana had brought me was a deep red, almost black, and she told me it resembled the dark red of dried autumn leaves of the Smala Tree.

Not having a clue about what tree she had been talking about, I simply accepted it.

And to be honest, it didn't look bad.

No, it really didn't.

It accentuated my waist and it had long sleeves which got wider at the end and were quite long, but the shoulders were free, the cleavage lower than I was used to, but still decent. At least more decent than whatever Dylana wore on a daily basis.

Half of my hair was braided in an updo, the rest of my hair falling along my back in waves, the brightness of them a sharp contrast to the dark red dress, just like my skin was, even though I still was a bit tanned from the long summer.

Nodding at myself, I applied a bit of the rouge Dylana had given me the other day, and smiled at me reflection.

Berthyan, the feast of light.
When they had first told me about that holy day at our dinner on the terrace, I had thought I would have left by then. But I hadn't.

Instead, I was planning on staying here, at least, until Nyshard told me the truth. The full truth. I wanted to know everything.

Dylana and Brayhd picked me up and together, we walked towards the corridor in front of the great hall, where Nyshard and Caaln would await us, and then we would go to the great courtyard to await the arrival of the Lord of Wyntern Falls.

Nyshard and Caaln were already waiting there, both wearing black as usual, but both of them in similar robes with small silvery patterns and a stand-up-collar.

Caaln grinned widely when he saw me and took a few steps in our direction, and I smiled, too, but then, I looked at Nyshard.

Cold as ever.

My smile faltered, but then he nodded to me, and gave me the faintest smile I had ever seen.

But it was one.

Caaln crossed the distance and put my hand on the crook of his arm

"You have to stay with me the whole evening. Always. Or with Bray, Dyl or Nysh. Or Rhydomir. He's an ally, and he knows about you... he knows where you are from, and who you are. Just don't go too far from us, understood? And no talk about the seal or anything like that."