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 Seventeen

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24 Mayblossom 1006

"Dame Sepphora! Dame Sepphora, un momento del vostro tempo, se non vi dispiace." (...a moment of your time, if you please.)

Katerina silently cursed Murphy before turning around and giving Count Antti and his friend/bodyguard (held himself too stiffly to completely pass as a civilian...) known as Seppanen a polite closed-mouth smile, "Gentlemen?"

They both bowed their heads and then Count Antti asked, "Is there a place where we might speak in privacy?"

Nowhere I'd take you. She adjusted the sleeves of her dress, stalling for time, before having to admit to herself that there was no rescue coming and, technically, she didn't have a good reason to refuse or to call for someone else to come deal with them. Besides, she had promised Stonebrook and the Four that she would be diplomatic (Oreius only asked her to promise not to kill anyone...the Kentauri was all about priorities). Not to mention the little fact that she had been trying to avoid Antti and his friend for days and they kept finding her (it was as though they were her own personal plague of flies...one she wasn't allowed to swat). Finally, in spite of the niggling urge to cut and run while she still could, Katerina nodded, "Yes, follow me."

She led them to one of the small gardens that had a bower for privacy from one of the main paths between the training grounds and the main palace. Glancing around, she hoped she had timed it well enough that the Kentauri and Ardon would be passing within hearing range soon (just in case...after all, no need to taunt Murphy any further). Katerina cautiously perched on the smaller of the two stone benches within the bower, counting on Sisemaalian rules of propriety to keep either one of them to keep from trying to sit next to her.

Count Antti exchanged a brief look with Seppanen before he bowed to her and stepped closer to the bench she was sitting on, "Dame Sepphora, I have been guardare, that is, observing you and I must agree with my uncle, the Duke Toomas."

He paused, seeming to expect her to say something, but she couldn't even nod. One, that was a slightly creepy statement. Two, oh I hope this isn't going where I'm afraid it's going.

Count Antti continued, "I must agree with my uncle, the Duke Toomas, that you are indeed a donna di fuoco e di bellezza. A woman of fire and beauty such as yourself must not lack for suitors, non?" She barely resisted the urge to snap that her suitors typically had no brains or were trying to win a bet. But, she didn't say a word as the count continued, "Still, I see you have no amante, no promessa sposa. (...no lover, no betrothed.) He didn't seem to register the fact that she nearly choked at his choice of words. "Perhaps, Dame Sepphora, you might be, ah, willing to change that fact? It would be a shame, a great crime for a woman such as you not to experience the privilege of being someone's wife. Mägi is most beautiful as is the country estate where you would have free reign whenever not required to be by my side. You would want for nothing."

Katerina quickly held up her hand, forcing the count to halt his sales pitch, "Count Antti, while I am...flattered by your most unexpected proposal, I must refuse. Narnia is my home and I have no desire to leave it. And, I do not think we would make each other happy. I mean we don't even know each other."

Count Antti blinked at her, clearly not used to being refused, and unfortunately, he looked exactly like his deceased and unlamented brother just then, causing her to once again fight the urge to make her escape. Then, his expression cleared and he bowed, "Ah, I see. Well, I shall court you until we do know each other, and then you will accept my proposal." He grinned, almost boyishly, as he turned and left the bower, with Seppanen trailing him, before she could protest. A dull pain spread from her hand and she glanced down to see that she had dug her nails into her palm hard enough to leave marks. She sighed as she wondered how much trouble it would cause if she knocked the overconfident count down when he tried to court her. Ugh, it was as though she had somehow acquired her own Mr. Collins, only this one was a count as opposed to a clergyman.

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Peridan glanced at General Oreius and Captain Ardon, but neither officer gave a hint as to their thoughts concerning the proposal they had just overheard. Personally, he doubted that Count Antti meant to insult Dame Sepphora. The information he had, and just that from his conversations with Duke Toomas over the last few days, indicated that Antti was merely trying to fill his new role in society appropriately. And, since Dame Sepphora was, from all appearances, someone relatively well placed in Narnia's social hierarchy, then she would be a valuable tie between Sisemaal and Narnia. Count Antti was testing the waters since a first refusal was not always a permanent one, according to Sisemaalian culture.

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A day later, Oreius was pressed hard to hide his growing frustration at the current situation. He had found it difficult to believe when he heard Count Antti actually propose to Alambiel and then when she refused, he promised to continue pursuing her. Did the man have no sense? One does not harass a female who has already turned down one's overtures, and especially not when she told him plainly that she did not wish him to pursue her further. Unfortunately, he had been unable to find the opportunity to make that fact clear to Count Antti...yet.

Count Antti had been as many places as Katerina Alambiel was and as close to her as he could manage, which simply had to stop before she was pushed into reacting. The soft murmur of voices caught his attention as he came closer to one of the solariums. As he approached the open door, he determined it was indeed Alambiel and one of the Sisemaalians, most likely Count Antti. Alambiel sounded frustrated as she snapped, "I don't play those sorts of games! I am not playing hard to get nor am I trying to give you mixed signals, Count Antti. I refused the first time because I have no desire to marry you. I am refusing now because I still don't want to marry you."

Oreius reached the door just as Count Antti bowed over her hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it, apparently oblivious to the look of disgust and annoyance that momentarily crossed Alambiel's face. "Dame Sepphora, you are hesitant, I know, but I do believe we have made some progress, non? However, if you wish more time to be courted, I will speak with my uncle about extending our stay in Narnia."

Count Antti may have missed the glint in Alambiel's eyes, but Oreius knew she was about to snap something more than her words...most likely the Sisemaalian's wrist since he still clasped her hand. "Dame Sepphora, you should be in the conservatory with the Queens."

The count released her hand and Alambiel immediately walked toward him, slanting him a grateful look, "Yes, of course, I'm afraid the time got away from me." She quickly slipped past him and he heard her pace increase to just below a run as soon as she was out of the Sisemaalian's hearing range, which left him alone with the count.

Count Antti moved to follow her but Oreius didn't move. The Sisemaalian gave him a look and the expression on his face changed from confident to slightly wary. Oreius stepped further into the room, forcing Count Antti to back up as he closed the door, ensuring privacy. Turning back to the count, Oreius folded his arms over his chest, "Count Antti, you should cease pursuing Dame Sepphora. She has made it clear that she does not desire your attentions. Leave her alone and there will be no problems. If you continue to harass her, there will be a serious problem between the two of us. I also recommend that you allow your party to adhere to the original schedule for your visit."

Count Antti seemed speechless for a moment before he smiled, "But, General, you must know that women do not always mean no when they say it, non? Dame Sepphora may merely wish to make a challenge."

Oreius scowled, "She has already disabused you of that theory. Listen to her, or if you refuse, then listen to me. Leave her alone. And, do you even know her name?"

The count looked nonplussed, "Her name is Dame Sepphora."

"No. That is not her true name." Oreius allowed a little more severity to enter his tone, "Leave her alone. Pursue one of the women who would be happy to accept your suit and one whose name you truly know."

Count Antti was silent for a moment and then he bowed, "I understand, General Oreius. Please excuse me, I must join my uncle."

Oreius finally stepped back and to the side, allowing the count to leave. He hoped he had made his point clear enough that the count would cease to trouble Alambiel. If not, well, then he would have to interfere more forcefully...

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Peridan nodded a greeting to Count Antti as the younger man entered the room. Then, he turned to Duke Toomas, resuming the conversation and silently thanking Marsalla for those many lessons in Sisemaalian since it provided an ease to the conversation. "Teppo asked that I help ensure your visit proceed smoothly since this is the first time you and yours have returned to Cair Paravel since the unfortunate events involving King Edmund and the mercenaries."

Duke Toomas nodded, "Si, and I thank you for the help you have provided and it has been most pleasant visiting with you and your family. Please inform your wife that I will be most glad to carry the letters to her family back to Sisemaal. I believe they are all at Mägi in preparation for the start of the summer season, non?"

Peridan nodded, "If things are proceeding as usual, everyone should be at the capital by now. And, you have our thanks for carrying the letters, your grace. When do you intend to conclude your visit here?"

Duke Toomas leaned back, combing his fingers through his beard as he thought, "Tomorrow and we shall leave in the morning after breakfast."

Peridan nodded, and standing, offered a polite bow, "Duke Toomas, it would please Marsalla and me greatly if you would share breakfast with us before you depart."

Duke Toomas thanked him, allowing him to leave. However, he heard Count Antti speaking before he quite reached the door, "You were right, Uncle. Dame Sepphora has no interest in my suit and her amante made sure I did not misunderstand her again. He was most...intimidating. But, perhaps I should let him catch me attempting to persuade her once more? It would be interesting and perhaps I could succeed still."

Duke Toomas barked a laugh, "Please do not, I wish to keep you in one piece, nephew. Stay out of her way and stay out of his way. There is no need to further tarnish their current impression of our family, non?"

Peridan nearly turned back to question Count Antti as to what he was talking about, but he didn't as he heard the count agree to leave Dame Sepphora alone. Instead, he left. Of course, he hadn't gone far when he spotted Dame Sepphora having a rather heated conversation with Seppanen, the new captain of the guard for Duke Toomas. He sighed as he realized ensuring the Sisemaalains' visit went smoothly would not be easy until they actually left.

Seppanen suddenly leaned forward, attempting to kiss Dame Sepphora. She jerked back and slapped him hard enough that Peridan could see the red imprint of her hand even from a distance. Seppanen stepped toward her and she grabbed his hand, twisting it behind his back. "I said no, I am not interested. That was not code for try to kiss me. I don't care if you admire me or not, I said no, so you will maintain your distance. And, if you ever try to kiss me again, you will wish I just broke your hand."

Peridan quickly approached before things got worse, "Captain Seppanen, perhaps it would be best if you returned to your duties to the Duke."

Seppanen nodded curtly as Dame Sepphora finally released his hand, and then he gave a short bow to them both before retreating to the quarters assigned to his party. Peridan looked at Dame Sepphora, "The General will need a report."

"No."

"There was an assault involved, you must give the General a report, it is protocol."

She shook her head, "The Kentauri doesn't need to know. He would overreact."

Peridan couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Dame Sepphora, I insist-"

She cut him off abruptly, "You do not outrank me, Lord Peridan, which means I am the one making the judgment call and I say this wasn't big enough to be worth a report. Please do not mention it again."

Peridan considered ignoring her, but unfortunately, since she was a knight, she did currently outrank him and it would not do for him to break protocol in order to circumvent her. He tried to keep his expression clear of his disapproval as he gave a curt nod before they parted ways, though he did not think he was as successful as he should have been based on her brusque dismissal.

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Oreius frowned as he came across Count Antti, who was once again watching Alambiel as she spoke to Duke Toomas and King Edmund. How blunt must he make his point before the count understood he was unwelcome? He scuffed a hoof against the marble floor to gain the count's attention. The count turned as Ardon approached them both and bowed his head slightly, "Perdonami, General, but I have not forgotten your warning concerning Dame Sepphora. But, you cannot fault me for still admiring her from afar, non?"

Oreius fought the urge to take the fool to the training yard and demonstrate what he had meant by a problem between the two of them. He had seen Alambiel cast a few wary glances toward the count throughout the day and this final evening of the Sisemaalians' visit had required a banquet. Now, however, as the banquet wound down, he was struggling to maintain his civility toward the count. He answered tightly, "Only if your "admiration" continues to cause her discomfort, Count Antti." The count bowed his head again and then made his way through the crowd to his uncle, who was no longer speaking with Alambiel. Oreius ignored the questioning look Ardon gave him. He didn't want to discuss it.

The next morning, though, Ardon pressed him as they sparred, "So, you threatened Count Antti. Why?"

Oreius huffed in irritation before slamming his claymore against Ardon's, forcing the other Stallion to back up, "I did not threaten. I warned."

They separated and circled each other, searching for an opening as Ardon commented, "And, just why did you "warn" him against approaching Sepphora? You know as well as I that she is more than capable of telling him to stay away from her, just like she's turned down others who imagined themselves her suitors."

Oreius didn't answer at first as he pursued the opening Ardon had just presented, causing them to lock blades. "I know she is capable. However, he ignored her continued refusal and I felt it necessary to step in. Her past experiences with his deceased brother and cousin made it a reckless decision to allow their encounters to continue and most likely escalate once he pushed her too far. I am her friend and I have promised to be her shield, that is why I interfered."

"Are you sure?"

Oreius scowled at him, and shoved hard following through with a quick attack, knocking aside Ardon's blade and then resting his sword against the other swordmaster's throat. "Of course, what other reason would I have?"

Ardon lowered his sword, conceding the match, before shrugging, "I merely wondered." He nodded toward the palace, "The Sisemaalians will be leaving in an hour, at least you won't have to threaten any of them again."

Oreius gave a curt nod, "I know."

"Are you going to tell her about it?"

"Of course not. She would not appreciate my interference, no matter it was for her own good. And, you will not say anything either."

"Oh of course not."

Leaving the training yard, Oreius looked up to see Katerina Alambiel coming down the stairs. She was wearing one of the fancier, lightweight dresses that the Queens and Tuulea had conspired for months to get her into and the morning sunlight hit her hair just right, making it seem even more brilliantly golden and pure white. The glint of silver drew his eyes to the beads he had given her after her knighting ceremony, which she had as per usual in a braid that always escaped from the rest of her hair, which she had twisted in a knot that morning. He blinked and noticed that she was already speaking to the Four. He quickly joined them, but as the sovereigns saw off the Sisemaalians, Oreius couldn't help glancing at Alambiel and admitting that he could see why even overconfident fools like Count Antti would find it difficult to resist attempting to pursue her. Though he doubted she would concede to any suitor since as far as he knew she still adhered to the cynical outlook on love and romance, and he did not think any of the suitors who had pursued her thus far would help change that outlook.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Okay, so the Sisemaalians have finally left, but don't worry things aren't settled yet. However, since I took a break from my research paper to bring you this chapter, I must admit there will not be another update until after finals next week. Leave a review and let me know what you thought about this one and what you think might happen next.