Parts 21-23 Summary

Nicolas takes Tristan on a trip through the countryside, eventually stopping near a hillside. The master builds a fire and the pair sit under the stars and rest. Nicolas reveals that once a year some of the castle princes and princesses are sent into exile to become slaves. This year, Nicolas predicts, Lord Stefan will be among those sent into exile. Tristan is amused by this and says that Lord Stefan has no idea what is involved in slavery.

Tristan asks if slaves are allowed to ask questions or make requests. Nicolas says that it is almost never allowed but that Tristan can ask. Tristan is curious to know what happened to Beauty and if she has accepted the life of a pleasure slave as he has. Nicolas offers to allow Tristan to see Beauty so that the slave can ask the question directly. However...