Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.
Summary: After being knighted, all Katerina Alambiel has to do is discover her past. But, as her quest leads to some unexpected answers, her simple task takes a dangerous turn as enemies who will use any means necessary to force her to reveal the secrets of her past conspire to place her in an impossible situation: Her secrets or Edmund's life...
Chapter Three: An Incident
23 Mayblossom 1004
It had been a week since the Sisemaalian envoy arrived in Cair Paravel and King Edmund the Just was quite ready for them to leave, especially since one member of the envoy would not leave Queen Susan alone. Count Hendrik hadn't done anything overt enough to warrant an official complaint but his overall presence had made Susan uncomfortable. Privately, Edmund agreed with Katerina's assessment that Count Hendrik was a creepy scuzzball and unfortunately, in addition to there being no laws against that particular character flaw, Count Hendrik was the maternal nephew of the leader of the Sisemaalian envoy, Duke Toomas. Ironically, Duke Toomas was a very kind older gentleman who even Katerina liked within moments of meeting him, which had shocked everyone who knew her. So, in the name of diplomacy, the Narnians had resolved to simply keep a very close eye on Count Hendrik.
Thankfully, Count Hendrik had decided to change his focus to a target other than Queen Susan the Gentle after she had firmly rebuffed his overtures at tea on Sixthday, three days earlier. Unfortunately, based on what he had seen last night at the banquet, Edmund had a feeling that his new target was none other than Katerina Alambiel. Hendrik knew nothing about who Katerina really was since she masterfully threw up a mask of indifference between herself and people she didn't know, but apparently he was under the mistaken belief that Katerina was just a lowly palace servant who would fall at his feet if he gave her attention. If he hadn't been a complete fool and creepy scuzzball, Edmund would have been tempted to feel sorry for him because Oreius had quietly pointed out to the Kings on Sixthday that Katerina was dangerously close to losing her temper over his conduct towards Queen Susan and the rest of the ladies in the palace.
He prayed to Aslan that they could get through this last day before the Sisemaalian envoy departed without having to scrape Count Hendrik off the floor because he pushed Katerina past her limits. Edmund was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Count Hendrik's oily voice echoing faintly from a side corridor, which led to the library. Hendrik wasn't supposed to be anywhere near the library, which was why he, Oreius, and Peter had all told Katerina that she should just spend the morning there with her research instead of suffering Hendrik's obnoxious presence for more than the few hours necessary at the farewell ceremony this afternoon. Oh no.
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Katerina hurried out of the library preoccupied with the snippets of memory that had been revealed in her dreams for the past week. She kept dreaming the same sequence of events from the first night, but sometimes other voices or scenes would be added to it. Now, she was almost positive that she had been the youngest and only daughter and she had at least four older brothers. She was getting closer to remembering their names too. Katerina shifted her grip on the two heavy books and the packet of parchments containing all her notes from this morning's work she was taking back to her chambers before she went to meet Susan and Lucy on the Eastern Terrace for a private lunch. As she rounded the corner leading to the shortcut between the library and her chambers, Katerina brushed against someone. She assumed it was one of the guards using the side corridor for their own shortcut. "Oh, my apologies."
A hard grip clamped down on her wrist and spun her to face a seething Count Hendrik. Katerina could have smacked herself for being so preoccupied that she failed to see the slimy count of all people. She despised him, but she forced herself to stay calm and to give him a tiny nod. She hid her confusion when Hendrik leveled a hate-filled glare at her and actually tightened his grip on her wrist. Why is he so angry? He may have been seething, but the count managed to address her in the same oily tone he used on everyone. "So, my dear girl, it seems you just can't keep your hostilities hidden. Normally, I would have let this slide, but I think you deserve a lesson on just who your betters are and how you should properly show them respect. I want an apology, one deserving of my rank."
He has lost his mind. When did I ever reveal my 'hostilities' towards him? Unless he can read minds, I haven't said or done a thing. Katerina resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the pompous brat of a creepy scuzzball and, instead, she bent her knees ever so slightly and gave him the tiniest curtsy she could manage while speaking as evenly as possible. "I do apologize for brushing against you, Count Hendrik, it was most unintentional."
She barely kept her grip on the books and packet as Hendrick jerked her closer and hissed in her ear, "That's not good enough. You should be on your knees begging my forgiveness, you little wench, and cowering in fear of my wrath."
She couldn't help herself. "Sorry, I don't cower or beg before petty little men who have nothing better to do than harass women who actually have real work to do. I already apologized to you, Count Hendrik. I'm not going to do so again. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
Katerina pulled away from the count and went to step around him, but then the count grabbed her already sore wrist and twisted it painfully while he knocked the heavy books and packet to the floor. He twisted hard enough to make her gasp and then he tossed her to the ground. Katerina stayed on her knees for a minute with her head bowed as she desperately tried to wrestle her anger back under control. She rose to her feet and glared at the count, but then she saw something strange flicker in his eyes and she hoped for a moment that perhaps he had regained his senses. But, then he backhanded her across the mouth hard enough that she reeled to the side and nearly fell. Blood started running from her nose and she could taste it in her mouth as she stood upright and faced Hendrik as he looked down on her in all his arrogance. Her grip on her temper slipped and she could see Hendrik realize his mistake a moment too late.
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Edmund skidded to a halt behind a small ring of guards and palace servants who immediately parted for their King. He took in the stunning sight of a bloodied and furious Katerina Alambiel standing over the limp body of Count Hendrik while her books and two packets lay on the floor beside the two. He went to Katerina's side and carefully touched her shoulder, "Come on, Kat, let's go."
He waved one of the Fauns over. "Septimus, please gather these books and packets up and take them to Dame Sepphora's parlor." The Faun nodded and scurried to collect the items while Edmund spotted one of the Cat pages he often used and called to him, "Bas, would you inform the High King and General Oreius that an incident has occurred and I will be waiting their arrival with Dame Sepphora in the High King's study?" Bas bowed and trotted off with his tail held high.
Edmund looked at the remaining guards who consisted of a very annoyed-looking Ptah and four Satyrs. Edmund suspected that Ptah had taken the fight between Katerina and the count personally since he was one of her frequent companions. "Ptah, please accompany Dame Sepphora and myself to the High King's study. The rest of you take the count back to the guest quarters for the Sisemaalian envoy and offer his uncle the option of having one of our healers examine Count Hendrik if he so desires."
Actually, he wasn't sure whether or not Count Hendrik was still breathing, but he was more concerned about getting Katerina away from prying eyes until she managed to calm down enough to tell him what had happened. Ptah glanced at them and then he trotted ahead while Edmund carefully steered Katerina to the High King's study. They didn't pass any guards and Edmund knew he had Ptah to thank for that, especially since the less people saw Kat in her current state, the better for everyone. Katerina didn't say a word as they walked, but Edmund relaxed once she glanced at him with recognition even if it was right before they reached the study. Now he just needed to find out what had happened.
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"Majesty, General Oreius. King Edmund requests your presence in the High King's study. There has been an incident and he awaits your arrival with Dame Sepphora."
Oreius exchanged a concerned look with Peter before the High King turned to the tabby Cat who was waiting patiently, "Thank you, Bas. Might you know what kind of incident has occurred?"
The Cat page peered up at them, "I did not see it occur, but I do know it involved Dame Sepphora and one of the Men from the Sisemaalian envoy." Peter thanked the Cat and dismissed him before he looked up at Oreius with concern.
Oreius didn't fault the High King for his concern, in fact, he shared it. After all, the last time a page had informed them of an 'incident' involving Katerina it had been when she lost her temper after two assassins tried to harm the Queens. She had killed one and had the other one hanging headfirst out a tower window by the time they arrived. He hoped she had left the Sisemaalian breathing because diplomacy could fix everything else.
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Edmund poured a cold glass of water and handed it to Katerina who immediately pressed it against the right side of her mouth. He leaned against Peter's desk and folded his arms as he tried to decide whether to press her for details now or not. He opened his mouth to speak but changed his mind as the door opened to let Narnia's High King and General into the room. Edmund nodded to them, but he didn't miss how Katerina had turned slightly towards the window in order to keep Peter and Oreius from seeing the right side of her face.
Peter gave him a questioning glance and Edmund shook his head. No, she hadn't talked yet. Peter nodded and then he dryly asked her the one thing foremost in their concerns. "Did you kill him, Katerina?"
"Of course not! I am not so amaideach (foolish) as that, Peter. You think I would risk comhghuaillíochtaí (alliances) just because I nach cosúil le some creepy leathcheann?" (..do not like some creepy idiot?)
As soon as she said 'creepy', Oreius and Peter looked at Edmund for confirmation of their suspicions and he nodded. Peter closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Edmund sympathized for his brother, after all, they had been a scant two hours away from getting through the Sisemaalians' visit without any more trouble than being annoyed with Count Hendrik. Opening his eyes, Peter watched Katerina's profile closely as he asked, "Why did you start a fight with Count Hendrik?"
"I did not start a fight with him. I finished it."
Oreius flicked his tail. "That is not what the High King meant and you know it, Sepphora. Tell us what happened."
Katerina didn't turn around, but after a long pause, she finally answered in a somewhat tired voice. "I don't know why things happened the way they did. All I know is that as I took the shortcut from the library to my chambers, I happened to brush against the count. I apologized but he took offense. So, I apologized again. He was still offended and I didn't feel like catering to a whining fool, so I tried to leave. He objected...strenuously. I lost my temper and I decked him. He went down right before people started arriving. I didn't kill him, just knocked him out cold."
Edmund frowned, "Wait a minute, Kat you mean he attacked you for no reason? Why? The Sisemaalians are very strict about their conduct towards women and-"
"Hendrik didn't exactly care about how he treated women when he thought he could get away with it, such as when he was alone with them or when he thinks they are just servants. He's a creepy scuzzball and a bully to boot, so he expected me to react the way women in his country would react. When I didn't, it seemed to have set him off. Maybe it was a combination of two women saying 'no' to him in a short amount of time, I don't know. And, quite frankly, I do not care."
Katerina paused and looked out the window probably to calm herself down. Edmund looked at Peter, "She has a point, you know."
Peter nodded but didn't comment. There was a soft knock at the door and Oreius opened it to reveal Ptah. "Majesties, Duke Toomas requests an audience with you as soon as possible."
Edmund couldn't stop his next thought. Oh no, she killed him. He glanced at Katerina's back then he looked at Peter who had obviously had the same thought and now reluctantly turned to Ptah. "Send him in."
Duke Toomas must have been right outside as he stepped in almost before Ptah could move. He was a tall, lanky man with a kind face and graying beard. Peter moved to stand beside Edmund while Oreius stayed by the door and Katerina still didn't move from her spot in front of the window. Duke Toomas raised his hand, "I beg your indulgence, majesties, for my intrusion. It only just came to my attention as to what mischief my idiot nephew has caused this hour. I offer my deepest apologies to you and to Dame Sepphora. Hendrik broke our laws and I am certain he broke some of Narnia's laws as well; however, I believe it would be best if Hendrik suffered the consequences handed down by Sisemaalian law and with your permission, I will escort him back to Sisemaal. The punishment for acting dishonorably towards women and of endangering alliances begins with the stripping of land and title, and I shall ensure Hendrik receives more than the minimum. It is well that he has a younger brother with better character than he, otherwise my sister's family would be forever shamed."
Duke Toomas paused and Edmund had to admit he was impressed with the older man's small display of temper. The Duke continued in the more measured tone that Edmund was used to hearing, "Pardon my interference, majesties, but I ask that you do not punish Dame Sepphora. In fact, I offer her my thanks for teaching Hendrik an immediate lesson in manners. Being knocked unconscious by a woman he deemed his inferior is not something he will soon forget. Dame Sepphora?" Edmund watched as Katerina finally turned away from the window to face Duke Toomas, which spoke volumes about the respect she had for the older man. Toomas didn't even blink an eye at how she was holding a cup of water against the side of her mouth, instead he bowed deeply. "Dame Sepphora, I offer you my heartfelt apology and thanks. I hope our next meeting ends on a better note than this one."
Without moving her glass, Katerina dipped a curtsy to the Duke who then bowed to Edmund and Peter. "Majesties, with your permission, I and my party will depart within the hour." Peter granted his permission and Duke Toomas left immediately.
Edmund raised an eyebrow at Katerina who was watching Peter and Oreius warily. "Are you going to put the glass down, Kat?"
She shook her head and muttered, "Not until these two promise they are not going to overreact."
Peter exchanged a look with Oreius then turned back to Katerina who hadn't changed her position at all, "We're not going to overreact, now put that glass down. You look silly holding it like that."
She gave Edmund a look that clearly told him to be ready to block the door, and then she lowered the glass. Edmund heard Peter gasp softly and Oreius slammed his hoof against the floor. He didn't blame them as he had had time to get use to it and he still couldn't help wincing himself because Katerina's right cheek was swollen as was the right side of her mouth and there was still some bleeding from the corner of her mouth where her lip had been cut. At least, her nosebleed had stopped. Still, she looked a sight.
Edmund decided to break the silence, "Well, the Sisemaalian envoy is leaving early and the alliance is still in place as are the trade agreements and nobody died. So, all in all, things turned out quite nicely. Although, I would have liked to have seen you deck Hendrik, Kat." They all turned to stare at him and he shrugged. It was true.
Katerina touched her cheek and winced, "I think I am just going to hide out in my chambers for the rest of today, unless I'm going to be needed."
Peter shook his head, "No, you go rest. Ed and I will make your excuses to the girls." Edmund nodded his support of this plan, although he fully intended on letting Peter do all the explaining to Susan and Lucy. Katerina gave him one of her knowing looks and he grinned at her. She just shook her head at him as she walked out of the study with Oreius following her. Edmund's guess was that the Centaur would personally escort her back to her chambers to keep curious onlookers from pestering her and so he could figure out if she has any other injuries that would need a healer's attention.
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Oreius had escorted Katerina back to her chambers in complete silence. He had been too furious to speak and Katerina had been preoccupied. Hendrik should not have been able to wander off without one of the guards knowing where he was, and yet he had managed it. Oreius could only guess that it had been a fluke, but he would make sure that such a fluke would never occur again. He opened the doors for Katerina then followed her into her parlor.
Katerina stopped and turned to face him, but she didn't say anything. He tilted her head up so he could get a better look at where Hendrik had hit her. He didn't move his hand as he met Katerina's questioning gaze. "No more Sisemaalians for you."
As he had hoped, Katerina laughed softly and he shook his head as he let go of her chin. "Only you would manage such a feat when we were two hours away from a full week with no problems with the envoy. What am I supposed to do with you, Katerina Alambiel?"
Katerina shrugged, "My grandfather's solution was to let me run around until I was too exhausted to get into trouble if only because I no longer had the energy to move."
Oreius watched as she sat on the settee next to a stack of books and packets of parchment. "You are remembering more. And, I've already tried your grandfather's solution. The result is you are running up and down the Cair's highest tower waiting for the Kings to make it up the first time. You have too much energy."
She laughed again then kicked off her shoes and tucked her feet under her as she shifted to lean against the arm of the settee. He raised an eyebrow at her and she stuck her tongue out at him. Oreius chuckled then he quickly scooped up the stack of books before she could touch them. "Don't even think about it. You can go back to your research tomorrow. I will leave them on this table over here, but if you start going through them again I will take them with me and I won't give them back until Fifthday."
She folded her arms and mock-glared at him, "You can be such a spoilsport, Kentauri. But, since you insist, I promise I won't touch anything until tomorrow. I'll just stare at them from across the room."
Oreius chuckled again as he carried the books over to the table. He paused when he set the two packets down on top of the books. He had only seen Katerina carrying one half-full packet earlier today, but she must have written enough to fill another packet as well. Lion knew that her notes grew exponentially when she was working on her search. He turned to ask her about the second packet, but stopped when he saw she had fallen asleep.
Oreius grabbed a throw off the back of a chair and crossed to where Katerina was curled up on the settee. He gently pulled the throw over her and she shifted a little. Her right sleeve fell back with the movement and Oreius froze at the sight of an ugly bruise in the shape of a handprint discoloring her skin right at her wrist. Aslan help Count Hendrik if he ever crosses my path again.
Oreius tamped down on his anger. Katerina still hadn't wakened, so he reached out and brushed the hair away from her face. He knew exactly why she had allowed this morning's events to play out the way they had. She had put up with Hendrik's behavior because she was protecting the royals. She loved the four siblings as if they were her own and she would protect them the same way. He, on the other hand, would protect both the royal family and Katerina Alambiel with his life. He touched her cheek, and then he left to find Ardon and Sherket. He needed to consult with the captains about how to prevent another morning like this one.
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Medea frowned as she watched the scenes playing out across the black ice. That idiot Hendrik had barely managed to do anything she wanted him to do. She had planted whispers in his dreams for the last week, but he had stayed fixated on the eldest queen. So, she took a different tack and tried to influence the dreams of the youngest king who had proved vulnerable to such tactics once. However, that had failed and she had been forced to turn back to Hendrik. With her new tactics, his weak mind and huge ego had been easy to manipulate until she had reached the point of sending an Imp to possess him late last night. It had taken much to maintain control over all the elements, such as summoning and then vanishing an Imp without detection, but it would be worth it if Alambiel read the packet she had had the Imp drop next to her own materials. She needed Alambiel to be vulnerable and the only way to accomplish that was to damage the bond she had with the royals and the Centaur. It took so much for Alambiel to trust people now that she needed something especially devastating to break her faith in those who had previously proven themselves to her. But, as Mother had pointed out, the closer a person was to others, the deeper and more effective the devastation when trust was proved to be in vain.
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A/N: Please read and review! Well, this chapter was a little longer than I had originally planned but hopefully you like it. For those of you who guessed the weak mind was Ed, the answer is nope. Poor Ed. I have something much better planned for him. So, Medea is planning on wrecking havoc with Kat's trust in people. How do you think she's going to do that? Do you think she'll succeed? Click the little button below and let me know what y'all think.
A/N2: Lady Firewing, I don't consider it a real cliffie if nobody's life is in peril, so I still managed to avoid the cliffie! lol ;)