Author's Note: Not so long as last time, at least! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Narnia is not mine, but all characters not recognized from the books or movies (which are most of them) are mine.

Chapter the Tenth: The Third Battle of Mount Argyros

9 Quickening 2075, 11:00 pm

Galen looked out of the arrow-slit window over the Anvard courtyard. Despite the late hour, the castle was abuzz with activity. A steady stream of people came in the gate from the many villages around Anvard. Soldiers hurried to and fro on the parapet, stocking arrows and reinforcing stonework. Others bustled in and out of the castle carrying foodstuffs and other parcels. The castle sat over an aquifer, so they did not need to worry about running out of water in the event of a siege, but maintaining a good supply of food and arrows was the primary concern. Galen pulled himself away from the window and turned his attention to the discussion taking place in the Tactical Chamber.

"The Telmarine army is heading for Mount Argyros and the Southern Pass. They bear the standards of the Glasswater, Beaversdam, and Southton garrisons," the scout who had brought the news was explaining, pointing out the positions on the large map that hung on the wall. The scout wore dark breeches and an Archen green tunic and still had his quiver and bow slung over his shoulder.

"General Astrophel, what would you make of this?" King Lorn asked Anvard's master tactician and chess champion.

"The Telmarines seem to be using the same strategy as the first Telmarine invaders did seventy five years ago. I do not believe that the Telmarines would try to cross over via the Stormness Pass. It is far too narrow and treacherous, especially at this time of the year when the snows are just in the process of melting. Mt. Pire has no pass, and its mountain system is far too tight and steep for an army, especially for the tightly structured ranks of Telmarine cavalry and infantry. The Argyros Pass is one of the few passes through the mountains usable to an army, and as you know, my liege, Anvard holds a strategic position over the mountain valleys into which the Argyros Pass leads. According to our good scouts, the Telmarines are marching towards the Argyros Pass. The first time they attempted this the Telmarines did not make it to the Pass, and were defeated before they could set foot around the mountain. I do not think that a traditional attack north of the Pass would be effective in this case, however. The Telmarine Army will have to be reduced to a single column in order to navigate the Pass, a weakness we can easily exploit."

"I agree, your majesty," General Finnian, an almost retired warrior with silver hair and blue eyes, added. "The Telmarine army will have to climb the foothills on the Narnian side first, but the path narrows until here," he pointed at the map, "as it climbs towards Mt. Argyros. There is a point at which the path cuts through a little shale valley. It would not allow more than a column or two to enter at a time, and the steep walls provide the perfect setting for an ambush. We could to hide there and let them come to us until they are trapped."

"An excellent plan, good sirs," King Lorn agreed. "How many men can we muster?"

"Five hundred can be ready to leave by dawn," General Riordan, a comparatively young man with brown hair and steady hazel eyes, answered, and King Lorn nodded his approval.

"King Lorn," Galen interjected. "If I may suggest, perhaps a number of troops should be kept in reserve to protect Anvard in the event that the Telmarines have some sort of trickery in mind."

"What sort of trickery?" General Astrophel inquired.

"When I was growing up in the Shuddering Wood, Telmarine patrols had a habit of executing multi-fronted, coordinated attacks designed to distract and surround their enemy. These became ineffective because Narnians take to the tree tops, but it is this sort of method that Telmarines love to use."

"In any other case I would agree with you, young sir," Astrophel replied. "However, the Telmarines must pass through this valley, and there are no other passes that we know of that are capable of handling an army of this size."

"Indeed, I must agree with General Astrophel," General Riordan said. "Mt. Stormness is too small, and Mt. Pire is impassable. The shale valleys are surrounded with rocky hills that cannot support large infantry columns or the siege mechanisms of which Telmarines are so fond."

"With my thanks to our Narnian friend, consider the matter settled," King Lorn interjected decisively. "We depart at dawn."

10 Quickening 2075

As the early morning sky began to pale and herald the sun's advance, the main Archen army prepared to depart. King Lorn, now fully armed and mounted on his brown war horse, reviewed the main cavalry column composed of Archenland's finest knights. Accompanying the two hundred knights were three hundred archers: two hundred longbows and one hundred mounted recurves. Galen stood on the parapet and watched as the columns formed and awaited the king. In the courtyard below, Lyra and Ayden bade farewell to their parents, and Galen noted with surprise that Queen Laila was mounted on a bay charger beside King Lorn. She wore chain mail and a green tabard and carried a recurve bow and a quiver of grey-feathered arrows. After a few moments, both king and queen cued their mounts to canter. King Lorn took lead of the cavalry column while Queen Laila lead the archers. The deep sound of a horn reached Galen's ears, and the columns sprung forward. In a little while, Lyra and Ayden joined Galen on the parapet and watched until the columns were out of sight.

"I was a trifle surprised that the queen accompanies the army to battle," Galen remarked.

"Mother has always fought by father's side. 'Tis a thing she will not change," Ayden answered.

"Besides," Lyra added with a chuckle, "mother will not entrust father to the care of any other healer."

The first of the sun's rays escaped the horizon and illuminated Anvard's towers, and Ayden left to take care of other matters.

"What do we do now?" Galen asked Lyra, who continued to stare at the painted eastern horizon.

"Pray."

11 Quickening 2075, somewhere near Mt. Argyros, Narnia.

The Archen army navigated the Argyros Pass and arrived at the shale valley in the early morning hours as the stars still twinkled in the indigo sky. By the king's order no fires were lit, but he did permit pavilions to be pitched behind a nearby hill. The valley's sides were blanketed in trees and dusted with the lightest touch of snow. As morning dawned, King Lorn ordered the archers into position. The longbowmen perched in almost every tree along the sides of the little valley, while the cavalry and mounted archers kept out of sight at the south end.

An hour after dawn the tramp of a multitude of feet reached the ears of the concealed Archenlanders. The standards became visible, one by one, as the Telmarine army turned into the valley. The land seemed to hold its breath as the column progressed down the valley. The first infantry column, followed by a column of cavalry and a second infantry column fully entered the valley before the king gave the signal. A high whistle pierced the air, and two hundred grey-fletched arrows gave answer.

12 Quickening 2075, Anvard, Archenland

The second morning since the troops had departed Anvard dawned with a blaze of crimson before the sun hid behind a mantle of clouds. Anvard remained hushed and uneasy. Lyra stood on the top of the north east turret, fitful gusts of wind tousling her hair and rustling the sleeves of her blue dress. Lyra took a deep breath of the moisture-laden air and looked up at the snowy peak of Mt. Argyros. As she uttered a silent prayer, Lyra noticed a hawk circling above. Taking a telescope from her pouch, she focused on the bird, and, recognizing it, hurried down the stairs to the nearest guard.

"Quickly, your gauntlet of your courtesy!"

The guard removed his leather glove and handed it to her.

"Thank you. Please tell the falconer to make haste to this turret!"

The guard hurried off in search of the falconer, and Lyra, glove in hand, ascended to the top of the turret again. The hawk still circled above the castle, and Lyra pulled on the glove and held out her arm. The bird swooped down and alighted on Lyra's arm.

"Vega! 'Tis good to see you my little friend. I hope you bring good tidings." Lyra stroked the bird's feathers, then untied the tiny pouch fastened the the hawk's leg. Vega remained on her mistress's arm as Lyra descended the turret stairs. A moment or two later the falconer came bustling down the corridor, and Lyra handed her hawk to him with instructions to make sure she was well taken care of.

Lyra hurried to the kitchens, where she knew her brother would be this early of a morning. As she suspected, Ayden and Galen were sitting at a table in the corner of the kitchens eating some very tasty looking biscuits.

"Good morn, my lady," Galen greeted.

"Is something amiss, sister?" Ayden inquired as Lyra joined them at the table.

"I hope not, brother. Vega returned bearing a message," Lyra replied as she opened the tiny pouch.

"Who is Vega?" Galen asked.

"My goshawk. Father always takes her with him to battle because she will always return to me, so she can be used to carry messages. Here we are: "Ambush successful. Telmarines in retreat except Glasswater Garrison. Two days' delay at most.""

"Wonderful!" Ayden exclaimed. "We can allow everyone to return home now that there is no threat."

"You might want to refrain from giving that order quite yet," Galen, who was looking out the window, cautioned. The other two looked out as well to see a single rider entering the castle courtyard.

"I'm sure it is nothing to cause alarm," Lyra remarked, although the three hurried to the courtyard nevertheless.

Once in the courtyard, they were met by an exhausted looking soldier leading a very tired horse. The soldier's boots and cloak were covered in dust and mud and his face carried several bruises and scrapes. The Archen standard was almost unrecognizable on his tunic, and beneath the dirt one would imagine his hair to be brown.

"What has transpired, good sir?" Lyra inquired.

"Telmarine cavalry, my lady. You must secure Anvard."

"How? We just received word that the battle goes well near Mt. Argyros."

"Of that I know not, Prince Ayden. I was the only one to escape the outpost on Stormness Head. The Telmarine Royal Guards have crossed the mountains via Stormness Pass and will be upon Anvard within two hours' time. Of this you may be assured."

"You have our deepest gratitude, good sir, for your prompt warning," Lyra said. The soldier bowed and Lyra instructed one of the servants to see to his comfort.

"Telmarine treachery knows no bounds," Galen observed quietly.

"A thing we would have been wise to heed earlier," Ayden acknowledged. "Sir Galen, if you wish, you and Aiolos may make haste for the sea. Should Anvard fall, you would be able to escape to one of the islands and continue to safeguard the Stone Knife."

"Nay, good sir. Aslan will protect this city. I shall run no more."

"Good. Then let us meet these Telmarines with every ounce of strength we can muster."

The green flags of Archenland snapped furiously in the wind, only to hang limp a moment later until the next gust of wind unfurled them. Above the castle the sky was covered in a thick mantle of grey clouds that scurried along as if they had minds of their own. The stout oak gate was closed tightly and the parapet was lined with archers, their longbows bent. Galen stood on the northeast turret with a telescope, his eyes ever on the watch for the Telmarine Royal Guards. He now wore chain mail and a hauberk, over which he wore his grandfather's tabard. On his back was a quiver of arrows, and his good bow leaned next to him on the turret wall. The belt around his waist held two swords: his grandfather's and the one Aslan had given him in the marble stone a week and half before. Ayden and Lyra stood in the middle of the east parapet. Ayden wore chain mail and a hauberk much like Galen's except for his green tabard. Lyra wore a chain mail shirt, leather bracers, and a leather cuirass stamped with the golden Archen gryphon. Her hair was pulled back in a braid and she wore trousers and leather boots instead of her usual skirts. Both Ayden and Lyra held bows and full quivers as well. Ayden took a deep breath and turned towards the rest of the castle.

"Warriors of Archenland," he began, "The Telmarines whom we defeated those many years ago have once again set their swords towards Archenland. As I speak their soldiers are headed for this castle with the intention of subjecting Archenland to Telmar's hand of conquest. I daresay that holding them back will be far from easy, but let us make this our finest hour. I do not presume to speak for us all, but as for myself, while there is yet breath left in my body I will not allow this banner," he pointed to the flag waving on the turrets above them, "to be torn from Anvard's battlements!"

Before he could continue, the castle erupted in a chorus of voices shouting their agreement.

"Prince Ayden!" Galen's voice sounded from the turret. "They are here!"

"Then may Aslan look upon us with favor, and may our arrows be swift and sure. For Archenland and Liberty!"

With this the defenders of Anvard nocked their arrows and turned to look outside the walls. To the northeast a band of horsemen with Telmarine standards suddenly charged out of a valley. The horsemen continued to pour from the mountains but found Anvard's gates closed. Ayden gave the order to fire, and a multitude of Archen arrows whizzed through the air to strike many of the Telmarine invaders. The rest of the Telmarines raised their shields and retreated to the safety of the trees. The thundering of hooves could be heard through the trees, and in a little while a group of Telmarines came out from the protection of the tree line carrying a battering ram. Horsemen surrounded it with shields to protect its bearers as they advanced toward Anvard's gates. Lyra pulled her bowstring back to her ear, and the arrow jumped into the air. One of the horses abruptly jumped and fell beneath its rider, and the other archers followed Lyra's lead. In a moment all twelve horsemen were no longer mounted, which provided clear shots to the battering ram. However, they had reached the gate with it and Anvard's gate shuddered with the first impact. Archen arrows began to whizz all around the battering ram, and several of its bearers fell to the ground. After several more strikes, the Telmarines dropped the battering ram and fled back to the trees.

Suddenly an Archen soldier cried out, a bolt in his shoulder. Other bolts began flying on the north parapet as the Telmarines took aim from the tree tops. The Archenlanders on the north wall returned fire, but could only shoot haphazardly into the trees.

"Save your arrows! We will need them later," Ayden ordered.

By this time, the Telmarines had surrounded Anvard, and now they charged out of the trees firing their crossbows. The Archenlanders let loose a barrage of arrows, which toppled many a Telmarine from his horse despite their attempts to use their shields to block the arrows. After a minute or two the Telmarines retreated either to the trees on the north side or out of longbow range below the other sides. In this position the Telmarines remained for much of the afternoon.

Inside the castle the uneasy Archenlanders tended their wounded and rested a while, but always kept watch on the besiegers. As the sun began to set, a party of Telmarines galloped away to the southwest of Anvard and a little while later a shout rang out from the southwest turret. Lyra, Ayden, Galen, and a few others hurried to the south wall and looked out across the countryside.

"There!" The sentry pointed. "They're burning the village!"

Surely enough, as the sun dipped behind the western mountains, several dark plumes of smoke rose into the air to cloud the crimson-painted sky.

The night turned dark soon enough, and the Archenlanders could see fires flickering far off near the village, as well as where the Telmarines camped just out of range of their arrows.

"We must do something!" Lyra exclaimed, pointing to the smoke.

"What can we do? They outnumber us, and we are hard-pressed to defend this castle as it is, sister."

"We must defeat them, and quickly. We cannot let them pillage Archenland as they please! Does this castle stand here for nothing?"

"Peace, my lady. We will draw the line here, but to attack senselessly will do no good and probably a great deal of harm. The Telmarines have Narnia for the time being, but they will not have Archenland, Aslan willing."

"I dearly hope you are correct, Sir Galen, but I hope you will forgive me if I cannot stand here aloof as the land I love is lain waste," Lyra replied, turning and walking quickly towards the east parapet and fastening a half-cloak around her as she went.

"She speaks the words I would love nothing more to turn to actions if I could," Ayden remarked, "but we do not have the troops to repulse a force this large. We can only hope to hold Anvard until the main Archen army returns."

The only purposeful name in this chapter is Lyra's hawk Vega, which refers to the brightest star in the constellation Lyra and is Arabic for "the swooping eagle".

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