A/N: WOW I really didn't think I'd ever be revisiting Sophia and her adventures in Narnia. However, I think quarantine has me going in a different way. The ONLY way this can possibly stay alive is with YOUR FEEDBACK. Tell me what you want to see happen! Tell me the parts you enjoy. Tell me the parts that you hate! Tell me what you had for breakfast yesterday! Keep me motivated! I hope you enjoy Chapter 2!

"I accept the Lady's challenge." Sophia's mouth nearly dropped to her toes, as a young man bearing the crest of a lion on his doublet walked out from the crowd. The King of Narnia. Sophia gasped, lightly. No one from the Narnian congregation ever even interacted with the ladies of the ward exchange. They only attend it as a formality. They've never had a ward since the beginning of the tradition. Sophia thought to herself. Well, he does seem interested.

"Excellent!" Victor shouted, clapping his hands together. "The duel shall begin when both parties assume the position." He then winked at his sister, and vanished into the buzzing congregation. Sophia took time to examine her challenger as he walked toward the field. Lean, with long dark hair, and piercing dark eyes, he looked about twenty. How on earth is he a king? Sophia thought to herself. He finally reached the field and bowed.

"My lady." she raised her eyebrow at the heavily accented voice. It was rare that a royal bowed first in a first meeting with someone of lower stature, and Sophia was taken aback. She quickly regained her composure and replied with the expected curtsey.

"Your majesty." The young man seemed hesitant to continue. "Is something the matter?" she asked.

"I was wondering if your ladyship would take an early reprieve to change into clothing more suitable for a duel." he stated, glancing at her dress. Is he being serious?

"With all due respect, majesty. I have been trained according to appropriate circumstance" she said with a heated tone. "I doubt my violent adversaries would allow me such a privilege." The young king looked shocked.

"Apologies. I did not mean to offend, my lady." he said, and he was sincere. Another shock to the daughter of the duke. "I do not wish to harm you." he stated, rather awkwardly. For a king, he doesn't seem rather smart when it comes to women holding weapons. She thought to herself.

"And I do not wish to harm you." she replied, smirking. Once again, the king looked shocked, but in an amused sort of way.

"Then we shall begin?" he asked, grinning.

"We shall, indeed." The two assumed the position, each eyeing the other carefully. A hush fell over the usually boisterous crowd.

Then it began

Swords clanging, twirling, slashing. The fight began with purpose. Sophia's skirt billowing through each of her movements. She still maintained her grace as she stabbed and swung. The King, while more experienced, was rather slow. He took a more aggressive approach to his fighting. Sophia took a more calculated stance. She was fast and could judge the movements of her opponents rather quickly. The two's energy did not falter as they continued. Sophia gritted her teeth and started attacking viciously, bringing a look of shock to the face of The King. He began to defend himself with a variation of complicated parries. Slicing through the air, the movements of the blades were clearly heard around the field. They each remained concentrated on their opponents. One last swing and…

Sophia's eyes widened as she watched a sword clatter to the ground in front of her. My sword. She slowly looked up at the king who sheathed his own sword, before picking up hers and handing it to her. What? No winner of a duel ever handed the losing sword to its owner. It simply wasn't custom. Sophia took her sword and curtseyed again.

"Majesty." She said.

"My Lady." He said in due response. "You are a superior swordswoman." The girl raised her eyes at his compliment.

"But, Majesty." she said. "I lost the duel." she turned her eyes downward. Before the king could respond. Victor jumped out from the crowd.

"The winner! King Caspian the Tenth of Narnia!" He bellowed. The crowd applauded politely. "Now if you will all make your way back into the manor, the bidding will begin after dinner." Everyone turned to leave, and Victor sauntered up to Sophia.

"That was amazing, Sophia." he said as he lead her back to the house. Sophia was still confused.

"Victor, I lost the duel." she said. "Why are you congratulating me?" Victor turned and stared at his sister with wide eyes. Is he alright? He looks like he just swallowed a bug.

"Sophia!" He exclaimed loudly, causing his sister to jump.

"What?"

"No one has ever begun to dream of lasting as long as you did against any of the Narnian kings!" He blubbered excitedly. "The mere fact that you lasted more than four minutes in the duel, is enough to prove your worth on the field. Now come on. Let's go check your card!" her brother whined. I can't believe this. He's nineteen, yet he's still such a child. She laughed as she allowed herself to be dragged away by her older brother.

"I don't believe it." Sophia murmured, staring at her card. Four stamps. I've gotten four stamps! The Lone Isles: It's far, but the king is a good man. Owlswood: It doesn't even matter, they've nothing to trade except feathers and luxury items. Calormen. She shuddered involuntarily. I doubt I can stay there without a constant bad taste in my mouth. And this one. I've never seen it before. She turned to her brother, who pulled her into a tight hug.

"Congratulations, little flower." he whispered into her ear.

"Thank you, Victor." she said, relaxing. "Victor, do you know who's crest this is." she asked, pointing to the unknown crest. Victor's eyes widened to the size of dishes.

"Narnian." he said, in awe. Sophia's jaw dropped.

"What?" she whispered. "They haven't picked a ward in all the two thousand years of this tradition!"

"Well don't act so offended!" Victor cried. "That King saw something in you!" Victor said, before smirking and adapting a high pitched voice. "And you didn't even need to show him your ahem interesting needlework." He finished in laughter. Sophia shoved him lightly.

"Oh shut up." She said and watched with an amused smile as he walked away and was immediately bombarded by a gaggle of girls. She giggled. Serves him right. The prat. A voice being cleared behind her caused Sophia to turn around. She turned to find herself face to face with a Prince Saadaan of Calormen. The prince was a tall, skinny boy of about seventeen. With dark skin, beady eyes, and a pointed beard, he looked as suspicious as he was.

"Your highness." she said, dutifully curtsying. The prince stared down at Sophia as if she were an ant, not making any move to bow.

"Interesting stunt you pulled, girl." Sophia was shocked. Well, I suppose the formalities have been abandoned.

"Thank you, highness." She responded softly.

"That wasn't a compliment." The prince snapped. He leaned in closer to the girl. "Just be aware that when you come for your stay at Calormen, that will not be tolerated." Sophia was shocked, but hid her surprise under a smirk.

"What makes you so sure that I'll be accompanying you back to Calormen?" she asked haughtily.

"Because I know that I can offer that infantile brother of yours an offer he won't be able to refuse." The prince snarled. "How are your granaries doing in the lay season?" he asked, smiling maliciously. Sophia's heart dropped to her stomach. Whoever offers aid with the harvests will immediately win the bid. The prince noticed the change of Sophia's expression and chuckled evilly.

"I'll see you at the bidding, tonight, girl." With that, he stormed away. Sophia was heartbroken. She knew that if she went to Calormen, she would be subject to the prince and his burning gaze as well as his disrespect for five whole years. The girl began to walk around the manor, deep in her thoughts. What'll I do? Maybe if I run away? My horse can carry me to the shore. No, I'd need heavy supplies for that. Maybe I cou- Her thoughts were interrupted as she crashed into something large and muscular. They both toppled to the floor. Sophia looked up to see none other than the King of Narnia. She quickly scrambled to her feet.

"Y-your majesty! I'm so sorry. I don't know what I was thinking!" The girl was stuttering frantically, and the king was sitting on his bottom and staring wildly at the floor. Sophia stopped talking and just stared at the king. "I-is everything alright?" she asked quietly. The king began to laugh. Sophia took a step back. The king continued to laugh a pleasant laugh. All right, I think the Narnian king has been completely taken by the wine. The king stood up, wiping tears from his eyes.

"Ah." He said. "I suppose I deserved that." he said. Sophia looked confused.

"What do you mean, your majesty?" she asked. He chuckled.

"Well I knocked your sword down, so you ended up knocking me down. I suppose it's only fair." The king had a kind natured smile on his face, and Sophia immediately felt comfortable with him. He seems friendly. She thought allowing herself to relax. The king looked down at the girl with a genuine smile.

"Will you walk with me, Lady Sophia?" he asked gently.

"If it pleases your majesty." She replied with due courtesy. They began to walk.

"What was troubling you?" asked the king. Sophia smiled and raised one eyebrow.

"How did you know I was troubled, majesty?" she asked.

"I've had my fair share of maidens run into me while being distracted with their problems." he responded nonchalantly.

"You mean the other two queens of Narnia." she said.

"Indeed." he began. "they never seem to pay attention to where they're going. Now tell me, what caused you to run into me?" he asked kindly.

"Only worrying about where I shall be sent for the next five years." the king nodded his head in understanding.

"That can be a taxing thought." he said. "Well, where do you not want to go?" Sophia was quick to respond.

"Definitely not Owlswood. All they'd do is put me in pretty dresses and feed me until I was bursting at the seams." The king laughed at this. "Not Calormen either, however they seem to be ready to put the best agreement on the table for my family and our people." she sighed.

"And you're not in objection to spending your next years in Narnia?" he asked. Sophia shook her head.

"Not at all, your majesty. No maiden of title from Archenland besides the princess has ever been there. It seems like a lovely place." she said.

"I'm glad to hear it." he replied. They continued their walk in silence. Finally, the king turned to Sophia. "I do not want you to be afraid, my lady. If you do not wish to be in Calormen, I will ensure you are not in Calormen. I myself would not trust my own friends in the hands of those two princes and their father." Sophia stood in blank shock.

"Majesty, how did you kn-?" the king cut her off

"One hears rumors." He said. "Unfortunately, my lady, I must go and prepare myself for dinner. We are all about to have a long night ahead of us." with that, the king bowed and took his leave. Sophia was left to her thoughts once again

As was custom, the bidding for the daughter of the duke began last, around midnight. The king of Archenland had taken the Baroness of Arrowmead's daughter. The king of the Lone Isles laid claim to the daughter of the count of Westerly and relinquished his claim on Sophia. The king of Owlswood took the daughter of the Marquis and also relieved his claim on Sophia. The only ones left were the Narnian King and the Tisroc of Calormen. The Tisroc was a tall man with the same appearance as his son and the same temperament. The whole table went quiet with anticipation. Sophia was seated in between her father and brother. She gripped the tablecloth. Her knuckles turned white, and her breathing was shallow. She watched as Prince Saadaan made eye contact with her and smirked evilly. She began to tremble in anger. Feeling an arm on her shoulder, Sophia looked up to see her father staring down at her with his calming chocolate eyes. He nodded as if to say you'll be alright. Sophia's father was not a bad man. The death of a wife can drive anyone to partial madness. In his own bout of grief, the duke neglected to care for his young daughter, and the task was left to his son of fifteen years old and the girl's nurse. Three years later, and the duke was more attentive to his children and his subjects. Still a quiet man, he reserved his speech for the most important moments. Moments such as this.

"As Calormen has laid first claim to my daughter, they shall have first rights to procure an agreement." he said quietly but with purpose. A hush fell around the giant dining table. Everyone was eager to see which country would win the rights to the Lady Sophia. The Tisroc of Calormen stood.

"We offer twelve crates of gold for the lady's rights, as well as twenty-seven of the finest Calormene horses." Sophia was appalled. Am I honestly being traded for horses? she thought angrily. The gold is granted for the daughter of a duke, but this? Of course they wouldn't place their best offers on the table, yet. They want to see how little they can pay for me. She turned to her older brother, whose stony expression gave no thoughts away.

"This is my sister we are discussing." He said lazily, running his finger around the circumference of his goblet. "Surely she, being the swordswoman she is, is worth more than some beasts."

"Of course." replied the Calormene ruler. "I amend my agreement to include one fourth of the Calormene summer harvest." Silence. Sophia's chest tightened. No. However, her brother, was not impressed.

"They'd call me a slaver if I simply agreed to the exchange based on an extra sack of grain." he said. Sophia grinned inwardly. No one had ever tiptoed so carefully around an insult towards the Tisroc. The Calormen ruler's face was a testament to that.

"Understandable." he said through gritted teeth. "I add a token of one half of the Calormene summer harvest, as well as all the stores from our two largest granaries." Noticing the fear that jumped to Sophia's face, the Tisroc, as well as his son, grinned evilly. Victor's eyes widened and he just stared at the generous offer proposed by the Calormen ruler.

"Your grace?" A heavily accented voice interrupted the silence. Sophia's head whipped around to stare at the King of Narnia. Save me. She thought to herself. Sophia noticed the eyes of the Tisroc and prince narrow considerably.

"We laid first claim to the girl." said Prince Saadaan through gritted teeth. The Narnian King barely even glanced at the rude prince.

"Yes, and your agreement contained a sum no bigger than my left toe." he replied. Sophia had to hold back a laugh. This is perfect. she thought. "I offer thirteen troves of Narnian silk, a selection of any Narnian ship in our navy, twenty crates of gold, and I match every single ounce of grain offered in the Calormene agreement." as the list was constructed, Sophia's jaw dropped. That is absolutely ridiculous. How did h-

"I consent!" exclaimed Victor with a goofy grin. He glanced at his father, who gave him the nod of approval. Sophia couldn't help the smile that erupted on her face, and she took care to make sure that the Calormene congregation saw it. Turning to the Narnian king she mouthed,

"Thank you." which was returned with a slight inclination of the head as if to say It was nothing, my friend.