After yesterday, Riku was content to sit and listen to the morning banter over breakfast, this time provided by the Seven and Eight of Swords. It seemed the Swords always worked in pairs, and always in two neighbouring ranks like that.

Rumour said that The World had departed late in the evening, allowing for unimpeded access to all castles again. That was welcome news, in spite of the inevitable storm of work that would come their way from the previously cut-off castles, who'd had to work without the assistance of the Staves. Then again, Three had helpfully pointed out that as they were cut off, they'd been able to make full use of their entire workforces at those castles, so perhaps it wasn't so bad.

He had only one suit left to confirm his theory, and if Knight agreed it was enough then perhaps he could persuade Page to relent – but then what of the Queen? It seemed unlikely she'd allow it as long as Deti wanted this to happen, and if she intervened to undo Page's choice... but surely Deti would block that, just as she would him?

Better left out of his hands, Riku decided eventually. He'd do what he could, and leave the rest up to others – less chance he'd be disqualified, at least. Until then, he just had to continue to play by the rules.

Page, once more in the resplendent blue he seemed to prefer, was of course waiting for them in the entrance hall of the castle. He stuck to his traditions alright, everything seemed to be perfectly organized and scheduled into a routine for him.

"One of the Major Arcana has shown up," he told them tersely. "But that is all we know. If any among you spot one whether it be on patrol or by travelling today, inform me immediately." He paused, then sighed as he spotted Riku's concerned expression and added, "Thou wilt know one of the Major Arcana on sight whether thou hast seen it before or not. Whether thou knowest which one it be, is what thou shouldst concern thyself with."

"He means you'll know when you've seen one, just not which one," Four clarified for him. "Unless you've seen it before, of course."

"Simple enough, I guess," Riku murmured, not wanting to keep Page any longer.

"With that aside," Page went on heedlessly, "Our messengers for today will be the Ace, Seven and Eight of Staves, going to the Cups, Pentacles and Swords respectively. Since this is the Ace's first messenger duty, the Four of Staves will accompany him."

"Oh, come on," Four burst out. "Messenger duty again? Can't a guy catch a break around here?"

"You weren't listening," Riku told him. "I'm doing the duty, you're just along to make sure I don't mess up."

"It's still messenger duty," Four grumbled. "Do I really have to go?" he asked Page.

"Was it not thee who volunteered to be Ace's guide?" Page pointed out.

"Oops. Guess I walked into that one."

"With your eyes wide open," Two agreed, chuckling.

"Come on then, before I decide to try and sneak out of this."

"And if Judgement happens to be the one who showed up?" Riku suggested.

"Oh. Right. Yeah, maybe better I just put up with it."

"Besides," Riku added as they entered the stables. "Do you really mind keeping company with me again?"

Eight grinned merrily, in a singsong voice adding, "Ace's got a crush on Four! Wait until everyone hears about this!"

Riku chose not to say anything to that, feeling his face glow just from that remark.

The stables were constructed of solid wood, except where it met the stone castle walls. Apparently they'd planned ahead for such times as this and there were five horses stabled there. A further two were between the shafts of a caravan, munching on the hay patiently. As the caravan bore a sword design on its side, it was clear who those two horses belonged to.

As they had done on his first day here, Four and Riku waited for the others to depart before they started their own preparations.

"Well, lets get this over with," he decided as Seven headed out of the wide stable doors into the courtyard outside. "Just follow what I'm doing, and I'll explain it as we go along so you know what's what, and why what things get done. Or something like that."

"You don't really mind coming along with me, do you?" Riku asked hesitantly as they worked. It'd taken him some time to get up to asking it after Eight's remark earlier.

"Of course not. It's just the duty I don't like doing. Horseback doesn't agree with me. Page knows that, so whenever he thinks I'm getting too confident or he just wants to remind me to keep out of any mischief, I get told to saddle up."

"A bit of a reminder of who's in charge then?"

"Something like that. He doesn't usually task me with it too often because he knows the King will complain, but I guess today is sort of an exception. First time messengers always get accompanied, just in case. But remember, Riku – it's your show, I'm just here to keep you on track."

"Could we go back to Ace?" Riku replied in a pained tone. "It doesn't feel right hearing my real name here for some reason."

"Whatever makes you happy, Ace," Four answered. "That's it," he added. "We're ready to go. Want a hand getting up into the saddle?"

"So long as I don't get a hand anywhere else," Riku told him with a faint smile.

"But Ace, you don't really think I would do anything like that, do you?" he asked in mock surprise.

"You're terrible," Riku accused, laughing.

"I know," he agreed, helping Riku up. "Think you'll be alright?"

"I learn quick, I'll pick it up as we go along," he shrugged.

"Time to go then. We don't want to be too far behind, even if it is just to the Cups and back."

The front gates of the castle had been opened for them, presumably by Page he reasoned, as neither he or Four had opened – or closed – them on the day they'd been assigned to patrol the walls. Whoever did it closed them again afterwards though, leaving them to travel the clearly defined dirt track down the steep hill from their own castle, then along the similar track westward that would take them to the Castle of Cups.

This being his first time in the world outside the castle aside from when he'd been brought in, he let Four lead the way. There had been several less clear offshoot paths on either side, but more leading toward the icy ocean that lay just to the north.

It didn't seem like long before they'd reached the halfway mark, the stone bridge over the river that was fed by the nearby ocean. It was easy to see the transition between Stave and Cup territory to the north – on the Stave side was still the same ocean, separated from the ancient looking snowy forest on the Cup side by one of The Chariot's causeways in.

Riku nudged his horse up alongside Four's.

"Is it just me, or is it getting colder?" he called over the sound of the beating hooves.

"It's just you, I feel-" then he broke off, frowning. "Actually, it could be. There is a chill wind heading this way. We could be in for snow soon." He glanced up toward the forests. "If it comes in from the ocean side, it'll be a bitter cold. Forest snow is good for-" he broke off again, slowing.

"Good for what?" Riku wondered curiously, following his gaze. As he looked at the edge of the forest, he caught a chill feeling that had nothing to do with the cold. "Did you get that feeling too?"

Four nodded, "The Major Arcana card is that way. Not in the forest itself, but somewhere on the edge. Go take a look, Ace."

"Me? But why me?"

"Because this is your duty, or so you keep reminding me. Better dismount and take a look," he added, slowing their horses to a stop. "Take your staff and be careful."

Some help that would be, Riku thought to himself. He had no experience defending himself with a staff, but better that than nothing he reasoned.

The air definitely grew colder as he warily approached the woodlands, peering into the trees. Occasionally he caught the same chill feeling again, and used that as a kind of beacon. It led him into the outskirts of the forest, where there were fewer trees around.

Then he lost the feeling. He looked each way, but it had gone. It had to be somewhere, surely. Something told him to look up, then he stumbled back with a startled outcry. Someone had been hanged here, not by the head as was normal, but by his feet. Either way, it was clear he was dead and had been for a while. The chill feeling was stronger right here beside it. There was no mistaking it, this was the card they were looking for.

Feeling somewhat sickened by the sight of the dead man, Riku wasted no time in getting back to Four.

"Are you alright?" he asked, clearly concerned. "You look like you saw a ghost."

"Not a ghost," Riku replied. "There's a body there. Whoever it was, they were hanged. By the feet too."

"The Hanged Man," Four nodded. "I guess for someone not expecting it, your reaction is sort of understandable."

"Who was he?"

"No one knows, actually. Some think it's not a dead body at all, just a facsimile of one."

"Try telling that to the awful smell that came with him."

"You didn't need to get that close, you know."

"It wasn't my fault he was hung high up in the tree," Riku replied defensively, remounting. "Anyway, what does it mean? The card's effect or whatever I mean."

"I really don't know. They're not my area of expertise, you understand. Page will be able to tell us when we get back, but first we have to get a move on and hurry ahead before we get in trouble for being late."