Taunche Tower was not what Islay had expected, Islay looked out the carriage window in amazement. "Ida, hae ye ever seen anythin' lik' it?" Islay exclaimed. Ida took a deep breath, for as much as she had tried to prepare Islay for the world, the girl was still naive, she had never left the castle before. "Aye, ah hae. Actually, while tis impressive whit they hae done 'ere, tis still rather wee." Islay became very excited like a child in a candy shop "Really?" she said, her eyes wide beaming. "Aye, Bit ye better pat that look awa', ye dinnae waant thaim tae ken how full hearted yer." Islay felt a little hurt by Ida's words, but she knew that Ida meant no harm by it.
To get to Taunche Tower they passed through 4 gated walls. The first gate opened to a massive city full of shops, food, and entertainment. It was called the outpost. The second gate opened to agriculture, aqueducts, and the residential district. The third gate was massive, thick, and heavy. It opened to a huge lake with a bridge leading to an Island. The bridge led the way to a heavily guarded fortress and the tower stood in the middle of the fortress.
They pulled up to the tower, Ida had helped Islay dress and do her hair, so that she looked more fitting as Lainn's wife. The door opened and Burm's hand was there to help Islay down. Islay was a little surprised by this, she had thought Lainn would be escorting her into the tower, but he was nowhere to be seen. Burm saw Islay looking, and he knew what she was looking for, but since she didn't ask, he thought he wouldn't say anything.
Islay and Ida followed Burm through the dark halls of the tower and up the never-ending stairs. Finally, they reached a landing with double doors. Burm opened them into a beautiful suite. "This is where you will be staying tonight, to the right is the bedroom." He opened a door to the left of the room which had stairs leading down to another door. "This leads to the maids' quarters, in front of the fireplace and by the bed are pulls to ring the bells for her. A hot bath and some food will be here shortly. Is there anything else you need?"
Islay was at a loss for words all she could do was shake her head. Ida stepped in "Ye wull hae tae forgive mah Lady, she is exhausted fae th' ride 'ere, she is nae uise tae travelin` 'n' wi' a' th' excitment, weel she hasn't rested much." Burm "Let her get some rest before the dinner tonight, she will need it."
The door closed and Islay let out a squeal of delight "Kin ye hawp this?" "Believe nae hawp, yi''ll need tae stairt talking mair lik' thaim". Islay stopped her pacing around and looked at Ida " Lainn said he cannae ken me" Ida nodded "Thare is nothing ye kin dae aboot how ye sound, bit yi''ll need tae uise thair wurds". Islay bit her lip the way she always did when she was thinking. "Yer nae tae blame, a' ye hae hud is us northern folk, ye haven't hud a chance tae learn thair ways, bit noo ye dae, 'n' ye must dae yer best. Yer a smart lassie 'n' a quick study, ye wull pick it up in na time." Ida said, giving a reassuring smile. Islay nodded in acknowledgement.
"Let's see yer room!" Islay squealed as she dragged Ida down the stairs. Ida's room was much simpler than Islay's, but it had modern comforts Ida had not been afforded since her capture during the Great Rise or Udiena, and the fall of her nation. Ida ran her hands over the bed, she had longed for the day she could lay in a bed again, her gaze shifted to the corner where she saw the bathing bucket that would fit her body, tonight she would have a long bath. "Dae ye lik' it?" Islay said as she walked around the room. "Aye, ah shall enjoy mah stay 'ere" Ida said.
A bell chimed and then a knock came from the master suite. Islay and Ida ran up the stairs. Ida opened the door to a chubby wee maid. She was carrying several items in her arms and smiled brightly at Ida. "I am Beth, I was brought here to help you with Lady Islay." she beamed. Ida opened the door further and she bustled in.
She dipped into a bow in front of Islay, "My Lady have you become familiar with your suite yet?" Islay shook her head. "Well, there will be plenty of time for that, but right now we need to get you washed, we don't have much time to get you ready for the feast." Beth started toward the bedroom, Ida and Islay followed her. The bedroom was even more grand than the sitting area. The bed was huge, it wouldn't have fit in her bedroom at Culden.
Beth was pulling something up from the floor and Ida had gone to help her. Ida gasped "Och mah heavens!", Islay turned around and saw a huge pool, she staired in amazement. "The city has running water from the aqueducts; we have one that runs from the fresh springs on the island for cooking and drinking and another from the hot springs. The master designed this room so he could soak and enjoy the view." Islay hadn't noticed that the wall was actually two huge doors that opened out to a balcony. She opened them up and was breath taken by the beauty that surrounded her.
Islay's bath ended so quickly, Beth had been in such a hurry, she didn't give Isla anytime to relax, after the bath Beth and Ida had braided Islay's hair, her dress was an aqua color, it matched her eyes. Beth brought a wooden chest over which contained a gold Tiera, necklace, earrings, and bangles. Islay didn't even recognize herself when she looked in the mirror. "Now you look like a Princess" Beth said while she gathered the dirty clothes. "Oh, before I leave, Ida you should have a clean gown in your room for tonight and new shoes." Ida smiled and thanked Beth on her way out.
"A'm aff tae git dressed, wull ye be a'richt?" Ida asked "Aye" Islay assured her. Ida washed and dressed quickly, when she returned Islay was having tea "Thay said super wull be soon, bit thay brought a wee munchies." Ida smiled as she joined Islay and for the first time ever Ida and Islay enjoyed a cup of tea, peace, and the most breath-taking sunset. "Do ye think mah mither wid be at peace seeing us lik' this?" Ida looked into Islay's eyes "your mither wid be sae proud o' ye, yer destined fur greatness, 'n' she is at piece knowing yer headed toward yer destiny, ye wull bring peace tae us."
Shortly after they had finished there was a knock on the door. "I have come to escort you to the great hall. His highness is waiting for you there". Ida and Islay followed him down the halls, onto a landing overlooking a huge area. The room below as full of warmth, bustling with people, chattering.
Islay's gaze circled the room, taking in the portraits, architecture, and color palettes. Her eyes reached the opposite side of the landing, where he was standing. He looked stunning, his dark hair complemented his grey eyes, and his smile was breath takingly beautiful. Her eyes shifted to the women he was laughing at, their conversation was full of body and he was enjoying it immensely.
Islay's heart began to ache a little as she saw the beauty touch his cheek, his smile broadened, and Islay realized he would never look at her like that.