Chapter One. Ironhoof
Early April sunlight poured through the window of the small prison and sent small rays onto Brielle's face. Slowly she opened her eyes. The sunlight was the only pleasing aspect of the room.
Dirt, rocks, and filth…typical prison I guess.
She turned over on her back and watched the sunlight continue to fill the room.
If I'm in prison, at least I'm in one that has light. I can see and feel the sun.
The sun seemed to be a good sign. It gave her a sense of hope. Something she hadn't felt in a long time. Brielle got up off her mat and stood next to the window. It was placed just above her head, so she had to stand on her toes to look out. She couldn't see much. Just a river and some strange looking creatures walking by.
Mother never mentioned anything about strange creatures living in Narnia.
She did tell me stories about them. How they were here before our people, the Telemarines attacked…
Brielle was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't hear the knock at the door or the strange guard that came in. The guard smiled to himself when he saw the small girl straining to look outside the window.
"Excuse me," he said.
The girl jumped slightly and turned around.
The expression on her face was priceless. She had never seen a centaur before and especially not this close.
"What are you?" she asked eying the half man, half horse from top to bottom.
Now he had to laugh. Must be an outsider for sure.
"I'm Ironhoof, a member of the King's guard," he said kindly.
"I didn't say who are you, I said what are you," she argued as she came closer to him.
"I'm a centaur," Ironhoof said laughing.
"Centaurs? I thought they were only in fairytales." said Brielle
"And you don't believe in fairytales?" asked Ironhoof
"Absolutely not. Especially if you're from Ettinsmore. It's almost a crime over there."
"Well that just explained a whole lot about you," he said
" Thanks", thought Brielle
"Anyway," he went on, "I'm here because His Majesty King Caspian will see you later this afternoon."
"Will see me later this afternoon?" Brielle said, "Why? Does he let prisoners choose their choice of death penalty or just the date?"
"Listen, you're not going to be killed, not for a petty crime like that. He wants to help you." Ironhoof said.
Brielle thought about what he said for a second.
Why?
"Why would this king help me? He doesn't even know me."
"That makes no difference to him," the guard said simply.
She nodded silently.
"In the meantime, are you hungry?" asked Ironhoof
"Would I be in here if I wasn't?" Brielle said, smiling for the first time.
"I'll take that as a yes. Do you want to eat breakfast down here or in the kitchen?"
"The kitchen is fine. Do I get to ride on your back?"
"Absolutely not! I'm a guard, not…a pet."
Brielle laughed. For the first time in what seemed like an eternity. It felt so good and so freeing.
She went over to her sleeping mat and got her bag that had some clothes, books, and a few personal items in it.
Ironhoof smiled at her. This girl is anything, but guilty. I really hope Caspian can help her.
After making their way up a multitude of stairwells and through three, four, possibly five doors, they finally made it to the large bustling kitchen.
"You can sit here," said Ironhoof pointing at a small wooden table and chairs in a secluded area of the kitchen.
Brielle sat down and watched him go into the main kitchen area. She pulled her chair up a little closer so she could see better. All of the people there were human and yet they didn't seem bothered by the presence of the centaur.
She watched as he got a plate of food and started talking to a couple of the women in there. When a couple of them looked her way, she immediately backed away.
After a second, she reached inside her dress and drew out the chain around her neck. On it was a small silver ring that had the design of a star shaped compass on the front. Inside, the ring was engraved with tiny letters that were so close to her heart.
Kamil 16yrs.
Mamma when she was sixteen years old. She must have been so beautiful.
Brielle fingered with the ring. It was a nervous habit of hers. Whenever she got scared she would take a hold of her mother's old signet ring. It helped her feel closer to her.
After a moment Ironhoof came back with her food.
"What is your name?" he asked when he handed her the plate filled with toast, eggs, and ham.
"Brielle," she said. Brielle Corletti."
Ironhoof's eyes widened slightly.
"Corletti?" he repeated.
"Yes, it was my mother's last name. Her whole name was Kamil Elayla Marian Corletti."
It was strange saying her mother's full name. As a child she had loved hearing her say it. It had sounded like music when her mother said it.
"And your father, who was he?" asked Ironhoof.
"Well, that I can't tell you." Brielle said, "I never knew him and my mother never told me his name."
"I see," said Ironhoof simply.
"Well, eat up and then I'll see if the king might have time to see you earlier."
With that he left her alone at the table.
As Brielle started eating her toast she couldn't help but wonder at Ironhoof's strange expression when she had said her last name.
Did it really mean something?
Did my mother…did she mean something to people here?