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: After being knighted, all Katerina Alambiel has to do is discover her past. But, as her quest leads to some unexpected answers, her simple task takes a dangerous turn as enemies who will use any means necessary to force her to reveal the secrets of her past conspire to place her in an impossible situation: Her secrets or Edmund's life...

A/N: Thanks to AragornofRedwall for your review. Glad you like the story. Enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter Twenty: Authenticity

"Your majesty should avoid doing anything to aggravate your shoulder. The wound shows no sign of infection; however, it did require sixteen stitches. You will not do anything to rip those stitches out this time or I will put your arm in a sling to begin with."

Edmund huffed in mock annoyance, "And, tie me to my hammock to end with. Honestly, Alithia, I think you have confused me with my brother because I always follow your instructions and don't try to run off to whatever fight I hear about and nearly get myself killed because of that decision." Alithia smiled down at him as she finished wrapping the bandages around his shoulder.

Edmund grinned back at her as they heard Peter snort in feigned derision, "Oh yes, and which of us is currently being lectured by the healer, good my brother?"

"At least, I didn't get my injuries by going the wrong way around a Giant's club!"

Alithia interrupted with a severe tone that belied her smile, "Majesties, I believe you are to meet with the General and the Captains soon, so perhaps your discussion should be saved for later. King Edmund, make sure you eat before the meeting or I shall personally see that you do for every meal until we return to the Cair and your sisters can take over for me."

Edmund shuddered at the thought and quickly agreed, "I will, Alithia, I will." The healer was scary enough, but if she set the girls on him...he wouldn't get anything done for at least a month and that was if he was lucky and the girls were feeling merciful. Alithia's smile widened and Edmund had no doubt she knew exactly what he had been thinking. Her smile faded when he asked, "How is Kat doing?"

"She sleeps for now and her fever is not as high as it was when Oreius brought her in last night." Edmund nodded though he had half-hoped to hear Kat was awake and being irritable, for lack of a better word, about following Alithia's instructions. She was always irritable when a healer told her she couldn't do something. Actually, she was almost as bad as Peter when it came to cooperating with the healers. Come to think of it, he wasn't sure who every healer in Narnia, except Alithia, dreaded treating more: Kat or Peter...okay, he could occasionally be less than cooperative too but he denied ever being as bad as either Peter or Kat...not that he ever asked the healers their opinion on the matter. Alithia paused before she left the tent and looked back at him, "Eat before the meeting."

Edmund sighed then intoned, "Yes, Alithia."

Peter chuckled after Alithia left. "Come on, Ed, let's go find some food before Alithia follows through on her threat."

Edmund shrugged then followed Peter out of the tent. After all, it was not as though he wasn't hungry. He hoped they had coffee somewhere...and toast, toast would be good. Soldiers everywhere turned to see their Kings make their way through the camp, but Edmund was grateful that none of them came to speak to them yet. Walking with Peter, he was also grateful that his legs were able to hold him up and he wasn't limping about like he had been the night before when Peter and Manel had had to practically carry him to the camp. Fortunately, the liniment Alithia always kept on hand for him and Peter still worked as well as it had the first time she essentially doused them in it with Lucy's help after that first day of training with Oreius before the Battle of Beruna. And, an additional bright point was that, unlike that first time, Oreius was not expecting them to come to training early...although, he had almost missed going to training...not that he would ever admit it.

Lost in thought, he collided with his brother's back when Peter stopped just in front of the awning covering the area set aside for food preparation. "Ow! Peter, what did you stop for?"

Peter opened his mouth to say something, but apparently changed his mind as he just shook his head and stepped aside so Edmund could pass him. Edmund glanced at him, but Peter didn't look like he was plotting something...and unlike himself or Kat, Peter wasn't the best at hiding his thoughts especially when plotting. Dismissing it as his older brother just being odd that morn, Edmund walked into the area and was immediately ambushed. "Ah! What this? So skinny! Momma Amalia fix! Sit! Sit!"

Edmund wasn't quite sure who or what was pushing him rather forcefully toward one of the tables and then he was poked in the back until he sat. He was a bit taken aback when he finally caught sight of the short Sisemaalian woman who looked him up and down with a critical eye. He would have looked at Peter for some explanation, but... He was a little afraid to take his eyes off her, not to mention that ladle she was carrying. The woman tsked in clear disapproval then stated, "Does no eat enough. Too skinny." She hustled off with surprising speed for a woman of her...generous...proportions.

Edmund shook his head, "Why does everyone say that to me? I'm not skinny, I'm lean."

Peter snorted, "They all say it because you are skinny, Ed."

"Am not!" Edmund paused, and then whispered, "Who is she anyway?"

"Are too! And, well...that is Momma Amalia. She is the head cook for the Sisemaalians and we're pretty sure that she's the matriarch too since she cowed the captains into helping us plan and carry out the rescue. And- Uh-oh, she's coming back."

Peter leaned away as Edmund stared at him in surprise. He and Peter had stayed up quite late hashing out the details of why Sisemaalians Edmund recognized as his and Kat's abductors were working side by side with the Narnians, but his brother hadn't mentioned the force apparently known as Momma Amalia. A moment later the formidable lady was back with a plate piled high with steaming food that smelled delicious, which she immediately set in front of Edmund. She glared at him and waved the wooden ladle at him, "Eat!"

He nodded and immediately began to tuck into the Sisemaalian dish comprised of pasta stuffed to the bursting point with meat and covered in a thick meat sauce. He absently wondered if Alithia had shared her instructions with Momma Amalia or maybe Kat was right about there just being something about him that caused every single matriarch he ran into to want to fuss over him and make sure he ate. He finished the dish and was about to ask Peter if he wanted that toast (because Peter had gotten a regular Narnian breakfast brought by one of the Fauns) when Momma Amalia bustled back over and began doling out more of the same pasta and sauce onto his plate. She eyed him up and down as she served him then shook her head and muttered, "Bad, bad lady worse strega than Momma Amalia imagine. Starving little boy-king..." She tsked then declared, "She worse than food-thief!" Edmund darted her ladle a wary glance as she shifted it to her other hand and patted him on the back, "Eat! Not be skinny long, non?"

Edmund kicked Peter under the table when his brother failed to completely stifle his laugh. Peter jerked and scowled at him to which Edmund responded by delving back into the dish much to Momma Amalia's approval. As soon as she left their table again, he leaned toward his brother and whispered, "Bad, bad lady?"

Peter grinned, "That's what she calls Medea."

Edmund snickered, "And, food thieves?"

"Scum of the earth, apparently. So, don't steal any food around Momma Amalia."

Edmund smirked, "No worries. I'll just let her give me as much food as I could possibly want, less hassle...and I don't have to worry about exactly how hard can she swing that ladle."

Peter's grin widened, "Pretty hard, judging by how high Taisto jumped when she smacked him with it during the meeting we had with him and the other captains." He glanced past Edmund, "I hope you're about done with breakfast because Oreius and Ardon are here and I'm pretty sure they're looking for us."

Edmund continued eating, pausing only long enough to swallow then mumble, "You can just tell them I'm following Alithia's instructions."

"Not likely, good my brother."

Edmund ignored Peter's murmured retort in favor of finishing the last few large bites of the dish as the Centaurs approached. He was a little surprised when he glanced up to see Lieutenant Illusin with them, but then Momma Amalia returned with two large wrapped sandwiches, which she immediately pressed into his and Peter's hands. "Here. Eat snack later." She paused and peered up at the three Centaurs, and then she pointed her ladle at Oreius, "You kill Heikki, non?" Oreius nodded solemnly and Momma Amalia frowned before waving her ladle at the General. "I see girl when you carry her through Momma Amalia's kitchens. He got off too easy." Oreius raised an eyebrow at that, but didn't say anything as Momma Amalia nodded decisively. "Si, needed to eat Illa's stew, then you could kill skinny weasel."

Edmund suddenly found the sandwich and its wrapping extremely fascinating as he tried not to laugh as he peeked to see Oreius bow respectfully to the Sisemaalian woman. Apparently satisfied that the General understood her point, Momma Amalia hustled off without another word. Illusin looked somewhat nonplussed as he turned to Ardon, "Dear Lion, you were right."

Ardon chuckled and Oreius smirked. Edmund immediately perked up as he tried to figure out what had provoked such a reaction out of the three Centaurs, "Right about what?"

They looked at each other, then at him, and Ardon grinned. "Majesty, is there anyone in Narnia who Momma Amalia reminds you of?"

Edmund was about to shake his head when it clicked, Peter guffawed, and the brothers exchanged twin grins before turning to the Centaurs and chorusing, "Tuulea!"

Illusin rolled his eyes at the mention of his mother, "Lion preserve us all if those two should ever meet."

Edmund had a sudden vision of what might happen if Tuulea and Momma Amalia were to meet... "There would be a mass exodus from the Cair."

Oreius looked amused, but Edmund suspected the General was ready to get to the morn's business. The Centaur's next words confirmed that suspicion. "Majesties, if you have finished your meal, we are ready to begin the meeting." Edmund and Peter immediately nodded then carried their empty dishes over to the large bin set up for the sole purpose of collecting the used dishes.

By the time they returned to the Centaurs, Lieutenant Illusin had left and the General and Captain were discussing something in hushed tones. As soon as they approached, however, Oreius quickly indicated that they should lead the way to the large meeting pavilion. Walking into the tent, Edmund took a breath to brace himself for the long meeting ahead. The Narnians had much to discuss...

Edmund let out a breath as softly as he could after the senior officers finished detailing their search of Medea's castle and the surrounding area in pursuit of any Fell who escaped the initial attacks. Peter had been dealing with most of the questions while he just listened save for when he asked the occasional question concerning any details he and Peter hadn't already discussed the night before, but now it was time to deal with two very important questions. Ardon was the one who voiced the first question, "What shall we do with the mercenaries who fought beside us under the command of Captain Taisto?"

Peter gave him a questioning glance and Edmund nodded slightly. His brother allowed him to answer the question the way they had discussed during their talks the night before. Edmund took a breath as he met the solemn gazes of all present before he spoke, "Those mercenaries were the ones who attacked Katerina Alambiel and myself on our way to Paavo's outpost. However, once they had taken us prisoner, they did no further harm to us until we attempted an escape. And, they did provide invaluable aid in our rescue. Ultimately, these men were honorable soldiers forced into an untenable position by Heikki and Hendrik. In light of these circumstances, we shall not seek restitution against those Men who fought beside us under the command of Captain Taisto. And, while Narnia has no authority over the decisions of the Sisemaalian court, we shall make a case for leniency for these men even as we turn over the judgment and sentencing of the remnant of Heikki's mercenaries to King Jukka and his court. Unless one of you has an objection, we shall inform Captain Taisto that Narnia absolves him and his people of the actions Heikki's threats compelled them to carry out."

Edmund waited but not one of the officers made a protest. He looked from Oreius to Ardon but neither of his teachers gave any indication of disapproval of the plan he and Peter had hashed out earlier. He let out a breath and sat back down, opening the floor to the next round of questions. Somehow, he wasn't surprised that it was General Oreius who broached the topic of the one other event that was connected with and possibly affected by the events of the past week and a half. "And, what of the summit that is to be held at Cair Paravel next year? Is Sisemaal still invited to send a delegation?"

Edmund resisted the sudden temptation to sigh as he realized the large peace summit was probably going to be even more complicated than originally figured when just dealing with the Carlomene emissary. He wondered how Stonebrook was going to react to the news...probably just instruct him to brush up on Sisemaalian laws and strongly advise that Kat be left outside any room containing Sisemaalians. He glanced back up and flushed slightly as he realized they were still waiting for his answer. "We will not revoke Sisemaal's invitation to send delegates. The events of the last fortnight aside, Sisemaal is still one of our allies...though, we shall ensure that Jukka is aware of the high price his failure to contain Heikki and Hendrik cost Narnia."

Although he normally enjoyed debates, Edmund had to admit that he was glad when the meeting ended only a few minutes later. He was tired and a little hungry, but what he most wanted to do was to slip out of that tent and go see the one person he hadn't seen except for a brief glimpse the night before. Peter silently handed him the still-wrapped sandwich from Momma Amalia before he went with Ardon and Oreius to inform Taisto of the Narnians' decision. Edmund clutched the sandwich close as he walked through the camp to the tent he had been meaning to visit all morning. His smirk grew to an outright grin when he ducked inside and was greeted by an enthusiastic "Edmund!"

He barely gave his eyes time to adjust to the dimmer lighting of the tent's interior before he threw his right arm around the being in front of him, "Philip!"

Hidden from outside eyes, Philip snuffled Edmund's hair then lowered his head and gently butted Edmund in the chest. Edmund hid the slight wince as Philip made contact with the edge of the gash Alithia had stitched up, but Philip noticed anyway. He tossed his head then carefully stretched out his neck as he inhaled, "Edmund, you're hurt. Did Alithia see to you already? Or, shall I call for her? Did I make it worse? I'm sorry."

Edmund reached out and patted Philip on the neck, "No, I'm fine. Really, Philip, we don't have to call Alithia...again. She already stitched me up and it's not really that bad. It's just sore." He paused then carefully combed Philip's forelock, grateful beyond words to see his friend again. The Horse snorted but didn't say anything as he allowed Edmund to continue combing through his forelock, reassuring himself with the light touch that Philip was really there. Edmund swallowed then whispered, "I knew you could do it, Philip. I knew you would find help, I knew it. But, I didn't expect you to come here too, especially since Peter said you had been hurt."

Philip snorted again and then he lowered his head and rested his chin against the back of Edmund's uninjured shoulder, a Horse's hug. Edmund wrapped his right arm back around Philip's neck as Philip whispered, "You're my boy. Of course, I came. I couldn't just leave you without a way to get back home. Besides, a couple scratches weren't going to stop me from finding you. And, Edmund, I'm not going to leave you behind again. You get into too much trouble."

Edmund laughed, "Does this mean you don't want to know what all happened?"

Philip tossed his head, "I wouldn't say that. In fact, I think I should hear all about it so I'll know what kind of trouble to prepare for the next time."

Edmund smirked at Philip's swift objection to being left in the dark about what had happened since they last saw each other. "Well, since we wouldn't want you to be caught unprepared." Philip whickered a soft laugh as he settled himself on the bed of hay and Edmund dropped down next to him. Finally unwrapping the sandwich, he leaned against Philip as he started telling him everything between large bites of the sandwich.

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The camp had fallen silent hours earlier as Oreius walked into the healer's tent. Alithia and Ardon were holding a whispered conversation as they stood just in front of the partition that hid Katerina Alambiel from view. They fell silent as Oreius approached, "How is she?"

Alithia sighed, "She is recovering from the side effects of the poisoning. Her fever finally broke two hours ago and she could wake at any time. She probably won't stay awake long because physical exhaustion and an increased amount of time sleeping is one of henbane's side effects, not to mention her other injuries will also increase the need for rest. However, I don't want to risk her waking up alone."

Oreius frowned as he realized that was probably what Alithia and Ardon had been discussing. "Why not?"

Alithia glanced from him to Ardon then back to Oreius as she answered, "Because when henbane is not used as a poison, it is used in its capacity as a hallucinogenic plant. The line between reality and illusion becomes extremely blurred when under the henbane's influence, and that is without whatever Katerina Alambiel endured with Medea. We have no way of knowing what the witch might have done to take advantage of her drugged state of mind. I don't want to risk the chance that Katerina Alambiel might wake up here alone and injure herself further because she has no sure way of determining the authenticity of her situation. If she becomes agitated and puts pressure on those broken ribs, she could easily end up with a punctured lung. For the same reason, I don't want her to be watched by anyone she doesn't know well."

Oreius met Ardon's eyes and saw the concern in the other Stallion's eyes. He looked down and met Alithia's grey eyes, noting the shadows under them, as he quietly offered a solution that should leave all three of them satisfied, or at least content. "Alithia, I will stay with her. You are obviously exhausted and you'll be no good to us if you're too tired to make sure King Edmund and Katerina Alambiel behave themselves."

"I am obviously exhausted?"

"You are, Alithia."

Ardon's statement resulted in Alithia elbowing him in the ribs. Ignoring her husband as he rubbed ruefully at his ribs, the healer arched an eyebrow at Oreius then nodded, "All right, Lion knows she trusts you the most anyway. If she wakes, make sure she drinks some water. If you think she is in a disproportionate amount of pain, send for me. If her breathing turns to wheezing or it seems like she's truly struggling to breathe, don't waste any time in sending for me. If-" Alithia cut herself off then continued in a softer tone, "If you are concerned by anything, I want you to send for me."

"I will. Now go, neither one of you are of any use if you're overtired." Ardon and Alithia both looked amused before they left the tent. Oreius watched them go then he stepped through the partition. Katerina Alambiel was still motionless on her cot and her breathing wasn't as deep as it should have been, but her color looked better...well, where it wasn't black and blue from her bruises. Oreius sighed as he shifted his weight and settled in to keep watch over her. He couldn't help the wry thought that they really did need to talk about her disconcerting ability to land in the worst kind of trouble, especially if he wasn't around to pull her out of it.

She finally stirred about two hours after he took up the vigil. Oreius felt a nearly overwhelming sense of relief when her eyes opened and there was definite recognition in them when she saw him. She opened her mouth then closed it again. Oreius grabbed a cup of water and carefully slipped a hand behind her head and supported her so she could drink. She coughed then rasped, "Thank you." She paused and watched him with a small amount of uncertainty as he set the cup back down. Oreius chose not to say anything, instead waiting as Katerina Alambiel glanced from him to the roof of the tent then back to him. "Where?"

"You're in the Narnian camp."

She frowned as she repeated her question with a little more intensity. "Where?"

Oreius hesitated as he tried to guess what it was she was listening for that she wasn't hearing, but he hurried to answer when he saw the stubborn gleam in her eyes as she wrapped one hand over the edge of the cot. "We are in the Narnian camp just outside of the castle where Medea was holding you. And, don't even think about trying to leave that cot, Katerina Alambiel, or not only will I help Alithia tie you down, I will also get Ptah to come sit on you."

The tension melted away from Katerina Alambiel as soon as he threatened her with Ptah and she whispered, "Definitely you this time." He raised an eyebrow at that, but she didn't give him the chance to question her. "Edmund. You found him?"

He carefully set a hand on hers, trying to keep her calm and still, as he reassured her, "Yes. Edmund is also here. He's with his brother. Alithia already tended to him. Don't worry about him, he's safe. I have close to twenty soldiers on watch duty around the Kings' tent right now."

She didn't relax, instead she tried to sit up. Oreius quickly pushed against her shoulder just hard enough to keep her flat on her back. She grabbed at his hand and pulled, "No, let go. I have to see him for myself. I need to make sure."

Oreius caught both of her hands in his right hand as he continued to keep her upper torso immobile with his other hand. "Wait. Be still, Katerina Alambiel, you can't go right now." He kept his grip on her hands gentle as he shifted them to rest on her stomach and then he let go until his right hand was simply resting on top of her hands. He moved his other hand from her shoulder to cradle the unbruised side of her face and lowered his voice as he gently ordered, "Look at me, Alambiel, look at me." She finally shifted her gaze to meet his own and he was struck by how lost she looked. He paused a moment as he realized how perilously close she was to being broken. "I promise Edmund is safe. Both of you are safe. You can speak to him when it's morn, I promise."

She searched his eyes and then slowly nodded, "In the morn. What time is it?"

He brushed strands of hair back from her face as he shrugged, "An hour before dawn or thereabout. You should try to sleep."

He could see the exhaustion in her eyes even as she shook her head, "Don't want to sleep."

"Why not?"

That lost look returned as she whispered, "You'll disappear again and I am so tired of that happening and realizing I'm alone."

Oreius didn't say anything as he rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. He met her eyes and knew she probably wouldn't last much longer against her body's need for sleep. He smiled as he teased, "Katerina Alambiel, by the time we return to Cair Paravel the only thing you will want is for me to disappear." A faint smile appeared but it didn't reach her eyes. A few moments later, she was asleep. Oreius sighed as he brushed her hair back from her face again and whispered, "I'm sorry, Alambiel, for not reaching you faster, for not stopping this before you were hurt, before she made you so vulnerable to breaking."

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Katerina opened her eyes. The same tent greeted her as the last time...maybe it was authentic...or Medea had just upped the ante on her illusions. She turned her head, but Oreius was gone and there wasn't anyone else around. She closed her eyes for a moment as she resigned herself to the disappointment that the memory she had hoped was authentic was really just another illusion or perhaps a dream. She opened her eyes again and then she tried to sit up only to gasp at the sharp pain that flared along her ribs. "Katerina Alambiel! Stop right there!"

Alithia was at her side a moment later, carefully lowering her back to the cot. "You have four cracked ribs on one side and two broken ribs on the other, so you can't move quite so carelessly right now."

Katerina gritted her teeth as she asked, "How did it happen?"

Alithia froze, "You don't remember? Heikki's mercenaries beat you when they used you as entertainment at their feast."

Katerina stiffened as she recalled coarse laughter, leering faces, and grabbing hands clenched into fists... She snapped out of the fragmented memories at Alithia's touch on her shoulder and whispered, "No, I don't remember that...most of that night is all jumbled and twisted and I'm not sure what's real and what's not of what I do remember."

Alithia gently squeezed her shoulder, "Do not dwell on it. Fortunately, your ribs are the worst of your injuries." Katerina's gaze flew to meet Alithia's and the healer nodded, "Oreius found you before they could do anything worse." Katerina closed her eyes and silently thanked Aslan for His protection...she hadn't been sure of what exactly Heikki and Hendrik had done to her due to her unreliable memory of the night. Alithia gave her a moment then asked, "How do you feel?"

Katerina opened her eyes as she muttered, "Sore."

Alithia smiled, "That's to be expected. Here give me your hand and I'll help you sit up so I can change your bandages."

A hiss escaped Katerina as she finally managed to sit upright. Her ribs felt like they were on fire and then Alithia started prodding them, which shockingly did nothing to help ease the fiery sensation. She gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to knock Alithia's hands away from her ribs. It wasn't worth the effort, it really wasn't. "Ow."

Alithia ignored her and she lowered her head. Only to raise both eyebrows as she realized she was wearing a rather skimpy bikini top that covered what it had to and not much else to go with the skirt she recalled from earlier with way too much split. Why does it seem that bad guys are compelled to dress the female captive in a skimpy bikini and skirt ensemble? I mean really this is ridiculous...and tacky...and rather humiliating now that I think about it. Hang on, who all saw me like this? "Alithia, who all saw me wearing this?"

"Don't worry, Katerina Alambiel, only Oreius and I know exactly what they forced you to wear. And you know neither of us will say anything about it."

Katerina nodded, "Please tell me you have something else for me to wear." Alithia pointed to the foot of the cot and Katerina perked up as she recognized her own clothing.

Alithia hesitated, then she said, "Katerina Alambiel, there is something else you should know about...when Heikki and his men had you, they cut..."

Katerina stared at her as she recalled a small piece of memory she had been hoping was more illusion than reality. She grabbed her hair and pulled it forward. Alithia silently gave her a hand mirror and Katerina's jaw dropped as she surveyed the full extent of the damage, "Unbelievable. I mean it's bad enough that they cut my hair, but they didn't stop there, did they? No, they had to do a horrible job of it too." She looked up at Alithia as she asked, "Can you fix it?"

Nearly an hour later, with help from Alithia, Katerina was dressed in a dark blue over tunic, silver-grey under tunic, and black leggings...and her spare boots. She stared at the mirror again and sighed just a little as she eyed her new much shorter hairstyle, "Tuulea's not going to be happy when she sees what happened to my hair...I'm not thrilled either. No, actually I'm still rather annoyed about the fact that a bunch of idiots chopped my hair off. What?"

Alithia shrugged, "It is just a little surprising to see you this annoyed about your hair."

"I'm annoyed because I didn't want my hair cut and I had been growing it out since I was fourteen. It was down to my hips when I took all the hairpins out and undid all the braids and now...it's almost a full inch above my shoulders because that's what it took to fix the mess they made out of it. I can't really put it up right now either."

Alithia touched her shoulder, "Now that you've identified the source of your annoyance, are you up to seeing the Kings?"

Katerina sighed, "Might as well get it over with...otherwise they'll be underfoot every time we turn around." Alithia grinned as she helped Katerina stand. Her ribs hurt every time she took a step, but other than that, Katerina thought she was doing well considering everything she had been through in the last... "Alithia, what is the date?"

"It is the twelfth of Fairdawn." Alithia kept a supportive hand under Katerina's right elbow as they moved through the camp at a much slower pace than Katerina would have liked.

"Ten days...I thought it had been longer. Though I suppose the fact that it wasn't is actually a good thing."

Alithia didn't respond to Katerina's muttered musing as she stopped them in front of a tent, instead she quietly pointed Katerina toward the entrance. "The Kings are inside and I suspect you will find Oreius and Ardon and possibly even Sherket inside as well."

Katerina didn't let herself hesitate. She entered the tent and the low buzz of conversation ceased the moment she did so as everyone inside turned their heads to see who had come in. A heavy weight brushed against her leg and she looked down to see first Sherket and then Sefu glide by in silent greeting as the Leopards left the tent. Looking back up, she carefully walked forward to where Peter, Edmund, Oreius, and Ardon all stood on the other side of a large camp table covered in several documents, "Are you disowning me again?"

Edmund smirked, "Not this time. And, I told you that's not what happened last time."

"So you tell me." Katerina looked Edmund over and thanked Aslan that he seemed no worse for wear since she last saw him, though he was being careful of his left shoulder. "Then, what is it? And, why does Peter look guilty?"

Peter jerked, "I do not!"

Katerina would have smiled but the bruises on her face prevented her from even trying as she mildly retorted, "Yes you do. So, either you are disowning me again or it's something diplomatic that you need me to sign, but you don't think I'll want to do it."

Peter and Edmund exchanged a look and Katerina shook her head, "Just spit it out. What do I need to sign?"

"Well..." Edmund hesitated then shook his head and slid the three documents over to her, "Here read for yourself."

Katerina didn't show any emotion as she read over the official pardon, plea for leniency, and recommendation of judgment by Narnia to Jukka, King of Sisemaal, concerning the soldiers under the command of Captain Taisto. Edmund quietly stated, "Kat, you don't have to sign those documents if you don't want to, it's not necessary."

"Is it not?" She questioned as she reached for a quill and signed her name to each of the three documents.

She looked up as someone else entered the tent and took an involuntary step back when she heard the thick Sisemaalian accent. A ringing sounded as Heikki's voice filled her ears taunting and whispering crude suggestions. She took a breath and her ribs protested with a sharp jab of pain that cleared her head. She recognized the Sisemaalians as Taisto and his second-in-command, Torre, they called him, and she clenched her fists at the sudden impulse to put as much distance between herself and the two Sisemaalians swept over her. Oreius shifted from where he was standing on her right and grabbed her elbow, giving her something else to focus on as he murmured, "Steady, Sepphora."

As she watched the Sisemaalians collect the documents and leave, Katerina Alambiel felt the weight of everything that had happened to her over the last ten days hit her. She pulled away from Oreius and carefully walked back to the tent where Alithia was waiting. She didn't say another word all day. She couldn't find the words as she started trying to quietly putting the pieces together...it would be even easier to do so once she figured out what it was that had broken.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! All right, so fairly un-angsty chapter, there's even fluff in this one. Now, admittedly, Kat still isn't quite herself but...well, with everything she's been through, it just wasn't possible for her to bounce back immediately. Four chapters left, I hope to have the next chapter up soon. Please leave a review below and let me know what you thought about this chapter.