She had taken one of their finest carriages: a vessel of oak with curtains of wine red to match the plush velvet seats, thick gilt bars in the shape of roses separating her from the dangers of travel. In a lesser carriage, four attendants followed -- two servants and two guards -- but her favourite had not been made to ride in the less comfortable vehicle. Her beloved handmaiden sat opposite her, watching the rough Colchian landscape speed past in a blur.

"It is not perhaps as becoming as Taengea, but I hear this festival will be wonderful!" Ophelia gushed excitedly, causing her handmaid's lips to lift at her excitement. The Condos rose was practically effervescent, overflowing with enthusiasm. On the few visits she had made to Colchis, she had found it a very harsh environment indeed. It had baffled her how someone like Mihail of Thanassi could hail from such a strange, severe place, for with his perfectly manicured nails and impeccable sense of fashion, he struck her as man who had never laboured a day in his life. According to the whispers she had heard, however, anyone in attendance today would see an entirely different side to Colchis and she was eager to see if that was true. Plus, never did Ophelia pass up an opportunity to partake in harmless merriment while enjoying good food and entertainment.

As they were soon to arrive, she drew the carriage curtains and beckoned Evanthe closer. The handmaiden set to work immediately, Ophelia had chosen to dress according to the oceanic theme, and thus wore a peplos of palest blue that deepened to as dark as those depths only the sea gods themselves could explore. One by one, Evanthe unclasped her mistress's fibulae, which were intricately crafted from different gemstones to resemble different sea creatures, and pinned them once more at both her shoulders. Ophelia's intricate braided hairstyle -- woven with silver thread -- was holding firm, but the handmaiden did make a slight adjustment to the diadem of silver and pearl that perched atop her glossy waves, centering it so that it rested more snugly on Ophelia's head.

Just as these preparations were completed, the carriage drew to a halt. The door opened and in peered the face of an elderly driver, who placed before them a set of silver steps. Evanthe climbed down first, then immediately offered a delicate hand to her mistress. Ophelia twined her pale fingers through those of her long-time friend, allowing the young woman to assist in her emergence.

The refreshing scent of the ocean wafted towards her on a gentle breeze as she proceeded to walk towards the festival, her four attendants trailing at a respectful distance, while Evanthe walked at her side. When her eyes fell upon the area in which the celebration was to be held, they gleamed like precious emeralds caught by the light of the moon. This was most certainly what she had hoped for; a different side to Colchis entirely.

Stalls lined the waterfront, selling everything from exquisitely crafted seashell jewelry to fishones to seafood of all kinds. The scent blew towards her, promising bliss.

"Oh, I simply must see what they are selling!" she exclaimed, weaving artfully through the crowds and towards a nearby stall. They appeared to be selling trinkets made of sea glass. Studying each object carefully, she reached for an ornately crafted stained glass box with silver handles. Perhaps she could buy something for Nikos and present it to him in this box? Yes, she liked that idea. And then she would buy that pretty glass nymph for herself...