Ales didn't approve their plan of visiting Silverbird, but since Kashimi was the one who had suggested it, her mentor decided to go with the roll. However, he advised Cadence against practicing her Affinity in the Region of Spirits.

"Walker Hunter eyes everywhere," he said. "Don't do anything suspicious. Bloody hell, don't even look remotely suspicious." He then turned the topic into a lighter one by telling her to explore Mansion Khavarosk fully, as it was one of the grandest Mansions in Moskava.

Eli assured her that his mother had hired a Kesatria to guard them to Mansion Khavarosk, but after the Ishor party, they would be on their own to find Silverbird.

Cadence wandered down the Hall. The Hall of Games had been thoroughly decorated for Ishor. The Feorhs had outdone themselves—Spring flowers and vines twined across the high ceiling beams, the chandeliers polished with new, red candles inserted, and the four-pointed cross of Dewa Veruska could be seen on every corner of the Hall, made from hay and tied with twine. Red draperies replaced the usual azure curtains. Predikars bustled about, their brilliant red robes blindingly stark among the sea of black and white, barking orders at Feorhs and the other servants to get the decorations and totems to the right places.

Cadence passed a couple Predikars shouting 'Not my left, you nitwit, the other left!' on her way out of the Hall with a small bundle containing her cloak and daggers.

As Eli had promised, he stood waiting for her outside the Hall with a grand white carriage with gold-gilded wheels. The emblem of House Khavarosk was emblazoned on the doors—a sprig of thorn wrapped around an apple.

"Merri, Lady Novik." Eli greeted her with a huge smile on his face.

"Why do you have to be so formal?" Cadence groaned as the footman opened the carriage door for them. "It's embarrassing."

"We're leaving the Hall of Games," Eli said with a twinkle in his eye. "My territory, my rules, and my House regards formality and politeness to its apex."

He looked around the yard. "He's late."

"Who?" Cadence was halfway inside the carriage when the edge of her robe snagged against the door. She yanked it free.

"The Kesatria my mother hired to escort us back. It's awkward, seeing that we-"

"Sorry, I'm late." Ales half-ran out of the Hall. It took him less than five strides to reach the carriage. "Had some issues to settle, a few letters to write."

"You're escorting us?" Cadence said.

"House Sanrovo are allies with House Khavarosk. I was their House Kesatria for several years before I returned to the Hall of Games. The ever gracious lady decided to hire me again for her grandson and his little visitor."

He climbed into the carriage after Eli, then banged his head against the door in the process.

"Why couldn't they make these doors any taller?" he grumbled, massaging his head and slamming the door shut. Her mentor then put his hands behind his head, balanced a leg on top of the other, effectively taking up half of the space in the carriage.

The footman yelled, followed by the crack of a whip. Cadence's back pressed against her seat as the carriage jerked into motion, wheels rolling on the smooth stone ground. The enormous gates of the Hall were fully open today, allowing all residents to visit home and the commoners to enter the Hall to celebrate one of the most important festivals in Moskava.

The distance between House Khavarosk and the Hall of Games was only a little over an hour by carriage, most of the delays were due to the wagons blocking the streets, and an all-out fight between two merchants. Ales easily broke up the fight by pulling on his mask, getting off the carriage, and gave them a silent stare-down.

House Khavarosk had looming gates like the Hall of Games, but instead of being Celestium-plated, it was made from iron. The gate was designed to shape like thorn brambles. Anyone stupid or desperate enough who tried to climb those gates would be impaled instantly.

There were two Kesatria with stag masks outside the gates. Both wore armbands with the Khavarosk emblem.

After rolling through a lush garden on the gravel pathway, the carriage came to a halt. A stable boy rushed up to the carriage at once whilst the footman slid off his seat and opened the carriage door for them. "Watch the steps, missus," he said, extending a hand to Cadence to help her down the carriage.

The Khavarosk mansion was as grand as the Orelik's mansion. There were gardens, the marble statues, towers that pierced the skies and water fountains. An old lady came up to them, dressed in formal, dark blue butler robes. Her graying hair was drawn into a tight braid and wound around the back of her head. She had a pair of round, golden-rimmed glasses pushed high up the bridge of the nose. It hurt even to look at her.

"Madam Sechen!" Eli bounded forward like an excited puppy and gave the old lady a big hug which Cadence feared would shatter her bones. "It's so nice to finally see you again!"

"I believe you've been gone for only one month, master Eli," Sechen said in a firm tone, but there was a ring of fondness to the sternness. "You're just like your mother, master Eli. She's inside, and she wants to see you."

"Sechen, this is the guest I have told you about." Eli gestured at Cadence. "This is Cadence, she's in my division."

"Pleasure." Madam Sechen bowed at Cadence's direction. Cadence faltered, still not used to people being overly-polite.

"Miss Cadence, Kesatria Sanrovo, please follow me to your chambers. Master Eli here needs a few moments with Mistress Vera. He'll join you shortly for lunch."

"See you in a few." Eli smiled his usual cocky smile, bringing out the single dancing dimple on his right cheek. "I hope you'll find the mansion to your liking and comfort."

Cadence glanced around at the luxury surrounding her. "I have no doubt."

Sechen made a purposeful gesture toward the front door. Cadence contrived to follow her, with Ales following behind.

The butler took out a huge ring of keys from her pocket, picked out a bronze one with flowered patterns and unlocked the front door. Sechen moved to the side, indicating that Cadence and Ales enter the mansion first.

Cadence obliged. As expected, Mansion Khavarosk was grand, but not as cluttered as Mansion Orelik's. The blue and silver colors of House Khavarosk could be seen in every hook and cranny of the mansion—the cushions, the armchairs, the jewels dangling from the enormous chandelier, and even the carpets.

"I've been to many mansions," Ales said. "But House Khavarosk's never fails to amaze me."

"It's nothing compared to House Vasiliev," Sechen said humbly. "Theirs is a galore of art compared to ours."

"House Vasiliev gives me a headache." Ales glided his fingers across the top of a cabinet which Cadence was certain was mahogany. "Too much gold and glitter, it could pass for a Lekhobarian palace."

"House Vasiliev is the treasurer of Moskava. It's no surprise they have a certain fondness of gold and riches." Sechen walked very fast for someone her age. She even outpaced Ales, whom everyone regarded as a freak of nature.

Sechen extended her arms toward the two rooms at the end of the corridor. "Room on the left is for Kesatria Sanrovo, room on the right is for miss Cadence. Here are your keys-" The butler handed Cadence a small gold key. "-Ishor is in three days, so you have plenty of time to rest and explore the mansion. Although guests have the privilege to roam about, the left wing of the fourth floor is out of bounds. There's a lake outside. If you fancy sailing paper boats, fishing, or admire ducks, it's a beautiful place to enjoy during Spring. If you need anything, just ring the bell by your bed. A Feorh will come."

"Ducks are only good for eating." Ales said to Cadence once Sechen was out of earshot. "My mother reared ducks once, called them her babies. I'm willing to bet she loved the ducks more than she loved me."

"You're just jealous that a small fluffy animal is able to steal your mother's attention."

"I'm gorgeous," Ales said. "Even more so than a stupid duck."

Cadence rolled her eyes. The more time she spent with Ales, the more childish he seemed to become, acting less and less like a mature man of forty-two.

She slipped her key into the lock, felt the teeth connect with the machinery inside. She gave it a twist, and the lock sprang free.

"I'm going to sleep. You run along and don't cause any trouble. Remember, these are Oracle grounds. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Ales closed his door.

"What's something you wouldn't do?" Cadence grumbled under her breath, which was then taken away by the splendor before her.

She was already overwhelmed by the guest suite she was given when she first arrived at the Hall of Games. This, was fit for the highest of the nobility.

The windows extended all the way up to the high, wainscoting ceiling, their enormous panes letting in the brilliant rays of the Spring sun. Heavy satin curtains were tied up with silver cords. In the middle of the chamber was a four-poster bed, supported with a celure made from dark, painted wood. Midnight-blue draperies hung down from the wooden structure, its grommets made from glittering glass baubles. There was even a trundle bed under the bedstead, probably for the servants of its previous owner before most Oracle households switched to using Feorhs. Next to the bed was a clawed wardrobe which Eli had promised would be filled with enough garments and dresses to fulfill Cadence's four days stay.

Cadence walked toward the dresses and touched the cool surface of the mirror, watching a corded version of her looking back. When she had first arrived in the Hall of Games, she was so thin, she could pass as a skeleton. She stared, amazed at how her breasts had filled out, marveled at the healthy pink tinge in her cheeks.

She shrugged off her cloak and hung it up on the coat rack, then twisted her hair up in a bun. Her hair was growing at a rapid pace now, and was thick and heavy. She ran her fingers through her hair. When she was still a servant, her hair was brittle and thin. Attempts of prolonged combing would result in her hair breaking apart in her fingers.

You killed people, and here you are, admiring your hair. The Polong's voice sneaked out from the darkness of her mind. Shame on you.

For a fleeting moment, her reflection turned into the grotesque frame of the Polong. She shrieked and punched the mirror.

The mirror didn't shatter, but her hand smarted like hell. The Polong vanished, returning her reflection.

Cadence backed out of the room, cradling her hand.

I need fresh air.

Sechen was nowhere in sight. She walked down a flight of stairs and into an empty hall.

Where is everyone?

Mansion Orelik was a busy place. Kesatria walked in and out, servants bustled everywhere, and other nobilities would storm by, wringing their hands and waving pieces of paper in each others' faces. Mansion Khavarosk was utterly silent—there was no pattering of footsteps, no rise and fall of men arguing over stocks, and no shouts of Varya siblings fighting each other—the place was devoid of sound and life.

How did Eli even survive this place? Cadence circled the hall. The furniture and ornaments were well kept and dusted, but she could find no signs of life. The cushions looked as if no one had sat in them for months, the tables and chairs were too clean, arranged too neatly. A depressing atmosphere clung to the room, pressing upon her.

Cadence left the hall and turned into another corridor. Huge, heavy paintings were hung on the wall. There were so many of them. It stretched from one end of the wall to the other. As she advanced, each painting became more vibrant, and the brush strokes more certain and precise. She was going back in history, she realized. This was the Khavarosk family tree.

The first portrait was a mosaic print. Fine jewels were pressed repeatedly onto clay to form a man and a woman. The woman towered over the man, and she wore a golden circlet. She struck Cadence as regal, proud, powerful; someone who would not hesitate to use the cruelest of methods in order to attain power, she was the very first lady of House Khavarosk. House Khavarosk was one of the oldest Houses, with roots reaching back to the Founders themselves. Rumor had it that all heirs of House Khavarosk were descended from Borya, making them the strongest Oracles to exist.

There was something about the portraits, be it mosaic printed, charcoal sketched, or intricately painted. They seemed alive, as if the artists had imbued a piece of the people's Souls into the artwork in order to capture the life in their eyes.

Cadence shivered, hugging her chest, trying to shield herself from a possible phantom attack. She picked up her pace and ran down the corridor, reaching the last few portraits.

She froze in front of the last painting.

This is her, this is the woman from my dreams!

Capella Khavarosk was sitting next to her stout, hawkish husband, Tithonus Khavarosk. In her arms held an adorable baby––Cadence couldn't tell if the baby was a boy or a girl––who stared at her.

The painter had captured the sadness in Capella's blue eyes. Her golden hair fell in ringlets around her face. Her chin stuck out a little too much, but she was beautiful.

Cadence touched Capella's painted hand. "Why are you appearing in my dreams?" she whispered. "Do you know my real parents? Or do you have something to tell me, something that I should know?"

Capella only stared back with her mournful eyes.

Am I the child? Cadence tapped the baby. Is this me? I know you're a Walker, I am one too. I don't believe in coincidences, but I believe in chances. Walkers are able to pass emotions and memories onto those of their kin, but Kashimi tells me that you're dead, everyone here but Raphine and Eli is dead. Tell me, please, Capella. Who am I?

Cadence wished with her entire being, so much so she felt her muscles tremble and the nerves pulse in her head, that the woman in the painting would talk to her. All she needed was a bit of guidance, something to help her get started on finding her own roots. She pressed her forehead against the painting, the hollow feeling in her heart expanding like a chasm.

Something brushed against her arm. Instinctively, she leaped back, one hand going to her dagger and the other ready to draw shadows.

It was a wide-eyed, bear-shaped Feorh. The Feorh gestured wildly at the portrait, trailed its finger across Cadence, then shook its head.

"Oh, sorry." She patted the portrait again, wanting to reassure the Feorh she had no intentions of vandalizing it, but it made the Feorh even angrier. If Feorhs could speak, it would probably be screaming obscenities loud enough to shatter windows.

Cadence quickly left the corridor before the Feorh decided to hit her. After wandering around the empty halls and peeking into empty rooms for a few more minutes, she was stumped.

She had expected there was something nobles did or something she could occupy her time with while at Mansion Khavarosk. A lot of nobles spent their time reading, but it wasn't an option for Cadence. She had even seen a piano, but she didn't know how to play. Not for the first time, she felt like a rough, bumbling commoner stuck in a place too rich and foreign.

She stared at the sunlight filtering through the window. Ducks it is then.

Cadence ran down the stairs, wedged a piece of ornament in between the door and the frame so it door wouldn't lock her out, and went outside.