A/N: I own no legal claims to this publication. It is for entertainment purposes only.The earth and all its inhabitants quake.

"King Edmund?"

Edmund looked up from the books he was poring over and set down his cup of tea. "Yes?" The centaur in the doorway bowed slightly and then cleared his throat.

"Sir," he said. "Your presence is requested in the main hall. Your brother wishes to introduce you to some—some visitors, sir."

Edmund raised a brow but nodded. "Alright. I'll be there in a minute." The centaur left and Edmund closed the books unhappily. He had a lot of reading to do in preparation for the formation of a new treaty, and he was continually being interrupted. He understood the importance of his position, and he understood his responsibilities and obligations to the Narnians, but he had so much to learn and understand. It was exhausting.

In the great hall was Peter and with Peter were three visitors, all men, wearing dark coats and mud-stained boots. They looked agitated, and Edmund could tell by their body-language that they were tense. Something was going on.

"Peter," Edmund called out, bringing attention to his presence. All four men turned his way, and now Edmund could see the unease on his older brother's face. "You called?"

"Edmund," said Peter, voice low. "This is Dorian, Brutus, and Zachary. They are here to discuss a sensitive matter with you."

Edmund frowned a little and examined the guests with a careful eye. Dorian and Brutus looked similar—both had heavy set brows and dark hair, and both had sturdy, strong postures. Zachary was the anomaly with lighter hair and a thinner build, but he was also the one who concerned Edmund the most, for he continually examined the ground and was shuffling his feet as his debating whether or not to flee. Edmund sensed his unease and felt his own intensify.

"How may I be of service, gentlemen?" he asked cordially, adjusting his body so that he faced the three of them, his back towards Peter. Perhaps it was from his training with Oreius, but he seldom felt comfortable with his back to open space.

Dorian and Brutus exchanged looks. "We would prefer if King Edmund would speak with us in…a more private location, perhaps?"

Edmund blinked. "You wish to speak with me alone." It was not a question.

Brutus smiled, showing his teeth. "It is nothing against the present company, of course," he said, bowing slightly at Peter who nodded jerkily back. "But, like King Peter said, the matter is of a sensitive nature."

Edmund hesitated for a moment, and then turned slightly to Peter. "Well, then, Peter," he said, determined to keep his voice calm and even. "I suppose I will be escorting our guests to the back patio alone, then. Would you do me a favor and let our sisters and the serving staff know that we are not to be disturbed? Unless, of course," he turned back slightly to the three men. "You wish to indulge in some food and drink?"

"No," said Dorian immediately. "We do not wish any trouble."

Peter almost laughed, but composed himself at the serious look on Edmund's face. "Right, then," he said, clearing his throat. "Um. I suppose—I suppose I'll just…"

"I'm sure there is plenty of business for you to go in to, Peter," said Edmund. His brother was unaccustomed to his disappearance being requested. "If you will excuse us?"

It was a dark, rainy day and as the four took their seats on a patio overlooking the greens, a few drops fell from the sky. "Perhaps we should move inside," Edmund said, looking suspiciously up at the clouds. "I am sure we could find a secure location-,"

"-Please, your majesty," said Brutus, and now his tone turned urgent. "This is fine."

Dorian nodded and so did Zachary. Edmund frowned a little, feeling like a poor host, but did not dispute them. Dorian cleared his throat. "We require a legal influence."

Edmund blinked. "A legal influence?" he echoed, frowning as he looked at Dorian. "What do you mean? Do you require representation?"

Brutus exchanged a look with his companions. "We require more than representation," he replied. "We require representation, too, of course, but there is something more pressing…"

"Would it be possible," said Edmund, getting tired of the subtly. "For you to speak plainer?"

Dorian nodded. "My apologies, my Lord. But within the coming weeks the news will break that one of…our number…has committed a crime that, we expect, will warrant consequences undeserved by the criminal."

A rumbling of thunder and more raindrops fell from the cloudy skies. Dorian and Brutus looked nervously at Edmund as Zachary stared at his lap, saying nothing. Edmund ran a hand down his face. "You require a legal influence so that you may reduce the sentencing of a criminal?"

Dorian and Brutus nodded. "Yes," they said in unison.

Edmund shook his head confusedly. "So why are you here to see me? I am not a legal influ-,"

"-You are King!" Brutus exclaimed, his eyes wide and round. "You have all the influence!"

"You would do better to speak to my brother," said Edmund carefully. "If all you require is influence. Why, then, would you choose to speak to me alone?"

Brutus and Dorian looked uncomfortably away, and it was a moment before Dorian spoke up. "Because, my Lord. We hope that you will find cause to sympathize with the criminal." He took a deep breath. "For you once committed a similar crime."

Edmund froze. "I beg your pardon?"

"The crime," said Brutus slowly, hesitantly. "Is treason."

To Be Continued

I will judge blamelessly. I firmly hold its pillars. -Psalms 75:2