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(Rainquicken eleventh. Eleventh hour. Ethan's POV)

The next day I found myself in the Captain's office giving him a report on the search.

"So far I have had little luck: a Telmarine guard said that he heard two people talking, one with a Calormen accent and the other a Terebinthian, but I am still interviewing everyone. Stormfang is on his way to speak with the palace kitchen staff; I do not know when he will be done." I said.

"Very good, Ethan. Any news on the High King's condition?" I was surprised that he didn't call me sergeant like he usually did; I didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing, but I assumed the former.

"I spoke with Helena this morn, if anything, his majesty is getting worse." Captain Klyro's jaw clenched and he rolled his hands into fists. He was as loyal to our sovereigns as much as the General himself; he would die before he let anything happen to any of them. Though the General had more of a family relationship with the monarchs, the Captain had a loyalty to them. If you wanted a picture of a loyal Narnian then all one had to do is describe the Captain.

"I have a search party looking everywhere for the Queen's cordial," he said. "But so far we are having just as much luck as you."

"Do you think the fell are involved? Maybe a few of Rafar's minions that escaped?" I shuddered slightly when I named the sorcerer. I tried to avoid it as much as possible. Memories flashed through my mind, memories I strive to forget.

"That is unlikely, if they were smart they would hide it out for a while."

"Well, sir, I need to interview the Terebinthian servants."

"Yes, sergeant, you are dismissed." I stood up and left the room, and almost immediately I was met by Ruby the hummingbird. She landed on my held out finger; she barely weighed a thing.

"Ethan, King Edmund requests your presence in his private study as soon as possible." The little creature said, her voice was high but not annoying, unlike a few of the ladies in waiting for Queen Susan.

"Can you show me the way? I haven't been there yet." I still haven't managed to memorize all of Cair Paravel, in fact very few (if any) of the people here had. The hummingbird flew off my finger and led me towards King Edmund's study; we reached it in a short amount of time and I knocked. Ruby flew away to see to some other things.

"Come in." I heard King Edmund say. I opened the door and stepped in. I saw a large desk slightly cluttered with papers and documents. A large window sat behind him looking out to the forests, towards Beruna and the stone table. King Edmund sat at his desk finishing up some paperwork. I bowed slightly at the waist and stood there.

"Sergeant Ethan, I need your help." King Edmund said grimly, and I couldn't blame him, his brother was quickly dying.

"What is it, sire?" I asked.

"Well, that makes two things. First, call me Edmund. Second, we are continuing with the negotiations, and there's a strong chance that the assassin will be there. They might slip up and give us some clues."

"Yes, your highness – I mean – Edmund." It was weird calling him by his first name. When I first met Peter he had insisted on being called by his name. But because I embarrassed him, we hadn't been the best of friends.

"Good, now if you'll change into your dress uniform, I'll meet you in the council room."

"Yes, Edmund." I bowed again, and got corrected for it before I left for the barracks. Along the way I was met by Ilex, and I had to force myself not to sigh as he approached.

"You better watch yourself, cousin, you had the upper hand last time, but you won't be so lucky the next." He said as he fell into step beside me.

"I don't have time for this, Ilex." I replied.

"Oh yes, the "Hero of Narnia" has so many responsibilities now that he's so high and mighty." He said mockingly. "Of course you have always been the topic of conversation, father was always going to your tree just to check on it. Must be nice to be so special." I turned and pushed him up against the stone wall.

"I've seen things that you couldn't possibly imagine. I've fought in battles, I've seen death, " I took a slight breath, "and I caused death. I am busy trying to find out who poisoned our High King and am not in the mood to deal with you. So unless you know something about the High King's condition, I suggest you stay away." I let go of him and walked away.

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(Rainquicken eleventh. Twelfth hour. Ethan's POV)

I sat next to King Edmund at his left side, looking as stoic as possible. There were guards all throughout the room: Narnians, Telmarines, Archenlanders, Terebinthians, and Calormen. The litter of Maugrim were there too, and I was glad of it. A certain Terebinthian looked at me strangely, and I had to force myself not to stare back just to make him uncomfortable. Ridgaff Tarkaan sat across from me with the other Calormen diplomat. He seemed more eager than the others to strengthen ties with us.

"Prince Edmund, I would like to offer my sympathy on your brother's condition." The lead Telmarine diplomat said. He was a tall, wiry man who reminded me of a fox. He had red hair and a white beard, so he really, truly looked like one too.

"He is King Edmund the Just." Duke Frivar said sternly. "And you will address him as such. With his older brother now in unstable condition he is ruler of Cair Paravel beneath Aslan only." I noted that Edmund's face paled slightly at the thought of him being in charge now, but he didn't let on any more than that. He was a master diplomat; they would never know.

"Thank you for your compassion, Syspain, third in your line." Edmund said.

"May we begin with the negotiations?" Ridgaff asked. And that we did.

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please let me know what all y'all thought about this chapter.

And a huge thanks to Dymphna Karpovna who graciously beta read this. She has been a big help. So let's all give her a round of applause.