Chapter Eight

Apologies for the delays guys I am trying my best at the moment but I am a little bogged down in PHD stuff. Please keep reading I love this story and really want to share it with you all. Please review and as always enjoy.

Love C.J,

"Galma," Rillian announced as the little rowing boat belonging to the Queen Elspeth landed on the white beach of Galma. "Let us walk to Marston it is just over the hill."

The small party set out led by Rillian and Henry chatting excitedly, it was followed by Pervis, Victoria and two of the men. Jepson had elected to remain on the ship and send some other men for supplies.

"How are you finding your joinery my lady?" Pervis asked.

"No titles Pervis, 'Victoria Smith' is fine." Pervis threw his head back and let our a barking laugh at her imitation of him.

"Very well Victoria Smith."

"And in reply to your question it is enchanting. I am so looking forward to seeing the people."

"Me too, Marston is the largest town in Galma I believe." Pervis agreed.

"Have you not visited Galma before?" She asked.

"No," he replied. "Narnia was not a country of seafarers. The King's grandfather did a lot to begin the industry but it has taken a long journey for Narnians to learn to love the sea again. I grew up in the far west away from the sea."

"How do you like it so far?"

"Very much. I have been told Galma is beautiful. I hope the King finds what he is seeking."

"Me too," Victoria smiled. The small group went over the crescent of the hill and saw Marston below them. It was glimmering. The town was made of a terracotta stone that seemed to reflect light. The buildings, the pavements and the roofs were all made of the same material. With the sea behind it Victoria couldn't help but gasp as she saw it.

"I felt the same when I first saw it as a boy," Rillian shouted behind them.

"So will you march in and announce a royal visit?" Henry asked Rillian.

"Not quite, Galma is used to royal visits from time to time and I may announce myself. Although I will tell you one day of a great trick Caspian X played on the Governor of the Lone Islands." He smiled.

The group continued down the grassy hill. Victoria looked up and saw small glittering Narnian flags waving as bunting in the sunlight.

"Unless they are unusually patriotic then you may have been given away," she smiled at Rillian. They walked through the gate of the city to a plaza on which was stood a short dumpy man giving a speech on a little raised platform.

"Ladies and gentlemen I have something of upmost importance to tell you..." His voice trailed away. "However I believe you can see for yourself our Lord the King of Narnia is visiting Galma. The man swept his hat off his head and sinking to his knee followed by the entire audience. Henry and Victoria looked around seeing they were the only people not bowing they did so and Rillian found himself stood alone.

"Arise good citizens of Galma," he said and the crowd arose. He began walking through the crowd. "Thank you for your warm welcome to your beautiful land which has been entrusted to the crown of Narnia. You are a good people and I come here to renew the bonds of friendship between our great lands. In this perpetual friendship I invite all households to the King's Castle tonight for a great feast in honour of the people of Galma." By the end of this speech he was stood on the little stage beside the dumpy man who was hurriedly introducing himself as Duke Borston of Galma.

"He is rather good at speeches isn't he?" Henry said to Victoria.

"As was his father and his father who is said to have leant the art from the high King." Pervis cut in.

"Pervis?" Victoria asked "does the crown own a castle on every island?"

"No," Pervis said "it owns one here and one on Terebinthia. At the Lone Islands monarchs stay as guests of the Duke."

"I thought the Lone Islands had a Governor?" Henry asked Pervis.

"No not since Caspian X visited. The castles here and Terebintha are much smaller than Cair Paravel, they are more like large country houses."

Victoria stood in the middle of a grand hall, it was smaller than the hall at Cair Paravel but it was still grand. It had cold, dark wooden floor and panels only illuminated by three large windows. Around her buzzed a whirlwind of activity as the cook ordered an army of maids and manservants with dishes of food, bottles of wine and banners around the room.

"I think we have sent them into overdrive," Victoria smiled at Pervis as they ducked as so not to be caught in a banner.

"I think the King sent them into an overdrive." Pervis replied. "Where has the King got to?"

"He is teaching Henry to shoot with a bow and arrow," she said with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you worried about your brother?" Pervis asked.

"No," she shook her head "I am worried about the King."

"Why?" Rillian asked from behind her.

"How did the archery tuition go?" Victoria asked.

"Good," Rillian nodded. "Your brother has an ability for archery."

"Really?" Victoria asked. "At least I know he is not as clumsy as me."

"He is rather good," Rillian said seriously "one of the best natural archers I have seen." Victoria beamed with pride and all three ducked under another banner.

"Shall we walk outside?" Rillian asked Victoria as the two walked into the garden of Marston Castle that was slowly turning dark in the setting sun.

"How is your adventure so far?" Rillian asked.

"Interesting." She smiled. "Although I don't think we have accomplished our quest yet."

"Not yet," Rillian smiled re-entering the castle "but you never know tonight." Victoria didn't have to change because she had no other clothes. She could have bought something from the market in Marston but that would have meant asking Rillian for money and she didn't want to do that. She simply washed her face and brushed her hair before heading down to the dance.