"Let's not use the hourglass for this game." I had to agree with my brother. There was no reason to do so, it was a torpid afternoon. Together we sat the pieces on the alabaster stone board. I remembered that Peter had taken the first move during our last game, so it was my turn. I did not like going first. I would much rather play defensively than attacking.

I thought through my first move. First moves can change the entire match. Peter watched my intent process with amusement.

"Many take a game of chess too seriously," stated Peter. I heard a slight laugh at the end of his comment.

I chuckled, "When you even begin to lose you become uptight."

Peter shrugged, "It's just a game."

"I will remind you about saying such after you lose," I remembered him calling chess a game once beforehand. He does not abide by those words.

He laughed loudly. The sound echoed along the walls of the Great Hall. I made my move during his moment. When he finally realized it was his turn, I sat with my chin on my arm, looking up at him patiently.

Peter made risky moves with his own pawns while I retreated into defense. Some moves with his rooks and knights were more successful, I was losing a few. Every move we made was well thought out—we both knew making a rash decision with a valuable piece would cost you a game and earn you a miserable evening, for the person who'd won would do much bragging.

Chess is a game of strategy; also, prediction. We both try to read each other's mind while we play. Susan said it was quite amusing to watch us play because of our intense, but involuntary staring match we played alongside the chess game, trying our hardest to intimate the other.

We were soon at the closing of our game. It was now for us a three piece each combat that consisted of chasing each other around the board. It was then I saw my chance; his king was exposed and just in the reach of my knight. I took that chance the very first time I saw it.

"Checkmate," I said with a smile on my face.

Peter looked down at his downed king, and then back at me with a face filled with shock. His own rook was very close to my king as well. If I didn't take that chance when it was my turn, I knew I would have lost myself.

"You cheated," he growled. Remember what I said about being 'uptight'?

"You moved your knight too many spaces!" he added to his own fire.

I shook my head with a smug grin on my face since I could not contain the enjoyment I was becoming filled with after this morning with my mistake in walking on a snowdrift. I finally got my brother back for his joking about it.

Peter counted the space on the board. He let out a frustrated sigh after he finished.

"You shouldn't leave your king out in the open," I commented.

"You shouldn't be smart!" he fired back.

I laughed at his frustration. He paused for a moment; fishing for something to get me for. Then he smiled. "Though you were the one stuck the small snow drift."

I should have seen that one coming. "It went over both of our heads, and it was not a sheer accident!"

Peter sneered and asked, "Rematch?"

I agreed, knowing beating Peter twice meant misery for him for days unless he managed win. We began to have a rematch. Peter was now paying close attention, protecting the King even when attacking. We were likely at the near end of our game when Susan came into the Great Hall. My dear sister stopped at the entrance and we all gazed at each other. Peter groaned at his loss of concentration. I snickered at his determination to redeem himself. Susan smiled, knowing exactly what was happening by Peter's actions.

"Would you like to keep playing or have dinner?" Susan asked, mentioning the evening was among us. We both looked up at the glass roof and realized why the Great Hall was getting darker.

"We'll finish afterward," Peter announced to me. I smiled and moved to walk with my sister. She linked our arms together, and we walked down the corridor. We both knew Peter was close behind with the sound of his footsteps.

"You, my sister, are walking with a cheater!" Peter called out jokingly.

"You call me a cheater because I didn't cheat, I only out-witted you," I said through my mirth.

Susan soon asked, "Why do you take another game of chess so seriously?"

"Another game of chess! Susan, chess is a game of strategy, and battle tactics. One who loses a game of chess must be feared in combat because one will lose from rash placements of their army," Peter explained. I nodded in agreement with my brother, although Susan shook our seriousness away. She does not understand that the movement of troops is very similar to chess. I almost wanted to remind Peter he called chess 'a game' before our match, but I knew it was not appropriate time.

We enter the dining hall to see Lucy already seated with our friend Tumnus. I took a seat next to my little sister. She greeted me with a smile and asked, "How was your chess match?"

I smiled. "Excellent." I then looked over at Peter to see him shaking his head.

"I may have let you have the win this time, but tonight your reign of defeating me will be over," my brother threatened, though I know there was no seriousness in his words.

Lucy giggled, "I assume you both tried to keep the boredom away with threatening each other over the chess game?"

"It is not a game—"

"Please Peter, let it go." I cut him off not wanting to hear his exact words again.

"I see that we all had a bit of fun today," observeed Tumnus. I then saw the expression on Peter's face and knew something was coming.

"King Edmund feared for his life today because of a harmless snow drift," my brother said to the faun.

"It went over my head! And you were stuck too!" I tried to defend myself. I wished he could stop mentioning it, but it was the only advantage he had after my victory in the chess match.

Tumnus chuckled at our quarrel. However, Susan heard enough.

"Would you two please stop? It was just a game. It's finished, and I grow tired of hearing about it."

Both Peter and I nodded obediently. We knew from experience when Susan asks us to stop we must or one's pride might be in peril. Once when we both continued to joke over a duel we both had to attend the ladies–in–waiting's gown fittings before the Autumn Ball during our first year in reign. Everyone tried his or her best to make us feel uncomfortable. However, I have never seen my brother's face turn so red when Oreius came in with two other knights, ending their search for us since we had to inspect the guards.

There was a moment of silence after Susan's words as dinner was served. All five of us still stayed quiet throughout our meal. We only glanced at each other from time to time. It continued in this manner until halfway through an advisor, Cameron, came into the dining hall.

"Please excuse my interruption your majesties but I must speak to the High King."

"What is it Cameron?" asked Peter pleasantly.

"I must speak to you in private. I shall wait until your majesty is finished."

"No, we will speak in the hall." My brother stood and moved to the door in accompany of the faun. We all looked at each other in question when Peter left.

Susan whispered to me, "What's wrong?" I shrugged, not knowing myself.

Peter came quickly back inside with a solemn face. We dared not ask him if he choose not to tell us. He finished his dinner and quickly left without a word.

"I say, what is the matter?" asked Tumnus.

"No one knows. But I will find out," I answered.

Susan has me finish my dinner; however after I finished I began my search for Peter. Searching for Peter can be a strenuous and annoying job. You may think he is in the Great Hall, but he is in his chambers. Then, in other times, you feel rather dense because you did not believe since he said I am training with Oreius that he would be in the armory or courtyard. Both possibilities are even side-by-side. Finally, on purpose or not, Peter may move around. He might be in the library; but when you look, he has moved on. However, when Peter looks for me he either asks someone or just waits. I at least try myself before I ask.

Tonight though, I found him in the Chapel. I quietly enter and move towards him. He is the only one in the dim candle lit room. He looks at the bas-relief statue of Aslan on the front wall lost in thought. I take a seat next to him and we both sit in silence for a moment.

Then, he cleared his throat and began to speak. "I was proofreading your council statements earlier, and I am glad I did. You accidentally mixed up the Calormene lords."

"Oh, bother! I never can keep those Calormene names straight! Thanks for catching it, Pete," I smiled apologetically. "I am sorry you had to go and rewrite the statements."

"Thankfully it was the shortest one," Peter replied. He looked back up at Aslan, and then smiled. "I must say Ed; you find it amusing when Calormenes mumble swears under their breath."

"They make mountains over mole hills if we pronounce even their title incorrectly." I shrugged; the Calormene always seemed to try to challenge us because we cannot pronounce their name. We do not have their accent so it is nearly impossible to speak well enough to please their ears anyways.

"You can feel the nervous tension in Cair the day before the ambassadors arrive," my brother said. I laughed myself; everyone scrambles in making Cair near perfect. We did not want an ambassador tripping over a turned up rug.

"Shall we discuss a no-weapon agreement at our next council?" I asked amused.

"It's not a terrible idea."

We both laughed a trifle more before the Chapel became silent once more. I prayed briefly and then watched Peter out of the corner of my eye. It was then I begun to find out his real purpose for being in the Chapel.

"Peter, you seem worried," I asked, changing the mood of our conversation.

He took a moment to answer, "I'm worried because something might happen. Unless it is only last night's storm, I believe something is going to happen, and I want us both to be ready for it."

"I know Peter. You seemed worried about this council meeting this past week."

Peter nodded and hugged me. "I just want to keep all of you safe. I want to keep Narnia safe."

I hug him as well. It was then I realized we had a visitor, Smokefeather.

"Your majesties," he began not even a moment later, not concerned about our hug. Narnia has seen us hug before. "I bring news and my account of events threatening Narnia."

"Please Smokefeather, do tell." Peter insisted. This was probably the most exciting news we would hear that day.

"I have seen Fell Beasts in Narnia! They seemed to be scouting. I predict they are planning an attack! My family and I had to stay in our home hiding in order to not cross them," Smokefeather announced.

My excitement turned to worry. I watched my brother's expression become one of serious concern, although it was thoughtful—like a King's face should be. He soon asked, "How many Fell Beasts have you seen?"

"As many to form a small Army: there were wolves, white tigers, giants from the north, ogres, and minotaur."

"Where are they dwelling?"

"They are on the Northern boundaries of Narnia. However, they are moving south."

Peter motioned for me to ask any questions I had. I was a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of size this threat is. On occasion, we would hear reports of lone wolves, or a hag wondering around the north. However, a small army was something I had never experienced before, with the exception of Beruna.

"Have they harmed a Narnian?" I thought it was a weak question to ask. Nevertheless, it was enough to know if they were here to invade or just bring fear back into Narnians, making it difficult for us months after the battle, since we would have to assure them there was no real threat. Although, dreading the idea, I knew there was a threat.

"Not that I have heard." That was something pleasant to hear. We'd caught the Fell Beast early.

"Do they carry weapons?" I asked. Again, was it invasion or fear?

"Aye, my liege."

"Where, precisely, are they dwelling on the Northern border?" I asked hope to know who is at risk.

"They are close to my home in the northern parts of Owlwood." I nodded at his answer. Many ironworkers, Marshwiggles, and owls reside in Owlwood. They could steal weapons. However, I could not think of anything else to ask then. I motioned silently for Peter to improvise; I did not know what to do about the situation.

He nodded at me solemnly before speaking. "We will see what measures we can take at council. Since I believe everyone is present, and there is an issue urgently needing a decision, the council will form in an hour. My brother, will you spread the news to the members?" He requested in the end.

I complied, leaving the chapel. I searched for Cameron, knowing I would need help finding everyone in enough time for every member to be able to prepare. Thankfully, I found him in one turn through the halls.

"Cameron?" I call out. His hooves stopped in an instant and turned.

"Sire, what is the matter?"

I stopped in front of him. "Smokefeather has arrived with news of Fell Beast in the Northern parts of Narnia. My brother requests a council meeting in an hour to discuss with fellow members how we should address this issue."

"I presume they are all together dining in the Great Room," said Cameron.

"Right," my esteem decreased slightly at his statement in realization I would be announcing. Finding council could not be any easier. "Should we go together and announce?"

Cameron nodded and followed me to the Great Room. This is the room where larger dinners and feast are held. There was direct access to the Great Hall from the room. We both entered and the council's conversation with laughter quickly ended. Everyone turned to look at us waiting, for someone to speak.

"My brother, High King Peter requests an emergency council meeting. We shall meet at the Table in an hour," I announced realizing my voice had been a little shaky. I had not spoken to many people ever since the Christmas Ball in December.

"My I request what is the issue for this emergency council?" asked Oreius. I assumed he'd heard the condition of my voice.

"There has been a slighting of Fell Beasts in the northern boarders of Narnia," I answered quickly.

"Has Smokefeather arrived?" asked Kabul, a rhinoceros.

"Yes, he is with the High King."

Everyone nodded and no more questions were asked. Sky the Gryphon stood and spoke for the others, "We will proceed when everyone is finished."

I nodded and we both left politely. Sky always seemed to help when I am in a difficult situation. I sometimes believe the council's amusement is to watch me squirm. Peter assists me when I am left working out decisions. I have to thank his patience with me sometimes.

Cameron and I went to the Table room. It is inside the court off to the right side, its name states what is inside—a large cedar wood table. Peter is with Smokefeather flattening out a large map of Narnia onto the table. Smokefeather carried the small chest with battlefield pieces in it. They will be set on the on the map similar to a game of chess. I sat down with Cameron and watched my brother proudly move with his kingly walk.

Afterwards, he took the chest from Smokefeather, thanking him; he looked at me with a small speck of worry in his eyes. He murmured to me, "I felt something was coming."

I nodded understandingly. I prayed this only a minor issue myself. Our last campaign had left Susan in charge. She'd handled everything well, but I could tell by her welcoming when we returned that she'd suffered. Of course, Lucy was by her side; however, everyone looked to Susan when needy.

Soon, the council came pouring into the room. Everyone took his or her seat quickly. Usually, there is a low noise of conversation before my brother stands—tonight although, there was only silence in the council room. I stood with my brother as he welcomed everyone and apologized for the urgency. I soon sat back down and listened to Peter.

"I was addressed tonight by our fellow member, Smokefeather, of Fell Beasts in Owlwood." He pointed to the two black pieces in the northern parts of Owlwood. "There is concern of an invasion…"

There's chapter two! I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and watched this story in it's very new shape. Again I also want to thank Tonzura123, Lady of Stromness Mountain, and AlwaysABrandNewDay for their countless help in this story. That's pretty much it this time.

Again, if you see a grammar mistake, please address it to me.

Finally, I just would like to warn everyone about this story taking a long time to update right now. I have school, work, soccer starting, and a lot going on right now. My betas also have a lot going on too. So just bare with me if it takes a while to update. I'm not going to abandon anything.

Thanks for reading!