"Was she in the stables?" Michael asked in Asch when Leyla settled back in her seat a few moments later. Three young women had moved to within talking distance from their table and were now giving her annoyed looks.

"No." Leyla replied, not at all surprised that Michael had figured out what she was up to even. Aside from perfect memory, he had an incredible reasoning ability. Unfortunately, he was also a big busy body, which meant she would have to change the topic, quickly. "It seems, you have found yourself some friends."

He followed her gaze to the women, who were holding their handkerchiefs to their lips and giggling. His blue eyes alight with mischief, Michael shrugged, "You left me all alone, and it turns out most Warrior women are quite friendly."

Was he saying she wasn't? Leyla was stopped from making a response when four Shadows appeared in their dark uniforms, the King and Princess Mira close behind them.

The Warrior King looked straight ahead, the short gold cape over his shoulders, fluttering as he moved to the top end of the chamber where the royal tables were arranged in a semi-circle. He took the seat decorated with silver swords, then motioned for Mira to sit beside him. The Warrior generals sat next, to the left and right of the King. Next it was their turn; the visitors from the Land of Light had been placed at the royal's tables beside the generals which was a testament of their importance.

Once the royals had taken their seats, the rest of the guests, lesser nobles and mid to high-ranking officers, moved to the other end of the chamber where communal seating had been prepared.

The King raised his cup.

"Today we have special guests from the Land of Light who have come to help us oversee the planting of our fruit trees," he held his cup out towards them, his dull eyes crinkling at the edges as he spoke. "Let us welcome them to our Kingdom!"

"Welcome!" Echoed across the hall as everyone raised their glasses towards the King, then drank. Leyla followed suit, watching the most powerful man in the room over the rim of her glass. A few years ago she would not have hesitated to go to battle and die for him.. He caught her eye, the deep grooves on his face stark as he smiled. He did not recognise her. Leyla lowered her eyes, feeling strangely empty.

She felt connected still, to the recruits she had trained, to her fellow officers, to this place she had considered home, but somewhere along the way, her will to live and die for the Warrior King had disappeared. It was as if it had been wiped away during her time on Asch. Or perhaps it had faded the night he had her whipped in this very hall, just to save his daughter humiliation.

"Bring out the food! Let the entertainment begin!" The King proclaimed, not looking half as energetic as his voice suggested. Was he unwell?

Servants carrying trays laden with food appeared on cue. They began to dish out rich foods made with rare Greenland spices while a group of fourth year recruits performed a sword dance.

"It's quite entertaining," Michael commented while watching the blades swing, dip and rise in unison. "Although the steps are far less complicated than the one you are forever practicing."

For all that he did not know a thing about wielding a weapon, Leyla had no doubt at all that Michael knew the 63-steps by heart.

"It's not the complexity of the steps that is important," Leyla explained, watching the recruits. "It's the precision and perfection of the execution."

"None of them will ever be as precise as you," Michael grinned with pride. He really was foolish and Leyla was about to tell him so when a figure stepped into the room and drew everyone's attention.

Alec. He had donned a short pale yellow cape over his military uniform; the colour of the House of Steel. His jaw hard, he marched through the crowd of enamoured gazes, not sparing anyone a glance till he stood in front of the King. What made him so angry?

"Who is that?" Michael was watching the newcomer with keen interest. The King gave Alec a pat on the shoulder and laughed while the Princess batted her eyelashes madly.

"That's Colonel Alec of the House of Steel."

Michael shifted his attention to her face, "The one who helped you that day you were ambushed? Wasn't he the cousin of the Lady who has hopefully taken in the orphan girl?"

Leyla nodded, watching the King rise from his seat. The Princess followed suit, taking her fathers arm.

"Hold on, the King is leaving," she frowned, wondering if her guess had been correct. Was he actually ill?

The Steward approached their table just then, delivering the King's apologies for his early departure. "His Majesty has asked that you stay and enjoy the festivities. When you wish to leave, you will be escorted back to your rooms."

"Thank you," Michael raised his hand to his heart, then glanced at Leyla. "It has been a long voyage, so we too will retire."

"But you have not eaten -"

"We are not hungry," Michael assured the man. And that was the truth. The food pills they had been travelling with, made eating cooked meals unnecessary.

"Of course," the Steward bowed low before rushing off to arrange their escort.

"I'll get Lady Delphine and meet you at the door," Leyla said, rising.

It took her a moment to spot Delphine who was stuck in the middle of a group of ladies bent on gleaning information about the Light Prince. Unable to extract herself from between the tall women, Delphine's cheeks were flushed as she looked around in desperation.

Normally, Leyla would have simply pushed through the women, but Delphine would no doubt lecture her endlessly for her lack of decorum. Trying to be as subtle as possible, Leyla reached for her companion's wrist and pulled. "My apologies, ladies, but we must retire now."

"Ah, yes, my apologies, but we must go!" Delphine smiled apologetically.

Ignoring the collective moan of protest, Leyla pulled Delphine swiftly away, not slowing down until they were almost at the main door of the Hall.

"Thank you, Lady Alessa," she once she had caught her breath. "I was trying to get away earlier, but they were so...energetic."

The corner of Leyla's lips lifted at the polite way Delphine had put it. She knew well what Warrior ladies could be like when they had their eyes set on a man. Combative was more fitting a word.

When they reached the door, Leyla looked out and saw Michael waiting for them, his expression closed off. Immediately on guard, she stepped in front of Delphine to assess the situation. Two Warriors stood off to either side of Michael, and a little ways ahead, with his back turned to them was...Alec? What was he doing here? With his rank, there was no way he would have been assigned to escort them.

Leyla looked at Michael as they moved forward, hoping to get a clue to the situation, but his face remained impassive. One of the guards noticed their approach. "The women have arrived, General."

General? Alec has been promoted to General! At his age? Not that there had ever been any doubt, but he was truly the golden boy of the Kingdom. Amazed at his incredible accomplishment, Leyla stood beside Mikhail and waited for him to turn around. She was inexplicably nervous at the thought of coming face to face with Alec, though she couldn't say why.

Not bothering to turn around, Alec spoke over his shoulder: "Follow me!"

The walk to the upper floors was deathly quiet. Leyla couldn't make sense of the obviously antagonistic vibes coming from Alec's stiff back. Nor could she understand Michael's pensive silence. The only thing that was easy to decipher was Delphine's fear.

Being led to her room by an obviously angry Warrior General was probably something she was not prepare for. Leyla took a step closer to the girl and was surprised when Delphine reached out to hold onto her skirts.

Soon they were outside the corner room. Delphine raised her hand to her forehead and bowed to her and Michael. "May the light be with you."

"And you," Leyla gave her an encouraging smile. Seriously, what was wrong with Alec's mood? He was standing closer than before, but still did not look back at them.

"I will escort the Prince and his sister from here," Alec said abruptly. Leyla watched in confusion as the Warrior guards clipped their heels together and departed. This went against protocol. What was he up to?

As they began the short walk from Delphine's room to theirs, Leyla widened her stride, making sure she was a step ahead of Michael. Alec would not harm them, she was sure of that, but his anger was a palpable thing, putting her on edge.

When they finally reached their destination, the General stood still in front of their door. "If you can't tell me why you took Leyla, then at least tell me if she is alive."

Michael put his hand on her arm when her lips parted in shock. Alec was asking about her?

"General Alec," Michael began. "I've already told you that I know nothing about this Lieutenant you mentioned. Would you like me to lie just to appease you?"

The Warrior's fingers curled into fists. "She was traded for those damned trees you are here to oversee, yet you claim not to know her?"

He turned then, his eyes burning with anger...until they landed on her.

"You..." He was frozen, the flickering lights from the hanging torches throwing shadows across his face. "Who are you?"

And there it was, in the depth of his sky blue gaze...the glimmer of recognition that she had dreaded.

"I asked you who you are!"

Michael drew her hand through his arm, his voice tinged with some anger of his own. "Show some respect, General. Lady Alessa is my sister, and a royal of the Kingdom of Light."

"Alessa?" Alec's eyes narrowed as he studied her face.

Leyla tried to find something to say, then wondered if speaking would make things worse. Would he recognise her voice?

"It is time for us to turn in now," Michael nudged her past Alec and put himself between them. "Goodnight, General." Then, without waiting for a reply, he opened their chamber door and pushed her in.

Only after the door was closed firmly behind her did air rush back into her lungs, making her realise she had been holding her breath.

"Lets make sure you find your Tia tomorrow," Michael frowned, crossing to his side of the room. "We have to leave before that General out there has time to cause trouble."

Michael was right, Alec's suspicions had been aroused, they would have to speed things along.

Leyla should have been upset that things could get more difficult now, but somewhere deep down she was glad. Glad that someone hadn't forgotten her completely. Glad that someone had thought to ask about her welfare.

Maybe Leyla was not dead, after all.