Nyx route

As Moris spent the night chatting, eating, drinking, and dancing, his mind and gaze continued to be drawn towards Nyx. The night he spent with her in his mind, Moxie's warning, and the words spoken by that mysterious voice. What did it all mean? It told him his fate would be tied together with hers. Does that mean they would grow close, would they die together, or was it simply just a dream? These thoughts swirled in his mind as he turned once again to gaze at the jet-clad elf.

She hadn't eaten or drank all night from what Moris could tell. He'd been paying attention, as he yearned to get even the smallest glimpse of what lay beneath the veil. It seemed as though she spent most of her time at the high table talking with Caelum. Moris couldn't tell if it was a pleasant conversation, as Caelum always kept a bright smile on his face, but it must've been serviceable enough. Just when Moris felt as though he'd been staring for too long, Nyx's voice jingled playfully between his ears.

"You know, most men tend to look at the ones showing skin." A refined sounding giggle followed.

Moris was caught. He turned his gaze down towards his plate to hide his shame.

"I don't believe I told you to stop." She spoke between his ears once again." "Give me but a few moments, and then we can talk."

Elation. Despite Moxie's warning, Moris felt as though he'd just won on a tilt. His head shot back up and looked back towards her.

Ever so delicately, the tall elf stood up and approached King Briant from the opposite side of the table. She bowed to him, giving Moris a nice view of her curvaceous peach. With a nod and a smile, King Briant excused her from the feast. She bowed once again and turned to leave. As she walked between the raucous tables of merrymakers, Moris could've sworn he heard her boots clicking against the stone floor. Then, as she walked behind a group, Moris lost sight of her.

"Are you ready to carry me out of here, o' brave knight?" Hearing Nyx's voice behind him made Moris jump from his seat. When he turned to face the enshrouded beauty, Nyx let out a small breathy giggle. "I already secured your exit. A delicate woman like myself needs an escort, after all."

Without thinking, Moris offered the crook of his arm to her. Another giggle escaped behind the veil, and Nyx slipped her hand around Moris's bicep. Her height prohibited her from clinging to him like the typical damsel, but Moris thought this was nice nonetheless. His heart fluttering, Moris led Nyx from the great hall.

The two ended up out in the fields. "Show me somewhere remote and quiet," she requested. Arm in arm, they walked between rows of wheat.

"So, Sir Moris, tell me about your life here. What is it that makes you wake up in the morning?"

Moris was a bit taken aback. He was expecting pleasantries from this conversation, as the two barely even met before. On that point, how did Nyx know his name? She'd called him by name this morning too. A bit guarded, he tried to summon a response.

"Like everyone in Brightmoor, my life is in my duty to King Briant, though mine is more direct. Performing patrols, standing guard, attending events, training... The peace he brought us has made my life rather boring." Moris quickly amended himself: "not that boredom is a bad thing. There's just not much glory to be gained performing garrison duty."

"Loyalty, then?" Nyx hummed to herself. "A sufficient answer, if a bit clichéd. Don't you do anything for fun?"

"Of course I do!" Moris barked rather defensively. "Duty doesn't take up all my time. I like talking with the other knights, and I play wargames and polo. Besides, I find fulfilment in my duties," he added with a grumble.

She didn't respond, but the way her gloved hand gripped his arm made him think she approved. "And does anyone hold your fancy?"

Another heavy question. Moris walked in silence for a minute. "There might be someone, but it's too soon to know for sure. It doesn't really matter who I fancy though. My hand belongs to King Briant until he decides I'm worthy of marriage."

"And you're okay with that?"

"Of course I am. Maybe one day I'll be married off to secure an alliance. If I can keep my lord's realm safe in that way, I'm happy to oblige." Moris's words were true, but unlike before they felt a bit hollow, to Moris's surprise.

"And if that was not the case?" Her fingers grip him tighter. "Would you then follow your desires?"

Moris felt like he was being teased. What was with this line of questioning? He'd given up on these fanciful ideas as a teenager. Why did she want to open those old wounds? He stopped and turned to face her. "Why do you want to know?"

Nyx tilted her head to the side, which Moris gathered to mean either confusion or curiosity at this point. "You're cute, and you cut a fine figure."

He blushed. While being called cute would typically be emasculating, it felt right coming from Nyx. Was she floating the idea of courtship to him? At the thought, his heart began beating as loud as a war drum.

"Is that enough?" She followed up with a lilting tone.

"Lady Nyx." Moris pulled away from her. "I don't know anything about you, save for your name." Despite there being no eyes to look at, Moris still threw his gaze to the grass.

Nyx responded with a sultry giggle. "A lady must keep some secrets, but do not worry: all will be revealed in time."

A moment's silence lasted an eternity. "I would, to your question earlier, if you would accept me."

Rather than giving him a response, she clasped onto his arm once again and they continued their walk.