Mars Underneath The Sceptre of Eternity

The Farewell

Ergonn never realised that Oeilna loved him so much. She had arranged a farewell dinner for him and cooked all dishes only for him.

"Superb," Ergonn praised her, "How did you know that I like radish soup, cave turtles' meat and eggs? All the preparations are excellent. Even your fish items and sweet dishes." Ergonn's appreciation encouraged Oeilna.

"Ergonn, very soon, we'll have private dinners like this. Today, it is a special one and I have arranged for music and dance." Oeilna said.

"I like private dinner, but hardly get the opportunity." Ergonn smiled.

Ergonn noticed, Oeilna was looking beautiful in a simple cup sleeved, high neck sky blue colour silk gown. Her smooth, long black hair was centrally parted and braided into five smaller sections which joined in the middle to make a single braid looking like a fishtail. Today, Oeilna had not used any hairnet or veil; so, her gold hairpins were clearly visible. Ergonn stared at her speechlessly.

Oeilna poured wine into his gold chalice and the blue sapphires in her wristlet twinkled in the candlelight; "May I call the Parnassian?"

"Sure; as you wish." Ergonn smiled; "We'll not see each other for a month. After that.."

"We will meet in Dei Maneret on our wedding day." Oeilna finished her word in a whispering tone.

"And you'll look pretty in scarlet gown and expensive ornaments specially designed for you; the seers and warlords will be the witness of that historic moment when your father will offer your hand to me before the Sea God; then the feast and the dance party." Ergonn described his future wedding.

Oeilna ignited another candle and said, "But this one month will be as long as a year; I fear, you may forget me."

"I'll give you something precious, which will always remind you my presence; dear." Ergonn gave her a 'V' shaped pendant to Oeilna.

"It was my mother's possession; keep it properly." Ergonn said, "Now call your bards and minstrel."

Oeilna clapped her hands together. A man in a long green robe entered the room with a lyre; Ergonn looked at the man carefully; he was a man of mid twenties with a slender body type and a handsome face with high cheekbones, curved nose, broad forehead with trimmed black eyebrows and hairs; he smiled sweetly at Oeilna which Ergonn did not like.

"Bard Halley; he is one of the famous bards of Sargoshi Island." Oeilna introduced the man.

"I am Bard Halley; if His Omnipotent, allow me, I can bring my group here." The man politely asked permission.

"Yes" Ergonn raised his right hand. Four women in colourful costume entered the hall; followed by five men with various musical instruments. Bard Halley bowed to the King and Oeilna; he started introducing his group mates; "Dancers Beilly, Kale, Unah and Kaira from the Island of Sargoshi;"

Four girls in colourful costumes bowed to Ergonn and Oeilna; Oeilna whispered, "These are not their own names; dancers, especially the girls in our island, often take professional names."

Ergonn smiled silently, but did not say anything. He noticed that all the performers; those four girls were hardly ten or twelve years old; all had long black hairs, centrally parted and tied at the back with a metal hair pin embedded with colourful gems. All of them had applied various cosmetics and perfumes with a peculiar strong sweet smell. Their costumes were also loud and remarkable. One of them wore a sleeveless high-neck, red velvet dancing-gown, which covered up to her knees; she was the only girl who wore a golden tiara; she was looking like a queen among other three girls and rests were looking like the queen's companion.