The point of view of Lord Brandon, loyal knight of Narnia

On our third day in Tashbaan, we were invited to attend a "river party" hosted by Prince Rabadash. I was not sure what exactly a river party meant but hoped it involved a breeze. When our party arrived at the river landing, Prince Rabadash came forward to greet King Edmund with a handshake and kiss the hand of Queen Susan.

"Welcome your Majesties to our royal barge. Your presence is as welcome as the sun rising in the new day" said the prince in a pompous voice.

As we walked towards a large barge with colorful canopies, I heard the Calomene nobles whispering among themselves about us. They were puzzled by our instance on walking instead of being carried by slaves through the streets. They were startled by the appearance of Mr. Tumnus, a faun, the two dwarfs and Sallowpad the Raven, a talking bird. They found our clothes, weapons, skin and hair unusual – some found us attractive while others could not understand while Rabadash was so taken with Queen Susan. Sir Brynn, my closest companion, looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

He murmured "They certainly don't bother to keep their voices down. Do you think they believe us to be deaf as well as fair?"

I replied "I think that King Edmund and Queen Susan are far enough away that they cannot hear these comments."

Brynn replied: "By the Lion, if I hear another comment that is insulting to our queen, I may have to speak to some of these ignorant nobles."

Lord Peridan who was in front of me turned and said "We do not need to stoop to their level of ignorance my friends. Let us not do anything that will embarrass the queen."

As we reached the barge, Prince Rabadash assisted Queen Susan in entering the barge and led her to the largest canopy in the front of the barge. The surface of the barge was a very finely polished wood. Under the canopies were small thick carpets and low sofas with large plush pillows. Female slaves were walking around the barge with trays of delicacies and goblets of cold drinks. A trio of musicians played string instruments.

King Edmund motioned to three of our ladies, Deidre, Nola and Gwenyth and said "Ladies, please attend the queen."

He then turned to Mr. Tumnus and Sallowpad and said "Will you join the queen as well? Please let me know at once if my royal sister requests my presence."

Tarkaan Chlamash, a cousin of Rabadash's, was standing nearby. He was staring at the Queen Susan and Prince Rabadash with narrowed eyes.

King Edmund motioned towards Chlamash and said "This grim cousin of Rabadash makes me uneasy. I wish to speak to him and see what I can learn of him. Lord Peridan, please join me. Lord Brandon and Sir Brynn, of your courtesy, conduct a survey of the barge and let me know if there is anything of concern. The rest of you, my friends, mingle with the Calormenes and learn what you can of these people."

Brynn and I bowed our heads and walked away from our king.

Sir Brynn suggested: "Let us walk around the edge of the barge first and then inspect the interior, my friend."

I nodded and we walked slowly so we would have time to conduct our survey without being too obvious. The barge was rowed by male slaves and did not have any type of sails. It did not seem easy to maneuver.

I commented "By the Lion's Mane, I hope we do not encounter any obstacles or we may be swimming to shore."

We saw small groups of our companions begin to mingle and speak with Calormenes. I noticed that no Calormenes approached us Narnians. We were always the first to speak, to reach out a hand of friendship. This changed however, as we turned a corner close to the front of the barge. Several young Calormene women were standing near the railing giggling and blocking our way forward.

One said "Greetings fair knights. Is not our river lovely?"

Brynn gallantly replied "Aye, the river is lovely but not as lovely as the ladies in this company." They giggled again.

The one who had spoken motioned for a slave and said "Fair knights, you should have a cold drink. It grows hot on the river."

We both took a goblet and raised it in salute before taking a refreshing drink.

The one who had spoken said "I am Tarkheena Azvila."

She then introduced her three companions. I then introduced myself and Brynn.

Tarkheena Lasaraleen, the youngest in the group, asked "Does the sun shine so brightly in Narnia? I have heard it is a cold dark land with much snow and ice."

I politely replied "During the winter, it is indeed cold with snow and ice but even then the sun lights the sky. Most of the year, our weather is fair."

Tarkheena Azvila said "I thought it was snow year round and that is why you do not use litters to travel."

I glanced at Brynn and thought I should not speak the response that came to my mind regarding the litters. We Narnians despised enslaving other humans – or any intelligent creature.

I smiled politely and replied "Before the reign of the High King Peter and his royal siblings, the land indeed was cursed with a hundred years of winter but that time is ended."

Brynn smiled in his most charming way and said "Lovely ladies, we need to return to our king."

They turned as a group to look at King Edmund who was still speaking to Chlamash. They all giggled again.

Azvila said, "Later this afternoon when we reach the summer palace, there will be dancing. We will see you fine gentlemen then, I hope, and your king too."

As we walked away, we heard more giggles. "They are quite silly young women" commented Brynn as we walked away. I nodded in agreement. In this alien land, the men were silent and solemn and the women silly.

I glanced below the front canopy. Queen Susan was sitting on a sofa with Prince Rabadash. Lady Deidre and Lady Gwenyth were sitting on a nearby sofa with Mr. Tumnus. Sallowpad was perched on the edge of the sofa. Two of Rabadash's sisters and a Tarkheena were sitting on a third sofa. Lady Nola was standing near the railing. I noticed that Tumnus looked a bit glum but the ladies were all smiling as Prince Rabadash talked. When Nola saw us, she excused herself and walked over to us.

She motioned her head towards the giggling Tarkheenas and said "Did they have anything intelligent to say or are they as empty-headed as the other Tarkheenas and Princesses on this barge?"

Sir Brynn took his wife's hand and kissed it saying "Narnian ladies are definitely more witty and charming than Calormene ladies."

Nola smiled and said "A very good answer, my husband. Do you agree my lord Brandon?"

"Yes, my lady. Why you have spoken three whole sentences and I have not heard a giggle yet" I replied.

At that Lady Nola did laugh but an intelligent laugh rather than the Tarkheenas' girlish giggles.

I motioned towards the canopy and asked "Is the queen enjoying herself?"

Nola smiled and said "It appears so. Prince Rabadash is charming and is telling us marvelous stories and poems about sights along the river. Her Majesty seems to be delighted with his company. I should return to the queen's side."

Brynn nodded and said "We will go speak with King Edmund and let him know his royal sister is well."

As we walked away, I wondered about this royal courtship. I said "Prince Rabadash seems quite eager to please Queen Susan."

Sir Brynn said "We will have to see how the queen feels after spending more time with the prince."

I asked "Do you think that the queen may accept his proposal and stay here in Calormene? Narnia would not be same without Queen Susan the Gentle at Cair Paraval."

Brynn shrugged his big shoulders and said "Women are a mystery. I have a wife and three sisters and women are still a mystery to me. We will have to wait and see what the queen decides."

We walked towards a smaller canopy where King Edmund and Lord Peridan were in conversation with Tarkaan Chlamash and two other Tarkaans. They were talking about the challenges of horse racing in the desert. Edmund was using all his diplomatic skills to keep the conversation going since none of the Tarkaans were particularly talkative.

When we approached the canopy, Chlamash leapt to his feet and said "Welcome. Why don't you join your king. I have other business to attend to."

He nodded his head slightly and walked away followed by the other two Tarkaans who gave slightly deeper bows to King Edmund as they departed. Brynn and I settled ourselves on the vacant sofa.

Lord Peridan chuckled and said "Well I guess they didn't enjoy the conversation."

King Edmund said "They are a strange people. It was good timing, my friends. By the Lion, I couldn't have thought of one more question to keep that conversation alive."

I asked "Sire, did you learn what you wished of Tarkaan Chlamash?"

King Edmund paused for a moment and then said "I don't believe that these people are looking to be our allies. I think Chlamash is as confused by Prince Rabadash's interest in my sister as we are confused by Queen Susan's interest in the prince."

I was uncertain as how to respond to my king since this was the first time he made a comment that seemed to question his royal sister's judgment regarding this romance.

Lord Peridan said "I believe these lords would be more eager to meet us in combat than they are to entertain us."

King Edmund nodded and then asked "Any interesting findings good knights?"

We explained what we had seen and how the barge operated but reported no dangers other than giggling Tarkheenas eager to dance with us.