Disclaimer: If you recognize it it's not mine.
Author's Note: This chapter was inspired by "The Orange Words" by hever - check it out if you have a moment. The text in italics was written by your's truly.
Chapter 10: "The High Priestess"
"It is said the sun caught her golden hair. Her smiles lit up the forest. That hers was a beauty, not obvious to all, but obvious to a king. As brilliant as daylight. Was the king to live but one day without his lovely Persephone he would have died. He could not have spent a mere second away from his love, but perhaps had he been able to he would then have been free. What a sad tragedy to be bound to such a lovely creature. To someone who knew not what she was or how radiant her glow was. An immortal in the shape of a girl was who the king chose to love. Even more stunning than her hair or smiles or her heart was her wisdom."
They left the Cair on horseback, but only because Phillip had insisted to come as far as the terrain would allow him. From Cauldron Pool and beyond, the journey would be taken on foot. The two kings reached Zoren's clan to find them waiting with Romel and his crew.
They all set out from Owl Wood in a slow pace. The gypsies kept the mood light as they walked by singing or playing their instruments. Edmund and Peter were satisfied to watch from atop their horses and smile. Romel and his pack brought up the rear behind the kings' guards. They spoke as well, but didn't smile as much. Edmund could already feel the tension climbing. It seemed for some reason that his armor rested heavily on his shoulders. Phillip whickered at the children who had never seen a Talking Horse, and who squealed when he laughed.
By nightfall they had already crossed the Great River and the Beavers' dam. They had traveled along the southern banks of Cauldron Springs to the edge of the Western Woods. It would only take them a couple of hours into the next day to reach Cauldron Pool. Edmund felt weary being in the area again. They weren't terribly far from where his entire troop was once slaughtered. The same trees grew here as they did there. The topography looked similar. Every inch of it brought back memories Edmund wished he didn't have.
The gypsies all settled for the evening and began preparing their meals. The Narnians ate away from the others, in a camp not far from the Irins'. Peter had noticed his brother's tension as they drew nearer to the western border. He didn't know how to alleviate the fears he knew his brother harbored. All he could think of was why Edmund wouldn't talk to him as he hunched in front of a fire, next to his brother.
Oncai and one of her scouts, Spavia Glora, were out walking the perimeter. Spavia was a tiny Shrew that had accompanied Peter on his quest to find Edmund the last time. Since then she had become a favored scout of his. Her sense of smell was unrivaled and she was easily overlooked which made her well-fitted for sneaking around where she shouldn't be. He hoped his siblings never learned of the things she had done for him. Mostly involving spying on Edmund or enemies of his.
Peter frowned when one of the women from Romel's group came over. She was smiling prettily, but didn't fool him like she did Edmund. She was an assassin as much as the rest of them. "Hello, my kings." she greeted. Before Peter could say anything Edmund had risen and was giving her his seat.
"I figured most of you would be asleep by now," he said, smiling back. Peter was thankful to be ignored at that moment and decided to leave.
"I'll see if I can't find Oncai." He saw the nod from his brother through his peripheral vision, but didn't see the way Edmund stared until he was out of sight.
"What brings you here?" the Just King asked Lauviah after his brother had left. A few of the Narnians were sitting with them around the fire, but surprisingly enough most were enjoying the company of the gypsies.
"I wanted to speak with you," She smiled and made herself comfortable. "Sit?"
He obeyed and crossed his legs. "Speak to me about what?"
Her smile widened. "About what you've been up to for the past two years. About. . ." She sighed and looked into the dark sky. "About what it's like to be king. What your home is like."
His expression softened when he realized she had probably missed her old home more than he could ever imagine. To be separated from Narnia for eight hundred years would have shattered him. "Stressful." He smirked when she giggled.
She sobered when she noticed that his smile didn't quite seem as genuine as it should. "Edmund?" He looked up. She suddenly felt insecure if it was her place to ask such questions. Surely he had people to talk with when he felt distraught. "I only ask because you seem like you've aged ten years since last we saw you."
He tried to smile again, but felt it vanish pitifully fast. "I've missed you, I think."
She smiled and grabbed his hand in her own. "If your brother lets us, we'll stay this time. Bring our families with us."
"How many of you have families?" he asked, trying not to think what would happen if his brother said no.
"Well I, myself, have none. Only Romel and Hale, but they're just as much mine as they are the others'." She sighed and tried to think of a way to answer his question properly. "Nimwey doesn't have any family, I think. Elijah's family is in Calormen."
"Where is Elijah? And Stell. Haven't seen them around." He felt his heart thud when her expression fell.
"Elijah is with his family," She glanced down. "Stell died two months ago." She shuddered. "It's the reason we decided to come."
Edmund nodded. No doubt they had been reminded that they were no longer immortal. Maybe even felt fear of dying? He hadn't spoken very much with Stell while he was with them, but felt saddened by the news. Time slowed somehow. His heart beat slower. "How did he die?" he whispered.
"Killed. We were heading back from Archenland when we were attacked."
His body tensed and his voice hardened. "By who?"
"Calormenes."
He nodded and looked into the fire. She retracted her hand and joined him in watching the hissing flames. The noises around them grew as each sank into their own mind. Edmund could feel the day's journey finally sneaking up on him. He needed sleep if he was to be of any use tomorrow.
"I hear you spoke with Zoren?" she asked, rather out of the blue.
Edmund distantly glanced at her and nodded.
"He was a friend of the man who raised Romel, Hale and me." She smiled, but it didn't seem as joyful as before.
"I noticed he's not in charge of all the gypsies? Zoren." The question popped into his mind and beckoned to be uttered. An easy way to take his mind off the sadness that seemed a constant companion these days. Edmund hadn't been aware that more than one guild was present during this year's summer fair.
"Be very careful before you ask any more questions about the gypsies. Their families and allegiances are very complicated." She took the change in topics with a sigh of relief.
He exhaled quickly through his nose with a smirk. "I want to know."
"Well there are three major houses." She smiled at his cheeky grin and snuggled deeper into her seat. "All the guilds serve one of the three. Zoren is patriarch of the Rudari guild after marrying the only daughter of the previous patriarch. The Rudari guild serves the Lyuli house."
"How many guilds are there?"
She shrugged. "I've met patriarchs from fifteen so far. The houses that rule all the guilds are Lyuli, Luri and Zlatari. Each of the three houses has acting authority over all the guilds under it."
"Like a government?"
"Somewhat," She drawled and took a deep breath. "You see, the last Lyuli Chief, Spear-"
"His name was Spear?" Edmund chuckled.
She smiled with. "Don't laugh. But yes. Spear died and left the rule of the Lyuli house to his eldest son Spalo." She seemed so engrossed in the tale that Edmund found himself pulled in effortlessly. She reminded him of Lucy when she spoke. "Zoren is Spalo's younger brother, but the two don't speak and rumors-"
"My gosh, it's so complicated-"
"Rumors are. . . that Spalo is in league with the Telmarines in the north."
A shiver raced down Edmund's spine. "Is there any truth to it?"
She seemed oblivious to his discomfort. "I don't think so, but for some reason the brothers don't get along." She smiled again and almost lost herself to giggles. "Personally I think it's because Miriam, the daughter of the deceased Estal Rudari – the previous patriarch of the Rudari guild – was given to Zoren instead of Spalo. She's very beautiful and the oldest Lyuli son had quite the crush on her until Spear renegotiated their union and married her off to Zoren instead."
"You weren't lying," Edmund muttered. He could already feel his head swimming. And he knew he should be more worried about the mention of a possible Telmarine threat, but just couldn't oversee the information at that moment.
She giggled. "Their history is quite complex. No one knows where they come from and most think they're descendants of the Telmarines."
Edmund nodded. "Sounds logical."
"That's what Romel says. I think something much more romantic happened." She smiled secretly, just itching to share her version of events.
"Like what?" Edmund caught himself from sighing. He wasn't much for fairytales.
"I think a Telmarine son and a Calormene daughter eloped together. I think they ran north, into these woods and hid."
"And sired and entire race?" He couldn't help the indignant tone, but she just giggled.
"Yes!" She slapped his arm. "What? Not heroic enough for you?"
He huffed and allowed the light mood to fester. It would die the second his brother returned, anyway. Might as well enjoy a few moments of it. "No, no. Not that. You're probably right. I hardly think they sprung out of the soil if that's the only alternative."
She let out a real laugh and almost fell over. "Should I continue?"
He let out a peal of laughter as well, quite unaware that it traveled all through the various camps and made everyone who heard, smile. "Please do. It's been awhile since I've heard gossip this good."
"This is not gossip!" She sounded offended, but couldn't hide her smile. "This is valuable information for the next time you greet Zoren. His full name is Zoren Lyuli Rudari. And you greet him with the title of Pater."
Edmund's brow climbed to his forehead. "So I greet him: Pater Zoren Lyuli Rudari?"
"Yes. Officially."
He let out another great laugh and made her smile as well. "I'll never remember all of that-"
"Remember all of what?" Peter's unexpected voice interrupted Edmund's laugh. He entered the camp and took a seat next to a huntress of Oncai's group. A Mountain Lioness named Vala. She had been listening delightedly to the Just King's conversation.
Edmund felt his bubbling joy instantly simmer down to a strenuous embarrassment. "Lauviah was telling me about the complex infrastructure of the nomad-society, Brother."
Peter nodded and received a piece of spit-grilled meat from Vala. "Thank you. Sounds interesting. Don't let me interrupt you."
Edmund glanced down briefly, but turned diligently back to Lauviah. Where there had been jokes and questions a moment ago there was now only darkness. Blankness. Lauviah appeared aware when she suddenly rose. "No. I'm sorry. I've kept you," she said to Edmund. He was about to interrupt when she bade them goodnight and excused herself.
As she left Edmund felt an all too familiar ire resurface. His expression darkened as he turned to glare at his brother. "Nicely done, Peter."
"What? I didn't ask her to leave." He seemed indifferent.
"No, but she knows you don't like her."
"I hardly know her well enough to dislike her."
"Well don't trust them then,"
Peter's expression darkened. It was enough for the Narnians around them to notice. They all discretely rose and left. "And why should I? They've hardly done anything to earn that trust."
"They saved my life!" Edmund rose.
"They left you-" his brother interrupted.
"You'll have to learn to get along with them." he pushed on, ignoring his brother's sting.
"I am!" Peter barked and made his brother cower just a little. "I'm not being impolite, I'm not calling them out on all the things I'd like-"
"You're not even aware that you're doing it!" He could feel something inside his chest ripping. "You act like everything is normal, but you're not fooling anyone." He ran a hand through his hair. "You should just stick to honesty, Peter. You've never been any good at lying."
"Because it's not exactly something to be proud of, Edmund." he said pointedly.
The Just King nodded and backed away as if struck. "I should be more like you then?"
"No! A little less like them would do well enough-"
Edmund huffed and turned.
"Don't walk away from me!" Peter sprang to his feet.
Edmund swiveled around and jutted an index finger at his brother. "Then stop treating me like a stranger!" His bark traveled through the encampment and left no one unaware that the two were fighting.
"I'm treating you like a stranger?" Peter's voice lowered to a deadly growl.
Edmund shook his head and turned away. "I knew this was a bad idea,"
"Then why did you accept?" Peter barked at his retreating back.
"Because someone had to!" he fired off before he left to find a spot of solitude. He searched for longer than he would have liked. He had to leave the camp area entirely until he found a moonlit spot.
He didn't see Peter sink down after he left. He didn't see the desolate expression on his face.
The spot he found was a stone's throw away from the camps. Close enough that glimpses of campfires filtered through the dense pine branches. Far enough that he could see the moon clearly. It was a hunter's moon. He wondered if any of their nocturnal hunters were out, scouting for prey. He wondered how many, like himself, were having trouble sleeping under the fluorescent moon. His thoughts wandered to the one group besides his own, he could call friends. The Irins.
He glanced in the direction he had come and, with a sigh, started heading back into the camps. He crossed Zoren's and offered the guild patriarch and his wife a nod. He suspected the people around them were children of theirs. He counted seven. Five boys and two girls. Each one followed him with their eyes until he was out of sight. In fact everyone did. Every fire he passed, he would meet searching stares. Each new look made him all the more desperate to escape.
Seconds away from sprinting back into the forest, he heard a voice. "Kid."
He looked into a shade at a looming figure. A silhouette he knew very well. "Arthur." He smiled and grabbed the hand that was extended to him. "What are you doing out this late?"
"There's a Porcupine telling scary stories around our fire. I'm not much for thrills. Have enough of those without fantasizing about them as well."
Edmund felt a smile pull his lips taut. "Ahh, that's Gustav. He does enjoy entertaining people." The old Porcupine lived in these parts alone and very much enjoyed entertaining visitors.
Arthur chuckled and reached an arm around Edmund's back. "What was all that commotion in your camp before?"
"You heard that." Edmund stated. He realized the cause of all the stares he had gotten and groaned.
"Everyone did, pup."
"I'm nineteen. Hardly a pup anymore."
"You can call me 'Red' if that helps, but the nickname is probably never going away." Both chuckled.
"How does one go about getting the surname 'Redmane'?"
"Not so much a surname as it is a title." His voice flattened a little.
Edmund attentively took the cue and moved onto safer subjects. "Where are you taking me?"
"Back to Gustav, the story-telling Porcupine."
He huffed and smiled in the warmth of the friendly voice. They reached the campfire and his troubles diminished in the heat of it. In the lights of his friends' smiles. At least for the night. He didn't remember how late it was when he returned to his own camp. He didn't remember Peter waiting for him, when he stumbled drunkenly towards his tent. He didn't remember said brother helping him into bed and slipping off his boots before leaving.
It was all a blur.
The next morning, they were awake at dawn. Well, everyone except Edmund. He just groaned and rolled over, slipping a pillow over his head. "Ed, wake up."
"Nnnn. . ." A deep sigh. "Mm." A light rain was thrumming against the tent. Enhancing smells. His bed was so warm. So soft.
"Yes." The slap of a shirt, hitting him over the head. "Up. Now." The voice didn't sound as angry as it had the night before. Just resigned.
Edmund opened his eyes to mere slits and glared at the intruder. "Why are you in my tent?"
"To wake you. Breakfast is waiting for you."
"Tell it to wait a little longer. 'M not hungry." His voice muffled when he mashed his face into the pillow.
"How much did you drink last night? You smell like the bottom of a vine barrel." Peter frowned and picked up the worn clothing from the night before. "Go outside, let the rain wash it off."
"Dun' wannoo."
Peter ripped his covers off with an audible growl.
"Pete' stop'ee'!"
"Get up!" He yanked the pillow out from under him as well and slapped him over the head with it. "Your friends are outside."
Edmund lashed out and almost caught his brother in the stomach, but the high king was just fast enough. For a second he forgot his sadness and had to stifle a huff. It helped he knew the attack would come as it did every time someone tried to wake Edmund the Just.
"I'd let you sleep," Ed growled and rubbed his face.
Peter, recognizing the signs that his brother was waking up, deemed the task complete and went outside.
People were already up and doing things. Making a general ruckus as they repacked their tents and cleaned up their camps. Edmund stepped outside in nothing but his breeches and surveyed the area. The rain instantly cooled him as little drops slid down his muscled back and chest. He shivered, but the shock warmed him better than a fire would have. His muscles clenched and gained warmth all on their own. He spotted an overhang that sheltered Romel, Arthur, Valera and Lauviah from the rain. The Narnians and Peter were running around, packing everything. The nomads as well. Apparently Edmund was the last one up.
He went over and sat down with a thump. Arthur grinned. "How do you feel?"
"Hung over." he growled. He sniffed a sliver of yesterday's rabbit and decided it was well enough to eat cold. A mug of ale and a pot of porridge were waiting for him as well.
"You get nothing you didn't earn." Romel said quietly. He was eating a bowl of porridge as well, sounding just as hung over.
"Why are you here?" Edmund wondered why they weren't busy packing up their own camp.
Romel looked at him a long moment, but Edmund hardly noticed through his headache and the food that suddenly became impossible not to inhale. "Where did you get those bruises?" he asked instead.
Edmund glanced down his own chest and saw the blue bruising there. He knew it was a remnant from his fight with Peter a few days prior. "Sparring."
"I never quite got the point of duels," Arthur commented in the back.
Edmund took another bite out of his very dead rabbit shank. "Is there a reason for your visit?" The red-head's chucklle was interrupted by Romel's voice.
"This is your last chance to turn back." the leader of former immortals said.
Edmund stopped eating and looked up. Suddenly the three of them looked somber. The only one who still seemed blissfully ignorant was Arthur. "And why would I do that?" he asked carefully.
Romel shared a quick glance with Valera. "Because later on it might be too dangerous. The border of Narnia is two hours away. Beyond that it's not so safe."
"I know." Ed said, voice dark. "I've seen it, remember?" No one spoke. "Why would you retract your request now?"
"In case this trip was going to cause unrest between the kings." Valera answered for him.
Edmund had never known her to show much emotion beyond anger, but even this cool a tone made shivers tremble across his skin. "There's no unrest. Never been."
"That's not what we heard last night."
"Valera." Romel said quietly and looked up shyly at Ed. "I need those with us to keep a clear head."
"And you think we can't do that." Edmund concluded. He was very careful not to sound upset.
"I think you have enough problems without babysitting a group of fairytale warriors-"
"Narnians." Edmund looked around at their faces. "You are Narnians." He deliberately loosened his shoulders and returned to his breakfast with renewed vigor. "You're our responsibility to protect and we will protect you as we would any other Narnians."
"Your brother seems-"
"My brother is a king at heart and will act as such should the situation warrant it." Edmund asserted. His brother wasn't for them to doubt or analyze. "Any more questions?" He refused to acknowledge their doubts the same way he would any other who tried to pass judgment on Peter in any negative fashion.
"No. None." Romel finally answered.
"Good." He took a small bite out of the meat, though having lost his appetite. "Then I suggest you return to your packing as I will shortly do. There's much to be done."
They all rose. Romel bowed and left Edmund in shock. Romel had never bowed to him before and he wasn't sure he quite liked it. They left without a word. Only Lauviah glanced back and attempted to smile. Arthur lingered as if to say something, but changed his mind at the last minute.
Cauldron Springs deepened and the water sped faster through the naturally carved canal the closer they came to the Pool. Edmund rode Phillip, quietly contemplating Romel's advice. He had the utmost faith in Peter, but feared the kind of danger that could scare the Irins so. It couldn't be just ogres and Telmarines that had the warriors in such a cautious state. Well maybe given enough of both, he could accept their fear. But the ogres had been fought off years ago and he doubted there were more than a few hundred left in the woods.
The Telmarines were another matter entirely. Whereas the ogres were becoming extinct, the Telmarines were multiplying.
"What's on your mind, Edmund?" Phillip asked quietly.
Edmund smirked as his old friend twisted his neck and looked back. "I'm wondering what to get Lucy for her birthday."
He puffed. "Liar." They were striding slowly towards the back of the group. Phillip usually never took such liberties around others. But the Narnians all knew of the relationship between him and his king whether or not heactually took those liberties. Half of them had unmatched hearing. The other half had surely heard the gossip.
"I wonder if we are as powerful as we think," He looked up at his brother's back. Peter was riding calmly a few meters in front of them.
"You underestimate yourself too often."
He smiled. "No doubt, one of my many flaws."
Phillip let out the equivalent of a Horse chuckle. "I could stay with you, if you'd like?"
He smiled wider and petted his mane affectionately. "You can't traverse the mountain pass, but thank you for the offer."
A few hoof-beats passed in silence before the Horse spoke again. "Is it the Irins you're worried of?"
"I'm worried for them. I wonder why they would ask my help and then turn it down after a week. After speaking with me." The last part was muttered and hardly a conscious statement.
"I cannot speak for them," Phillip sighed. "But if I were to guess, I'd say because they found more than they expected."
"Or less." Edmund mumbled with another long look at Peter's back.
"No. No," Phillip leaned back and lipped his knee. "-definitely more."
His light voice tricked a chuckle from Edmund that made a couple of the guards look up and smile. "You give me more praise than I deserve."
"Well if not I, then who? You are my Boy after all."
"Some would say I'm a man," Edmund answered dryly.
"Luckily I am here to correct them." Phillip answered with a wicker. His steps widened and a distinct bounce entered his walk. Edmund recognized it as a sign of humor. Happiness.
"But what if they wanted someone else? The man I was with them wasn't that different, but he wasn't king."
"Then they will get to know you and love you all over again." His voice softened. "Trust me, King Edmund." He huffed a fly away from his nose. "Would I lead you astray?" He nimbly sidestepped a rock.
Edmund smiled and once again petted his neck, this time grabbing a little tuft of mane and holding on. "No you wouldn't, old friend."
They reached Cauldron Pool after a few hours as promised. Zoren's closest friends, Romel, his pack and half the Narnians stopped and let the others continue. Edmund dismounted his friend and kept a hand on his neck. With a nod from Peter, he turned to bid the Horse goodbye.
"This is where we part,"
Phillip stretched and lipped his hair. "Only for a while, little one."
Ed smirked and slapped his neck jokingly. Phillip responded in kind by snapping at Edmund's jerkin. "Will you promise me to watch my sisters? Take Susan riding sometimes?"
Phillip paused at the sudden seriousness in Edmund's voice. He glanced down before he shared a look with one of the Centaurs who would also be bidding them farewell here. "I'm afraid I have other obligations in your absence."
Edmund looked at the Centaur and back to Phillip. "Which?"
"Myself and a small number of soldiers have been assigned to remain here in the area. A Flacon and a Sparrow will follow you and another Falcon will remain here shoud they send word. Should anything happen one of the Falcons will act as messengers and return to Cair Paravel."
Edmund narrowed his eyes at the Horse and almost saw him shrink. "Did Lucy put you up to this?"
"Queen Susan." He stretched and lipped Ed's hair again in a meek attempt to apologize. "Fear not. Should something happen, be it to you or the queens, we will hear. The Falcons will fly back and warn us."
"And Cillo?" It was the Centaur captain that had accompanied them.
"He does what we all do – what Oreius trains us to do: Go where we are needed." He pushed Edmund back a step with his muzzle. "Don't worry so much."
Edmund couldn't completely wipe the frown from his face, but embraced Phillip nevertheless. He saw Peter shaking hands with Cillo and knew his brother was aware of the Centaur's task. He just wished someone had bothered to let him know.
As he left, he glanced back and saw his Horse nod. A sign of comfort and trust. He sided up next to Lauviah and Arthur. His brother was walking at the front with Zoren. He could see the two speaking quietly together. They were probably going over the various campsites they would utilize. After their group detached from Zoren's.
Lauviah noticed his long stare and closer. With a compassionate smile she reached out and roped her arm with his. "You probably wondered a great deal why Romel bowed to you last night?"
Edmund didn't give any sign that he heard. He kept his eyes stuck on his brother and tried not to glance at Romel. Beside him Arthur glanced over.
"You're a king, Edmund." She sighed. "He doesn't know what to make of that."
"Does that give him the right to treat me as a stranger?" His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke.
Arthur didn't speak, but his expression saddened. He ached to see his friend in such misery. It hurt even more, knowing there was nothing he could do about it.
Lauviah's eyes saddened immeasurabl and she shared a look with Arthury. "Give him time." She refocused on the path, but didn't let go of the king's arm. "He'll come around."
On Edmund's other side Arthur reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.
AN: The made-up hierarchy of the nomads is one of the few things that I'm quite proud of. I know it didn't seem like a lot from what you just read, but I've got three pages of names and family relations in my notes that say otherwise. Hope you enjoyed it?
