Moon Blessed

Chapter 30 ~ Moving Forward

    Nikolai's head pounded but he did his best to ignore the pain as they continued swimming towards the surface. He didn't even bother to ponder what he'd just discovered.

    The Silent Knight's secret could be further contemplated after they reached safety. He didn't doubt that once the Eyes had a few minutes to recuperate, they'd begin their pursuit anew. He pitied the Knights who would get in their way.

    The Silent Knight glanced down and offered him a hand. Nikolai took it with a grateful smile and allowed the Knight to assist him. I'm going to sleep for a few days after this, he thought to himself.

    Or rather, he wished he'd be able to. As soon as the challenge was complete, they'd be moving on to Seena. And that marks the halfway point for the tournament, Nikolai realized. After Seena, there's only Andrian left and then we'll be back in Nyctoli!

    He'd see Nastasia, Alexei, and his mother again in just a few more weeks! A thorn of guilt pricked his conscience. I'll tell Nasi the truth when I next see her. She deserves to know what I've really been doing. He just hoped she'd forgive him for not telling the truth in the first place.

    I hope she'll understand why I had to do this too, even though I haven't made as much progress there as I would like. Nikolai's gaze darkened. Volya and Vadik are still in the tournament. I have to make sure they're either eliminated before we reach Nyctoli, or someone else wins the tournament. He just didn't know who.

    Before a few minutes ago, I would've considered the Silent Knight, but now I'm not so certain. What is a woman doing in a competition for the Princess's hand? Is she hoping to win Nasi for herself? The King wouldn't allow it, and even if he did, the Queen would put a quick end to that.

    Nikolai eyed the Knight, brows furrowed thoughtfully. Maybe I'll speak to Danitza about her. It's obvious she knows something the rest of us don't.

    Pain stabbed through his temples once more. Nikolai winced and silenced his thoughts. He and the Silent Knight kept swimming upwards, not slowing their pace and not looking down.

    Gradually, light began to filter through the water. Nikolai still couldn't determine how far up the surface was, but they were drawing close, and not a moment too soon. His limbs were leaden with exhaustion. He wasn't sure how he was going to make it back to Hywel on foot.

    The light grew brighter and Nikolai could make out the foam left by the crest of rippling waves on the surface of the lake. The Silent Knight began to swim faster, pulling him along with her. The two of them sped towards the surface and breached it with a spray of water.

    Nikolai shook droplets from his hair and blinked rapidly, his head spinning with the sudden change in pressure. His vision was again blurred by the lack of water, and his chest was beginning to ache.

    "Let's get to the shore," he said. "Danitza warned me about the after effects of the Voda Halitus and I don't think we want to be swimming when they kick in."

    The Silent Knight needed no further encouragement. She struck out towards the shore and Nikolai followed, keeping his eyes peeled for the other Knights. As he swam, his vision began to clarify while the ache in his chest swelled. Something bubbled at the back of his throat, warning him of what was to come.

    Nikolai swam harder, ignoring the slimy plants that slid against his skin as he reached the bank of the lake. He hauled himself onto the grassy slope and collapsed, letting his eyes close briefly.

    Water sloshed as the Silent Knight followed suit. Nikolai rubbed at his chest with a slight grunt. The ache hadn't eased at all, and the pressure at the back of his throat was rapidly increasing.