Chapter 22

Rilian left the small sanatorium on the far side of the castle. He wasn't very fond of the place; both his mother and father had spent their last few hours in that place and it held horrible memories. He walked through the castle back to the courtyard. The area was now well lit with stewards, attendants, servants and every member of the castle seemingly assembled in that space. He turned back into the castle and took a small back staircase passing a surprised looking serving girl. She tried to curtsey whilst holding a tray, which is never easy but almost impossible on stairs. She just managed it. Rilian walked on up to a small door which he opened. It led him first through a little used guest wing and secondly to a balcony which he knew from many years experience overlooked the courtyard.

He exited outwards and looked down on what appeared to be chaos. There were four horses in the centre of the courtyard. One had a woman sat astride, she was being helped down by his steward. As she did so she walked to a boy or a young man holding the reigns of a second horse. Surrounding the little knot was people of all descriptions, humans, satyrs, dryads and talking beasts. The dark of night was beginning to look a little less dark and some of the weaker stars had already faded.

He looked below and realised that the din and noise was fading, people appeared to be looking upwards at him and for the first time he noticed the man stood behind him. It was Pervis holding a flaming torch lighting up Rilian for the whole crowd to see.

"Friends," he began but he wasn't quite sure what to say. A hundred thoughts swirled in his head. All their adventures at sea and on land. The dance at Galma, freeing the people of Terebinthia, the apples of the Seven Isles, the joust in the Lone Islands, a night staring at the stars, the beauty of Archenland and the girl found in the pass. How could he convey all that in a few words? "We have returned." There was a sound of shouts, whoops, along with snorts and yelps from the animals. "To celebrate this, Narnia will tomorrow evening hold a ball to commemorate the safe return of all of us who travelled the known world. I thank you for your work in preparing this house for our visit and I entreat you to take to your beds as I, and the other travellers I am sure, will be doing soon. Friends you are the best of peoples to keep our household good and well during our journeys. Thank you all and goodnight." He turned around motioning for Pervis to follow him he stood in the corridor a little away from the balcony.

"Very good your majesty." Pervis said.

"Really?" Rilian asked "I stood there and realised I had no idea how to convey all we have seen and all we have done."

"You will tell the stories a hundred times and still if people were not on that journey they will not truly understand."

"My father used to say that about underworld."

"I know I felt his words were apt here."

"Yes they were Pervis. Thank you."

"May I ask a question your majesty?"

"Yes," Rilian said making to exit the guest rooms."

"The young woman we discovered sire. Is she ok?"

"Truthfully I do not know. I let her in the good care of Alfra and Fallamore I am returning presently to enquire to her health."

"Very good sire, how may I be of assistance tonight?"

"Nothing to do with the girl. Can you see that everyone gets to bed? Dawn will soon be breaking and I am sure the maids and servants do not want to be tired tomorrow. Henry and Victoria too, they've had a long journey."

"Of course. I will see to it immediately." Rilian left Pervis as he exited the staircase for the courtyard. Rilian himself took the small corridor back to the sanatorium. He entered seeing Fallamore and Alfra bent over a book with the girl wrapped in white sheets looking peaceful for the first time since he had seen her.

"Any news?" He asked the pair who hadn't appeared to hear the door opening.

"She is asleep your majesty," Fallamore said. "We have managed to bind and apply a poultice to her worst injuries, and give her a medicine that means she will sleep for a few more hours. Real sleep this time not unconscious thought."

"She awoke?"

"For a few seconds but one look was enough to see she was exhausted. A true deep sleep will be the best cure for her now."

"Ok," Rillian said "I will stay with her now if there is no further medicine necessary except sleep.

"But-" Alfra said concerned.

"But nothing Alfra you and Fallamore are needed if I know were you are. You will be key later but for now I will stay with her whilst she sleeps. When she wakes I will call for you." The pair saw the logic in having healers who could remain awake and despite his centaur's constitution Fallamore knew he was tired. Rilian left Fallamore walking down the corridor he had entered by, and Alfra heading up a tiny flight of stairs to her room beside the sanatorium with strict instructions for Rilian to wake her if the girl awoke.

Once they had left Rilian turned his attention to the woman. He noticed for the first time that she was clean, although she had cuts and bruises on her arms and face they were clean and she was dressed in a new nightdress. Her clean fair hair was spread across the pillow like and halo and Rilian could not help but feel drawn to her, although she was asleep and he had never spoken to her. After a few seconds of staring he found himself sat in a chair beside the bed watching the girl sleep.