The rising sun filtered through the window of the luscious guest room, caressing the sides of the open shades, and landing upon the empty bed. There was not a wrinkle out of place, as though no one had slept in it that night.

All of this was why the morning maid received the fright of her young life when she found the young man upon the floor. He was sprawled out, in nothing except his undergarments, as though he had fallen and died before he had even gotten into bed. She couldn't help the scream that escaped her lips before she covered her mouth with her own hand. The body jerked violently at the noise and scrambled into a standing position with fists raised. At this, the unfortunate maid fainted dead away.

The room tilted and dipped as Arrosh oriented himself from getting up so quickly. By Tash, who had screamed? Why? There was a thud and with a blink Arrosh saw a young woman on the floor. A maid, presumably. Color rushed to his face as he realized what he was in - or what he wasn't in, rather. He crossed the room to the wardrobe provided to him and covered himself before returning to the woman.

He crouched over her some, patting her face kindly, almost afraid to touch her barbarian pale skin, "Miss? Wake up, miss." She was young compared to the other servants he had seen around here. Her hair was a fair blonde that peeped out of her cap, face smooth and never touched by a whip. Why had she been in his room? Were maids supposed to do that? He couldn't remember. Iliz rarely spoke of what she did in the great houses but was always more interested in playing after she was released.

The maid blinked and gave a small groan before fully opening her eyes. As she took in the foreign boy above her her eyes widened and she rocketed up, colliding with him. Both fell back in mutual pain and rubbing their foreheads. "I do apologize, sir! Oh, I'm so sorry." She began to babble as she got up, "I was just coming in to do my work and I saw you there on the floor. I thought you were dead and I apologize, sir. I've only just started you see and -" She looked down, her face heating up, "I'm sorry to trouble you, sir. I'll be going now, sir." She bobbed a curtsy and began to leave.

"Wait," Arrosh picked himself off the floor, "What's your name?"

The girl paled, "My name is Fesh, sir." Her hands shook before she hid them behind her back as she waited to be dismissed. Was this what it had been like for his sister whenever she had gotten into trouble?

Arrosh nodded a bit, "No need to be sorry, Fesh. I shouldn't have been on the floor in the first place." He looked down, at least it was easier to talk to someone of his own station. Next time, he would simply have to overcome the fact that the bed felt as though it were going to swallow him whole. Not that he would be here for much longer. They were to leave this afternoon on a ship for Calormen.

Fesh didn't seem to know what to say but managed a curtsy, "Breakfast is in an hour, sir. Just ask anyone and they'll show you where to go." She turned to go.

"Miss Fesh, please," Arrosh called after her, giving her the smile he knew made a person at ease, "Call me Arrosh. I am not the tisroc, may he live forever, or anyone of great importance."

She gave a small grin in return, "I'm afraid I cannot, sir." She dipped her head some to hide her face, "You are the long lost brother of the queen and far from not being important." She curtsied again, "I thank you for the thought, though." With that, she went on her way.

Arrosh frowned. He wasn't sure he liked the thought of that. But if it was what it took to get Iliz then so be it. If he had to pretend he loved Aravis as his own kin then he would. Anything. He had already proven that after what he had done. Unfortunately, actions taken in anger tend to bring severe consequences. Hopefully, this would be enough to still get his sister back. She was all he had left.

XXX

Aravis paced the room, her hand cupping her chin, as she counted the steps. 1, 2, 3, 4… 30 large paces. Her eyes went to the empty bed, rumpled with an ill night's sleep, and her speed increased. 123456…. Of course, something would happen right before an important journey. When would Cor get back here?

She stopped her pacing and took a breath. It was just a visitor from Narnia. Why did she feel so worried? There was nothing to be upset about surely. It was just that nobody had come from there since the disappearance of the kings and queens - and that the visitor had come in the dead of night.

The creak of the door came and Cor popped his head in. Aravis felt her heart sink at the look on his face. Something was terribly wrong.

He started to mutter something to her before he shook his head, "I won't tell it a hundred different times to everyone. If you could gather Corin, and the advisors together in the council room, I would much appreciate it."

"What are we to do with Arrosh?" She asked before he could leave, "Breakfast is in 10 minutes."

Cor waved his hand, his head a million miles away from that problem now, "Uh, give him to Ram and have a tour given - with servants mind you. I don't want them getting into trouble." He gave her an apologetic look, "I'm sorry, Aravis, I have to go now. I'll see you in the council room in 15 minutes and explain everything." He left before she could say anymore.

Aravis took a breath and set to work. Fluttering her hands in a worry wouldn't get anything done.

XXX

Arrosh meandered about the halls, both sickened and in awe of the place around him. How could people live in such a place? Well, he had once but not for long. What sort of person would he be if he had? Passing a clock, he realized that it was nearly time for the morning meal. He managed to locate some form of a manservant.

"I was told breakfast was soon." He said, embarrassed to be asking or ordering anyone anything. People were supposed to be ordering him. "Would you mind showing me where it is? I'm afraid I'm rather lost."

The man looked him over and a smile grew on his face, "Why, of course, sire, right this way." He began to lead him away, "I'm Ude, by the way. You must be Queen Aravis' brother. You've caused quite a to do around the palace I must say." He turned a corner, "Everyone is dying to get a look at you. Say, you're the spitting image of your sister." Another corner was turned, "They say you come from the bottom, right? Right. I was meant to be your valet but it was decided they didn't want to overwhelm you." They came to a large set of double doors, "Here you are, sir. Have a good meal." He opened the door and left before Arrosh could get as much as a word out.

"Uncle Rosh!" Came the child's voice of his newfound nephew, "Dad and Mum are doing something really important so you get to have breakfast with me!"

Arrosh felt his heart drop but kept it from his face and voice, "Is that so, little one?" He went and sat next to Ram, "What happens after breakfast?" Silently, he prayed that nothing so important to have delayed their journey happened.

Food was placed before him and he nearly balked at it. It was far from what was the norm in Calormen. Last night he hadn't even noticed the taste of his food since he was so relieved. Before him was slices of bread toasted with a whitish-yellow melting square on top, strips of cooked meat, and a heap of light yellow substance. Tentatively, he took a bite of the heap of yellow. Not dreadful.

"Usually, I would go to start my schooling," Ram said between bites of food. "But today I get to give you a tour with Mister Lunten!" He shoveled a few more bites in, "He says he'll be waiting for us outside of the kitchens."

"And where will I be shown around? Inside? Outside?" Arrosh decided that the boy didn't care how he ate and he wasn't going to know the boy long enough to care what he thought of him. He set to shoveling the food in his mouth. Never knew when it would be his last meal after all.

Ram, as Arrosh expected he would, took no notice of how his newfound uncle ate. Uncle Corin ate like a slob in front of the family so it didn't matter much to him. At Arrosh's question, he waved his hand, "Inside is boring! You'll see the stuff on the way to the kitchen but after that, it'll be the great outdoors!" He started to squirm, food nearly finished, "There are the training grounds. Where they keep the hounds. The archery range. The -"

Arrosh waved his hands with a smile, "Woah, woah, woah, kid. You got to leave at least a couple of them a surprise!" This was the last thing in the world that he wanted to do right now. Preparing to leave? More than anything. Not being dragged around by a nephew he never even knew he had. He liked the boy and all but he had a little sister to get back.

XXX

The council sat around the table in a solemn circle. Cor looked more frazzled than a king ought to when appearing before his subjects. His curly hair stuck out at odd ends and it was evident that he hadn't slept that night. Yet, through the appearance, he didn't seem panicked or unsure of himself. A king never betrayed fear before his subjects.

"To save you from the suspense, I will tell all of you the problem we are facing first and then give you the details." He placed his hands on the table and looked to Aravis, "Narnia is under attack."

XXX

A/N - Hey all! Turns out there is quite a lot to do during quarantine than I suspected.

Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! They really are the only thing that kept me from giving up on this. :)