By the end of their tenth day on the road, Nikolai had taken to walking alongside his friends, rather than riding. His entire body ached, but at least he wasn't stiff and off balance like he was when he got out of the saddle at the end of a long day.

And long days they were. They were traveling from sunup to sundown in an effort to reach Ulrik, the capital city of Blod, earlier than expected. At an easy pace, they'd make it to the city in a total of fifteen days. At the rate they were currently traveling, they might make it in thirteen.

The group had already passed through the capital of Seena two days ago. During the day, they could see the dust from the traveling Seenanites ahead of them. Nikolai had also spotted Andrian scouts on the road a few times. The sight of them put everyone on edge.

To ease internal tensions, General Nikita had ordered that every Knight spend at least an hour training after the group stopped for the night. Nikolai was quick to take advantage of the opportunity. He'd sparred and brawled with a few of his fellow travelers, earning himself some new tricks and one-on-one lessons.

So far, no one had questioned him, or rather, questioned Alyosha Arlov, about changing his mind and entering the tournament. They also hadn't asked about Mischa, Yuri, or Danitza. For that, Nikolai was grateful. Not even Volya had questioned them, though he knew his brother had noticed his friends.

Nikolai looked up as Danitza appeared beside him. "Come see me before you spar with the others tonight," she ordered. "I'll need to reapply your glamour." The Mage didn't give him a chance to reply. She strode on ahead, leaving Nikolai to fall in step with Mischa and Yuri.

"What did she want?" Yuri asked.

"She needs to recast the spell on me before I spar tonight," Nikolai explained.

Yuri's mouth stretched into a grin. "Oh, good. That gives me time to introduce Mischa to the maids who came along."

Mischa's face flushed crimson. "I thought we agreed we weren't doing that."

Yuri elbowed him between the ribs. "Come on. We all know you'll never ask a girl to dance during the banquets unless you meet her beforehand. I'm doing you a favor."

"What about finding your own dance partner instead of worrying about me?" Mischa huffed. "There are plenty of men here you don't know."

Yuri began to reply, but Nikolai cut him off. "He does have a point. You might want to find someone to dance with from our own ranks before we arrive in Ulrik. We don't know how people in the other kingdoms will treat you. If they act like some Nyctolians..."

"I agreed to come along for two reasons," Yuri interrupted. "One, you both would be lost without me. Two, I intend to meet new people, and I will not tiptoe around them or hide who I am just because they might not like it. If we all did that, none of us would be here right now, would we?"

Mischa inclined his head and Nikolai nodded. "All right. We understand."

"All the same, don't try to get yourself killed," Mischa chuckled. "I don't want to carry your body all the way back to Dimesa."

Yuri rolled his eyes. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you don't have to." He pursed his lips. "Someone is riding towards us."

Nikolai stiffened, recognizing his brother astride the approaching horse. Volya reined his horse to a walk and rode alongside them. "I'm sorry I haven't had time to speak with you before now, Alyosha."

"No need to apologize," Nikolai said, once again grateful that Danitza's glamour also extended to his voice. "You've been even busier than the rest of us, I'm sure."

"Indeed." Volya eyed Mischa and Yuri with a sniff. "I'm curious about your new aides. Where did you find them?"

"One of my valets told me about The Dancing Bear's brawling champion." The lie was smooth upon Nikolai's tongue, having been silently repeated ever since they left Nyctoli. "I wanted to see him in action and after the match, I asked the pair if they'd like to make some extra coin."

"So I see. I'd keep an eye on them if I were you. I know these two, and they're nothing but trouble."

Nikolai narrowed his eyes. "Your brother thought they were suited to the task."

"What does little Nikie know about the tasks of a Knight's aide?" Volya scoffed. "Honestly, I'm surprised he's not with you. Usually he's inseparable from those two." He jerked his chin towards Mischa and Yuri. A cold grin lit his features. "Then again, I suppose he wouldn't want to be separated from his precious Princess during their last few months together."

Nikolai tightened his grip on his stallion's reins as Volya leaned towards Mischa. "Tell me, Giant, is my brother plotting anything with her? Are they going to run away together while her parents are gone?"

"Nikolai isn't an idiot," Yuri spat. "He's just being loyal to his friends."

Volya straightened with a shrug. "Maybe, or maybe he just wants to stick his prick in her a time or two before she's out of reach."

Mischa's palms curled into fists. "I think the General wants you, Captain," Nikolai said quickly. Volya bowed his head and dug his heel into his horse's flank.

Mischa relaxed his hands when Volya was out of sight. "Goddess above, I want to bash that bastard's face in," he growled.

"We all do," Yuri agreed. "You all right, Nik?"

"Yeah," Nikolai hissed through gritted teeth. "You think he always talks about me like that?" Yuri and Mischa glanced at one another. "Never mind. I already know the answer."

•༻᯽༺•

The past ten days had been lonelier than Nastasia could've imagined. She hadn't realized how much she truly relied on Nikolai and Alexei to help her fill her time. Now that she was truly on her own, she was finding it difficult to remain positive. Keeping busy seemed to help, at least.

She did her best to help prepare meals, and passed around sacks of food during the day. She accompanied other maids to the rivers and streams they crossed to help fill water canteens. She cared for Moxie by brushing her down and making sure she was picketed with the other horses at night.

When she wasn't keeping busy within the group or around their makeshift camps, she was sneaking out of sight to train or practice her magic. She was taking great care not to attract too much attention to herself, though her presence had been questioned a few times.

When that happened, Nastasia merely said that Maria Yensev had hired her just before the group set out and ordered her along with them. The questions ceased immediately after.

And speaking of the Yensevs, Nastasia had miraculously avoided the attention of Volya Yensev. How, she did not know. He seemed to always be questioning someone about something. Only minutes ago, she'd seen him questioning Alyosha Arlov and his aides.

Nastasia had listened in on the conversation as best she could, but she hadn't learned much. All she'd heard was that Sir Arlov had offered to pay Mischa and Yuri for their services. The story was believable enough, but if so, where was Nikolai?

Had he truly gone to Herodion, even without Mischa and Yuri? Perhaps he'd remained in Dimesa. Had he gone to the palace looking for her? Was he aware of her absence, or was Alexei keeping it a secret from him too? Nastasia sighed and shook off the shadows that gathered around her fingers.

Moxie tossed her head with a snort. "Sorry, Girl," Nastasia murmured. "I know you don't like my shadows, but you need to get used to them sooner or later." The mare snorted again. "Don't make me force you to sneeze."

"You can force your horse to sneeze?"

Nastasia started, glancing to her side. The strange woman accompanying Mischa and Yuri had found her. "Um...yes. You just tickle behind her nostril. She likes to sneeze for some reason."

"I've never heard of a horse with a fondness for sneezing."

"Nor have I."

The woman cocked her dark head, staring up at Nastasia. "Who are you?"

"Just a servant."

"I know that. What is your name, I mean?"

"Nasi," she stammered.

"Nasi," the woman repeated.

"Who are you?"

"I am called Danitza."

"That's a very pretty name."

"Thank you." The woman continued to watch her. Nastasia swallowed hard and turned her gaze back towards the road. "I see your magic, Girl," the woman whispered. Nastasia tensed, her blood running cold. "I see your power. Keep it hidden. Keep it safe. There is no room for people like us where we are going."

Nastasia didn't dare speak as Danitza headed off. What did she mean by that? Does she know who I really am, or does she think I just possess magic? Wait... Nastasia furrowed her brows. People like us? She must be a Mage! What is a Mage doing with Sir Arlov?

"Andrians approaching!" Someone hollered, interrupting her thoughts.

Nastasia pulled her cowl tighter around her face. Hoofbeats thundered against the ground as the Andrians rode into view. Her gaze was instantly drawn to the tall, but lean man astride a large chestnut stallion. There was no mistaking him. The carriages rolled to a halt and a footman opened the door.

King Gavriil and Queen Serafima emerged while Emperor Kazimir dismounted. The Emperor was taller than her father, Nastasia noticed. He approached her parents, accompanied by one man of equal stature, though his body boasted of more physical power.

"We had not expected to meet you on the road, Kazimir," Gavriil said.

"My scouts alerted me to our proximity and I thought it might be beneficial for us to ride into Blod together," the Emperor said. His voice was lower than Nastasia expected. Dark and smooth, like his slicked back hair.

"How so?" Serafima asked.

Kazimir smiled, though it didn't reach his hazel eyes. "I mean no disrespect to your Majesty, but I was speaking to your King and husband."

"The Queen's words are an extension of my own," Gavriil said.

"The tension between our two kingdoms is well known. What better way to show our support for this...competition, than to arrive at its first location alongside our supposed enemy? I believe it will make quite the statement, don't you?"

The two rulers held each other's gaze for several long moments. Nastasia found herself scarcely daring to breathe. At last, Gavriil dipped his chin. "Very well, my Friend. We welcome the company of you and your people." He took Serafima by the arm and helped her back into the carriage, while the Emperor watched them with a small smile.