Demetri

I watched her take her seat on the stone bench with the same visiting lord that Jonathan had been weary of. What was she doing? I frowned and watched carefully, cursing when I couldn't hear when she spoke to him.

Did they know each other?

Little Miss fiddled with the a piece of her dress, though I doubt she noticed. She seemed to be completely absorbed by his words.

What could they possibly be talking about?

"Demetri." A whisper came to my right and I turned to see Nicolai standing beside me. "Prince Dillon wants a word."

I frowned even more confused than watching Little Miss talk with a visiting Lord. Why was nothing in my life making sense to me anymore. "Where is he?"

Nicolai nodded in front of us and sure enough, Prince Dillon was seated in his chair just a little further down the corridor with his eyes studying Little Miss and her new confidant. I wonder if he had more answers than I did?

I walked further in the shadows away from Dillon until I rounded the corner. I looked around briefly before sliding open the glass and slipped out into the light. Making my way back, retracing my steps, I stopped just behind Dillon and bowed deeply. "My Lord. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. I did."

I moved to stand beside him so that he didn't have to crane his neck to the side to see me. I leaned up against the railing separating the hallway and the gardens.

"Who is she?" He asked me, his words filled with caution and curiosity.

"I don't know."

"Who is she, really?" He pressed, his eyes flickering towards me.

I shook my head. "I only know as much as you."

He sighed deeply as he stared out into the gardens, his old eyes carefully watching Little Miss quietly converse.

"Her story doesn't fit. She navigates court too well to have never had the experience before. Ashiar said she reads complicated books far beyond anything a Blacksmith's daughter can comprehend." He began to list the flaws within her. What was I supposed to say?

"We don't think she the average peasant." I admitted. There was no harm in stating the obvious.

"I can see that Demetri." Dillon said with a slight annoyance. "Jonathan appears rather taken with her."

Taken is not the word I would use, Bewitched seemed to be the better term. She has done what no one else - not even his tutors - has managed to do in an entire lifetime; hold the King's attention.

"Yes he does." I nodded agreeing with Dillon as I watched the Lord stand from the stone bench and bow his head ever so slightly to Miss before he retreated towards his room. "What was it you wanted to speak to me about?"

He shook his head and repositioned his chair so that it was now facing me. "There are a few reports about missing girls in the west, where Jonathan raided. More importantly Nobel girls."

"I have heard. Many people ran and not all have made it back to their rightful house." This was nothing new, it happened all the time after a raid as people ran like rats from a hole.

"Yes but now one never will." He gestured over towards Little Miss as she finally began exiting the gardens. "She is higher born than a Blacksmith's daughter. You agree?"

I lifted a shoulder. "I have my suspicions."

Higher born than a Blacksmith's daughter was about as far as I had gotten with that thought. But in my defence, I have been very distracted what with the king, Nicolai, Little Miss, and not too mention strange letters from Gabriel that was taking up more of my attention than I had room for.

"Well I am done with suspicion. I want to know for sure."

I frowned and face him, showing him my confusion. "Does it really matter all that much?"

Why couldn't we just leave things the way they were? Why try to fix something when it isn't broke?

"Not if she is noble born, not really no. But what does matter is that there is a Princess in the mix of missing young girls."

I froze hearing the words.

"She is presumed dead and I need to make sure that undoubtedly, that girl in there has no connection to the DeBreeze royal family."

"And if she does?" I asked although just from the family name, I knew the answer.

"That would mean she is a member of the very family that is responsible for my brothers death. I am beginning to like Little Miss but if Jonathan discovers she is the daughter of a man who killed his father, he won't like the outcome. She will find herself missing a lot of limbs and floating down the River of Rohan before she can even begin to defend herself." His eyes bore into me with certain clarity. "Do you disagree?"

I took a moment of pause. He did enjoy her company, he did seem rather taken with her, he suspects she is of Noble birth and knows for a fact she has been lying to him since that first night. Would he still blame her or worse, kill her, for trying to keep her birth name a secret? I didn't have to think long before I knew the answer. Jonathan's temper was immeasurable, especially if he ever felt betrayed - which is exactly how he would feel. "No."

"Good. I need you to travel through the West and find out what happen to this Princess Alliar."

"Why is that so important?"

"Like I said, I want confirmation that Miss isn't of royal blood. Find Princess Alliar and Miss can rest at ease with her life safe from Jonathan's wrath."

I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat. "And if I fail?"

"Pray that Jonathan doesn't discover the possibility of who she might be."

I knew what would follow next. She would be questioned, interrogated and tortured until she told him who she was and exactly what family she belonged too.

"I'll make up some excuse for you to leave. Gather your things and say whatever goodbyes you need to, you leave as soon as you are able."

I accepted my task and went to leave.

"Oh and Demetri," He started again. "I shouldn't need to remind of the discretion of this task. I know you are loyal to my nephew but this is a life we are talking about."

"I will report straight to you." I bowed my head in respect before retreating back down the hallway.

It didn't take me long to pack a few things in my bag and gather some supplies from the kitchens. I was heading out of the castle towards the stables when I caught sight of Little Miss. She was leaving her room with the a book in hand and a rather displeased look on her face.

"Miss, why the pout?" I asked, smiling.

She stopped walking and gestured to her room. "Privacy doesn't exist, even in your own room."

I chuckled. "Yes, it can be like that sometimes." I remembered Dillon's words. She was a noble than lack of privacy would be something she was used too, then why did she look so annoyed?

She eyed my bag. "Where are you headed?"

"Secret mission." I only half joked. "Will you be alright without me?"

She nodded after a moment's hesitation. "I think so. Nicolai's here if I need him."

"If you need anything Horick and Gillian are who you should go too. Nicolai isn't always close, he sometimes gets put on patrol but Horick and Gillian will always be on watch during the night and you can probably find Gillian around later in the day."

She listened to me intently and I could see her memorising the names in her mind. "Okay. I will." She gave me a reassuring smile. "Be safe okay."

Her concern made me smile. "You too."

***

After two days hard ride, I finally came to a stop at the River Rohan. I decided I would stop by and get a few things out in the open with Gabriel while I was already out and headed this way. I stepped into the main hall. Gabriel stood and waved me over towards the table. "Ah Demetri, I'm surprised to see you."

I took a seat at the table as Gabriel sat back down and started cutting up his next bit. "Yes I hadn't thought I'd be here either." I answered honestly.

"So did you like my letter?"

"'Son of the blood?'" I questioned him about the way he signed his name.

He chuckled slightly and shrugged. "I was counting on Jonathan getting a look at it and thought it would make him smile. It's an inside joke, if you will."

"Well I'm sorry to disappointed you, no one read the letter but me."

His face didn't falter from that trade-mark smile. "Nevertheless, did you enjoy it?"

"It was interesting."

"I have more interesting facts on their way, I assure you. So long as you help me."

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want with a convent girl?"

"That is my business. Now, did you do what I asked?"

I sighed. "Possibly."

He leaned back in his chair and opened his arms. "Well then by all means, pray tell Shadow knight."

I bit my lip and thought about lying to him. But I wasn't ready to risk lack of trust, not when I wanted his honesty in return. "The girl taken from the convent was sent to an old knight of the golden army who lives in one of the caves between the western and eastern borders."

He nodded. "How did you come by this information?"

"Checking the credibility of my source?"

"Do you blame me?"

I took a deep breath. "Little Miss told me about the girl that was taken. She said her name was Jacqueline?" I paused trying to remember the name. Shaking my head I continued. "I think. Anyways, she was headed to a similar place before..." I stopped talking. Before what exactly? Did she escape? But then how did she end up back in Jonathan's clutches? Did she somehow talk her way out of it? Make a deal? "She told me a few characteristics of where the carriage was headed and i figured the rest out for myself. John worked closely with the golden army once he took his crown and this particular knight was among them."

He nodded in understanding. "And how do I get there?"

"You have got to be kidding me right?"

He glared at me. "No. Where is it?"

"You won't find it."

"That's my problem."

"You'll get yourself killed."

"Again, my problem."

I crossed my arms over my chest defensively. It wasn't that I didn't like Gabriel - because I didn't - it wasn't because I didn't trust him - because I didn't - but I didn't tell him because I knew he would get himself killed.

"Why are you here Demetri? This can't possibly be just a house call."

"Business of the Crown I'm afraid. No of your business."

We shared a brief moment of silence, both of our secrets stretching between us. One of us had to take a leap of faith, to trust the other.

And it wasn't me.

"I'll make you a deal." Gabriel leaned forward and threaded his fingers together. "I will accompany you to wherever it is you are going. On the way there, we will stop at a village that will offer some information about your childhood. And then, as payment, you will take me to this cave."

I thought about his offer for a moment.

"I'll take that as a yes." He rose from his seat. "We leave first thing tomorrow."

***

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