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: Don't judge a book by its cover...or a knight by their rumors... A lesson Peridan and his family learned as they adjusted to their new life in Narnia.
A/N: This is part of my A Light in the Darkness universe. I recommend reading the main story arc (Awakening, Shadowed, and Revealed) first, but you can give this one a whirl on its own too.
Chapter Thirteen
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14 Mayblossom 1006
"You should be meeting with the General."
Peridan looked up and smiled at Marsalla, "No, I'm where I'm needed most right now. The General will understand." Marsalla looked skeptical but Peridan was certain the General wouldn't begrudge him one missed unofficial meeting if he knew Marsalla had been too ill to move starting the night before and then Maisee had been fussy all night as well. He fought back a yawn as he resumed pacing while rubbing Maisee's back as his youngest finally slept. "I already sent a message excusing myself, Marsalla."
Marsalla shifted against the pillows, "Did the General ever tell you why he wanted to introduce you to Dame Sepphora?"
Peridan cautiously stopped pacing and sat on the edge of their bed, silently thanking Aslan when Maisee remained asleep even though he had stopped moving, "No, but I believe she's an officer who's usually attached to the Queens, so it would make sense that he expect me to meet her and work with her as well."
"Are you certain she's just another officer?"
Peridan smiled then stood slowly, "Marsalla, maybe I should just invite the General here and he can tell you about this Dame Sepphora of his, so your curiosity may be satisfied." His wife smiled back at him, but simply shook her head. He squeezed her hand gently then carried Maisee into the nursery and placed her in her crib. It only took a few moments, but Marsalla was asleep again by the time he returned to their bedroom. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before silently making his way from the room.
Moving to a different room, Peridan swung the door open and was instantly greeted by joyous shouts, "Father!" Thane and Shane rushed him and immediately wrapped their small bodies around his legs as they chattered excitedly, words running on top of each other to the point Peridan wasn't sure what his sons were actually trying to tell him.
He chuckled and feigned a groan as he staggered forward, "Ah, what treachery is this? My own sons seek to overwhelm me!" Thane and Shane giggled as they continued to cling to his legs. Peridan noticed Tarrin sitting on the window seat, watching closely, and dramatically raised one hand, "Ah my eldest! Aid your father! I have been assailed by two most terrible foes!"
Tarrin smirked as Thane and Shane giggled even harder, "Father, you have not yet met your match."
Peridan hid a grin, "No, my son, for with your help I shall prevail."
Tarrin stood then a mischievous gleam appeared in his brown eyes, "Alas, Father, you have placed your trust wrongly. For I set these two fiends upon you! And, now I shall aid them!"
Tarrin jumped at Peridan, knocking him off his feet, much to Thane and Shane's delight. The twins detached themselves from his legs and joined Tarrin in attempting to pin him down. Peridan laughed and wrestled with his sons. Every time he pinned Thane and Shane, Tarrin would leap on his back allowing the twins to escape. And, when he managed to pin Tarrin, Thane and Shane jumped on him and worked together to cover his eyes, giggling all the while. Only when Thane and Shane were starting to lag did Peridan give up, allowing all three of his sons to pile on to his back, pinning him face down against the rug.
A slight sound made him look up and he grinned at Becky. The maid shook her head, but she had been with their family since Peridan was Tarrin's age so she merely continued with her task, "Master Peridan, a carrier has winged his way here and the message is fer ye."
Peridan nodded as best as he was able with his chin less than an inch off the rug, "Thank you, Becky. Tarrin will help you with Thane and Shane." He got up with a groan as the twins and Tarrin slid off his back. "You three behave yourselves. Tarrin, do you know where Raisa is?"
"Library."
"Ah. Good, good."
Peridan raised an eyebrow as he flipped the message over and noted it carried a Sisemaalian royal seal.
Saluti Peridan,
Perdonami for sending this missive with the royal seal, but it is necessary. His majesty, King Jukka, has sent an envoy to Narnia, they should be arriving soon after you receive this missive. Given the circumstances of the last envoy's visit to Narnia under Duke Toomas, I ask a favor of you...
Peridan shook his head in silent amazement at the favor Marsalla's uncle Teppo asked of him. Normally, he would politely refuse, but...this time he found the favor ran parallel with his own purposes.
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"It is getting late, young one. Should you not join your family for supper?"
Raisa looked up in surprise, meeting Stonebrook's amused gaze. "Is it suppertime already? I didn't think it had been so long. Mother will be worried if I don't go now." She jumped to her feet then paused and asked rather shyly, "May I take this book with me, please? I promise I'll take care of it."
Stonebrook rubbed his chin then nodded, "I don't see any harm in it, Raisa."
Raisa threw her arms around the Centaur's waist with a squeal of delight, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!"
The Centaur chuckled as she pulled away then scooped up the book. Clasping it tightly to herself, Raisa was already planning how to keep the book safe from the twins when Stonebrook called out, "Give my greetings to your parents." She forced herself to stop and curtsy then she waved as she ran out of the library. She could hardly believe it. Raisa clutched the book a little tighter as she knew that she wouldn't have been allowed to take a book from the royal library at Anvard to her family's quarters. She loved living in Cair Paravel!
She ran as fast as she could down the halls, only slowing when she had to wait for other people to clear a path for her. Her steps slowed though as she recalled her mother's words about a lady not rushing about like a fox whose tail's caught a-fire. She had just turned down one of the halls that led to a shortcut toward the hall her family's quarters were located when she heard it. Musical, but foreign, soft, and very different from Sisemaalian. Raisa once again tightened her grip on the book as she edged toward the cracked door the strange muttering was coming from. Her eyes widened as she saw a tall woman with white and gold hair mixing something together and then pouring a purplish liquid into a vial as she muttered, "Cén fáth nach bhfuil sé iontas ar bith orm go bhfuil mé ag teastáil láithreach a mheascadh suas bhaisc nua leighis réitigh i láthair na huaire a rachfaí abhaile? Níl a fhios agam. Oh fan, Is cuimhin liom Cheap mé go raibh na buachaillí amaideach fanacht ar an mbóthar fada go leor nuair a ní ba mhaith liom a imirt ar lia éigeandála. Amaideach dom. Is é sin go soiléir i bhfad ró a iarraidh acu..."
Witch! Raisa carefully backed away from the door, praying to Aslan that the witch wouldn't hear her heart racing. It felt like hours before she reached the end of the hall, and she kept shooting glances over her shoulder in fear that she would be caught. She rounded the corner then cautiously peeked around but the witch didn't appear. She took a deep breath then raced down the hall as if she was a fox whose tail had caught a-fire. She had to tell her father!
Raisa raced into the hall and crashed right into her father as he was coming out of Tarrin's room. She would have fallen if he hadn't caught her, but she didn't care. "Father!"
She was panting as her father dropped to his knees in front of her, "Raisa! What is it? What's wrong?"
"I saw- I saw- I saw- a str-strega!"
Her father's eyes widened, but his voice was calm and steady as he gently scooped her up, uncaring that she was ten and almost too big for him to do so. "Breathe, daughter, breathe. Slow down so you can tell me everything, all right?" She nodded, trying to slow her breathing as she still clutched the book to her. Her father carried her into the parlor and set her down on the window seat before he poured her a glass of water. Raisa tried not to gulp the water, but wasn't as successful as she thought she ought to be. "All right, Raisa, tell me what you saw."
"A strega, Father! I- I saw a strega here in Cair Paravel. She was mixing a potion while muttering a spell! Just like Aunt Bellissa said they do! And, I read a book that said the same thing. And, what are we going to do? Father! She didn't see me, I don't think. But, she might know I saw her and Aunt Bellissa said that stregas do terrible things to those who spy on them. And, I-"
"Raisa. Raisa!" Her father scooped her into a tight hug again, "Hush, Chiacchere, it's all right. Listen to me, you're safe. I won't let anyone hurt you, strega or not, I promise. Now, describe the strega to me."
"She was really tall. Her hair was pinned up, and it was golden except for the front, which had white streaks. And she was muttering these strange words. Do you know her, Father?"
Her father frowned, "The description is familiar, Raisa, but I will take care of it. I'm going to talk to the General about this woman and find out who she really is. Now, let's go eat dinner with your brothers and mother. Oh, and Raisa, don't tell your mother about what you saw. I will tell her when she's feeling better."
Raisa nodded, trusting her father would be able to keep the strega away.
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15 Mayblossom 1006
Peridan hadn't put much stock in the rumors surrounding Lady Katerina, called the Strega of Narnia in certain circles among Archenland and Sisemaal. However, Raisa's panic yesterday had not been feigned and his daughter, though she could talk the ears off a statue, Aslan bless her, was not a liar. She had seen something that sounded suspicious to Peridan, especially since Lady Katerina was muttering in a strange tongue. As soon as he had the opportunity, he would request a private meeting with General Oreius and the mysterious Dame Sepphora. He hoped they would be able to give him the information he needed to determine whether Lady Katerina was a possible threat to his family's safety or not.
Rounding the corner to the armory, Peridan slowed as he heard a feminine voice mixed with the familiar voices of the General and the High King. He slipped into the armory and was greeted by the sight of Lady Katerina standing boldly in front of the General and the High King as she continued speaking, "No, Oreius, what I'm saying is that clearly you could use a little advice, shall we say, on what exactly is a challenging lesson. I mean I could get better results than you do...in one training session, by the way."
The General glared at the woman...or perhaps strega...but it was the High King who spoke up, "Now, Kat, I don't think it's-"
Peridan clenched the hilt of his sword as Lady Katerina cut the High King off, "Quiet, Peter, you aren't allowed to have an opinion on this one." Such blatant disrespect! The High King crossed his arms and gave her an annoyed look, but she continued to ignore him and all protocol as she taunted the General further. "I mean really, Oreius, I'm quite certain that after one lesson with me, even you, the solemn, doesn't-have-a-normal-sense-of-humor, far too paranoid for his own good Kentauri, would have to admit I do a better job of training them."
The General suddenly looked up and met Peridan's gaze before he looked back down at the woman. "Behave."
Peridan watched as Lady Katerina tilted her head slightly before she turned around. He didn't look away as he met her questioning gaze until the High King inclined his head, "Good morn, Peridan."
He met his sovereign's gaze and bowed slightly, "Good morning, Sir Wolfsbane." He still felt slightly odd using the High King's knightly title instead of royal but that was the rule of the armory and the training grounds until the Kings had been dismissed from their lessons. He bowed slightly to the General as he included him in his greeting, "General Oreius."
He glanced around the armory, spotting Tarrin with King Edmund sitting on a bench as they listened to Captain Cletus, but he didn't see anyone else and certainly not a Centauress. His gaze snapped back to General Oreius as the Centaur returned his greeting, "Good morn, Peridan. I should like to introduce you to the only knight of Narnia you've not had the chance to meet or work with, Dame Sepphora. Dame Sepphora, Peridan."
Only the discipline of years of experience hiding his emotions allowed Peridan to hide his utter shock when he realized it was Lady Katerina whom the General referred to as Dame Sepphora. Still, he managed to incline his head and utter the appropriate words of greeting. Lady Katerina, or Dame Sepphora, didn't incline her head. Instead, she smirked a little, "Pleasure." Then, without awaiting dismissal by her superiors, she turned and walked out of the armory.
The General showed no visible reaction, but the High King shook his head in obvious exasperation over Lady- Dame Sepphora's actions. Peridan allowed the others to follow her ahead of him. Dear Lion, how am I to address my concerns to the General over the actions of Lady Katerina when she is Dame Sepphora? And, he obviously expects me to work with her as I have worked with all the others... Peridan gave himself a mental shake then walked out into the training yard. It was of no matter in the long run. It meant only that he would not be going to Dame Sepphora for information about Lady Katerina.
By the time training ended, Peridan was silently fuming. That woman showed absolutely no respect for her superiors, not the Kings, not the General, not Captain Cletus. He watched as she again taunted the General, and then, just as she had with Queen Lucy, she continually addressed the Kings without using their titles even once. And, when the General ordered her to attend to her assigned duties, she actually stuck her tongue out at him! He heard King Edmund mention to Tarrin that she had only just returned, perhaps that was the reason none of them had called her out on her outrageously disrespectful behavior. As Peridan walked back toward the palace, he decided to wait a little longer before going to the General. Perhaps she was not always so disrespectful and uncaring for the proper protocol.
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19 Mayblossom 1006
"I don't think Peridan likes me."
Katerina watched as Oreius looked up from his paperwork and gave her an amused look, "What makes you say that, Alambiel?"
She could hardly believe her ears, "Look, I know you like him and he's been earning your trust. But, Oreius, have you not noticed the way he glares at me when I talk to you or the Four or even any of the officers?"
He sighed, "Yes, I noticed. However, I believe it is merely the fact that he is unused to your…preferred way of doing things...which is why you two are on duty together tomorrow."
Katerina made a face, "Must I? He's so...so by-the-book and completely hung up on proper protocol. You know the ones who are always so proper and protocol this and protocol that do not mesh well with me. I always feel compelled to do something outrageous, well, more outrageous when in their company."
Oreius shook his head as he came around his desk and tilted her chin up, "Then, you shall simply have to be charming and ignore the outrageous impulses this time, which I know you can do when you choose to do so. And, Sepphora, you will do so."
She rolled her eyes, "No promises, but I'll try to ignore the impulses and I suppose I can pretend to be charming for a few hours."
Oreius chuckled as she headed for the door, and then called out just as she left his study, "Be nice, Sepphora."
She waved her hand in acknowledgement even as she muttered under her breath, "No promises."
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A/N: Please Read and Review! Okay, so who thinks that Kat and Peridan being assigned together is going to end in disaster? Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.
What Kat actually said when Raisa heard her:
"Why does it not surprise me that I am immediately required to mix up a new batch of healing solutions the moment I get home? Don't know. Oh wait, I remember I thought those silly boys could stay out of trouble long enough where I wouldn't have to play emergency healer. Silly me. That is clearly too much to ask of them..."