Isran was a bit uncomfortable as she watched the fme-haired cursed knight stand ramrod straight in front of her.

  His eyebrows were also fming, something Isran hadn’t noticed before. His hair had been so eye-catching.

  “Isran…”

  Isran only nodded. She didn’t know if she was supposed to call him sir… or cursed knight.

  After Alden’s match and her seeing her girls off, she walked with Alden back to the barracks and had been surprised to see the fme-haired man standing in front of her building.

  He had mentioned her name as she tried to walk past him and asked her to join him on a walk.

  They had stopped near the wall that split the arena from the barracks and he was quietly analyzing her face.

  When he finally spoke it was quiet. He had the cadence of a posh person, with an accent to match.

  “It was interesting to see you today. Your speed was past your level.”

  Isran answered simply. “A skill.”

  “I figured,” he hummed. “Morgana personally recommended you. We all brought our recommendations but she insisted on you.”

  Isran was still a bit uncertain as to why Morgana saw so much potential in her. “And I appreciate that.”

  The man hummed again. “Would you be opposed to telling me your specific css (1) name?”

  Isran paused. It was a private thing. And although she hadn’t grown up in the culture that utilized such a norm, she understood the bare bones logic behind it.

  “Yes, I would… I hope you take no offense to that.” She found herself adjusting her speech pattern, his posh rubbing off on her.

  The man shook his head. “That’s fine… I am Count Gautier Armand of house Armand-Lisycan. I do hope you continue to deliver your best. You have been somewhat of a rising star as I’m sure you can tell.”

  Isran nodded.

  He hummed. “I do have a few more questions if you don’t mind.” He took a step closer.

  “I don’t”

  “How did you come to meet the sheepfolk you live with? She of Herd Nhag?”

  Isran knew Elyis was in a herd… but she hadn’t asked for the name. She could feel her hackles rising.

  “The dungeon.”

  Gautier blinked at her tone.

  He could tell she was closing off.

  “I see… and Miss Phaedra Custin?”

  “An expedition… in the dungeon.”

  He hummed once more.

  “And the mouse folk. She seems especially close to you.”

  Isran couldn’t help the frown that appeared on her face. “The dungeon.”

  “Gautier?”

  Isran let out a breath when she saw Morgana approaching them, a frown on her face.

  “Morgana. I was talking to your student.”

  “As I am well aware.” The pink-haired woman was frowning as she came to a stop beside them. Closer to Isran that Gautier.

  Standing near each other, their pitch-bck eyes were a bit more unsettling than Isran had ever viewed them before.

  The moon reflected off their obsidian surfaces, it reminded Isran of a cat.

  “You would be lecturing me about favoritism if I was talking to my student.”

  “Well yes, it would be.”

  Morgana’s eyes narrowed at the man, he had acquired a subtle smirk since Morgana appeared.

  “And what exactly are you talking to her about?”

  “Oh, nothing really. A friendly discussion if I do say so myself. Isn’t that right Isran?”

  Isran didn’t answer. Her tongue felt heavy in her mouth.

  Gautier hummed and turned back to Morgana.

  “Were you looking for me? Lady Calment?”

  Morgana’s face scrunched up in disgust. Isran had never seen her look that repulsed.

  Before she could answer with her words Gautier ughed loudly. “Y’know it’s boring that you never let your fmes out.”

  Morgana rolled her eyes. “Not only is it a waste of mana, I am not as stupidly fmboyant as you.”

  “Stupid.” Gautier feigned hurt. “So wicked Morgana.”

  Isran was starting to feel like she wasn’t supposed to be listening to their banter… or was it?

  Morgana sighed and turned to face Isran. “Please go away Gautier. I have to flush her mind from whatever poison you put in it.”

  Gautier ughed headily. “Don’t go giving her tips pinky.”

  Isran almost ughed at how much Morgana shook at the nickname.

  Once Gautier was gone she sighed. “That was quite the show you put on today.”

  Isran shrugged feeling bashful. “It was.”

  The cursed knight tilted her head. “You’re doing better I’m guessing.”

  Isran knew she was referring to her mental break from the previous day. She was doing so much better that she had barely registered the man in his fight against Alden’s team. She had even thought about how he had used the same spell to restrict Alden's movement.

  That was a bit weird. Isran knew herself. She would’ve avoided him and freaked out when she noticed him. She realized she had completely forgotten who he was for the duration of the fight, the association never crossed her mind because she never remembered it.

  She nodded.

  Morgana sighed. “Your girlfriend’s father has filed a court order against you.”

  Isran’s eyebrows lowered. “Phaedra?” Isran wasn’t stupid enough to not know he would be the only one. She didn’t correct Morgana on calling Phaedra her girlfriend, she liked hearing that.

  The pink-haired woman nodded. “Charges of kidnapping and theft.”

  Isran scoffed. She didn’t think she had ever scoffed.

  “You’re joking.”

  Morgana studied her. “I take it that these are false allegations.”

  Isran was offended. “Did you ever doubt me so much? Kidnapping?” She was being reminded of how she had found Calliope, and like Morgana could read her mind—

  “You’re also being accused of aiding the bandit attack on his expedition, with the aim of selling Phaedra Custin to smugglers.”

  Isran her jaw tense with how much she was gritting her teeth. “That’s a joke right?”

  Morgana sighed. “Since you are under my tutege, and the governor and… others know that. I will be helping you through this. It will not affect your participation in the games… But when you are done here you have to deal with this. Especially when you win.”

  Isran rubbed her face, ignoring Morgana’s certainty of victory.

  Was she seriously being taken to court? For false cims from some rich douchebag?

  “Do my—” She stopped herself. “Does Phaedra know?”

  Morgana shook her head. “A friend informed me. The case hasn’t been approved yet… but it will.”

  “Why?”

  Morgana looked a bit sad as she expined. “The rich eat the poor Isran.”

  Isran rubbed her head gently.

  “You need to focus on winning though.”

  Isran nodded. “Yeah… could you not tell her?”

  Morgana lifted an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

  Isran nodded. “Not her, not Calliope… not Elysi. I.. I’ll do it when the games are over.”

  Morgana nodded.

  “Do you know when the case will be approved?”

  “In two weeks.”

  Isran nodded again. “Ok.”

  Morgana nodded back and then hesitated before leaving. “Be careful around Gautier.”

  Isran didn’t bother asking why. She trusted her teacher. “I will.”