Much to her dismay, Nastasia was roped into attending the morning banquet with Josephine and Elise. It was a struggle to keep her eyes open while they made their rounds through the banquet hall, making sure to steer clear of Gavriil, Serafima, and their attendants.

Josephine kept a tight hold on Nastasia's arm as they walked. That grip was the only thing keeping her upright. It seemed her lingering aches had multiplied during the night. Every step Nastasia took left her legs shaking.

She'd been walking on jelly since crawling out of Lake Pontus. Though, judging by the faltering steps of the Knights around her, she wasn't the only one worn out by hours of swimming.

Nastasia forced herself to stand taller as they approached yet another Knight. She recognized him as Sir Edmund Gareth, an Eldon. He was accompanied by another young man. "That's the aide Yuri was with yesterday," Josephine whispered, leaning closer to Nastasia.

Nastasia looked at the man again with newfound curiosity. He was handsome, with sharp features whose harshness was dulled by the warmth of his smile and the brightness in his hickory eyes. His freckles stood out to her significantly.

She'd always found such features beautiful, and was often envious that no matter how long she lingered in the sun, even on the hottest of days, not a single spot would appear on her practically colorless skin. Nikolai and Alexei had always told her to just be grateful that she'd never experienced a sunburn.

Nastasia drew her attention away from the aide as Sir Gareth approached them, flashing a brilliant grin to Josephine in particular. "Greetings, Ladies."

"Good morning, Sir," Josephine answered. "Are you well rested after yesterday's challenge?"

Nastasia's gaze swept over Sir Gareth while Josephine kept him occupied with conversation. He was one of the Knights they hadn't been around as much. What she'd seen of him from a distance told her that he was used to the attentions of women, and was almost too comfortable conversing with them.

Of course, when one looked like a Knight straight out of a fairytale, she supposed it wasn't difficult to catch a woman's attention. Sir Gareth wasn't quite as tall as his aide, though he was just as lean and muscular.

His features held a classic beauty rarely lacking in Eldons, with high cheekbones and a long, narrow nose, perfectly bowed lips, and a square jaw. His wide set eyes were a deep shade of olive green and his hair, the color of umber, held a slight curl.

"And I don't believe I've been introduced to this young lady," Sir Gareth said, his gaze landing on Nastasia. "I gather by her appearance that she is your Lady-in-Waiting, Lady Dahl?"

"Indeed, Sir." Josephine's grip tightened on her arm. "I'm afraid she's rather shy, so don't expect to hear much from her. She prefers watching and listening."

"I see. May I at least have your name?" Sir Gareth's attention lingered on her. It was an effort not to shrink from that curious stare.

Nastasia bit her lip beneath her scarf, then bowed her head. "Nasi, Sir," she murmured.

"That's an unusual name," the Knight chuckled. "I like it. This is my own aide, Daryn Yale." He gestured to the man at his side. "May I entrust him to your quiet observation, Miss Nasi, while I accompany Lady Dahl and her friend to breakfast? He has a tendency to wander off when left on his own." Sir Gareth tossed Daryn a wry grin.

Nastasia nodded, sinking into a curtsy. Sir Gareth offered Josephine his arm, which she took. Elise shot Nastasia a confused look but didn't protest when Josephine beckoned for her to follow. Nastasia lingered with Daryn, unsure of what to do or say next.

"Your mistress attracts a lot of attention, doesn't she?" The aide asked presently. His voice was low and husky as though accustomed to disuse.

Nastasia inclined her head. "She's beautiful and friendly. I suppose that's what draws people to her."

"That's certainly what draws Edmund to her. Not even the renowned mysterious beauty of the Moon Blessed Saint is enough to dissuade him from pursuing the beauty already before his eyes."

"Would that hold true after he met Princess Nastasia?" She asked carefully.

Daryn deliberated over the question for a few short moments before answering. "I can't say for certain. Sir Gareth is quickly enraptured by things and just as quickly distracted by others. He might devote all of his attention to the Princess for a time, but eventually, he would begin to stray again."

"Then it's not a happy marriage to the Princess that he desires. He entered the tournament for fame and glory."

His mouth curled in a grimace. "Basically."

Nastasia mentally checked Sir Gareth's name off her list of potential suitors. It had steadily grown shorter during every interaction she had with the other Knights. Only Sir Arlov remained at the top, directly beneath Nikolai's immovable name.

"Why do you wear that scarf?" Daryn asked. "Of course, you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Nastasia smiled beneath the garment. "I don't mind. I wear it to disguise myself. Many people would disapprove of my presence if they knew I was here."

"I see." Daryn gave her a kind smile, before glancing over her head. His features lit up with excitement and Nastasia turned, recognizing the three familiar figures who now joined them. "Sir Arlov." Daryn offered a curt bow and Nastasia followed suit. "I was hoping I'd run into your group before we leave for Seena."

"We were actually coming to see if you and Sir Gareth would like to accompany us for part of the journey," Sir Arlov replied. "I think it'd be wise for all of us Knights to intermingle more than we've been doing, on the road especially. I've heard some unfortunate rumors of foul sports amongst us."

"I'll speak to him before we leave," Daryn promised. His gaze shifted to Yuri.

Nastasia looked between the two of them, amusement and wariness tugging at either side of her. She'd heard rumors about the terrible things Eldons did to those like Yuri, and Daryn was an Eldon himself.

But if he was aware of Yuri's romantic preferences, he didn't let it show. Instead, there almost seemed to be a hint of curiosity in his gaze. Perhaps attraction too, Nastasia giggled internally as Daryn's calculating gaze raked over Yuri.

Mischa and Sir Arlov seemed aware of the Eldon's attention too. "Would you like to eat with us?" Sir Arlov offered. Daryn blinked suddenly, his gaze clearing, and nodded.

"Your friend can come too," Yuri offered, gesturing to her. Nastasia stiffened and shook her head at once. She kept her mouth firmly closed, not daring to risk Mischa or Yuri recognizing her voice.

"Would you tell Sir Gareth where I am if you happen to see him?" Daryn asked, even as he followed the trio. "I'd hate for him to think I wandered off again."

He rolled his eyes, an annoyed frown flitting across his lips. Nastasia nodded and retreated back into the crowd before Mischa and Yuri could catch another glimpse of her.

She found herself standing near the opening to a hallway. Nastasia approached it, then paused as faint voices reached her ears. She instantly ducked out of sight and strained to listen.

She furrowed her brows, recognizing one of the voices. Volya? She was relieved to know that he'd returned from the challenge, but what was he doing hiding in a hallway?

"I never agreed to that and you know it," Volya spat. "I agreed to slow them down or scare them off, but murder?"

"I suggest you rethink the terms of our agreement," another voice hissed. Nastasia's eyes widened. It belonged to Vadik Kamenev. "I was perfectly clear about what the Emperor intended for us to do. Reacquaint yourself with our task before we reach Seena. If you fail again, you'll not live to regret it."

"There you are!" Josephine called, gliding over to her before Nastasia could hear if anything more was said. Josephine took her by the arm with a disgruntled huff. "I think I've heard all I want to from Sir Gareth."

"Is he that bad?" Nastasia asked, pushing her concerns aside for the time being. She'd think them over on the road to Seena when she could be alone with her thoughts.

"Awful," Elise agreed. "He just wanted to talk about himself and brag about his achievements. Thankfully Sir Arlov and his friends rescued us before he began talking about the songs his people sing about him."

Nastasia lifted a hand to her scarf-covered mouth and quieted her laugh. "I'll be sure to report that to the Princess. I doubt she'll be impressed."

"I'm certainly not," Josephine grumbled. "Let's eat somewhere I can actually concentrate on my food and not on maintaining my sanity."

•༻᯽༺•

Nikolai found himself unable to keep his attention fixed on the conversation around him for long. His thoughts kept circling back to what he'd learned last night. Nastasia's disappearance. The Silent Knight's pale hand. The fact that the Silent Knight was a woman.

And now, he'd thought of something else. Lady Josephine Dahl had ridden Moxie from Blod to Eldon, but Moxie was a Nyctolian horse. Why had she been riding a Nyctolian horse?

Not only that, but why did her Lady-in-Waiting wear a scarf over her face just like the Silent Knight? Why was the Silent Knight always accompanied by Josephine and Elise, but never by the mysterious maid? Were they perhaps one in the same, or was he grasping at straws?

Mischa elbowed him sharply and Nikolai grunted. "What?"

"You seem a bit lost in thought. Are you still thinking about Nastasia?"

Nikolai nodded. "Among other things."

"I understand your worries, but you're going to have to focus, especially when the next challenge arrives."

"I know. I will. I just... I can't help but think that..." Nikolai sighed, combing his fingers through Sir Arlov's wavy locks. "Nevermind."

"Is there anything Yuri and I can do to help?"

Nikolai managed a brief smile. "Yuri seems too distracted to be of any help at the moment."

Mischa followed his gaze across the table to where Daryn and Yuri were locked in conversation. They had been ever since the Eldon joined their group, with only one momentary lapse when they'd stumbled across Sir Gareth.

"All right. Is there anything I can do?" Mischa amended.

Nikolai thought for a moment. "Maybe. You've been speaking with Josephine Dahl regularly, right?"

Mischa's cheeks flushed red, but he nodded. "Could you try to learn about her maid and why Josephine is riding Moxie?"

Mischa scratched his head, thick brows knit in confusion. "Sure, but why?"

"Moxie is a Nyctolian horse. I want to know why a Blodian Lady is riding her, and why we never see her servant and the Silent Knight in the same room together, even though they both frequently accompany Josephine and Elise."

"All right, but..." Mischa trailed off.

"But what?" Nikolai urged.

"I thought you were going to let the Silent Knight have his secrets. Didn't Danitza say you could trust him?"

"She did, but I want to learn more anyway. I can't explain it and if I tried, you'd probably think I'm just..." Nikolai sighed again and waved a dismissive hand. "Just find out what you can, please."

"All right."

Nikolai rose and the movement briefly caught Yuri's notice. "Where are you going?"

"For a walk. I'm tired of being around people."

"Damn, thanks a lot," Yuri teased.

Nikolai rolled his eyes, but smiled as he walked away. He wound through the banquet hall and didn't stop until he reached an adjoining corridor devoid of people, save for the portraits hanging from the walls. Nikolai paused, looking up to admire the paintings.

Footsteps signaled someone's approach all too soon. Nikolai turned and squared his shoulders, spying King Gavriil. There were dark circles under his heavy-lidded eyes, as though he hadn't slept in days.

How had he not noticed them last night? Surely the King looked just as exhausted then. Or perhaps concerned was a better word. After all, his daughter was missing, and Nikolai assumed the King and Queen were keeping that a secret, since no one else seemed aware of the fact.

"Your Majesty," he said, bowing as King Gavriil reached him.

"Sir Arlov," the King replied, granting him a nod. "Congratulations on your victory yesterday. You and your fellow Knights have made us proud."

"I'm pleased to hear that, Sire." Nikolai pasted a smile to his lips. Would you still be proud if you knew who I really was? He couldn't help but wonder.

"Alyosha," Gavriil murmured, catching Nikolai by surprise. "What can you tell me about the Silent Knight? Is he to be trusted or is he an enemy?"

"I know very little about him, your Majesty," he answered cautiously. "But he has saved my life a few times already. I'm wary of him, but I don't believe he means anyone harm. The Princess included."

King Gavriil closed his eyes, his shoulders slumping beneath an invisible weight. Nikolai resisted the urge to reach out to him. "Is all well, your Majesty?" He asked instead.

"No, my Boy, all is not well." The King straightened and strode into the banquet hall without another word, leaving Nikolai alone.