"A ball is a formal dance," Lambert says, with more grimness than that news probably merits. Syrlya might not be that concerned, but he sure is, considering past experiences.

"Do you have a pen?" That question is addressed at 9S, holding a hand out, as he continues on, lips twitching downward. He'd been visibly preoccupied at breakfast, and then with the servants and everyone else around he hadn't had a chance to get into it, but ...

"Strange's count is missing one," he continues. Assuming he gets the pen, he's going to begin writing on the map as he speaks. "The Warden's also gone."