AN: Alright, another chapter. It is definitely not my best one, but I needed to get it out and finished. I would really appreciate constructive criticism on this one as I struggled with it.
Disclaimer: I do own a wardrobe. I don't own Narnia.
The room which I was led to, was much the same as the one I had been in earlier that day, only this one was filled to the brim with people as well as the Narnian delegation. The Prime Minister greeted me jovially and introduced me to several people including the foreign secretary, who was very interested in all of the Narnians. Then I was led to a chair, and Kanell stood next to me, and Jane the Rabbit sat on the table on the other side of me, and handed me a stack of papers, before hopping off the table and hiding behind a rubbish bin. Kanell looked like he wanted to rub the bridge of his nose but he settled for a long suffering sigh at her actions.
Then the negotiations started in earnest. I immediately realised that the Prime Minister was good. Frightfully good in fact, and he had a clever staff behind him. If I wasn't as experienced as I was, then I might have given away half of Narnia's resources without even realising. The thing about Narnia was, it was rich in natural resources, which was invaluable to a country that was recovering from a war.
Still, as much sympathy as I did have for the country, I was not about to be hoodwinked into doing something that would not be to Narnia's advantage. It helped that as clever and as talented as the Prime Minister was, I was not without my fair share of tricks.
Which was why, as I listened to the Prime Minister talk, most of my attention was firmly (but unnoticeable) fixed on the descent of a tiny creature, dangling from a silken rope. It had been in the room from before I had entered, and it had covertly made its way down from the ceiling. The creature was in the perfect position to see the notes that the Prime Minister had in front of him.
After a while, I lost sight of the creature as I became lost in the quick to and froes between the two sides. I needed every one of my wits to keep up with the double meanings and clever wordplay, but I was not called silver-tongued for nothing, and I could see that the English were starting to sit up in their chairs and take me much more seriously.
My true advantage came when I felt something small and hairy go underneath the hem of my trousers, and begin climbing up my leg. Only years of experience prevented me from reacting to the tickling sensation. Instead I kept an eager expression on my face, even as the tiny spider emerged at the back of my neck, hid in my hair and whispered.
Inwardly though, I couldn't stop myself from grinning.
There was a scrambling of chairs as the negotiations for the day were finished, and everyone went to shake hands with their counterparts. It had been rather productive, although nothing had been decided on, except that England would quite like to impose a limit on travel between the two worlds until the reason for the Portal had been established. I had not argued much with that, because really it was quite a sensible precaution. However, I did object and strongly to allowing scientists to experiment on the Portal. My knowledge on such magic might not be great, but I know enough to realise that in such instances science has very little reckoning on the way it works. Still, I suspected that the Prime Minister might insist in order to progress any further, in which case I would have to come up with a compromise or risk breaking down relations. Perhaps, if I had Narnians involved in the process it might limit the risk. A few Centaurs would probably be best.
When we left the room and returned to our own room to debrief on the meeting before finishing for the day, I allowed the spider to scramble out from my hair and into my hands. I couldn't help but grin down at her as I clasped her gently.
"Well, Almana, I did not expect to see you. I thought you had decided to leave your chosen career."
Almana lifted up one leg slowly, and said in a low, whispering voice, "I couldn't, Your Majesty. There is something thrilling about being unseen. It's like dangling by a thread, where one false move will get you squished like a bug, and the prey is so rewarding."
I felt a thrill go up my spine as I always did when Almana spoke like that. She was an excellent spy, but she was always so morbidly chilling. She took such delight in everything she did, no matter how cruel or dangerous. I could only be thankful that she was so firmly on our side. Her poisonous words and cunning thought would be too dangerous for anyone else to make use of.
There was a knock on the door and without any prompting Almana was up my schoolboy sleeve, and a cheetah was by my side, a low, threatening rumble just behind his throat. Kanell opened the door and there stood Mr. Small.
He cleared his throat hesitantly and looked at a clock, "Your Majesty, it is late and we have to get back to the school."
I didn't even hesitate before saying, "Mr. Small, I cannot go back to school. Not now. I have to be back here first thing tomorrow, and more importantly my sister needs to know that I have made contact with our people."
Mr. Small looked ready to argue and I forestalled him, "There is one more thing, and this Sir, you will not be able to argue with."
He looked interested and I took a deep breath, "My mother, Sir. She does not know about my time in Narnia, and I would not have her find out by newspaper. I must get home tonight."
He nodded once and said with a frown, "You are right. I cannot let you guy by yourself though."
I had in the time since this morning managed to think of a solution to this problem, "Once the others are on the coach, you will not need so many adults. One of you may accompany me to my house if you wish. Either way, I will be going home tonight."
Mr. Small seemed to think about this for a moment, before he nodded his head. "I think that is an acceptable solution. I will accompany the class to the coach and once they are on the way I will escort you home. If you will be ready to leave in ten minutes?"
I agreed and Mr. Small hurriedly exited.
Kanell looked at me, "How will you be getting to your mother's house, Your Majesty?"
"I presume a car...oh!" I began unthinkingly before looking at Kanell. Kanell most definitely would not fit in a car.
Kanell ruffled my hair affectionately, "I will remain behind. You must be free to move and since I cannot accompany you, I must trust in the competence of my soldiers."
He looked at the Cheetah, "Faraz, I am trusting you with the King. Will you guard him?"
"With my life," he growled, and his tail swished behind him.
Almana came out the neck of my shirt and settled on my shoulder. I went to pick her up but she whispered into my ear, "I'm staying with you."
I didn't argue with her, but allowed her to once again settle into my hair, and waited for Mr. Small to return.
