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: Stitches... And the worst patients the healers of Cair Paravel have ever dealt with are... Part One-Part of the 24 in 24 Authors' Challenge.
A/N: Short story requested/suggested by Lady Firewing. Hope you enjoy it! This is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe but can be read as a standalone.
Part Four
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9 Fairdawn 1003
I stood beside the Kings as we examined the map of the border and our chosen battlefield. The Calormene troops were truly only two battalions, which was probably the Tisroc's condition so he may disown them as rogues if they fail as had happened in Narnia's past encounters with Calormen before the Long Winter. I pointed to the Calormene camp, "We must draw them out into the field and cut them off from retreat. Majesties, if we split the army, we can send Captain Sherket and the Big Cats to close in behind the Calormene."
King Edmund nodded, "And, they can scare the horses into panicking, causing more difficulties and removing one avenue of retreat."
I gave a curt nod, proud that the lessons of the past three years showed their fruits, "Indeed. The Calormene are afraid of us and that gives us an advantage." Several more hours passed as we firmed up our plans. Returning to my tent, I prayed Aslan would allow us to defeat this threat with few casualties. I didn't stay in my tent long, too restless to sleep, I left the camp and walked until I found a low bluff where I could easily read the stars, but they held few answers. I had received no word concerning Katerina Alambiel's condition...but I needed to focus. The Kings and their safety in the morrow's battle were my first priority...and Alambiel would never let me hear the end of it if she learned the Kings had been injured because I had been distracted. I did not return to camp until dawn began to lighten the sky and then I threw myself into the task of making sure the officers knew where they had been assigned and what they were to do.
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The first thing that registered was how much my side and arm hurt...and itched. I opened my eyes as I tried to reach the itch (it's really annoying to have an itchy side that hurt at the same time, believe you me). A hand caught mine before I could attack the itch (which was even more annoying, I mean come on, an itch that annoying needed attention) as Tuulea peered at me, "Ah, you are awake finally. Good. Now, you can explain to me what you were thinking, Child. Going to train with Oreius when your left side was full of stitches? By the Lion, such foolishness surpasses the imagination! What were you thinking? Oh, I know, I know, you had a plan as to sneaking into battle with stitches just waiting to be torn! Did you think this would not happen? It did and you nearly died from your foolishness because the Valiant Queen and her cordial are not in the Cair. Training with stitches in and of itself is utter foolery and most reckless. But, to spar with the foremost swordmaster of Cair Paravel and allow yourself to be placed in such a situation that you tore all of your stitches out and nearly bled to death? Foolish child! You will not move from this cot until Alithia and I say so. You most certainly will not be wandering around, getting into more trouble, and tearing more stitches."
I blinked in the wake of Tuulea's rant (little did I know it was only the beginning of the rant at Katerina Alambiel marathon she and Alithia had joined) and rasped, "What happened?" I remembered going to the training yard, it was the rest that was a little fuzzy...in a complete blank sort of way. I also didn't think I could move much at all so her last directive was a bit pointless.
Tuulea shook her finger at me, "What happened you ask? What happened is you went to spar, spar, and you tore all of your stitches out and nearly bled to death. Oreius brought you here, and according to Alithia, he was quite concerned. He also already terrorized the foolish junior healer, Linus, before Alithia could get her hands on him. That poor Faun nearly had a complete nervous breakdown thanks to Oreius growling at him and then Alithia also lectured him most thoroughly. And, not one junior healer is permitted to attend you or the Kings without alerting Alithia, Oreius, or, if they are not available, myself. There will not be any more instances of you receiving stitches without the people who will tell you the utter foolishness of your attempted plans knowing about them."
I frowned slightly (only partially because of that infernal itch), "Where's Oreius?"
Tuulea stilled, "South with the Kings and the rest of the army."
I grumbled, "He better not get himself killed and those two pests need to stay in one unbroken piece this time too." Tuulea smiled slightly at my words...her smile grew even bigger when I couldn't help but ask, "Where's the anti-itch cream? My side is killing me, actually it feels like a bunch of ants crawling up and down my skin." She patted my hand and left. Three extremely itchy minutes later, Alithia came in to check my bandages and take over ranting at me.
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10 Fairdawn 1003
We had been battling the Calormenes for three hours. Captain Sherket and her Big Cat battalion had done their work of spooking the horses and now the Calormene camp was in shambles. They called us beasts, demons, and abominations...they believed their own insults and feared us. Our own skill on the battlefield only further drove that fear into their hearts. The Calormene ranks were breaking.
I tried to keep an eye on both Kings, knowing this was the first time they had fought against other humans. Peter, the golden colt, was a magnificent sight as he kept his seat on Faries' back and twisted around to meet each blow by the Calormene who somehow escaped the Unicorn's horn, hooves, and teeth. And, guarding his back was the dark colt, Edmund worked in tandem with Philip as I had taught them. I scowled as the Calormene began shouting something in their language to each other, several of them gestured toward the colts. Following their gestures, I felt fear for the colts wrap itself around my heart as I realized there was a Manticore.
How had we missed the presence of the Fell creature? I didn't know and there was no time for questions. The colts were in danger. I galloped forward, using my swords only to clear my path. I sheathed my swords, swapping them for my claymore. I leapt over a Calormene soldier, his scimitar missing my leg by a scant inch or so, and left him to my back as I lunged between the Manticore and Edmund. I knocked Philip and Edmund both out of the way just as the Manticore leapt. It tackled me as I swung my claymore forward and cut the stinger from its tail. It screamed as it dug its claws into my armor and flesh, rolling me. It screamed again, "Narnians! Yours killed my mate, now I take my revenge!"
I grappled with the mate of the Manticore Sepphora had slain, finally wrapping my arms around its neck and squeezing as I rolled us both so she was on her back and I managed to regain my footing. The Manticore's teeth and claws dug into me as I did so, until I dropped my hold and reared up. I slammed my hooves against her head, stunning her long enough for me to pull my swords free of their scabbards. She roared then hissed as she lunged for me. I met her with one blade aimed for her foul heart and the other for her mouth. She fell, still cursing the Narnians who had rid the world of her mate.
I heard a roar go up around me, but for some reason I could not discern what was being said or who was speaking. I turned to check on the colts, but nearly fell. I scowled and shook my head slightly as I struggled to keep myself upright. Edmund, my dark colt, appeared in front of me, looking most alarmed. Ardon appeared next to him and lunged for me as my vision went black.
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A/N: Please Read and Review! Okay, so Kat's awake but not out of the woods just yet and Oreius...well, he's in trouble too. One chapter left. Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.
