Chapter One: New Tasks and Old Pains

POV: Martin

"It can never be, Martin. I'm just a child now."

"I can wait."

She shook her head sadly.

"But I cannot."

The look on my face asked the question for me.

"Aslan says I must return to my own world; at least for now."

She took my hand.

"Noblest and best of knights, I release you from your oath to me. Find love again."

I took her hand and kissed it.

"I shall wait 'til time's end if you wish it."

Tears welled in her eyes.

"I cannot ask that of you."

"I say, Martin, are you quite well? Martin!"

Caspian was shaking me by the shoulder.

"Are you alright? Your eyes have a distant look to them."

I shook my head slightly, trying to free my muddled mind of the memories. Memories of two years before, when the Four had returned to free Narnia once again -and then been sent back to their own world.

"I beg your pardon, Highness. It was nothing."

He patted my shoulder kindly.

"Shall I repeat my offer, then?"

I blushed in embarrassment.

"If you would be so good, Sire."

"Simply put, Martin, I think Telmar should be made a Narnian possession, and I think you are the man to take it."

"Take it? From whom?"

Caspian shrugged.

"Wild animals, bandits, whatever happens to be there. Perhaps settle would be a better word than take."

I nodded thoughtfully.

"Will you accept this task?"

I gazed at my king. Two years he had reigned, and two years had shown just how right Aslan had been. Caspian was a boy no more; diplomats and envoys he had out-schemed and out-negotiated; giants he had beaten on the field of battle; even now he was creating a navy out of thin air. If he wished to assign me this task, then I would do my duty, or die trying.

"Of course, your Majesty. I shall leave as soon as proper preparations can be made."

"The royal treasury is open to you Martin; the barracks likewise. Take whatever and whomever you need to succeed in this enterprise. May the Lion go with you."

I rose and bowed before Narnia's new ruler.

"And may He guard you, Lord King, betwixt His mighty paws."

A week or so sufficed to collect the supplies that would be required to begin carving settlements out of what must have become a wilderness. A company of soldiers would accompany the expedition. I had gone through the towns and village near the Cair, and a hundred or so men had signed on, about half of them married. A few dwarfs wished to explore Telmar's mineral wealth, and as many dryads were anxious to study the forests there, and to discover the properties of the soil.

The caravan that marched from Cair Paravel under a bright sun and a cloudless sky was a long one. I rode at the head, with half the soldiers behind me. Then came the settlers, the supply trains carrying tools, nails, extra clothing, and food, followed by the rest of the soldiers as rear guard. All together, we numbered around three hundred. King Caspian had ordered me to maintain constant contact, and had supplied me with four talking falcons for the purpose.

The route we took lead us through the middle of Narnia, then across the western mountains, through the southern end of the Western Wild, then Northwestward into Telmar. The journey alone was a momentous enterprise, to say nothing of trying to maintain constant contact between Narnia and Telmar. If we succeeded in creating a settlement, we would then have to cut a road over mountains and through forests to facilitate travel. The idea seemed almost a mad one, but the King had commanded it, and it was mine to obey.

I had advised those men with families not to bring their wives and children on this first expedition, but to send for them later, when the journey would be easier. They ignored me to a man. The column which left the Cair was far from compact, and by nightfall it was a good mile long. I stood in my tent, staring at the map before me in silent frustration. A knock came from the front tent post.

"Enter."

The company commander, a young human lad, not more than twenty, saluted smartly before me.

"You sent for me, Sir Martin?"

"I did indeed, Captain. Please, sit down."

He did as I asked, and I did likewise.

"It is not hard to tell that most of the women and children have had some... difficulty keeping up with the column."

"No sir, I think it quite apparent."

"Have they all arrived?"

"No, sir."

I massaged the bridge of my nose; a headache was coming on.

"Will they be up by morning?"

"Perhaps, but there is no certainty."

"And your soldiers, they spread themselves out to protect the stragglers?"

"Yes, sir."

"That is far from ideal, Captain. If we were to be attacked with your men so strung out..."

My sentence drifted off in an ominous silence.

"What then should be done to prevent the column stringing out?"

I looked at the lad before me. Probably the youngest officer in Narnia's army; his company was a new one; a mixed command of young men, fauns, and centaurs, just as eager and just as inexperienced as their captain. They would be yet another of the imponderables involved in this expedition.

"The march will be delayed. You will accompany the women and children back to the Cair. I am detailing a third of the wagons to go with you. See to it that they ride in the wagons; no one is to be lost."

"When do we leave?"

"Nine o'clock tomorrow morning."

He rose and saluted. I returned his salute, and he made to leave. As he reached the tent flap, I spoke again.

"What is your name, Captain?"

"Cadfael, sir. It's an old Narnian name."

I smiled.

"I had a good friend named Cadfael, many years ago. I believe General Glenstorm is descended from him. An excellent fellow, as you seem to be. Good evening, Captain Cadfael."

He saluted again and left the tent. I lay down on my cot, exhausted more mentally than physically.

"Great Lion, help us all."

A/N: My utmost thanks to the lovely Skiebyrrd for making sense of my scribblings. I appreciate it more than I can say.