So, last chapter was the twenty chapter mark! So thrilled to have made it this far already! How have you been liking it so far

"Let them see you."

The Gentle Queen smiled at him. "You're nothing like King Judas."

"He's properly called Tisroc, you know." Agatone tried to correct.

Calormene nobleman had nearly all given up on calling Judas by his proper title when in the presence of the Narnian rulers. For some reason unknown to them, the Kings and Queens of Narnia had taken to just calling him King Judas. Judas had corrected them many times, but eventually got tired of keeping of with them and just went along with it, even calling himself King Judas, once in a while.

"Yes... of- of course." The Queen stuttered. "Sorry about that."

Agatone smiled at her embarrassment. "It's nothing, really. We are all used to it by now."

Queen Susan shook her head. "You shouldn't have to be. It's silly, really. When we were younger, Lucy didn't have any idea what a Tisroc was or who we were talking about. When we were around her, we'd just call him King Judas. I suppose it just stuck with us."

"I wish I had that closeness with my own siblings. You all seem to care so deeply for each other." Agatone had never seen a family so close; it wasn't natural to him.

"I suppose I never really considered it as a blessing before. I never took time to appreciate it. That was before... well, before...-"

"Before your loss?"

The Queen only nodded in reply. She turned her head away and her lip quivered slightly, but she didn't yet cry.

"I don't reckon I will have anyone to mourn me so deeply whenever the Great Tash decides it's my time. King Edmund was very lucky. Even though his life was cut short, I know it was more full than mine will ever be." Now it was his time to mourn, mourn for his own future.

The Mistress looked over to him, once more. "You will rule one day, and, when you do, I believe you will find yourself making a world of difference. Calormen needs a king - sorry - Tisroc like you."

"I hope, then, that our ties will be rebuilt. When I am Tisroc, I will do all I can to make things right between our kingdoms."

The Gentle Queen smiled a tender smile, a beautiful smile. "You leave tomorrow, then?"

"That was the plan, however, the stocking hasn't gone as we expected. We may need to stay a little bit longer than anticipated. Do you think the High King would be so agreeing?" It was the main concern of the Calormen travelers that High King Peter would be upset with them staying another day or two.

"I think he might be persuaded." The Queen gave a knowing look, as though she knew something he didn't. He wouldn't inquire. Surely their friendship hadn't gotten quite that far. He only wanted to help the Queen; inquiring after something so unimportant would not be helpful.

"I hope I may have been kind to Her Majesty?"

The Queen laughed lightly. "Most kind, indeed."

PSELPSELPSELPSELPSELPSELPSELPSELPSELPSEL

After her talk with Agatone, Susan went to go find Peter. She visited the healing quarters first, but Iason told her that he'd been released. She had been rather upset at first, but gave the master healer grace. Peter was, after all, was the High King; it was nearly impossible to turn down one of his commands.

If Peter wasn't in heading rooms, then where could he be? Susan had decided to check his study and his room, but both came up empty. She took a quick look around the gardens, but the gardener had reported that he didn't recall seeing the High King that day.

Susan had checked all of places Peter liked to spend his time. She even checked the royal dining and throne rooms. Peter was nowhere to be found. Susan was starting to get concerned for his well-being. It was entirely possible that whoever had tried to poison him had either taken him captive or done away with him. She refused to believe either, though, without some definite proof.

There was only one more place she hadn't checked. The one place she had put off going to look until she had nowhere else to go: Edmund's grave.

Susan set off in a brisk walk down the stairs and out of the throne room. She passed by several guards on the way out who gave her respectful bows at her passing. She barely gave them a nod of acknowledgment as she drove herself on.

It didn't take long for her to maneuver out of the Cair walls and walk out onto the grass.

Susan was just feet away from the graveyard gates when she heard a call from behind her.

"Queen Susan!" It cried.

Susan turned around to see a curly headed faun running toward her.

"Nephtali." She said as he approached.

"My Queen." Nephtali panted, trying to gather his breath. "My Queen- I must- must speak with you."

Susan turned to face him fully, worry in her eyes. "Is Peter all right? I can't find him anywhere."

Nephtali straightened his stance and, once he had finally gained his breath, answered. "I have no idea where His Majesty is. I came on a different accord."

Susan sighed, whether in relief or anxiety, she didn't know. "Then why have you come?"

The faun seemed to become suddenly agitated. "Well... I- uh- I have a confession to make."

"A confession?" Susan asked. "Why would you come to me about this rather than Peter?"

Nephtali cast his eyes down to his hoofed feet. "I didn't want him to get angry with me. I- I was afraid he might kill me. You. You are the Gentle Queen. I had hoped you would be more understanding."

Susan nodded. "What is this all about? What did you do?"

"I didn't want to do it. He made me do it. I was afraid that he would kill me. I had no choice; I had to obey." The faun had tears running down his face and into his stubbly beard.

"Nephtali," Susan took a step closer to him. "What. did you. do?"

"I... I- I p-poisoned the King." The curly headed faun cowered before her, his lip quivering in fear. "I- I swear, I didn't want to do it. I love my King. I was just- I was afraid."

Susan nearly gasped at the horrifying news, but she needed more information. "Who, Nephtali? Who were you afraid of?"

Nephtali looked her straight in the eyes. He opened his mouth to speak. "It wa-" Susan saw a flash of red. The faun jolted, and his shaking stopped.

Only a small gasp passed his lips to finish his sentence. Nephtali fell to the earth before her, a red feathered arrow - a Narnian arrow - protruding from his back.