A Wound Reopened

Saedra sat silently on a wooden box, watching Talia hike up her skirts and carefully hop on one foot down the deck of the Splendor Hyaline. Peter was watching his step-daughter carefully, throwing his head back and laughing when Talia stopped and made some inaudible remark to him and Lucy. They were playing Hopscotch, a game Lucy was teaching them to keep Talia occupied during the trip, under the bright sunshine as the ship sailed south.

Saedra smiled at the sight of the three of them so happy. Peter and Talia had become so close over the winter months, and any doubts about whether Talia should have come along on the trip were easily assuaged by the sight in front of her. The shy, subservient slave Saedra had met in Tashbaan had melted away into a confident twelve-year-old who was growing like a weed. She was still thin and perhaps not as developed as the other girls her age in Anvard, but she was sweet and funny, and smart as a whip-which had posed a problem for a pregnant Saedra hoping to conceal her secret.

Of all the people Saedra had to hide the truth from, Talia was the hardest. After all, Saedra was not only Talia's teacher since Gilda was back in Harden acting as Regent, but she also trained Talia with physical lessons as well, teaching her all she knew about sword-fighting and horse-riding. For though the memories of being in a helpless situation in the saloon in Narrowhaven no longer tormented her in the way they used to, Saedra never forgot how important it was that Talia know how to defend herself in any situation.

It was the sword lessons that posed the problem for Saedra. Remanda had told her that, according to Symptommes of Pregnancie in Human Females, she wouldn't start to show until she was in Tashbaan. But to Saedra's dismay, a little bump had started to form soon after her vomiting ended, and the bump had steadily grown until Saedra had to wear empire-waist dresses with strategic frills to hide it. (Peter had been so busy with planning for the confrontation with the Tisroc that he hadn't noticed her bump, collapsing into bed late each night.) Even though Saedra could still easily move freely, it was likely that the movements would allow her dress to betray her new shape, prompting questions she didn't care to answer. Thus, Saedra had gradually moved their focus to book-reading, assigning Talia books from the library, and having Susan and Lucy train Talia so that she "could get a more well-rounded education in fighting."

"Didn't feel like playing?" a low voice sounded to Saedra's left, making her jump.

It was Edmund.

"Oh, no," she replied, smiling and pushing her hair back from her face. "It's more fun to just watch."

"Mm..."

He followed her gaze and watched as the High King of Narnia held his crown on his head as he hopped around like a boy.

Suddenly Edmund said, "Walk with me."

She blinked and stood up. "Okay!"

They walked along the railing of the ship for a moment, the breeze billowing Saedra's skirt and hair.

"So...care to tell me what you've been up to?" Edmund asked casually.

Confused, Saedra said, "Well, I've been trying to get in as much studying with Talia as we could before we left-"

"No, no, no. What you're really up to," he said shaking his head.

She stopped walking. "What do you mean?"

"You're hiding something, Sae, and I want to know what it is. You always get this look when you're scheming something, and you've had that look for a month now. Does it have to do with Sadris? Because if it is, it's better that we know so we can help you."

"We?"

"Peter, Lu, and I."

"Are you asking on behalf of them as well, or is this just your idea that I'm hiding something?"

"Just me. They have nothing to do with this."

She looked up at Edmund for a moment, thinking quickly. Then she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the cabin, shutting the door behind them. When she turned to face him, he had a half-grin on his face, as if he'd known she would give in and tell him.

"Oh, don't give me that look!" she laughed, pulling back the curtains over the window to let some light into the dark room. "I'm not scheming anything. I just..."

Her smiled faded into wistful expression as her hand automatically moved to her abdomen, a habit she'd developed when she was alone.

Edmund watched her silently, taking in her sudden mood change. His eyes trailed down to her hand, which was cradling a slight bump. With fabric pulled back by her hand, there was no mistaking what rested underneath. Edmund's face paled; he walked over to the window slowly, swallowing.

She turned and faced him, and she knew by the look on his face that she didn't need to speak. Yet she couldn't bear the stunned silence, so she choked, "Ed-"

He held up his hand almost violently, cutting her off. He seemed to be trying to control his breathing, and his lips were a thin line. "Why did you come on this trip?"

"Y-you're mad at me because I came on the trip?"

He merely waited for her answer, staring into her eyes.

Somehow, she didn't think that was the reason he was upset. "Edmund, he's my husband-" she implored.

"Why did you come?" he repeated, growling.

"What was I supposed to do, Ed? Stay home and let the chance to find out Sadris' secret pass me by? You know me better than that!"

"What of the danger? It was one thing bringing Talia around, Aslan knows she can defend herself if worse comes to worst, but bringing a child into this and endangering your health-"

Tears burned in the corner of Saedra's eyes. She'd fought with Peter, Susan, and Lucy before, but Edmund berating her so viciously...looking so betrayed...

She swallowed and said, "We'll be back in Narnia long before the child is born, Edmund, so stop pretending that you're so furious that I came on the trip!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" he sneered, turning away from her as if she was too foul to be looked at.

Saedra's stomach clenched. "Ed, stop-" she begged. "Can't we just be...mature...about this. Surely you knew that Peter and I-"

"What you and Peter do is none of my business!" he snapped, his nostrils flaring.

"Then why are you so damned angry?" she demanded, furiously wiping at a tear that had trailed onto her face. She hated herself for becoming so emotional, hated herself for hurting Edmund so much.

"I'm just angry you're putting the heir to the Narnian throne—my nephew or niece—in jeopardy! What you're implying is—simply preposterous. I couldn't care less—I mean, there's no way we—so the assumption that-" he sputtered, red in the face.

"Ed," Saedra whispered, going to him and resting her hand on his arm.

He jerked the hand away. "I'm marrying Rahai, Saedra. I'm marrying Rahai."

Saedra felt like she'd been punched. "What? How-did you ask her?"

"I intend to as soon as the confrontation is over," he said, not meeting her eyes.

"Ed," she sobbed. "Ed, look at me."

He didn't-or couldn't. "I'm marrying Rahai. So all of this business about jealousy, or whatever dramatic nonsense you're saying, is irrelevant."

He headed to the door.

"I never said you were jealous-" she started, but the door slammed behind him.

Saedra felt sick for the rest of the day. A clenching in her stomach that had nothing to do with the physical presence of the baby ate away at her insides. She had had no idea that Edmund would take it so hard. Hadn't they been down this road countless times? Could they never escape the curse upon them? Could they never outgrow the longing that always simmered silently in the background? It had seemed to go away when they were separated, but it had reappeared in full force with her pregnancy-for him, and thus for her.

She stayed inside for the rest of the day, and but it wasn't until dinner that she was missed. Peter peeked into their bedroom to find her lying on her back, fingers interlocked over her stomach.

"Sae, we're about to eat."

She inclined her head and merely studied him: his happy tan face, messy long blonde hair, scruffy face, his twinkling eyes...

Why isn't that enough for you, Saedra? she asked herself. The perfect man is right before you, and still care so much for his moody, less handsome younger brother? She knew her assessment of Edmund was hardly fair, but she wasn't feeling generous towards him at the moment.

He walked over to her. "You all right?"

She gave a tiny smile. "Give me your hands."

He obliged, and she placed them on the sides of her stomach, watching his face the whole time. As she moved his hands over the small lump, his face became a mixture of emotions, the foremost of which was disbelief.

He cleared his throat. "Ah...we're...we're..."

"Having a baby, yes," she smiled, feeling suddenly nervous about his reaction. What would he say? Did he want to be a father so soon? They'd never talked about it. Would he yell at her about coming to Tashbaan like Edmund did?

Her fears were banished when his face broke out into a huge grin, he yelled with joy, and bent over threw his arms around her, kissing her all over her face.

Saedra grinned, hugging and kissing him back. "Oh, do let me breathe!" she laughed, weak with relief. He hadn't been angry.

He held his face an inch from hers. "When will he-or she-be born?"

"When the leaves start to fall," she replied.

He swooped in and kissed her again.

They didn't make the announcement that night, nor for the rest of the trip down. They didn't know the proper decorum for releasing such news to the world, but they decided to minimize the risk to Saedra by keeping the news from everyone but their family. That meant telling only Talia, Edmund, and Lucy.

Talia was first, and she squealed with delight when she found out, doing a little dance around the room. After being warned not to tell anyone, she plied her parents with questions and details, such as, "When will the baby be born?" and, "Can I teach it to shoot when it's old enough?"

Saedra was afraid that Edmund would give away that she'd told him the news before Peter, but he was politely congratulatory while Lucy went crazy. They held a private little party in the cabin, drinking wine and having snacks. Edmund even brought himself to be polite to Saedra, though only once did their eyes meet in a look that revealed to her that he was still hurt.

For the rest of the trip, Saedra was treated like the Princess she was, expected to rest all the time and given absurd amounts of food. She went along with it because she saw how excited her family was, but got tired of doing nothing all day (though of course there is little to do aboard a ship if you're a passenger). She felt like she was going to explode from all the eating, so she was relieved when they reached Tashbaan, though she knew Peter, Edmund, and Lucy had a big task in front of them.

Determined not to be left out of the excitement, Saedra made it quite clear to her concerned husband that she was not an infant and that, unless he locked her in the cabin, she wouldn't stay indoors all day. He looked like he had half a mind to do as she said and lock her away, but then he softened and said she could observe his meeting with the Tisroc.

As planned back in Narnia, a pre-written letter was delivered to the Tisroc as soon as the fleet sailed magnificently into Tashbaan. The letter requested that the Tisroc himself come and meet with them aboard the Splendor Hyaline the next day, and also requested the presence of all of the nobles implicated in the documents that Rahai had secured for Edmund. It was rather bold-and potentially dangerous-to in essence demand that the Tisroc himself leave the safety of the city, but they'd decided it was best to show that Narnia wasn't afraid of Calormen. They guaranteed the Tisroc's safe passage and promised that he may bring a reasonable amount of personal guards with him.

Late that night, Edmund knocked on Peter and Saedra's door with a surprise.

"Rahai?" Saedra squealed when she saw her cousin standing next to Edmund, looking very happy.

"Wha-how did she get here?" Peter asked Edmund while the women embraced.

"I used my special sneaking skills and got her out," Edmund said, looking very pleased with himself. "Our watch didn't even see me leave."

"Saedra..." Rahai said, eyes wide when she pulled back. "You're..."

"Pregnant, yes," Saedra beamed.

Rahai shrieked with delight, squeezing Saedra tight. She plied Saedra with questions about when she was due, and when she was satisfied, Peter intervened.

"Why don't we go into the sitting room?" Peter asked.

"So Ahoshta didn't find out about what you did-or did he?" Saedra asked after they settled themselves.

She was purposefully ignoring how Edmund had plopped himself down next to Rahai and was massaging her hand.

"Oh, no, he sure didn't!" Rahai laughed in her melodic, accented voice. "In fact, he's under the impression that we're betrothed."

"Poor, poor man!" Saedra exclaimed over all the laughter.

"Yes, it was quite a pain to keep the pretenses up, but I knew how important it was that he never question my devotion," Rahai smiled at Edmund.

Edmund smiled back, squeezing her hand.

"What's all this, Ed?" Peter asked suspiciously, looking from him to Rahai.

Edmund looked at his older brother and said triumphantly, "Rahai has agreed to marry me."

Peter's eyebrows shot up in surprise, while Saedra plastered a congratulatory smile on her face and hugged her cousin yet again.

"Yes, though it wasn't the most romantic setting..." Edmund grinned, looking down at Rahai.

"Oh, stop!" she protested, grey eyes sparkling with delight and affection. "It was memorable, that's all that matters."

"Care to clue us in?" Peter asked, laughing.

Saedra wasn't sure she wanted to hear all about Edmund's proposal, but looked as eager and as care free as she could.

"Well, I almost scared poor Rahai to death when I climbed in through her window-" Edmund started.

"-I did scream rather loudly when I saw him creeping around in the dark-" Rahai giggled.

"-and so I assured her quickly who I was and that I came to bring her back to my ship-"

"-but I didn't quite understand why he needed me there, since my testimony against Ahoshta wouldn't count because I'm a woman-"

"-and then I had to spell it out to her that it was because I wanted to marry her-"

"-and of course I was shocked, but very surprised, and asked if he was sure-"

"-and I was, and asked her if that was okay with her-"

"-and I said yes-"

"-and so we came back here," Edmund concluded, exhaling.

"How did you get to land and back?" Peter asked.

"Rowboat," Edmund said simply. "We must tell our watch to be more careful. They were most surprised when Rahai and I came climbing over the side."

The four of them spent the rest of the night talking, until Saedra started to nod off from tiredness. The next day, Lucy and Talia heard the good news about Edmund and Rahai, and were just doing a little dance when the Tisroc's boats came into view. There were five of them, small but ornately decorated and gleaming in the sunlight.

"They're early," Lucy observed.

"Probably trying to use whatever intimidation tactics they can," Edmund said, and turned to the steward. "Signal to the other ships that the Tisroc's here, just in case they haven't noticed. We'll commence the meeting early."

The steward did so, and soon a fat plank joined the Splendor Hyaline and the Tisroc's main ship. The Tisroc was carried across in a litter by eight handsome male slaves. Guards bearing large scimitars guarded him on all sides.

All of the customary bows and good wishes were exchanged between the Narnian Kings and Queen and the Tisroc, and then the real talks began.

"I have complied with all of your wishes, High King," the Tisroc said to Peter. "I have brought half my court with me at your special request as you can see in the boats, and as many guards. Now, what is this about?"

"You have been most accommodating, oh Tisroc," Peter said, looking very impressive in his fine clothing and gold crown. "My brother, King Edmund, is the right owner of this tale, and so I will allow him to speak."

Edmund stepped forward and related the whole story of how the taxes never reached Narnia from the Lone Islands, how he'd gone undercover as a slave, and how he'd managed to secure the incriminating document from Ahoshta's own home. He didn't name Rahai in it at all, but took the blame himself.

By the end of the presentation, the Tisroc looked furious, wrinkling the document with the names of the nobles involved as his fist clenched. The Kings and Queen managed not to look disturbed, but Rahai and Saedra exchanged worried glances behind their backs.

"You're telling me that my own people—my own subjects—have been plotting to start a war with your country and your territories?" the Tisroc seethed.

"Yes, oh Tisroc," Peter said, looking cool and collected. "We thought you would like to know, since we knew that you in your wisdom wouldn't wish for any further hostilities between our countries."

"Guards!" the Tisroc yelled.

"Yes, oh Tisroc?" the captain said.

The Tisroc thrust the list into the guard's hands. "Arrest them. All of them."

"Who, oh Tisroc?" the confused guard asked.

"Every one! Every single person on the list is to be thrown into prison, and their assets seized until I decide what to do with them."

The guard faltered a moment, then gathered his wits and hollered, throwing up his arms helplessly, "You heard the Tisroc, men, do as he says!"

In all of the Calormen boats, shouting and pandemonium broke out as the nobles scrambled to hide and evade the soldiers. Some even jumped off the ships, only to be caught in the water by nets thrown by the guards.

Saedra knew her uncle Cradish was in there somewhere, but couldn't make herself feel badly about it; she'd never grown attached to the man. She looked over at Rahai and saw that she was biting her lip.

Rahai saw Saedra watching her and whispered, "He's my father, Sae, no matter what he's done. And I…"

"Did the right thing," Saedra said firmly.

Perhaps Saedra spoke too loudly, for the Tisroc noticed Rahai and said, "What's she doing here? Isn't she Cradish's girl?"

"That is something I would speak to your Worshipfulness about," Edmund said loudly over the noise. "Since Ahoshta Tarkaan is on the list, I would like to take his place and marry this Tarkheena."

The Tisroc waved his hand distractedly. "Take her, take her. She's no use to me."

That was probably the first time Rahai looked pleased for someone to be dismissive of her.

Lucy sidled up to Saedra and smiled. "Well, it looks like our little adventure is over already."

"Not yet," Saedra said, thinking of a particular note and key her grandmother had given her. She turned to Rahai.

"I need to get into your house."