War on the Lectic Isles

Prologue

The skies over the eastern seas were clear and deep, the stars shining brightly from the heavens upon the waves cresting into the white sand shores of Valoan. All was quiet on the island, only a few sentries kept guard while the citizens of the peaceful isle dreamed sweet dreams of what may someday come to pass. There were, of course, several priestesses on vigil in each of the four temples, keeping the fires aglow and prayers raised high in hopes they would aid bringing the island's warriors home.

They all had such faith, but only a scarce few knew how truly horrible the night was. How the peaceful quiet easily masked the growing tempest barely a day's sail away. None even questioned the outcome, but one.

She stood on her private balcony, staring southeast towards the source of her nightmares. Her dark tresses danced in the strong breeze off the sea as much as skirts of her nightgown, accenting her unusually pale skin in the moonlight. The worry in her eyes heightened by the strange grey hue they'd taken on, looking like clouds bringing an oncoming storm.

In her hand she held a letter. A plea for help. Begging for salvation before it could be too late. She tore her eyes away from the horizon to read the letter again, making sure that there were no mistakes. It had been a long time since she'd written a personal letter, and even longer since she'd cared how it was written.

The hopes she'd had that rereading it would calm her frantic heart vanished in despair. If the renowned savior Kings and Queens from the west couldn't come, they were all doomed to the dark tyranny she'd known so well so few years ago. Memories of her life before Valoan filled her mind, making her dizzy and sick to her stomach, but a sharp voice called her to focus.

"My lady?" the scratchy voice was full of concern, but it waited patiently for the young woman to pull herself together.

When she did look up it was to see a large condor waiting on the rail, looking at her with worried eyes. He was one of the few who knew a good deal of what troubled her heart.

She tried to smile. "Hirusha," she said his name in greeting, bowing her head slightly. "Thank you for meeting me."

"I am but your servant, my lady," Hirusha said, bowing with his wings wide as is a condor's way. Then he rightened up and tucked his wings back in. "What is it you require, Governess?"

"You needn't do so if you think my request too difficult," she forewarned him, folding the letter into an envelope and sealing it with wax and her signet ring. "But I need this letter to be delivered across the sea."

"To the east, my lady?" the condor asked, looking from the envelope to the young woman in surprise.

But she shook her head. "West, my dearest," she said softly. "To the land once ruled by winter."

"Narnia." The whispered word rolled off the bird's tongue like a prayer of its own, almost summoning the sudden gust of wind that followed it.

The young lady nodded. "They are the only ones who can save us from destruction now. Aslan placed their four kings and queens upon the throne, it is through them that he can help us."

"You're sure?" Hirusha asked, a glimmer of hope competed with doubt in his eyes. "But if they do not come?"

Far away, at which only those with the strongest of hearing could make out, there were mighty clashes of swords and screams of those who were fighting to the death. But she didn't need to hear them, she could feel the turmoil resounding in her chest.

"Then stay across the sea, my dearest," she said, staring southwest again. "For I fear there will be no home to return to."

Hirusha frowned, as much as a bird can which can only be noticed by a furrowed brow, and clipped the envelope in his talons carefully. "I shall return, Governess," he vowed as he took to the air, cutting in front of her gaze. "And with the chosen ones of Aslan."

"May the lion surround you with his grace and speed you on your way," the girl blessed him, as the condor quickly took off into the night.

...:::...

"To their Majesties, chosen by Aslan as guardians of Narnia,

Blessings be upon you in your third year of reign. I wish you a long and happy rule and that all kingdoms may prosper from your guidance.

I apologize for not making myself known sooner, but I have not been awarded the chance. You see, I write to you in our hour of need. The year before your highnesses defeated the evil in your country, one of the Lectic Islands fell under the control of the Duke Dremord. Bloodthirsty, power-crazed, and vicious are the least of the titles held against him.

I write to you as once, long ago before the reign of winter, your kingdom was friendly with our islands, King Frank and Queen Helen themselves having bestowed upon my family the honor of governing the islands in unity so long ago. Please help me find some way to create such peace and unity again.

Yours by the son of the Emperor across the sea,

Lady Ganeya Fa Lorm, of the Ragenpond line."

"...Peter?" King Edmund the Just called slowly over his shoulder, his eyes still glued to the letter in Queen Lucy's hands. "I think you might want to take a look at this."

"What is it, Ed?" the High King asked absently, not looking up from the large maps he'd been muttering over with General Oerius.

The younger king looked up to frown over his younger sister's head. "Its a cry for help."

"What?"

King Peter looked up at the new voice to see Queen Susan entering the library with one of her ladies-in-waiting, having hunted down her siblings with questions regarding an upcoming celebration. Instantly the high king and the centaur general set about collecting the maps and whatnot on the table, stuffing them into hiding by means of a nearby shelf in a way that would have made the librarians scream. All three of the high king's siblings gave them a quizzical stare, which King Peter tried to push away with a smile.

"Uh, looks like we've got a letter, Su," he said.

"Yes, thank you, I see that, Peter," she said, nodding and giving him a berating look before turning to the parchment in their sister's hands.

"I say," King Peter said after reading the letter once through. "That does sound like trouble."

"Those poor people," Queen Susan cooed.

"What are we going to do about it?" King Edmund asked expectantly of his elder brother and sister. When neither answered, he narrowed his gaze. "We are going to, aren't we?"

"Don't be so silly, Ed," Queen Lucy chided, hitting her brother lightly in the arm before turning towards the door. "We're going to sail for the Lectic Islands, of course."