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: Not all shields look as we expected... Not all shields are physical...

Chapter Four

32 Stormfall 1001

Eight days after I was introduced to the new love of my life, Cair Paravel's massive and stuffed-to-the-gills-with-books library, I was supposed to meet with Captain Cletus for a light round of sword training in one of the lower training courtyards. I was still waiting to receive the end results of the little project I had given Baumur and he refused to relinquish my cuirass when Captain Cletus had attempted to acquire it for me yesterday, or so I was told by Edmund who had witnessed the exchange. Of course, the lack of cuirass (and my secret project) meant that Oreius had forbidden me (again) from participating in the regimen of training I had been pre-shield incident. He had informed me of this decision early yesterday morning, and I responded with the simple promise of causing him as much grief as I possibly could by not only running my 'escort' ragged but also by going through the armory and hiding whatever weapons and armor tweaked my fancy. My admittedly immature (but extremely fun to say) threat resulted in a compromise: I wouldn't return to full training for at least another week and Oreius would allow me to participate in light training under Cletus' supervision. I had a feeling that the main reason Oreius agreed to compromise was due to the fact that he wasn't sure if I was insane enough to carry out my threat. Actually, I don't know if I would have done it or not, but it would be rather entertaining to witness Oreius' reaction if I ever did it...from a safe distance, of course.

Anyway, the morning I was to begin training had turned out to be cold, somewhat dark (even at seven in the morning), and slightly damp from another storm front approaching. Oh, the joys of living by the ocean. I was walking a figure eight across the length of the courtyard and mulling over how I was to let others act as my shield while I waited for Captain Cletus to show up when I realized I was no longer alone. I looked up expecting it to be Cletus, but it wasn't the Faun Captain. Six soldiers had entered the yard, three Satyrs and three Fauns, and they were all staring at me with open hostility.

You know that little voice in your head, not the crazy one, I mean the one that tells you when you are in deep, deep trouble, right? Well, mine was clamoring like mad as the six soldiers (hooligans) slowly approached me. They were all armed and watching me like a cat watches a mouse...they were waiting for me to do something, to make a mistake. I had Chrysaor strapped to my back, but I didn't dare reach for it. Judging by the looks they were giving me, if I reached for the sword to protect myself, they would use it as an excuse to justify attacking me because I "threatened" them first. No, I wouldn't even touch my sword because I refused to let the bullies paint themselves as anything but what they were. Besides, there were always people roaming the various training yards, someone had to have noticed these six come in here after me and they would come check...at least I hoped that would happen.

I had faced enough bullies over the years to know the difference between the ones who would do something no matter who saw and the ones who would hold back until they felt they could get away with it or at least make a reasonable justification for their actions. Fortunately, these six were of the latter variety so Murphy didn't hate me as much that day. They came closer and I tried to move to where I could be seen from the archway leading into the courtyard, but they circled me before I could reach the right spot. It seemed to me that these six didn't want to end up in the same situation as Alaois, so instead they started to crowd me and then the snide, cutting remarks began. "Did you get lost, lady? I thought you were supposed to stay away from the training yards when...unsupervised."

"Or, do you imagine that you are really one of us? You're not and you should not try to be anything more than you are."

"A guest...temporary, Lion willing."

"An outsider."

"A pretender at fighting, who should never have been allowed to continue these attempts."

"You are not a Narnian, lady, and the only reason you were indulged in a foolish whim was to ensure you were not a...danger to others. However, I think it would have been a wiser course of action to cease the indulgence, especially in light of your injury a fortnight ago."

I refused to be taken in by their baiting and I just crossed my arms as I waited for them to tire of their game or maybe for someone to come who would make them scatter. It was a longer wait than I had hoped for, especially as the Satyr who seemed to be in charge of this little get-together suddenly stepped much closer until he was mere inches away from me. Now, that was pushing it. I was having difficulty controlling my temper and the urge to shove him away from me. I don't like it when I land in situations where I feel trapped.

Then the other five also closed in around me until I would have hit any one of them if I had tried to move at all. In fact, one of them jostled my left arm, which hurt and it was also really annoying because I had only been able to beg and plead with Alithia for permission to take off the sling the day before (and convincing her had been a lot harder than reaching a compromise with Oreius for training). Nevertheless, I didn't say a word if only because I couldn't trust myself to not say something that would cause even more trouble. Fortunately, just as the leader stared at me and opened his mouth to fire off another little gem about how I did not belong, a new voice echoed across the courtyard. "Laurus, are you not to report to Lieutenant Gemon for patrol this hour? I was certain those were your orders because the same were given to your companions as well. Was I mistaken?"

The leader, Laurus, grimaced before he stepped back and turned to face the one, or rather ones, who interfered with his attempts at goading me. His five cohorts looked a tad nervous, especially the three Fauns, as they turned around to meet the disapproving glares being handed out left and right by none other than Captain Ardon and General Oreius. I was torn between feeling happy that they had shown up (that their glares were not directed at me for once was a definite bonus) and feeling irritated with them and myself for having to be rescued in a sense once again. However, I had to admit that was the only way I was going to get out of that particular situation, so my pride was a bit dented but I would survive. Under the Centaurs' combined glares, the Satyr Laurus led his group out of the training yard at a rather swift pace.

Ardon and Oreius looked over at where I was still standing with my arms crossed, and I could tell they were trying to figure out if I had been hurt. I uncrossed my arms and forced a grin before I shrugged, "I think I've made an impression on people here."

Ardon shook his head in amusement. "It would seem so, Katerina Alambiel. Though, perhaps, you might consider leaving a slightly different impression with that particular group of people."

I noticed that Oreius had narrowed his eyes at me and I searched for something that would distract him from whichever one of my secrets he was trying to figure out. I glanced from Oreius to Ardon and I commented in a dry, sarcastic tone, "You mean that wasn't a poor attempt at a group hug? I never would have guessed."

Ardon chuckled but Oreius just shook his head before he finally spoke up. "And, that was a poor attempt at diverting attention, Katerina Alambiel. What did they say to you?"

Over time, I had learned (been warned) that the honor and safety of women in Narnia was one of the things highly valued and respected by the men of Narnia, even though nobody expected women of Narnian stock to be a shrinking violet or completely unable to protect themselves. In fact, Narnian women were treated as the equals of men and their opinions were listened to and respected. But, if any male inhabitant of Narnia thought it possible that a female had been endangered in any way or form and she was for some reason prevented from acting against the threat, whoever was responsible had best run for it while they still could. I sighed and slid Chrysaor off my back (the odds of me training that morning had just gone from slim to none) before I answered Oreius, also known as the most overprotective being in all of Narnia (something the royals, especially Peter and Edmund, agreed with me on). "They said nothing that broke the laws of courtesy. They expressed their opinions and got a little close for comfort, but they didn't attack me or call me a witch. They just reminded me that I am still just a guest, nothing more."

Oreius held my gaze for a long while before he pressed one more time. "Are you certain?"

I nodded, "Yes, and I had everything under control. But thank you for making such a timely appearance, anyway."

Ardon chuckled again and Oreius rolled his eyes, although I wasn't sure if it was at Ardon, at my method of thanking him, or maybe both. Before I could ask, the Kings or rather Knights Sir Peter Wolfsbane and Sir Edmund How (short for Sir Edmund of the How) found their way into the training yard. They saw me and grinned before Peter spoke, "Oreius, you might wish to know that Chief Smith Baumur is in the armory looking for our Katerina. He came in muttering about cuirasses, special requests, and..." Peter paused and I noticed that suddenly neither one of those boys could look me in the eye before he managed to get the last part of the sentence out, although it sounded somewhat strangled by something suspiciously like laughter. "...and annoying girlies."

I was planning several different scenarios in which I could get that Dwarf when Ardon choked and Oreius coughed, and I stopped planning so I could glare at all four males. To their credit, they all managed to keep themselves from laughing (barely) and they had the sense to clear a path when I headed for the armory. Oh, if I didn't think making the Chief Smith disappear would land me in more trouble than he was worth...

"There you are, girlie!" I was starting to reconsider how much trouble the Dwarf was worth.

"I told you not to call me that, Baumur. Now, why were you looking for me?"

Baumur gave me a rather disgusted look before he pointed to where my cuirass was lying on a bench. "Why would I be looking for you? Why else than to make sure this request of yours is working properly, so if something goes wrong, it will be your fault, girlie. And, since you was smart enough to bring observers, there's no reason not to do this now."

My 'observers' exchanged looks then they turned to me expectantly. Well, I was going to pretend I didn't see them, so I moved the short distance between myself and the bench holding my cuirass and, hopefully, the project too. Edmund piped up right before I moved the cuirass, "You requested for Baumur to make something for you, he actually agreed to do it, and you didn't tell anyone?"

I nodded, "Sounds about right."

Peter stared at me then asked, "But, why not?"

"Simple. No one ever asked." I caught the look Oreius gave me and I quickly helped myself out of that little hole. "I was asked if I knew why Baumur took my cuirass, which I did not. However, no one asked me if I had requested Baumur make me something." I waved for them to hush as I picked up the cuirass and was instantly distracted by what lay underneath it. They were perfect! And, they looked almost exactly like what I had sketched, but Baumur had added some extra details so it was a step above plain but nothing too ostentatious. I picked one up and felt the balance and weight of it, and it was balanced to the point that I wouldn't have to adjust at all if I were to throw it. I grinned at Baumur, "These are perfect, Baumur."

Baumur puffed his chest out in obvious pride, "Of course they are, never would have let them leave the forge if they was anything less."

I put the cuirass back down and picked up the other one, then gave them both an experimental twirl. I heard Edmund whispering, "Knives? All that secrecy for a pair of knives?" I ignored him as I worked on acquainting myself with the feel of these sai knives, yes sai knives, because I had chosen to give myself a bit more protection beyond the Sword of Esti and I based my design on a pair of sai knives I had once practiced with some years beforehand. I was still being careful with my left arm, especially in front of the 'observers', but I was able to do some basic moves.

Baumur nodded in satisfaction before he pointed to the bench again. "Now, girlie, how about you put on the cuirass? I want to see if the adjustments work the way they should. You was needing a way to hide those knives of yours, so I made you a sheath harness, which can be strapped underneath those tunics you wear, and then I inserted some sheaths into the cuirass next to the ribbing down the back here." After I obliged him by putting on the cuirass and sliding the knives into the hidden sheaths, Baumur rubbed his hands together. "Now, you should still be able to bend as needed without the knives or the sheaths interfering."

Oreius folded his arms as he interjected, "And, what happens if she cannot?"

Baumur gave a little shrug, "Well, there's the slight chance that the knives might prick her in the back. But, I doubt that will happen, now to get the girlie to bend." I was still stuck on the whole "prick her in the back" thing, which I had translated as "she might get stabbed in the back with her own knives."

I turned to Baumur with every intention of protesting, but I never got a chance as I forced to bend over backwards to avoid the battleaxe slashing through the air towards my neck. I was seriously reconsidering the amount of trouble that Dwarf was worth. The good news was I was bent backwards with my head level with my ankles and I hadn't been stabbed in the back. The bad news was I was bent backwards with my head level with my ankles. It was a good thing that I was actually flexible enough to pull that off.

I straightened and glared at Baumur who was nodding to himself in utter satisfaction as he put the battleaxe away. "Well, girlie, it seems this worked out fine. But, don't you be coming back to my forge with any more requests. I've enough work to do without indulging every fancy that strikes you." Like I was going to ask him for any more favors. One, he just tried to kill me...as a test! Two, I knew the only reason he agreed to do it in the first place was because he hadn't seen the particular knife design before I had given it to him. Dwarfs.

As the menace known as Chief Smith Baumur left the armory, I turned to face my 'observers' who had apparently enjoyed the little show of "Let's see if Katerina can avoid being chopped in half by the crazy Dwarf." Ardon looked at me and then at the knife I had pulled out when I was making sure I was still whole. "That is a clever idea for keeping a weapon handy without letting everyone now you are armed. Well done, Katerina Alambiel." He gave me a light smack to the back of the head before he left the armory.

I resisted the urge to rub the back of my head as I looked at the other three, Edmund grinned at me. "That means he likes you."

Peter glanced at his brother and laughed, "Might have told our Katerina that sooner, Ed. Come on, we're missing breakfast."

I shook my head at their retreating backs before I went through the process of undoing my cuirass. I glanced over at Oreius had been watching everything in silence, "So, when did I become 'their' Katerina?"

He chuckled as he offered me the sheath harness for my knives. "They first referred to you that way the day you and Queen Lucy were taken by Jannes' Werewolves. It became a habit these past two weeks in particular."

I grinned at him before I pulled my leather jerkin over my head, "So, I suppose it would be a waste of time to try and stop them from calling me 'their' Katerina? Kind of like it would be to get Baumur to not call me 'girlie' or to convince you and the other Centaurs to call me just 'Katerina' instead of calling me 'Katerina Alambiel' more often than not."

Oreius shrugged a little, "Baumur's a Black Dwarf, he's not going to change how he addresses you no matter what you say. The Royals aren't going to stop referring to you as 'their' Katerina unless you tell them it bothers you. And, you're just going to have to put up with being called by both names. They both suit you. Perhaps you should consider it as a sign of our...regard for you."

A sign of their regard? Well, I had to admit that I didn't really mind...except being called 'girlie' but who could blame me for that one? I finished putting my armor away and I grinned at Oreius as I wrapped the straps of the sheath harness around the sheaths themselves and tucked them under my arm. "If you say so, Kentauri." Oreius raised an eyebrow at me and I could feel myself blushing as I realized what I had called him. Then, I rolled my eyes at him. "Are you saying I can't hand out a nickname as a sign of my regard?"

He chuckled and gestured for me to precede him out of the armory (less chance of me escaping into mischief that way) as he answered, "No, I just didn't expect it." His expression sobered as we walked towards the palace, "The incident this morning should not have happened. I spoke with Cletus earlier and he was under the impression that you had bowed out of today's lesson last night, which was why he left with another patrol just before fifth hour without leaving a message for you. When I saw Chrysaor missing from the wall after dismissing the Kings from training, I knew there had been a...miscommunication of some type, so Ardon and I went to check."

I decided to shrug it off, "Well, nothing happened so I don't see what the fuss is about anyway. Besides, I guess this morning's incident is why you still don't let me train with the main army."

"Partly, but mostly because it is easier to train the only Humans in the entire army together. Therefore, tomorrow morn I expect to see you in the training yard with Wolfsbane and How. I want to see what else you can do with those knives of yours."

I grinned as I recalled my past lessons in close combat, "You might be surprised, Kentauri."

He smirked at me, "I don't doubt it, Katerina Alambiel."

It later hit me that I had actually lowered one of my barriers not only by allowing myself to accept these names of regard, but also by returning the favor with Oreius at least. Little by little, Narnia and several of her inhabitants were getting me to lower my barriers by simply allowing me to be myself. All in all, even with the earlier incident, it was actually a good way to start the day before I ensconced myself in my chambers with the newest set of books I had borrowed from the library the night before.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Sorry for the delay, it's been a busy week. Next chapter will be even more fun as a prank or two makes it into the story. Click on the little button below and let me know what y'all think.