That day of celebration became a blur in Lyse's head, now that he looks back on it. Even though it was just the working, the entire city was alive as if it never really stopped. Celebrations were in order, and the parade of knights and sages, squires, and soldiers alike danced, hollered, and sung throughout the streets. The main road was a bustle of dancing and music, every instrument playing whatever tune to drawn out the nearest. Instruments that Lyse had never heard of, but were all pleasant in the ongoing chaos. Many bards and poets had come to Silondras, and now finding an opportunity to showcase their talents, even if it was free, they still got silver out of it. A few songs were common in Broken Arrow; Marry and the Red Rose, Night in the Garden, The Old Spring Love. They seemed to come in every direction and every volume. The sweet aromas of perfumes as women passed by, dancing with knights, and the assorted goods from vendors staying near the outskirts lifted Lyse's spirits a bit, although he dared not take a gamble with the alcohol again, as Edlund was enjoying now.

He was more forced to the town square, where many were gathered around the statue of James looking down. is knowing smile somehow turning pleasant in the party, as almost all moved their feet below him. He never really experienced such a gathering like this. Even some of the great festivals, including the charges coming in just a few weeks, paled in comparison to any portion of what he saw. He almost felt the urge he had to dance, lest he disrespects some entity out there looking upon him. While initially, he danced alone near Edlund and Gray, who stiffly moved from foot to unsure uncertainly, he did not dance alone. Suddenly, he found his arms locked with a beautiful black-haired woman, hair passing her shoulder blades, as they spun around each other like those around them to a fast-paced song. Almost skipping they moved clockwise, twirling, and then the other direction. He kept a joyful smile and tried to keep his footing even. He never really liked dancing, but some external force seemed to be working upon him. As suddenly as the woman appeared, another was in hand, a slightly older woman with light auburn hair and high cheekbones. Lyse knew she had to be from further south, but she matched the spirits of all those around her. The song changed, and so did the dance. A dance that, at first, Lyse did not recognize. Yet, there was that hint of familiarity, like it was an old song he heard long ago, resurfacing now. This time, he took the lead, taking the women by the arm, bowing first, and began a movement of swift movements around one another. Twirling her in hand and spinning himself, he moved with a grace that he was see grabbed some eyes, and the woman seemed to enjoy it. Yet, it was not too long before she too left his hand as the song declined. And almost as soon as it ended, another began.

This time, he found Elena grabbing his hand, a softer jig rising from lyres and drums, and they both stared a bit bewildered, as if not expecting to be within each other's arms. Although they began to dance, Lyse felt suddenly clumsy, like he was first learning what legs really were. Elena seemed to stifle a small laugh as she then took the lead, showing Lyse what she knew from what little experience they had.

"I thought you were a bit lighter on your feet," Elena chided as they moved around each other.

"Learning stances and tending fields tend to bite into time for dancing lessons," he said in defense, but with a heavy smile. He didn't mean it to be a joke, but Elena laughed. It was short, but he felt he wanted to hear more.

They danced together step for step, Lyse getting better as they went on. Song after song, they stared at one another, not even trying to change partners to the chagrin of others that wished them to separate for even a moment. From the corner of his eye, he saw Edlund being taught an intense lesson in dancing. It seemed Edlund was even more untalented, as a woman made him follow his steps with a sad smile. Somehow, they all found themselves in what Lyse first thought was an inn, dining tables stacked on the edges leaving a clear space for those who wished to move to do so freely. An entire ban with a Chittarone, even some he had only heard of like a gemshorn, a goat's horn carved out with drills to produce an assortment of notes not unlike a flute. The rhythm was a bit slower but still joyous, and Lyse found him in a chair next to the far wall. Edlund somehow followed them, somehow even more worn down than they were, and immediately requested another drink. Lyse supposed that he was going to have to deal with a drunken Edlund, and he found that somehow amusing. Gray settles on a near table, laying on his arms as if the sounds of music we're making him sick. He still looked a little pale, and Elena was still glancing at him now and again as if he was going to suddenly fall over and die.

"It's Hing Sickness, isn't it," he told her, the first time he was able to speak normally without louder sounds drowning him out.

She nearly stopped mid-motion sitting, but sat down a bit stiffly and a bit surprised. "Not a lot of people know about that. Usually, they'd pass it off as nausea, or a weak stomach. I've had to keep an eye on him since he left the doctors."

"I noticed," Lyse stared into his drink with a frown. Elena quickly noticed his expression and recognized it. It was the same face she saw on him when he had entered the dungeon when he chose to serve exploration. t was one of deep thought, playing at scenarios, and questions that rambled through his mind. She recognized it from the dark stares of veterans, delving into their minds, and resurfacing horrid events. Obviously, Lyse was a bit too young for lamenting, right? Then again, what did she know about Lyse? She felt a little embarrassed that he knows more about her than vice versa. He had to her that he was from Brokenarrow, where the Plains met the forest of Silence, and that he was a farmer, but that was about. She did not quite understand why, but she wanted to know as much about him as possible.

"I can tell you have not been enjoying yourself as you should be," Elena told him, and for the first time, he looked at her with surprise, almost as much as when he learned who her father was. "You seem like you're always deep in thought. Tell me what troubles you."

Her tone was more assertive than she intended and was momentarily afraid that he would be pushed away from talking. However, he simply sighed, leaning back a bit into his chair, fingering the brass locks on his gambeson. On it was the molded head of a lion snarling. He seemed to fixate on it for just a moment, she could practically see the gears turning in his head as he looked up once more in her eyes, dark blue eyes looking for any motive. The glare was so invasive it nearly made her squirm. She did not know what he was looking for, but he seemed to find it quickly as he began talking.

"Promise me you will not breathe another word of what I say to others,"

his voice was low, but loud enough for her to hear. She nodded and leaned forward, intrigued by his secretive approach. He hesitated a moment longer before finally speaking once more. "My sister has been kidnapped, and I plan on finding her."

Immediately he looked around, expecting someone to pause or show any sign of eavesdropping, but all seemed to be about their own business, barely noticing either him or Elena at the table. When he turned back to her, she seemed deep in thought now, as if a puzzle was dropped before her. She flashed him a curious look, and expectant.

"Is that why you chose the exploration cohort?" she asked him, and he nodded. "Makes sense. Usually, explorers are sent for when an assignment comes up, and it may take months for another to be needed. You'll have plenty of time. But, who is it that has done this? Are they common thieves looking for ransom or . . ."

He shook his head sadly, and slowly as if he wished his problem was as simple. "I am nothing but a farmer. What could we possibly have that they would want."

Even as those words left his lips, he could taste the bitter lies within them. He knew full well what they are after. This very pendant that now laid tucked into his inner shirt. HE hadn't taken it off since leaving Brokenarrow, and he could feel some alluring power within, sometimes calling him, affecting him. The words the goddess told him echo in his dreams. Find the other pendants, and rescue his sister before it is too late. HE still had many many questions, including why his mother previously owned this pendant, and if she was aware of its properties. That and many many others, including why, kidnap his sister, and not spare his mother and father.

Nevertheless, he went on. "Whatever the cause of her taking, I intend on finding her."

"Alone," Elena said after a while. "If these people are dangerous, it doesn't matter if you are a knight now or not, you can not take them on alone. That would be foolish."

"I know that," his tone showed he had mulled over this as well. "I intend on taking Edlund with me. He seems to be the only other person I could really trust."

He doesn't really know why, but those words felt almost as wrong as his previous statements. The look on Elena's face worsened the feeling, as defiance shined in her eyes. She placed a hand over Lyse, a touch that shot a bolt down his spine, and he felt the urge to straighten his posture.

"We have fought and bled together, Lyse Opal," she told him calmly. "We trusted each other to put our blades together, and have returned with our objective. I trust you nearly as much as I trust myself. It would be wise to return that."

The last sentence seemed more of a silent order than a suggestion, and he nodded stiffly. "Of course. But, you don't intend on joining me. Fate has it, you'll be sent north to the tundra valley."

She shook her head. "You only know a sum of the happenings of the border skirmishes. Not many Frostlandian soldiers were spotted in the last couple of months, and while they have been rather offensive in that time, they remain at their lines and we on ours. Many have been sent already into the valley, and are standing by in case they throw something large at us. I have time before I am called, I am sure. So, Lyse, when are we leaving."

Lyse's mouth opened but closed again as he reevaluated his words. He had heard only a fraction of what she said, that they have been offensive, more so in the past month, but the other points were outside his knowledge. He also knew that over a thousand cavalry were sent out to the easter borders to some thematas the empire owned. Thematas were regions that had been conquered and acted as encampments for the armies. Lately one of them called Scyth east of the Silondras mountains had been pressed by Frostlandian assaults. That is what the merchants often told him and his father just a month ago. He had thought more men than that would be needed, but if what Elena said was true, then there will be little reason now to send any more men unless requested or needed.

"Well," Lyse found himself searching for any excuse to keep her from going, and failing. Apart from him wanted her to come. Surely three heads were much better than two. But he also didn't want to rope her into his doubles, his fight that must not be shared with anyone unnecessary. She saw the hesitation in his eyes, and pressed, even more, finding the weakness.

"Come now, don't be an ox," she said, still trying to keep their conversation unnoticeable. "What reason is there that I must not join. It isn't that you think I am incompetent. Just because you defeated Dagmyre does not make you invincible you know. I and Gray can cover where you are blind, and support you still if need be."

He grunted in frustration. HE wanted to find a way to keep her uninvolved, but it was clear that she was intent on joining him, her, and Gray apparently. He gave in with a slow sigh, giving her a defeated smile as he rose from his seat.

"Alright then, Lady Atticus," he looked to the door, where the people still danced and sang, without any sign of slowing in sight. "I plan on leaving the next afternoon. I believe that I am still being followed, even within the city. Surely they will choose to strike when I least expect it. Staying in loose crowds seems to be a good idea. So how about another dance then?"

She was a little furrowed at the words, but nodded, accepting his hand as he guided her back to the streets. All the worry in his eyes seemed to of been replaced now, not completely, but so near. She felt clumsy next to him somehow. Even though he was born in a small village, he moved with a cat-like grace common among the knights with more noble births. It was also clear in his footwork, no nervousness covering as he moved. She knew that thoughts still consumed him, even more so than before. They were consuming her as well. She was unsure Gray would be fit with travel, but she could not imagine leaving him out of something like this.

Lyse kept to his promise of a single dance, and they immediately walked on towards the Knight's quarters and to their rooms. From the looks many people gave them, one would think they were going o bed together. But, they did split into their individual rooms on the upper floors. Even this deep within the fortress, the sounds of the various string instruments could be faintly heard. Lyse locked his door, placing his chest before it. He didn't expect it to stop anyone, but if someone did try to sneak in, it would at least make some sort of noise. He closed the shutters as well, tying the cords that held them tightly. A wooden practice sword found within his chest was propped against them, in case they moved as well. He sighed, feeling a little comfort in the small defenses he created in his room. No doubt the road ahead will be even more treacherous than merely worrying about assassins. He almost wanted to take off his gambeson but decided to change into one of the garments found in the chest, richly patterned clothes made from silk and wool, clearly made for the colder mountainous areas of Liontari. HE bundled himself into his garments and fast in bed. The sun was still high in the sky, barely grazing the evening now and casting some shadow from the forest across the plains lying between it and the walls of Silondras.

He began thinking then, heavily on what his next move will be, where to even begin. He guessed that he should first visit his mother probably ask her of anything that happened, possibly even answer some questions he had. But he dreaded meeting her. If she tried to stop him, how could he act under her words? He almost thought against it, but convinced himself that there was no other way to gather information. Except, perhaps, the sage Makyra. He had not seen her since the dungeon, and he wondered if she was even in the city anymore. No doubt she knew more than what she led on. If he's lucky, he'll locate her before leaving to probe her a bit. All he knew was that he cannot stay long in the city longer. He had a new challenge to face. New challenges awaiting him the very next day.

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