Author's Note: I have revised this story. Nothing major, plot wise. Just smoothing out a few rough patches.

Part One: Evening

Ravitzky paused, and then cautiously slid out from his hiding place. He had been hiding from the Witch's Wolves who would have loved to toy with a young and inexperienced fox.
He gave himself a once over; no harm done, just frazzled nerves.

"The Queen will have to hear about this." He muttered to himself. The Witch's dark-hearted minions are moving further and further into Narnia.

"Hear about what, youngin'?"

Wheeling around to face the owner of the voice, a curious squirrel, he dipped his head in respect. "Frax, I was just talking about those nosy wolves from the North. I think they're ones that have sided with the Witch. I was just chased by some not half an hour ago."

The squirrel's nose twitched and waved his tail about, "The nerve! And so close to Cair Paraval…"

"Exactly." Ravitzky replied, "I'm going to report this to the Queen."

"Good for you. Do you want some company? I'd be glad to come with you. I know it's about two weeks away. I could share some marvelous shortcuts-"

Ravitzky cut off his chatter, "No thanks, and besides, I'm the fastest fox in these parts. I even beat Quick Flash in last year's competition."

"You young foxes are all the same, cocky and too clever for your own good, I say." Frax saluted the young fox with an offended gesture of the tail and vanished.

Sighing, Ravitzky continued on. He hadn't meant to sound arrogant, but he didn't really want a squirrely voice in his ear for days on end.

True to his expectations, he arrived at Cair Paraval just over a week later. He had to identify himself to the sentries before he could enter.

"And who might you be?" The grumpy badger asked.

"Ravitzky, son of Red Cloud and Lichen. I come with tidings of the outside world for the Queen." Feeling tired and impertinent, he added, "And who are you, sir badger?" Emphasizing the "sir" a little more than protocol called for.

"Red Cloud, you say? Is this Red Cloud, son of Corvitz?" The other sentry piped in. Leaning casually on his spear, the human had hair red enough to make a fox envious and pale skin that miraculously hadn't burned itself to match.

"The very same. And who might you be, sir?" Hoping that he would get an answer, Ravitzky settled himself down with his tail curled around him. He craned his head back to look at the sentries.

"I go by the name Mallock, and my ill-tempered companion here is Murky. Say, I was close friend of your mother's family. Would you mind giving me something you think that only a member of her family would know? A scrap of verse, perhaps? I want to make sure that you're for real, if you know what I mean."

Ravitzky felt a little confused, the man's words hadn't made much sense. And if it were to be something that only his mother's family would know, then Mallock wouldn't know it. "Mallock, if I were to tell you something of the likes of which you spoke of, then you would not recognize it. For something only known by foxes is kept by foxes. Even from our closest friends. Besides, you said 'was' a friend."

Mallock laughed, "I like this youngin', Murky! Besides, he passed my test. Any imposter would surely have come up with some trivial piece of information, or else given up a part of the fox's lore."

Murky (What a name for the grumpy fellow!) grunted and said, "Your logic is flawed. But I will not go into that now." "Now," the badger leaned over the top of the wall to narrow his dark eyes at Ravitzky, "what is this news you have for the Queen that you deem to be of such importance?"

Ravitzky didn't allow himself the pleasure of barking at Murky. Eventually, with much cajoling from Mallock, he was allowed in. Mallock led him through the magnificent castle, occasionally pointing out an important painting or telling him about his time spent as a guard at the castle.

Tall, gleaming pillars were reflected in the polished stone floor. Arching windows let in the dim evening light. When he stopped to look out of one, he caught his breath. Ravitzky was looking at the sea, the inspiration for songs, art, and daring stories. He had smelled it coming up along the shore but trees and distance had obscured it from view. It was a beautiful evening. The sun was setting and its crimson and pink rays stained the dark ocean. With difficulty, he pulled himself away from the sight and continued towards the throne room with Mallock. The Queen received him warmly. "Welcome, Ravitzky! What news do you have that Mallock speaks of?"

"Alas, my Queen, no news that carries any hope of joy in it. Though, seeing you is joy itself. A little over a week ago, five wolves found me and chased me for some miles. They were not familiar to this area, and they were larger. Their fur was thick and dark. The leader bore a scar over his right eye."

The Queen was silent and gestured him to continue.

Ravitzky was proud of how sure his voice sounded. "I escaped unharmed. But when I found a safe place to watch them go past, I could see that they were no forest wolves. They had the definite look of wolves from the North. This, combined with the lead wolf's scar, has led me to believe they were from the Witch's troops and that the scarred wolf was Marrag, one of the chief commanders." He then ducked his head; the last bit had merely been speculation. But he felt that he ought to tell everything, along with his own suspicions.

Marrag had a reputation among the Narnians already. He was the first to come to them from the Witch with terms of peace. When he was sent away with a definite "No" as his answer he had threatened them with war. The Narnians had been cautious from then on, keeping alert for the smallest hint of danger. But in the end nothing had come of it and their current ruler, Swanwhite, was a good and just ruler. Swanwhite's mother was said to have had the blood of stars running though her and that Swanwhite had inherited their beauty ten times over. Looking at her, Ravitzky could believe it. Her eyes were the green of fresh new leaves in springtime and her long hair shone a pale blonde. It was as if the light gathered itself around her, illuminating her pale heart-shaped face.

Right her thoughtful gaze rested on Ravitzky. "You did well, young one, to bring this information to us. I thank you." Then she turned to her chief advisor, a dwarf with a thick gray beard he had to tuck into his belt.

"What do you think this could mean, Terran? Do you think it is Marrag's promise beginning its fulfillment?"

Terran had a voice that reminded Ravitzky of the rough bark on trees. "It is possible. I would suggest sending out some patrols to scour the area and then to travel to the farther reaches of Narnia. The Witch is cunning. She will not leave any trail for us to follow. But, at the same time, it might have been a mistake on Ravitzky's part. If he was running and watching from a distance, he could have easily jumped to conclusions over a few troublemakers. Send out the patrols. As soon as we let our guard down the Witch will take advantage of it quicker than it takes to say 'please.'"

"She might have already taken advantage of us in our brief calm." Although the Queen spoke gravely, her eyes shone with a determined light. "We won't let her think she's achieved the upper hand."

A murmur of approval passed through the crowded court.

Swanwhite turned her attention back to Ravitzky. He had never felt such energy pour over him.

"Ravitzky, pass the word on to the people of the forest to keep their eyes, ears, and noses open for the slightest hint of trouble. And let us hope that this is not the beginning of a war with the White Witch."

Ravitzky dipped his head and saluted with a paw. Then he dared to ask, "What is so terrible and powerful about the Witch? What makes her something worth truly fearing? Narnia is at its fullest strength right now. Aslan's blessing has never been brighter."

It was Terran who answered him. "The curse of youth. I am older than your grandfather. I was a counselor to the fair Queen's father. Never again will I wield any weapon in battle. I remember, for I was told by my father of the Witch. Before she became a myth-like figure simply called "The Witch." For all the accuracy of the title, she was once a powerful queen in her own right. She comes from a world that has now lost its name in the swift river of time. She has been here since before our first king, Frank, was crowned. She was here when Aslan came singing his wild, beautiful song and gave dumb creatures the ability to speak. And while I have never laid eyes on her, my father heard from somebody who had seen her who had never forgotten the sight. With no color to her skin, a cruel mouth and dark eyes that will ignite into a furious fire in seconds, she is said to be chillingly beautiful. It is common knowledge that she deals with dark beasts and monsters along with black magic."

Piping up again (though he now felt even more nervous), Ravitzky asked, "But what about Aslan?" The name "Aslan" seemed to float out of his mouth; it made him want to sing. The people in the court, some on two legs and some on four, all felt the name settle in their hearts and burn into their minds. It chased away the dark hushed and fearful silence and replaced it with chatter and relieved peace.

Again it was Terran who answered him. "Well now lad! There's no comparing the fleeting snowflake to the roaring fireplace is there? Aslan's like that. His mane is like sunlight and fire. When you look into His face you feel as if He knows about your every heartbeat and more, which he does."

Now Swanwhite took up the thread. She was even lovelier when she smiled. "His song is the color in the sky in the midst of winter, a promise that speaks of life yet to come in the spring. His song is the hope that urges us onward to live and to love. And always, though it is never known when, He will return. We know that He cares and is always watching us."

A centaur with black hair stepped forward out of the crowd. He bowed first at the waist in respect to Swanwhite before proceeding with his intent. He spoke thus to Ravitzky. "You are young and curious, and have apparent courage. But do not let it turn to foolishness. You asked 'What about Aslan?' The truth is that it is impossible to ever know all of him. But we do know that just as He is aware of our every heart beat and puts hope in the sky for us to see," - here he glanced respectfully towards Swanwhite and Terran, "He is terrifying in His anger. And he will not stand to see his People suffer so long as they remain faithful to him. It is not wise to forget that Aslan has the ability to exact judgment as well as extend mercy."

Ravitzky bowed low in turn to all three proud figures. Feeling humbled, he thanked them and left. Mallock strode next to him. When he stopped to look out the window again, he saw that the sun had completely set, leaving only a churning black mass lit faintly by the waning crescent moon in the sky. He pricked his ears. The mermaids were singing. He heard Mallock take in a deep breath, and swiveled his ears in his direction.

"Ravitzky, you've got a lot of nerve, asking questions in front of the whole high court. I admire you for it, but don't you think someone will find you…" Here Mallock trailed off.

"Impertinent?" A loud, familiar voice interrupted their conversation. Ravitzky felt his fur begin to feel uncomfortably hot.

"That was not the word I was looking to use, Lord Frax." Lord Frax? Ravitzky wondered. Mallock continued, "The Queen and her Council are always willing to share wisdom and knowledge."

"Hold it there, Mallock." Popping through the open window from the climbing vine outside, Frax came to a halt next to Ravitzky.

Irritably, Ravitzky said, "What are you doing here?" Then realizing how rude he sounded, he felt how as if his fur had become unbearably hot.

Before he could apologize, Frax twitched and said, "Oh, yes, I know what you think, youngin'! What's that old codger doing here in all these fancy halls? Well, I'm here to tell you, sir, that things aren't always as they seem. The Queen would like for you to know that in the days to come she might have need of you." His tail was waving about the entire time, giving Ravitzky a headache. The squirrel continued, his voice filled with disbelief, "You of all people. You're cockier than all the rest of 'em, it seems. Along with being extremely ignorant-"

Here Mallock stopped Frax, "Lord Frax, please excuse me, but Ravitzky does not deserve to be berated in such a manner."

Ravitzky let out a sharp bark of protest. "Stop! I may be young and I may very well be cocky, but I am not ignorant, nor am I in the mood to listen to you scold be for the next half hour."

"Fifteen minutes, then?" Frax asked. His tail was still waving about, at a slower speed now.

"No." He said firmly, "Not at all. You hardly know me."

Mallock rolled his eyes at the two. He was glad that Murky had let him off for the rest of the day. He would have been sorry to miss the happenings happening right now. As they happen.

Frax's tail was moving in slow motion now, and his gaze was fixed on the young fox. "All right, then, youngin', point proven. I'm sorry for my harsh words. However, you are a cocky thing."

"I accept your apology." Trying to smooth his still ruffled fur, Ravitzky dipped his head to the squirrel. "Thank you for passing on the Queen's message to me. I actually agree with you, to an extent."

Both of his companions perked up at the sudden thoughtfulness in his voice.

"I've not the faintest idea what I could ever do to be of service to the Queen, because I lack experience." Ravitzky sat down now, and while he curled his tail around his front paws he waited to see what they had to say.

"Experience comes with age, Ravitzky." Frax replied, using his name properly for the first time. "And from having well… Experiences. If you've never tried catching a fish before and you're in your nineties, you're not gonna be too good at it, even if you are an expert on broken hearts."

"Didn't you just do a service to the Queen and to Narnia as well?" Mallock said gently.

Ravitzky glanced at Mallock, "That remains to be proven. I might have even made a grave mistake here by playing into one of the Witch's plans. With all the patrols going out, Cair Paraval will be weaker at its heart." He then decided to ask his new friend and new acquaintance a question. "Do you think I could train in some way? You know, for when, if I'm required to be of service to the Queen. Maybe focus on learning more about Aslan and His Way, or maybe battle training?"

A grin spread over Frax's face. "There's somethin' entirely up ta' you. But I can tell you for sure that when your time comes, Aslan will have given you everything you need. I have to go now, I'll be wanted soon. And don't you look so surprised now." A quiet laugh erupted from Mallock here. Frax, with a flourish of his tail, raced towards the window and vanished into the night.

Ravitzky shook his head and turned towards Mallock. "How important is he exactly?"

"Well, he is a Lord. He is held in high honor because of some small services he did for the Queen's father. He's a good friend to Lord Terran since they both served the royal family together." Mallock smiled. "As to your question, Ravitzky, I wish that I could teach you the simple rules of battle and such, but you would probably find it difficult to learn from a human. I think a quest is in order. Head into the wide world, keep your ears open for any rumors that might prove of importance. With the help of Aslan, you'll do well."

Ravitzky then departed from Cair Paraval, wishing that Mallock could've come with him. But when he looked back towards the castle in all its shining glory, he could've sworn he heard a voice call "Good luck! Travel safely!"