Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: In the aftermath of rescuing Queen Lucy from an evil sorcerer, Katerina Alambiel struggles to find her place while some of the Narnians closest to the Pevensies still question her motives. And, finding herself in the middle of an assassination plot against the High King himself doesn't exactly help her to fit in.

Warning: There will be mentions of torture, murder, and some scary moments. So, this is a mid to high T.

Chapter Ten: Shadowed

I cannot believe I'm hearing this. Why can't these people understand that I wasn't involved in trying to kill Peter or Sarti. Katerina hid a grimace and corrected herself because she knew very well that Oreius believed in her innocence and so did Peter and Ardon, if only because they trusted Oreius' word on the matter. No, the problem was that Pyrrhos was even louder, more obnoxious, and more belligerent about her guilt than Alaois had been six months ago. Unspoken was the accusation that she was a witch, but everyone in the meeting knew it was there.

Pyrrhos stood tall as he finally came to the end of what had proved to be a very longwinded speech. "The Tiger Sarti's testimony of remembering two versions of events and your majesty's own lack of recall points to the use of sorcery in this blatant attempt on your life. The only person who has no such tampering with their memories is the one who benefits most from a favorable telling of events. It is most convenient for events to play out this way."

Katerina firmly tamped down on her temper before she spoke again. "Captain Pyrrhos, have you considered that I am telling the truth?"

The old Satyr gave her look full of condescension and distrust, "I suppose you deny that sorcery was involved in the attempt on the High King's life?"

"No." Katerina felt a flicker of amusement as the Satyr captain stepped back in surprise at her candid answer, then she continued with a confidence that surprised herself. "It is obvious that sorcery was involved, how else can you explain the conflicting evidence that is found solely in Sarti's testimony? However, I was not involved with performing such sorcery nor could I accomplish such a feat as I do not possess the power, skill, or knowledge to do so. The fact of the matter is that an attempt on the High King's life occurred by assassins whom I gather are not the average lot and they seemed to be aided by sorcery. I know I am not responsible for this attack and, whether you choose to believe me or not, rest assured that I will do everything possible to prevent such an attack from occurring again and to find the one who is actually behind this plot against the High King."

Pyrrhos scowled, "You speak as if you know there will be more attempts on the High King's life. Perhaps you also know when, where, and how these attempts will be made or even the name of the mastermind behind these attempts?"

Katerina paused and looked at Oreius, who gave her brief nod, then she turned back to Pyrrhos. "Unfortunately, I do not know the specifics other than there will be another attempt to kill the High King. However, I do know the name of the one who is the mastermind of this plot. A sorcerer by the name of Jambres."

Pyrrhos stepped closer to her and suspicion crept into his voice as he questioned her, "And, just how do you know the name of this sorcerer?"

Katerina didn't even blink as she stated, "One of the assassins told me."

A strange mix of triumph, suspicion, and disbelief entered Pyrrhos' voice as the old Satyr stepped even closer to her. "One of the assassins told you? Why would they do such a thing? Unless…unless you already knew of Jambres and his plot. You decided to back Jambres instead of Jannes, which is the real reason you slew Jannes. Kill a rival sorcerer and be perceived as an ally and friend to the royals until the opportune moment presented itself for your real plan to be enacted. It took a while, though, so your master, or perhaps even partner, decided to arrange an attack to hurry you along, of course that's if there really were other assassins in the lodge. Either way your master Jambres did you a disservice since he revealed your part in the plot prematurely."

Katerina repressed the urge to throw something very heavy at the irritating Satyr's head, maybe it would knock some reality into him but she rather doubted it. "Captain Pyrrhos, let me make myself perfectly clear to you and everyone else. Jambres is neither my master nor my partner. I never heard of him before this afternoon. I am not a witch, a traitor, a spy, or an assassin. The only disservice Jambres did me was deciding to imply that I am working with him when those willing to believe such a thing are around. I did not already know of Jambres or his plot. I found out about the plot when one of two assassins decided to jump out of the shadows. The assassins were not what I would consider normal, but they were very real. They were quick and strong and they spoke like a reptilian, and since I have never heard or encountered anyone like that, I think it's next to impossible for me to have made them up. Of course, I also think it is rather farfetched that you seem to believe I am capable of such deception and cunning when you speak to me as if I've less wit than a stone. And, let's not forget that there isn't much of a reason to wait until I was out here alone with the High King if I were to accidently kill him. The logical plan would have been to have a training accident shortly after I chose to accept the invitation to stay in Cair Paravel when it still would have been believable for me to make such a mistake and have the High King suffer the effects. Of course, the odds of that happening were slim to none anyway since I was not allowed to spar with any but the sword masters until two months ago, which was well after I could be excused as a beginner with unfortunate luck should such an accident have occurred. So, the most reasonable and logical conclusion is that I am telling the truth and there are a pair of assassins, who also happen to be in the employ of a sorcerer, waiting for the opportune moment to attack the High King again."

Pyrrhos stepped back and shook his head in disgust, "You are insane."

Katerina shrugged, "Probably, but it doesn't mean I'm wrong."

Peter stirred from his spot and looked at the two Centaurs expectantly, "General, Captain, you both look like you have something to add. Perhaps a theory as to the identity of these assassins?"

Katerina straightened slightly as Oreius and Ardon exchanged a look before Oreius nodded for the captain to speak. "Your majesty, the description shared by Katerina Alambiel is unusual and puts me in mind of a race of creatures who were never friends of Narnia, the Muhuru. They were a reptilian people who lived far to the southwest of Carlomen, but they were oft hired to come north and kill defenders or diplomats and once a king of Archenland as well as a king of Narnia. They were capable of blending into the shadows as if they were part of them and they would use this skill readily in their assassinations and kidnappings. After King Gale's youngest daughter and niece were killed, he led a campaign to wipe out them out. As far as anyone knew, the campaign was a success as the Muhuru were never seen again." Ardon paused and gave Katerina an assessing look before he continued. "The likelihood of Muhuru reappearing over six hundred years later is slim, though not completely impossible especially if a sorcerer is involved."

Pyrrhos gave a skeptical snort but for once the Satyr said nothing as Peter looked from the Centaurs to Katerina then he asked in a low voice, "Were the Muhuru known for leaving no scent behind?"

Katerina knew the answer as soon as both Oreius and Ardon glanced at her before Ardon answered the king, "No, your majesty."

Peter sighed, "An extinct race of assassins, who leave no scent behind, and another sorcerer up to no good. Well, Katerina Alambiel, I have to admit that since you came, life in Narnia has certainly become even more interesting."

Katerina gave him a quick smile, "Are you rescinding my invitation?"

The three captains and General Oreius all froze as Peter raised his eyebrows at her, and then slowly shook his head. "You've not done a single thing that would warrant such an action on my part. Besides, I do not want to be the one to send you away when Lucy is so attached to your company." She bowed her head in acquiescence and Peter dismissed everyone. She left the tent and breathed a prayer of thanks that she hadn't been condemned, well, except for in Pyrrhos' mind.

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Jambres smirked as he watched the Centaur general attempt to secure the camp to the point that his assassins could not enter without being spotted. Oh, if only he knew that they were already closer than he could guess. Jambres set his spell into motion and gloated as danger crept through the shadows towards the Narnians and their precious High King. When this was over, he would have Narnia and Alambiel at his beck and call.

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Katerina Alambiel quietly walked through the woods just north of where they had made camp. After three hours of stares, glares, and whispers, she just had to get away. She had ducked into her tent with every intention of just hiding out there until morning, but after an hour, it proved almost as irritating as being on the receiving end of the soldiers' gossip and suspicion. She had wandered over to the north boundary near one of the Faun archers who looked askance at her presence until he was called away by Alaois. She took the opportunity to leave the camp completely and steadily worked her way to the old pavilion. It was a thirty-five minute walk, and her absence had probably been discovered by now but she figured if she apologized enough times, eventually Oreius would forgive her for slipping out of camp without telling anyone again. She just needed to be alone for a little bit.

She reached the columns framing the remains of the pavilion and ran her hand over the cool, weatherworn surface. The feel of the rough texture helped anchor her as everything that had happened in the past two days replayed itself in her thoughts. She scowled as the fact that yet another evil sorcerer was trying to make her his pawn and scapegoat crossed her mind. It was only the second time, but she was already tired of it.

At least, there aren't any Werewolves this time. Just extinct assassins being helped along by sorcery. Katerina froze as a new thought occurred to her. She had something still to do before she officially called it a night. She abruptly left the pavilion and hurried into the shadowed woods while above her the full moon was suddenly shrouded by black clouds.

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Peter looked up at the sound of someone entering his tent, his hand straying to Rhindon out of habit. Then he relaxed as he recognized his visitor. "Oh, it's you, Katerina. Did you need something?"

Katerina nodded silently as she stepped closer to him. Peter frowned as he realized something was missing. "I say, Katerina, did you lose your-" He never got the chance to finish as Katerina lunged forward and buried her knife in his shoulder. He choked as pain crashed over him in waves. Katerina smirked and blew a kiss at him before she ran out of the tent. He staggered after her, but he only managed to clear his tent and fall to his knees in front of a startled Oreius and Sherket before the last of his strength fled and he lost his fight against the looming blackness.

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A/N: I know, I know, I am an evil and cruel author to create such a cliffhanger. Please read and review! Review and I'll post the next chapter faster! Click the little review button below and tell me what you think will (or want to) happen next.