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.
Special Disclaimer: I don't own Murphy or his law or the story behind his law...I'm pretty sure the Air Force does and if not, it still belongs to somebody other than me.
Summary: A stranger arrives in Narnia one year after the Pevensies begin their reign. Accused of being a witch herself, she risks her life in an attempt to save young Queen Lucy from falling prey to a terrible plot.
Warning: There will be mentions of torture, murder, and some scary moments. So, this is a mid to high T.
Chapter Six: To Cair Paravel, Part Two
I wish I understood what was going on here, but then again I don't think I am the only one who is in the dark. Why did the Werewolf speak to me? I know Oreius heard him, though I'm not sure if Lucy was close enough yet. Does the general still believe that I am not a witch? I hope so because I do not think I will live very long if he should decide I am an enemy.
"What are you thinking about, Katerina Alambiel?"
Oreius watched with a mix of amusement and concern as the young woman jerked in surprise before glaring at him. The light from the campfire cast shadows over her, but he could still see the swollen discoloration marring the left side of her face from temple to cheek. Between her face and the scratches to her left forearm, the Werewolf had not been kind to her, but that had not stopped her from pitching in to help with setting up an impromptu camp as well as assisting the healers with the wounded. It had been a race against the threatened rain to find a safe place to camp, and then the weather bypassed them to the south though the damp chill of its passing stayed with them. He looked down at Katerina expectantly as Sherket and Lucy joined them.
"I have come to a conclusion." Katerina paused then nodded to herself. "I have decided that...I really don't like Werewolves."
Lucy giggled and Sherket chuckled while he just shook his head at the young woman when she glanced up at him and grinned. Sherket stepped closer and peered at Katerina through narrowed eyes. "Well, if it is any consolation, I don't think the Werewolves like you very much either."
Katerina smiled at the three of them before she reached up to touch her face. "Ow, I should probably avoid smiling for a while...or at least until this lovely bruise stops being so sensitive."
Queen Lucy patted her on the shoulder in sympathy as she dropped down beside her. Oreius nodded to Sherket and they both joined the other two on the ground, albeit a bit slower on Oreius' part. When the general and captain had finally settled down, Lucy turned to Katerina Alambiel with a puzzled look. "Katerina, why did you apologize earlier? You know, right before we were attacked you said you shouldn't have said what you did and apologized."
Oreius carefully hid his own intense interest but he knew that Sherket was just eager as he was to hear their guest's explanation. "What? Oh, that. I was apologizing because I managed to invoke Murphy's Law with my comment about nothing else disastrous happening on this trip."
Oreius exchanged a confused look with Sherket, "Murphy's Law? What is this law and who is Murphy?"
A grin ghosted across Katerina's face. "In its basic form, Murphy's Law is simply "If anything can go wrong, it will." Although I was actually thinking of one of the more specific examples, "Never say things can't get any worse, because they can and they will." Murphy was a military captain serving as an engineer on a very important project who found a mistake one day, cursed the technician responsible, and said, "If there's any way to do it wrong, he'll find it." The manager of the project apparently thought this was brilliant so he wrote it down and dubbed it 'Murphy's Law'. So, I inadvertently invoked Murphy's Law of "Never say things can't get any worse, because they can and they will, if only to prove you wrong." For that I do apologize...but everything else was the Werewolves' fault."
Oreius didn't completely understand the concept of this Murphy's Law, but he guessed it was similar to the idea that anything that goes wrong in battle was always the commanding officer's fault. He grinned at Katerina Alambiel's emphatic declaration that everything after she invoked the law was the Werewolves' fault not hers. Watching the young queen's eyes dance with laughter, he conceded that she was good for the youngest royal. She kept Lucy from dwelling overmuch on the battle with her self-depreciating humor. His grin disappeared however when Alaois approached with an irritated Alithia right behind him.
Alithia gave him an apologetic look before she smoothly cut off the rant Alaois' glare promised as she turned her attention to Lucy. "My queen, I think it is past time for you to take your rest. After all, we still have to travel another day and a half to reach Cair Paravel." Oreius knew the young queen was tired when she didn't even protest as she climbed to her feet and walked back to her tent under Alithia's watchful gaze. He was glad though that she had left because no child, queen or not, needed to hear the accusations he suspected Alaois was about hurl at Katerina Alambiel, not to mention Sherket and himself.
Unfortunately, Alaois didn't disappoint as he glared at the three of them. "So, this is what Narnia comes to already? Fraternizing with a witch when we only won our freedom from the last one a year ago? What doubts you had concerning her guilt in the first convenient meeting with one of our royals should have been utterly erased by today's events, General. She happens to predict the attack on our party and you allow her to not only walk around free of restraints but you also let her continue to associate with Queen Lucy? She is a witch and should be treated as an enemy not a...a boon companion. She is not to be trusted. The queen has the excuse of being a child, but the two of you should be on your guard against this sorceress. As far as we know, she could be the one who signaled the attack to begin and end when she knew we had enough injured to keep us from immediately following her. And then, she conveniently loses control over a horse she had no difficulty controlling when fleeing the presence of our soldiers. She set this whole thing up, and if you were wise, you would have her bound in chains not sitting around the campfire spouting nonsense about some elaborate excuse where everything is not her fault but another's."
Oreius kept his face free of emotion, but Sherket's tail started to twitch with her irritation at Alaois' condescending attitude toward a fellow officer and his commander not to mention how badly he was breaking the rules of common courtesy toward a guest. Oreius intended to intercede when Alaois finally paused for a breath, but another voice beat him to it. "With as much disdain as you seem to have for me, I admit I'm impressed you think me capable of creating such an elaborate plot to work my way into the good graces of the queen, the general, and the captain. However, I do have some questions of my own. Is it common practice in Narnia to accuse someone without proof? Or to accuse a person before others without addressing that person first or revealing the identity of their accuser? Because I would very much like the chance to answer in my own defense, however it would greatly help if I knew the name of the one who insists on stirring up accusations and suspicions concerning myself and those who have chosen to give me the benefit of the doubt."
Oreius was impressed at the surprisingly calm and even tone Katerina Alambiel used to address the Satyr captain, even more so when he looked closer and saw the fury sparking in her eyes. He turned to Alaois and leveled a hard gaze at him. "Answer her."
For a moment, he thought the Satyr would refuse out of spite, but then he choked out a reply. "I am Captain Alaois."
Katerina nodded and met the Satyr's glare with a deceptively calm look of her own. "Very well, Captain Alaois. I assume you know my name already, but I'll take the liberty of reminding you. I am Katerina Alambiel and I assure you that I am not a witch."
Alaois sneered, "So you say, but your actions do not support your claims of innocence. I do not believe your lies, witch."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, however, I was under the impression that I was not on trial here. I may not be a declared 'boon companion', but I didn't think it had been decided yet as to whether Narnia would accept my presence or not. I also had the impression that it was to be the kings and queens of Narnia who would decide my fate, not a single army captain who has been blinded by his prejudices. My words probably fall on deaf ears, but I give you my solemn word Captain Alaois that I, Katerina Alambiel, have no intention of bringing harm to Narnia, her people, or her kings and queens." Katerina sighed and rubbed her forehead, "Forgive me my abruptness, Captains and General, but I simply do not have any energy left this night. I bid you all a good night."
Oreius watched the shocked expression on Alaois' face change to anger and astonishment as the young woman he accused of being a witch politely inclined her head to all three officers before leaving for the tent assigned to her with another of Sherket's Cheetahs following behind to keep watch over her tonight. But, he had had enough of the Satyr's surly temper and cut him off before he could start another rant. "You nearly stepped over your bounds tonight, Alaois. I already told you that the High King and his siblings would be the ones to judge the actions and words of Katerina Alambiel and determine her fate. Yet, you insisted on trying to provoke her by accusing her without facing her properly. Furthermore, you implied that neither Sherket nor I were capable leaders due to our actions toward Katerina Alambiel. I will warn you this once, Captain Alaois. Do not undermine my authority or the authority of our kings and queens. If you attempt to do so again, there will be severe consequences starting with the removal of your rank. Do you understand me, Captain?"
"Yes, General Oreius."
"Good, I suggest you get some rest and recover your strength before we set out again in the morning."
Alaois grudgingly inclined his head and trotted back to the camp center. Sherket shook her head, "I don't think he will disobey you on this trip again, General Oreius. However, if the kings and queens decide to allow her to stay, there may be further altercations. I think I'll go check on the scouts. Good night, General."
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The sorcerer cursed then laughed as he watched the events of the day. The raid didn't have quite the impact he wanted since there were only injuries and no deaths. But, the rest of it was going to be perfect, especially since everything else was going exactly to plan. Doubts were already planted in the minds of some of the Narnians concerning not only his new toy but also the Centaur general. They would reach the purported safety of the palace of Cair Paravel in a day and a half as they moved at a slower pace for their wounded, and he would let them arrive unscathed after today's little game. It would allow him the time he needed to finish setting up his trap for the children playing at being kings and queens.
He cackled in mad delight as he thought about how horrified the Narnians would be when they glimpsed his handiwork tomorrow. Oh, they must believe it connected to his pawn, his Katerina Alambiel, at first. But, when the time came to reveal the true mastermind behind the wave of misery about to befall Narnia...ah, they will cower before him. Perhaps not the Centaurs, Jadis could barely control them even after turning nearly all their leaders to stone, at least those she had not killed outright. But, then again their resistance just meant he had another reason to wipe them from existence. He simply had to wait a little bit longer, and then all that he desired would be his at last.
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A/N: As promised, Part Two. Please Read and Review! What do you think of my interpretation of the characters? Does it make sense? Do you like it? Hate it? Click the review button below and let me know!
