The next two days, all the young people at court engaged in feverish discussions and it was all Starbright, Trumardin and the local tutors could do to keep any of them even looking at their books.

But Lune ruled that nothing would be decided until after Tran's father, the Governor of the Lone Islands had arrived. But arrive he did. Just after breakfast on the third day, a Herring Gull brought the news and in mid-afternoon, the Crayer with its two triangular orange sails came up the firth on the tide and a good wind. The wind caught its blue and white ensign; the canton emblazoned with a red rampant lion shining in the sun identifying itself as a Narnian dependency.

Standing behind the ropes at the port were a gaggle of curious onlookers: faun and human fishermen, gutters, lumbermen, oil merchants, wiggle oyster farmers and a few well-to-do townsfolk dressed in all manner of garb. Standing forward on the Principal Trade Dock, watching as the Crayer swung around the breakwater were Tran Dinh waiting to greet his father again, flanked by Crown Prince Cor resplendent in red and white with a green cloak and a silver circlet - involved in his first public International welcome - and Sallowpad, the Raven. He sat imperiously on a very tall perch, held steady by his assistant a Narnian Satyr. The perch was draped in Narnian red and gold, for the Raven was of course now the Narnian ambassador to Archenland. Nearby stood Lord Dar, Master of Archen Trade with an honour guard of ten Archen soldiers, who thumped their spears on the dock as the gangplank came down and Tran Cadeo made his appearance.

He was a friendly and affable man, grinning broadly and dressed much like his son in a long blue woollen tunic buttoned on the left, over white trousers, his long black plaits surmounted by the white crownless turban of his office badged with the Narnian Lion.

Prince Cor stepped forward and executed a click of his heels, inclining his head slightly. "Lord Governor Cadeo, on behalf of my father King Lune, I bid you cordially welcome to Archenland. I trust your journey from Narrowhaven has been comfortable. We have much to discuss." He held out his hand. It was trembling slightly and his light grey-green eyes looked nervous.

Tran Dinh bowed and taking Cor's hand, looked him in the eye, smiling, he said "Indeed we have. And well met Prince Cor. Well does it please me to see you settled into the Archen capital at last. I look forward to getting to know you better. Your fortuitous return to the place of your birth is the talk of the Eastern Sea if you do not mind my saying, or at least it was until the High King Peter and his siblings disappeared, begging your pardon. Please convey my deep gratitude to your father for allowing my son to be fostered and educated here these past few years, even though I am sure I will have the chance to pass on these regards myself."

Then he turned to Sallowpad and bowed, "Lord Ambassador". Sallowpad looked down his great beak, first on one side and then the other with his great black eyes saying:

"It is said that 'there is no better relation than a prudent and faithful friend', my Lord Governor. For my part, I must confess that I have never met you before, but is it not also said that 'Strangers are Friends just waiting to happen'? May today herald the beginning of a new understanding. As we face settling on a new royal family for Narnia, I trust our nation can draw on the wisdom of the Lone Islands, as the Lone Islands has drawn on Narnian wisdom in the past."

"Of course Ambassador Sallowpad. I received a scroll from Narnia several weeks ago that spoke on these matters. I hope we may speak at length this evening or tomorrow?"

"As soon as may be, Governor Cadeo. Though I am sure you have trade business with Lord Dar which may also be urgent, I think you will find that this unprecedented request from my own country has rather put the cat among the pigeons. Better late than never I always say, as the early bird said to the snail."

Sallowpad dipped his head and scratched vigorously behind his head, revealing the reason for his name. The pads under his feet were bright yellow.

"We shall speak briefly tonight but on the morrow our conference must begin in earnest", he croaked.

Lord Dar then stepped forward who bowed slightly and shook the hand of Governor Cadeo and they smiled familiarly. They had met several times before and corresponded regularly. They were due for trade talks in coming days.

Finally, Governor Cadeo looked full upon his son of four and twenty years, who had been standing patiently nearby and opened his arms wide. They embraced and looked at each other with hands on each other's shoulders, smiling. He said, "Dinh, O My Fine Son. It is so very good to see you again. The reports of your progress are no less than what I would expect. You have done your family proud. We have much to talk about you and I, in coming weeks. I want to hear everything."

…

Cor told Aravis all about the encounter that evening and emphasised that yes, the discussions about who would go to Narnia and what their task would be, would definitely begin in earnest the very next day.

And so it was. Tran Dinh and his father Tran Cadeo, Governor of the Lone Islands, joined King Lune, Crown Prince Cor, Prince Corin, Lord Colin and Lord Darrin, all of Archenland; Aravis Tarkheena of Calavar; Shar Khan of the Kaish; and Sallowpad the Raven and his assistant, the Narnian satyr whose name was Firefox, the young people's tutors and a few others. They met in closeted meetings in various combinations, speaking earnestly about the coming king-making in Narnia and sharing their thoughts about who should respond to the invitations and how they should comport themselves, what security detail would go with them and so on.

The first that Aravis attended was just after breakfast on the following morning. It was a fairly informal discussion. They sat in the Lesser Archen Council Hall, a somber flagstone affair with a large oval table, whitewashed walls and a few carved wooden pillars holding up a central roof with pink and green glass side lights. At least the chairs were well padded. She noticed that Tarkaan Breshinda, who had come to Archenland as the Calormene Ambassador only a few days before was absent and she said so early in the meeting.

Lune explained. "Breshinda is new here. He is still settling in Lady Aravis. I have tasked Lord Dar with showing Breshinda around and helping him… 'acclimatise' shall we say? Their talks will be mostly about trade of course."

"But whilst Breshinda appears to have taken it in his stride to have people around who are not sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, (he and his assistant did blink rapidly a few times when they met their Narnian counterparts Ambassador Sallowpad and Master Firefox here I must say), he will quickly come to realise that half the fishing and merchant fleets are run by fauns, satyrs and person's of recent Naiad descent, not to mention a Seal or two."

"We think he and his entourage will definitely need the company of a local Lord who can demonstrate how humans of influence comport ourselves in these parts. And some of that role may well fall to your good self, Aravis, if |I may be so bold, but if we could discuss that matter later?"

He tipped his head graciously at her but looked at the company, and added, "I want to make sure that we gathered here today come to some agreements with each other before any role that Calormen plays in Narnia's King-making is discussed in his presence. Rabadash and the Tisroc may be being cautious with us "northern countries", but a large empire Calormen remains, so my approach is to be cautious in return. And besides, Breshinda is ambassador to Archenland, not Narnia. The fact that Narnia has stood aloof from accepting an ambassador from Calormen since the Rabadash affair is not our direct concern."

With that, Aravis had to be content.

"Now, to business," Lune intoned. "This King-making will be a lengthy affair if this Lord Digory's message is to be taken on face value."

Here he read out the message in full, leaving out any references to the ring.

"Therefore we must consider the absence of several members of our household and maybe even a few members of the populous for several months. Who shall it be and what shall be their tasks, is the ultimate question here today. But we have much to consider before we select the chosen few."

Lord Colin said: "I have read the letter. I am not averse to young people taking the lead in this. Narnia is Aslan's special country after all. He saw fit to install children last time, so the logic stacks up… as much as anything can, I deem." He fell silent looking into the mid distance stroking his beard.

Governor Cadeo took the moment to add his own feelings. He smiled but t'sked and tutted and said "It is all very well to send youngsters along, I am sure. But I am not at all comfortable with leaving these troublesome young nobles from Galma and Terebinthia and Telmar to languish in prison a moment longer than necessary."

All were in agreement on that front. The last thing that Narnia, indeed Archenland needed was raised tensions with neighbours during its time of greatest vulnerability.

Darrin added, "I am also concerned that some of the young nobles who have been locked up may have been caught up in the troubles against their better judgement, perhaps in defence of the Narnians they saw being bullied. I will speak plainly. I know the character of the Telmarines and I like the mood of the Galman Duchy even less, despite their direct claim."

Lune responded saying "Yes, I shall not beat around the bush. Duke Magnis held a grudge against High King Peter and thus Aslan the entire fifteen years of Peter's reign. After all, the Duchy of Galma is a part of the Narnian Royal Family. In straight line succession, Galma has a much more recent claim than Archenland, no matter much intermarriage in all directions. It has steadfastly guarded and defended the shipping lanes into and out of Narnia as the Duchy is sworn to do since it was established back in the year 459; until the White Witch's intrusion of course. Since the disappearance I believe he has been most ambitious for at least one of his sons to be awarded the fruit of the family's long labours."

"I hardly blame him," said Corin, eager to create as much distance between himself and a throne as he possibly could. There were one or two nods. Lune looked at him knowingly.

Tranh Cadeo spoke again. "Certainly, Galma is not a large island and it bore the brunt of the Witch's winter being so close, they never had a proper summer during her entire reign. And we all know that the Galmans have long sought intermarriage in faraway places to disperse its young bloods. But Magnis's aggressiveness and mood of entitlement permeates his entire family. You may have comments on this matter Lord Ambassador Sallowpad."

The huge Raven stood tall on his perch and looking loftily down his long beak said, "I cannot deny the truth you speak Governor Cadeo. For myself I am vastly revlieved there are none of the Galman duchy closeted with us today. For kKnowing Aslan as we do, and knowing the delicacy with which the sacred rule of that land of wonders must be conducted, this mood makes Magnis's sons singularly unsuited. A pity, because their claim is otherwise just."

Colin interjected, "Yes of course Lord Ambassador! Galma's suit is undoubted. But I would have thought the welcome of the young ones from so many lands by High King Peter would have given Magnis's sons particularly, a grand lesson in how open government may be conducted. Narnia has always been an exemplar on that front. And it was certainly a grand diplomatic gesture to the nobility in all the neighbouring countries, which I am sure Peter calculated to reduce the grudge and to influence future attitudes in his neighbours. But with Magnis perpetually in his sons' ears, I imagine, their own ambitions and family ways were probably hard to hold in check."

To that none of the humans at the table had anything to say other than nodding sagely or supportively.

At this point, Sallowpad gave a little bird cough to get their attention.

"Hahem! As you say, Lords. I couldn't agree more, however it was necessary to draw a line in the sand and show these sons of Adam and daughters of Eve some manners as I am sure you appreciate." Here, Sallowpad ruffled his neck hackles rather imposingly. "Which is why I am directed to report that the necessary steps have already been taken. and that the sons of the Duke of Galma are at this very moment being escorted home on a ship. And the minor Comptes and the young Marquis de Telmar are on the way to being shown with grace and firmness to the south-western border of Narnia."

That was news.

"As for the Princess of Terebinthia, her fate is unknown. She first bested the eldest Compte, after she found him trying to relieve a troupe of unarmed dwarves of their tradewares on the way to market – an experience that no doubt threw his precious manhood into utter disarray."

Here he gave a Raven's chuckle, which made the hair on everyone's neck rise, a response that would not surprise you if you have ever heard a raven chuckle.

He continued, "And later it is said she did much the same to the second son of Galma when she came upon him at an inn, misbehaving badly with the daughter of the satyr publicans. It is true the proclivities of satyrs are legendary, but fact is very different from fiction… is it not Firefox?"

At this, Firefox bowed and said in his husky voice: "I believe it is said that the favour of a satyr should be honoured with grace and treated lightly as thistledown, but that the wanton who demands too much is liable to get a swift hoof to the softer parts. For my part I know not whether that is fiction or fact." His words were delivered with a careful balance of candid truth and dry sarcasm.

"Indeed it is so said!" said Lune, chuckling. "And I suspect the saying borders on truth. My friend, you are too coy. But I take it that the young lady in this case, was unable to use her hooves as the maxim described and needed rescuing? This young Terebinthian sounds quite the firebrand. And a warrior of honour and heroism. Alas for her disappearance. I like the sound of her."

Looking across the table, Lune noticed Corin perk up at the description of this warlike young noble lady. "What is her name again?" he asked.

"Anastasia", said Sallowpad. "She is the second eldest child of the King of Terebinthia. Alas indeed King Lune. She is well-liked in Narnia, but once word went out that the visiting nobles must all present to the Council of Legates in Beruna in haste or be rounded up and brought there perforce, she seemed to melt away and she has not been seen since. The King of Terebinthia is justly concerned, as you will appreciate. He sent a delegation to help in the search but to no avail. Our concern is that she was done away with of course, but we think it more likely that a young lady of her valour and woodcraft has simply gone to ground and does not wish to be found. It has been put about through the messenger birds that she is welcome to make an appearance, but this also has not worked."

The discussion continued for the rest of the morning with some brow beating before the young people departed for their lessons with a reminder to not speak about any of the details to anyone.

…

Part 2 coming up.