Part Three: A Scornful Betrayal
Morning wrapped Isana in ribbons of warm silk sunlight. Her olive skin felt sateen and the faintest brush of the furs against it prickled her flesh and sent shivers along her limbs. Peeling open her eyes she expected to find Eulos beside her, but the sunlight's warmth chilled and she found only a hollowed dent upon the furs where he had lain.
Sitting up, she scoured the room for signs of him but saw none and when she rose, her eyes lit upon a rich crimson sari draped over the chaise. It struck her as odd that Eulos would willingly leave her alone, but she knew he would not leave her side if he thought her to be in the least at risk.
Slicking her skin with perfumed balms from the small ivory pots on the toiletry tray, Isana then wrapped her hair in the elegant and intricate braids of her people, until only a few curling tendrils hung to her shoulders. The sari was so extravagant and she wondered if it was a gift from Eulos or her hosts. The yards of rich passion-red fabric draped about her, the curves of her tone stomach and shoulders left bare beneath a very fitted silk choli blouse. Against her olive skin and ebony hair, the colors were magnificent and as she framed her face with the dupatta head scarf, her green eyes dazzled brightly.
Soft knocks on the door turned Isana's head and she called the visitor forth. "I am dressed..."
A small gaggle of brightly clad girls filed in. Isana tried not to imagine that any one of them were among those that had 'tended' to her the night before but noted that they were not the same girls who had escorted her to the room. Lifting a brow she gestured to the sari, "have I draped it correctly?"
The girls nodded their approval but only one spoke. She was near to Isana's age, perhaps a year or two younger, but she carried herself with a proud poise and addressed the Castacean queen with a more reserved warmth. To Isana she seemed somewhat aloof, but Isana was the stranger here and would tread carefully on their ground. This alabaster skinned leader stepped forward and removed Isana's dupatta Tucking the corner into the waist folds of her skirt.
"It suits you quite well, your majesty," the girl asserted as she examined Isana's hair then plucked a few blossoms from the nearby floral arrangement to adorn the braids here and there. Her own hair was a coppery orange, sleek from ironing and pulled into a high ponytail. "I am certain the Prince will like the sight of you very much."
Isana's lips pinched as she hummed, "hmm. I am not so interested in his approval of my appearance. I am here to seek he and his father's military aid."
"I know nothing of politics," the girl dismissed with an irritated sigh. Fixing her hazel eyes on Isana she stated blandly, "My name is Ryca. I was asked by Rainne-- that is, Queen Maithuna, to escort you about the grounds. Today will be a day of feasting and there will be parties of indulgence scattered throughout the city. The Temple is closed to all but the religious orders today...but her highness thought you may enjoy some of the historical sites of our fair city."
Smiling amiably, Isana nodded at her then glanced at the others. "That sounds lovely. As soon as my guardian returns--"
"Guardian?" Ryca looked outright insulted. "You so distrust us yet you would ask our aid. Pardon the word of a simple woman, your majesty but if these are Castacean ways then I find your people quite rude."
Mouth agape, Isana stared at her a long moment before replying carefully. "I meant no insult, of course...only to be sure he knew where I was and that I was in safe care. Eulos is charged with my safety, a mission he takes very seriously. I certainly did not mean to imply that you or anyone would do anything to me."
Ryca's nose was still uplifted as she sniffed and gestured toward the desk at the far end of the room. "Scratch him out a note. I am sure he has not gone far and will return soon enough. He is more than welcome to enjoy the feast day without escort or charge."
Bending over the desk, Isana dipped the quill and scrawled a note for Eulos. Her handwriting was well practiced and elegant, her message poetic at first then pragmatic.
"Dearest Eulos,
"Though it was anger's passion that first rose to heat this room, t'was love's passion that kept it warm when night's chill fought to creep. Too long left silent were your feelings as I erred in neglecting to see you as more than just my steadfast sentinel.
"I have been escorted to see historic Florynia and so as not to bring insult to the Actovans, I graciously go. Do not fear my safety lest you not see me by midday.
"As passion's kiss doth warm thy lips, so do you warm my heart."
~Isana"
Propping the letter against the vase near the door, Isana nodded to her escorts and they left with Ryca at the lead. The small herd of gazelle like young women, wandered through the palace to the streets. As they walked Ryca gestured to various landmarks and explained their significance between such stories the other girls plagued Isana with questions about Castacea.
"Is it true Castacean's never have sex?"
"Of course not," Isana scoffed. "How else would we breed? Were that true, Castacea would have long gone extinct."
Another girl grasped her arm, "is it true that the men there are not all required to fight in battle before taking up a profession?"
"This is true. We believe that all must serve in some socially conscious role before attaining adult hood. Men must serve at arms, as peace keepers or in roles of civil service. Women must act as secretaries to public offices or libraries, serve as nannies or educators. This period lasts minimally a year...but some chose to remain in whatever profession they chose to serve. In fact many women in our society do not marry and chose to work instead."
