Chapter Three

King Peter wanted to pull his hair out. After the council had proposed this ridiculous notion Peter had been a little annoyed, however at this very moment Peter wanted to track down his so-called advisors and kill them. The woman that sat before him was beautiful, but she was also the most annoying creature that he had ever met. He had lost track a long time ago of what she was talking about.

"…and then he said that he didn't do it, but I know that he did. After all, the duke has always been jealous of my other suitors. But of course I knew I must forsake them all on your behalf, even though there were ever so many of them," the lady simpered. Peter smiled and scratched above his left ear, and this was the cue for his manservant.

"I beg your pardon, your majesty," he said, "but I'm afraid you have business to attend to, something about centaur agreements?"

"Yes, of course. I will be there shortly," Peter said. The man left, and Peter was once more alone with the maddening creature.

"I am sorry, my lady, that our time was cut short." Peter rose, and so did the lady.

"That is quite all right. I enjoyed the time we had together, your majesty," and with that she left. Peter sighed in relief, and flopped himself down into the chair. He leaned back into his chair.

"I presume it didn't go well?' Peter leaned down, and put his head in his hands.

"No, Susan, it didn't. It was a bloody nightmare," Peter moaned. Susan shook her head at Peter and regally sat down in the chair opposite him.

"Tsk, tsk. That is not the language fit for the High King to use," Susan stated. Peter waved her statement away.

"Whatever. I can say what I want." Peter looked up and with a puzzled look on face asked, "What was her name again?" Susan stared at Peter.

"Are you joking?" Susan questioned. Peter stood up abruptly.

"No, Susan, I'm not. All I can remember is her gibbering about some lace thing." Peter walked out of the sitting room with Susan trailing after him.

"Peter, how could you? That's awful. I thought that you were better than that. It's common courtesy for you to learn the names of the ladies that could possibly be your bride."

"What, all ten thousand of them?"

"Don't be silly, Peter. I'd be surprised if there were more than fifty or sixty maybe."

"Really? You wouldn't be able to tell from the village that seems to have sprung up outside the castle," said Peter dryly, gesturing out a nearby window where you could see a sea of tents.

"Well," said Susan with a small smile, "they did need to bring their ladies-in-waiting and such. And you know women naturally need more attendants than their male counterparts. Have you ever tried to lace a dress up the back by yourself?"

"Obviously not."

"Anyway, this whole situation isn't really as bad as it seems."

"That's what everyone keeps telling me."

"Just think of it as an opportunity to meet people. Oh, and don't forget to make a good impression, regardless of whether you like them or not. You never know what they'll tell people."

"Loose lips sink ships and all that?"

"Exactly."

"Very well, mother."

As they neared their chambers they parted ways, Peter to his quarters and Susan to hers. Mr. Tumnus had to hunt Peter down for another introduction and later that evening there was, of course, a banquet at which he was surrounded on every hand by strange women he had never before met in his life. It was a trial and Peter was thankful when it was all over and he could retire to his room for the evening, only to have Mr. Tumnus once again retrieve him from his quarters for an informal celebration, a dance where he danced with every woman twice. Feet aching, Peter retired to his rooms close to one in the morning where he collapsed in bed.

In Anvard, of course, Amira and Damien were just awakening and preparing to leave. Amira had already packed, though lightly. She had only two outfits, her best dress and her riding outfit, besides the disguise she was wearing, which was an old outfit of Damien's. It was a little big on her, but it would do. Other than a handheld mirror and a comb, Amira had brought nothing personal. She had also packed a loaf of bread, cheese and an apple. She figured it would be enough until they reached Winding Arrow River where they would buy passage to Mavanta, one of the coastal towns, where they would find a ship to take them to Cair Paravel.

"Are you ready?" asked Damien who just had slipped into Amira's room.

"Is there a reason you decided to come through my window?" asked Amira with her hands on her hips.

"We don't want to be seen, of course," explained Damien with a grin.

Amira rolled her eyes. "This isn't a prison and we're not breaking out. We could walk right out the front door and nobody would have a right to question us. The only person we have to worry about is Melva and she's fast asleep!"

"Still," said Damien with a shrug, "the less people who see us leave, the longer it takes for word to get out."

"Fine. Have it your way," huffed Amira, grasping her cloak and throwing it on with a flourish. "Lead on, sweet prince!"

Damien smirked at his sister, a smirk that made Amira a little uncomfortable. Damien clasped his hands together.

"Well then let's go!" Damien turned to exit the way that he came in. Amira looked at her brother's retreating back, a little worried.

"But the window? Damien, must we?" she asked. Damien looked back at his sister, and shrugged, trying to make light of it.

"Come now, Amira. I know you're scared of heights, but think of it as an adventure." Amira snorted.

"An adventure that involves falling to my death does not sound exciting to me."

"Come on now, there's a good girl," Damien said, as if he were coaxing an animal.

"Could you please stop taunting me?"

Damien stopped and looked at her seriously. "I was only trying to lighten the mood. Come on, I won't let anything too bad happen to you."

Amira slowly nodded, and Damien smiled.

"Excellent. Now let's go," Damien exclaimed, and with that they started their adventure that would change their lives forever.

"Aren't you glad there's a huge tree right outside your window?" said Damien lightly.

"Shhh!" said Amira. "Goodness, I thought you were the one who wanted this operation to be covert," she hissed.

"Everybody's sleeping! Hallo? Is anyone listening?" he yelled.

"Quiet!" someone yelled back.

Damien only laughed louder as he handed his sister to the ground. "See?" he said. "That wasn't so bad."

Amira looked up into the branches of the tall tree. "It certainly went faster than I would have expected," she said with a small frown on her face. She adjusted her pack.

"That's because I'm a genius at distractions, thank you," said Damien with a smirk.

"Where's Hasana?" asked Amira.

"Right here," her horse answered and Amira felt a nudge at her shoulder. Amira and Damien quickly mounted their horses and set out in the dark.

"I can't see anything. How do we know we're on the right road?" asked Amira.

"Bronwyn and I know the way, your majesty," replied Hasana.

"Yeah," said Damien. "Just trust the horses. We should reach the river before noon."

"I certainly hope so," murmured Amira.