A/N; Here we go round two. Many thanks to electrum and Thalion King's Daughter for the lend of their characters, and several fun ideas. As always I look forward to any comments you have.

2.

Knights and Swords

"Attack!"

With a yell the two warriors rushed each other swords gleaming in the morning light. The ring of steel on steel echoed as swords clashed together. Each warrior thought they knew the other's strengths and weaknesses. Each warrior thought they knew what he had to do to in order to win the fight. Both were more than willing to do so. Clangs and crashes sounded as each fighter sought to out do the other. One wielding twin swords the other with sword and shield used every trick they knew to gain advantage. Those watching the bout could only shout out encouragement to their favorite fighter. Knights, soldiers, and servants alike stood transfixed by duel.

"Next!" The order was short, to the point, and needed no second bidding.

While the twin sword wielding fighter disengaged a third man-at-arms leapt forward. Also armed with sword and shield this next fighter all but threw himself at his foe. Though this third fighter was smaller than his opponent he made up for it with dazzling attacks that made his sword appear to flow as a river of silver in the morning air. The lethal blades each swept and cleaved, yet due to the skill of the fighters only landed against solid armor, or cleaved naught but air. Finally the order to halt was given.

"Hold," said Sir Peridan Cwengarde. "Enough for now."

Across from him Sir Peter Wolfsbane halted Rhindon in mid-swing as the order came. The youth was still breathing easy, if somewhat faster than normal, even after such an intense duel. Looking behind him Peter saw Sir Edmund of the How who having recovered from his duel was inspecting his swords, Shafelm and Tablesword, for any damage as was proper for a knight. Looking back to Peridan, Peter saluted the other knight with Rhindon by bringing the hilt of his sword to his lips. Peridan returned the gesture before both walked to a nearby bench to inspect their own weaponry.

"Well fought both of you," Peridan said to the two younger knights. "I would have thought fighting against another human would have prevented more of a challenge."

Edmund answered him. "Peter and I have been fighting each other near every day since before Beruna good my knight."

"True," Peridan replied. "And you have acquitted yourselves well. Still I am anxious to know how you feel about fighting another Son of Adam as opposed to Talking Animal or Magical Creature."

"Very similar in size to a Faun or Satyr, yet the form is more akin to a Centaur," Peter told him in reply.

"Very good," said Peridan. As the newest Swordmaster he had been charged to put Peter and Edmund through their paces as soon as possible. After the Christmas celebrations had settled down somewhat the regular routine of training had begun again in earnest in the King's Yard, the large open air court yard that was where many weapons techniques were drilled.

"Don't forget that near beating you gave us Christmas Eve Day morning," came a voice from a line of spectators. Jaerin along with his brother Jaer had been watching Peter and Edmund train.

Peridan smirked at the odd way his youngest son described the early morning fights of four days prior. He could always trust Jaerin to come up with some lighthearted comment at usually the right time to lighten a tense mood. Other times the boy just wound up making a fool of himself, but those occurrences were happening less and less. What made Peridan laugh though was the sight of his oldest son, the newly appointed White Armor Knight, Sir Jaer.

True to his calling Jaer had been training as any other Knight of Narnia would have; hard, early, and often. Yet Jaer had quickly learned there was much more to being a knight than swinging a sword all day.

"Peterkins! Stay still! You'll get hurt if you just try and dash out there!"

Jaer was waging an increasingly futile battle to control the seemingly inexhaustible ball of fur that was Peterkins. The young Fox had been allowed by his father Sir Giles to observe the knights in their morning training sessions for the first time. The kit had cheered on each fighter ceaselessly and tried to run out to render what help he could. The only constraints were the gauntleted hands of Jaer who had been told by Sir Giles, General Orieus, Sir Peridan, and both Kings among others to keep the kit from doing just that.

"Nej! There's no one fighting anymore and I want to get closer!" With that the Fox squirmed his way out of Jaer's grip and run across the Yard trying to take in every sight at once.

The knights and soldiers just smiled and laughed at Peterkins increasingly unique vocabulary and Jaer's attempts to recapture the Fox.

"White Armor, the Fox will come to no harm. Come sit by your fellows."

Jaer was still getting used to being addressed by his chivalric title let alone being treated as a full military equal among the other Narnian Knights. It took a moment for him to realize the comment was directed at him by Celer. Ceasing his pursuit he left Peterkins to run around the King's Yard as he made his way back to where the other knights were gathered.

Celer was about to further the discussion on various sword forms when shouts were heard from the corridor leading to the Yard. All eyes went to the door as the noise grew louder and closer. Finally it was Sir Giles who emerged from the doorway looking annoyed and as if he had had outpace someone else to the Yard. Bowing he addressed the assembled knights.

"Forgive me for intruding Orieus but two of Queen Susan's Guard are demanding to see the Kings."

Peter rose and sheathed Rhindon at the same time. Receiving a swift nod from the General he looked at the Fox. "Send them in Giles."

Before Giles could reply a large black hairy mass collided with him and tumbled into view. Peter and Edmund both recognized who it was as Neville got to his feet. Looking at each other with a bemused expression Peter and Edmund then focused on the Hyena in front of them.

"Sir Giles says you are demanding to see us Neville. Pray tell what's so important."

Neville was panting heavily and his tongue was lolling out of his mouth as he tried to reply. "Bandits…huff huff….the Queens…pant pant…need…huff…to…puff…tell…pant…the…huff…Kings!"

Peter looked over to Jaer as he knelt down next to Neville. "Jaer get some water, quickly!" Turning back to Neville the High King attempted to calm the Hyena down. "Relax Neville. Take a deep breath, that's it. Jaer will be here soon with some water for you. Until then don't say anything until you can say it clearly."

Jaer rushed over to where a large barrel of water and several goblets were kept. Filling one he brought it over to where Peter was kneeling alongside the Hyena joined by Edmund. Both Kings were visibly concerned as Neville lapped up the water. The other knights showed the same pensive looks on their faces. Finally Neville had had his drink and his breathing had calmed down as well.

"Now cousin tell us what has happened," said Peter.

The words came out in a rush. "Bandits attacked us my Kings. Meep and I were the only guards to escape alive! They took the Queens and Ladies and led them off."

"What!" Multiple voices shouted the word. Then those same voices started asking questions at the same time.
"Who were these bandits?"
"Which way did they go?"
"Were any of the ladies hurt?"
"What did they look like?"
"How many were there?"

"ENOUGH!" Orieus' shout cut through the chatter and silence reigned again. Even Peterkins had ceased running around. Nodding to the Kings he nodded at them to proceed.

"Thank you General," Edmund said. Then he began questioning Neville. "Now slowly tell us what happened."

Getting to his feet Neville started his tale again. "Meep and I were on perimeter patrol when we heard a commotion coming from the camp. That's when we saw the men near the camp. All of the other Guards were lying down in the snow with arrows sticking out of them. I don't think they saw the men. It was dark so we didn't get a chance to see what they looked like and they were wearing a lot of black to make it hard to see them. It looked like there were about fifteen or so, and then five more came out of the cave we had prepared for the ladies. All seven ladies were then dragged out of the cave. Their paws and hands had been bound and it looked like they couldn't talk either. The men put black hoods on them all and put them on horses before they rode south."

Edmund looked up at his brother. Cold fury shone in the Peter's eyes as the older boy stood up. Looking at the Swordmasters Peter began giving orders. The tone of his voice was such that all knew training was over and the High King was in command. "Heydensrun, Ettinskeep, Rosenward, Cwengarde! Muster the Army! We march as soon as possible. Slyashlar, send word to Cyn. I want his scouts in the air then see to gathering of all available intelligence. White Armor, Jaerin Peridanson with me and the How."

The knights who were able made a fist with their right hands and pounded them to their hearts in salute before setting off to their orders. Edmund, Jaer, and Jaerin followed Peter as the High King stalked off toward the armory. None of the other boys said anything as Peter led them to the alcove where he kept his personal battle gear. Stopping Peter turned back to Jaer.

Extending a hand Peter said, "White Armor Knight, your sword."

Not knowing what was going on Jaer drew his sword from the sheath at his side. It was the training sword he had carried since his first days learning sword technique. Proffering it to Peter the King took it. Peter ran a careful eye down the blade the felt the balance and grip of the blade before speaking again. "Sir Jaer as a Knight of Narnia you should know that any that hold such a title are honor bound to service in the Army should the need ever arise."

Jaer bowed his head slightly. "My King does that mean you wish for me to accompany the Army in pursuit of the Queens and ladies?"

Edmund answered as Peter continued his inspection of Jaer's sword. "It does Sir Jaer. You were told when appointed White Armor Knight that you would be treated as a dubbed knight."

Peter was still looking up and down Jaer's sword when he spoke again. "To that end there is only one thing you are missing to fully equip you for this task Sir Jaer, a properly sharp sword. No doubt this blade has served you well in training and even in your one minor skirmish. Yet a practice sword is little more than a metal club on the field of battle. We could have the smithies hone this blade but that would take more time than I fear we have to spare." Peter turned and set Jaen's sword on the bench he sat on while he donned his armor. Reaching to a hook on the wall Peter took down a different blade. "Therefore I entrust you with this blade until such time as you no longer need it."

Jaer's eyes grew wide as Peter proffered him the secondary sword the King rarely used. "Your Majesty Lionsword? I don't know what to say."

"Sir Jaer the White Armor Knight is usually not included in any knightly order due to the temporary status of his position. Yet I wish to amend this for the time being. Therefore by accepting this sword you would also be accepting honorary membership in the Order of the Lion."

Clearing his head with a quick shake Jaer steeled his eyes and firmly grasped the hilt of Lionsword. "King Peter I accept."

"Good," said Peter as the sword left his hands. "Jaerin do not think I have forgotten about you. While you have yet to hold title or rank within the Army I sense that you also mean to accompany us in our mission even if you are told to stay behind."

The usual humor was gone in Jaerin's eyes. Instead there was only the same burning determination that had been seen in every knight and soldier since Neville had broken his news. "I do Your Majesty. That's my mother and sister out there; I can't just stay behind and leave them."

"Nor shall you," Peter told him. "You proved yourself well alongside your brother in your recent test. Therefore rather than have you sneaking along behind the Army and having us have to punish you for following when ordered not too, I am ordering you to march alongside your father and brother."

While Jaerin stood in shock at the announcement Peter caught Edmund's eyes and with a few glances was able to communicate his intentions to his brother. Edmund understood the message clearly and nodded his approval. Moving to stand in front of Jaerin Edmund drew his own secondary sword, Tablesword.

"Jaerin Peridanson, will accept this sword to hold in trust and the title of Knight Escort in the Order of the Table?"

The offer brought the younger boy back to his senses. "Knight Escort? I've never heard of that."

"It is a seldom used title," Edmund told him. "You still have much to learn of the sword and have yet to earn your spurs, but you are well on your way to such a goal. A Knight Escort is one who may serve alongside a knight to more fully learn what it means to hold such a title. Again will you accept?"

Jaerin's grin returned to his face as he grabbed Tablesword from Edmund with none of the grace Jaer had displayed when he accepted Lionsword. "Yes, La, of course!" Jaerin's enthusiasm also returned and he was about to start swinging Tablesword wildly when Edmund grabbed his arm to steady the youth.

Peter nodded at the Peridanson. "Very well then. Sir Jaer, Knight Escort Jaerin gather your other arms and armor and attend to the muster of the Army. You are placed under your father's command forthwith."

Jaer and Jaerin saluted with Lionsword and Tablesword before they ran off to find their father. Behind them they left Peter and Edmund alone in the armory.

Edmund glanced at his brother as the other boys left. The Just King could tell fury was slowly building up within Peter. Clenched teeth and fists were only two of the outward signs of the anger building inside Peter. Edmund placed a comforting arm on his brother's shoulder.

"Calm down Peter. We'll get them back."

Peter's voice was hard as stone as he replied. "Yes Edmund. We will."