Breath of Life

Chapter 2: That of Daggerhorn

I never felt so nervous since the battle of Aslan How until now. I completely and utterly felt sick to my stomach, for butterflies fluttered about and cold sweat down my spine. The last I saw Brom was when he helped me on my Clydesdale horse, Khal. The mighty stallion to which a brave soul could ride these grand creatures that can live through the harshest season. It's because of Brom did I live in the house of Pendragon. He saved me when…probably when my mother passed away? Since then, he took me under his wing as sister, which Parker, Morgana, and Arthur became my family. How I miss them so.

Also the possibility of Emrys arriving to Narnia? Emrys tis no other wizards in Daggerhorn. No he is the only wizard reincarnated from the first Daggerneze clan. Descended from the great world of Merlin. It may be surprising that I haven't met the wizard in this life. The last I recall of physically encountering him was in Gabriel's past life. Other than that, I received messages from him, either from dreams or letters, full of words of wisdom and by other means. Now he was coming to Narnia all the way from Daggerhorn, to see me. I desperately hope it was good news and not bad ones. I could hardly bear to absorb the information and guesses, in what is happening in Daggerhorn. Yes, a new kingdom has reign, but Brom coming her to negotiate an alliance….the question still stands.

"Maeve," said a voice. I turned around to face Caspian who appeared worry for me. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," I lied.

Caspian scowled, in which he hugged me. "I assure you, that everything is going to be alright."

"But that's just it," I sighed pulling back from his embraced and gazed at the mountains. "Nothing ever seems alright. What if Brom disowns me? Considers me a traitor, a coward? Pendragons don't run from the face of danger…and I ran."

"You're over reacting, Maeve," Caspian said. "Besides you're not a Pendragon, you're a Camelot."

"Am I," I question myself.

"Possibly, but have faith." He said kissing my cheek. "Maybe Lord Brom shall forgive you so desperately to a point he wishes he'll fall to his knees begging forgiveness. And Daggerhorn seeking an alliance first is a good sign of possibilities?"

"Probably," I breathed, all those troubled feelings faded away.

Caspian smiled as he offered an arm in gesture to leave the balcony and go somewhere. I smiled at his generosity and accepted his proposal to join him. Forgetting at the moment of outer circumstances and focused on Narnian duties. It was like any peculiar day, as the council assembled to discuss out the negotiation plans with the giants in Ettinsmoor and preparation from the Daggerneze alliance. We just need to send a massager for permission to come to their lands to discuss an alliance to prevent misconduct and renew friendships. Afterwards they discussed what resources they could use for alliances in trading. Daggerhorn are known for their blacksmithing, forging metals out of iron, steel, and valuable metals of silver, bronze, brass, and gold. When the Council heard about this, they were hesitant on what to make a trade in…Now I think about it; Narnia was still recovering after a thousand years of darkness. From documents that were fortunately saved the Narnians were known for trust, friendship, and politics. If a kingdom was in trouble, they would offer their armies in aid. This wasn't good. Daggerhorn had a grand army, and after thirteen hundred years of suffering, well, words and friendship is something Brom would not succeed. So that left one thing, an arrange marriage. The concept was set out but never brought into discussion, more focused on the negotiation with the giants.

"So it's settled then," Trumpkin declared, wanting to leave this tires meeting.

"I believe so," Caspian said, rolling up a scroll that was larger than any document Narnia have ever made to send word to the giants. "Let's hope the Giants are willing to negotiate . . ."

Yes, let's hope the giants accept the proposal. Otherwise we would have a problem on our hands in defeating them if war comes. It would be the utmost brutal battle in Narnian history. I don't know how King Peter was able to defeat the Giant, but with the advance technology in our time, there's a definitely a chance of victory. From the Catapults down to the trained infantry in Narnian armies. I stared at Caspian, noticing doubt in him. I sighed; it was very common for Caspian to doubt himself since his coronation. There were times he would talk to me personally if he was doing a good job, making his people happy, and not becoming his Uncle. I keep telling him, he was a good kinglike Professor Cornelius predicted. He was the king that united and saved Narnia. But he never had the proper training and experience of leadership until the Revolution. I slipped my hand under the table and grabbed his, giving a reassuring squeeze. He looked up at me and relaxed, mouthing "thank you."

Glenstorm took responsibility in delivering the message followed by his sons and few other Narnians. The once Telmarines weren't prepared for these gigantic measures with all the new changes. It was sad really, though General Glozelle, Prunaprismia, and her son left to the old world of their forefathers. Other Telmarines weren't conformable with the Narnians of old, even when loyal to King Caspian. Many took refuge in Galma. Unlike most kings of Telmarines whose government was domesticated, now the people have liberty on decision. No commands or demanding orders on decision but choices to support this kingdom. In fact the crew for the new navy on the Dawn Treader were men who enlisted not drafted as they are being teaches by Lord Drinian at this very moment for next year voyage.

"Alright, this council is adjourned." Caspian announced.

Gladly, the lords and trusted Narnian court left the council room. I chuckled to see the desperation of those with family have more time to spend with their children. To return to their lands and hopefully not to get summon till next week. Afterwards, Asai rose from his seat when he cocked his head when gazing out the window. We followed his direction to spot Ayden again, as the falcon peck on the panel. Asai let the bird in, who swooped down to the table, landing directly in front of me. A message was tide to his leg, that I open it, to read what news.

"What!" I exclaimed, unable to comprehend what the wizard hard written.

"Is something wrong?" Caspian asked.

"Ah . . . you've seen a dragon before?" I asked.

"Dragons?" Asai asked. "I thought dragons went extinct?"

"Not in Daggerhorn," I explained. "As Narnia has griffins, they have dragons. Wonderful, yet very temperamental. I still wonder how dragon rider tames such notorious beasts…also I thought they went extinct?"

Asai and Caspian gave me a confused look before shaking their heads. I took a deep breath about to explain the history and countless breeds of dragons when Reepicheep ears perked. Reepicheep was still in the room said he encounter a dragon in his younger life. I told the noble mouse to inform the guard to strike any siting of dragons not to fire or attack. For the past three days of being nervous, I was ecstatic like a child on Christmas. Quickly, I stormed out of the room to prepare myself for our new arrival.

.o0o.

Caspian blinked a few times surprised how fast Maeve could be when determined or happy she was. He picked up the scroll reading the message before tilting his head. The words where written in another language, with a shorter summarize in the common tongue on the bottom. Wasn't Daggerhorn an English speaking country like all on this continent? Then again, the Daggerneze weren't exactly human or normal in that factor along with different perspective and point of views in politics, religion, and standards. From what he learned as a kid, the tales the soldier told of a barbaric land where a tyrant ruled over a thousand years. How savage their warriors were, almost barbarians, mercenaries, and assassin. But what caught his attention was their tradition of a manhunt.

The Hunt, an honorable game in deeming one's self powerful if not respected. To learn about the best trained subjects known as helots are trained in the art of survival and fight to the death with Lucifer's Guards. Tales of certain individuals, mainly knights and their vast hunt on these helots who held certain titles: Cormack the stealthy, Parker the brave, and many more. Trained to be the most skilled warriors to seek challenge and honor to kill them; until he met Maeve… well Strider that time. Her story of the Hunt was not what he expected, to learn that not all helots weren't volunteering adult, mostly children drafted as punishment to their tyrant king. That those who rebel shall watch their children die. It was entertainment for the guard to have a game than executing the slave right on the spot.

Now, Caspian wanted to do is help Daggerhorn in the beginning. But Maeve demanded if not begged Caspian not to get involved. For the aid of their once enemy is low on their pride. So Caspian can only do is support Maeve through this mental mess of guessing and waiting. Now receiving messages from Daggerhorn freedom and new government held hope. However, he question if Maeve would return to Daggerhorn? Sure, the lost Princess vowed to never return to her homeland, but deep down she missed her adopted family. Some nights she would cry in her sleep, crying her loved ones name. But, what if, what if she changes her mind and leaves Narnia, leaves him for her Kingdom?

"Sire," Asai spoke out. "I assure you, Maeve would never leave you. Have faith in her, like she holds faith in you."

"You're right," Caspian sighed in relief before realizing Maeve mention dragons.

Centaurs, Minotaur's, dwarves, fauns, Satyrs, Naiads, dryads, talking animals, griffins, and what comes next, Dragons? The king doesn't know if he should be intrigued or worry at the sight of dragons.

.o0o.

Maeve's POV

The tower, I stood in the tallest tower to watch the skies in hope in seeing something. Through night and day, I mainly hang here with Professor Cornelius while he did his lesson on astronomy. I wasn't really paying much attention to the half-dwarf only to the night sky. Waiting. Just waiting for a sign of Emrys or the spirits sending a message. Dragons were very common to Daggerhorn, for our culture mascot was the reptilian being of eternal life; Ouroboros. Before the Dark Ages, dragons and man were once friends. There were a selected few who can be friends with dragons personally to become dragon rider. A connection- a spark- which all characters could communicate with such sacred. However, after the first rebellion Lucifer and his men hunted them down as game. Those who survived the hunt went to the far north along with the elves and dwarves.

"Maeve, are you listening!" Cornelius shouted.

I shook my head and stared at him confused. The professor sighed taking a seat on his stool. I wanted to gain an education like all royal, the professor willing to help. Teaching me writing, reading, history, and astronomy, although mathematic was a complete bust. Sure I can count to the highest number, but asked me to solve an algebra question, and then you would have me lost. Cornelius removes his spectacles, wiping the lenses with a rag.

"You seemed distracted these past few days," he noted. "Must this be Emrys's bidding?"

"Yeah," I breathed, leaning against the rail. "Our Characters have been best of friends since the beginning of life in this world. Though separated by time and vessels, we always remained friends. I never had seen him in this form, only letters until I was capture. But when I saw Ayden back at the How, I knew someday I would see him again. . . It was Emrys who saved my life and brought me to Narnia. Though I don't know how? Magic maybe, but I'm indebted to him till a favor in made."

"Mind telling me more about this great Wizard?" Cornelius asked.

I gladly did, telling the history of Emrys while the Professor wrote this down in his journal. He was fascinated by the magic that excited in this realm, deep magic. The existence of true wizards and witches unlike Jadis: who was not truly a witch but a magical creature that possess magic? To channel ones soul to the element that the gods created for all life!

"Are you still a pagan, Maeve?" Professor Cornelius asked.

I stiffen not knowing what to reply for that question. Changing my attention to the skies, "I was a pagan girl, believing the gods and the spirits that follow the life circles around. Until I hear of a king of salvation, who Aslan was his name. Holding faith that someday a son of the Emperor-beyond-the-Sea could give me atonement. The Daggerneze worship the God of the Deep Magic from the Dawn of Time. Follow by fearing Tash in the south. And finally Ouroboros, the serpent eating his tail who my people praise. We fear, honor, and respect the three mighty deities of this sacred land, a trinity." I explained gazing at my right wrist where the trinity tattoo remained. "Losing my religion to convert in the Narnian ways of hope of the true king; yet at the bridge when the river god has risen to the sound of Aslan roar . . . I held onto that believe. So am I a pagan still? Probably so though showing my respect to the old religion, while I still believe in Aslan."

Cornelius nodded, "It would be difficult to changes oneself so easily compare to others. I appreciate that you didn't surrender your culture like many people have. Though, I'm curious . . . do your people do sacrifices?"

I burst out laughing, "No, what purpose is a sacrifice when the soul would be reborn again? Actually, we hold a celebration, creating shrine and decorate them in worshiping the gods so willing. To compliment a powerful being is consider honorable than to spill the blood of your brother. Tis unnatural if not vile upon sins. . . . To kill an innocent soul shall damn your very own." As I said, staring at my left wrist to eye the helot mark.

Closing my eyes, I hummed a small melody that Granny Willow used to sing before her untimely death. About adventure with the consequences that came for the journey through Darkness. The edge of night, a sad melody, which the hobbits sing time again. There are so many paths we make that the trail behind seems to fade in the shadows we create. Never look back, but keep moving forward. And yet, everybody looks back.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''';;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;'''''''''''''''''''''''

Sorry for the hold up and I shall update as soon as I can.

The song mention is "to the edge of Night" from LORD OF THE RINGS.

Please leave a review

Silent wolf singer