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: 21 Yule 1006 will see the first lunar eclipse to occur on the Winter Solstice in four hundred years. Enemies of Narnia rejoice! For the time of the Golden Age will come to an end with the spilling of royal blood and Jadis will be revived!

A/N: If you have not read the first three stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakening, Shadowed, and Revealed), I highly recommend you do so. However, if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.

Sensitive Readers (if I have any left), be forewarned that the second to last section of this chapter is rather disgusting due to certain Werewolf behavior.

Chapter Fourteen: Of News and Starlight

Katerina Alambiel almost couldn't believe how badly this Moment of Murphy had turned out. Picking out the messy tracks in the snow was difficult, but it was clear Susan had fought back...and hard. This is why you shouldn't underestimate Narnian women, and especially not the Gentle Queen. Unfortunately, in the chaos of the ambush and subsequent battle Susan had been abducted. To say Oreius and the Kings would not be happy once they knew was the understatement of the year.

"Dame Sepphora." Caia's voice was soft and her eyes downcast with self-recrimination as she asked, "What are your orders?"

"We're splitting our group, all those injured will head back to the village at Glasswater along with anyone not fast enough to keep up with Centaur, horse, and Werewolves. Find a Hawk or Bat to carry word of the attack to Oreius and the others at the outpost." She paused in thought then shouted, "Ptah!" As the Leopard answered her summons, Katerina noted with satisfaction that he had emerged from the ambush unscathed. Good, she had need of him. He looked at her and she gestured to the blood-soaked snow, "Is any of this from Susan?"

Ptah made a quick loop, taking care not to further muddle the tracks with his own, before he returned with his report. "None of this blood belongs to the Gentle Queen."

Katerina nodded, "Good." A little more hope that Susan isn't just a happy meal to go for the Werewolves. She looked around, and then made her final decision. "Ptah, gather our swiftest uninjured soldiers. Alaois was wounded, so he has the command of the soldiers we're leaving behind." The Leopard inclined his head then proceeded to follow her orders. She turned back to Caia as the Centauress approached with a huge Flying Fox Bat hanging from her forearm. It didn't take long for her to convey the message for Oreius and the Bat flew off in no time. Katerina paused as she noticed the guilty self-recrimination still readily apparent in Caia's eyes and lightly touched the Centauress' shoulder, "Caia, do not blame yourself. We were cast unprepared into an unexpected situation, and we reacted as best we could."

Caia nodded, "Thank you for your words, Dame Sepphora. Now, what is the plan?"

She smiled, "We are going to get Susan back."

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Night had already settled over the land as Oreius oversaw the last of the measures for securing the camp. One large tent had been pitched for use as a headquarters, in addition to providing the Royals and himself with a place to rest that night. They didn't have enough tents for everyone to get a separate one, and with the potential for the Fell to circle back around and attack again, Oreius was taking no chances with the three sovereigns in his care. He paused just outside the tent as he heard the low tones that so often marked the initial disagreement between the siblings, but then entered.

Queen Lucy was perched rather precariously in her hammock while King Edmund had chosen to sit on his hammock with his feet firmly on the ground as they watched their brother furiously pacing back and forth in front of his hammock. Oreius' entrance went all but unnoticed as the High King whipped around to point at his sister, "Why are you here, Lucy? Where's your escort? Your full escort. Why did they let you come by yourself? Do you not realize how much danger you ran into? What if the attack hadn't been over? What if-" King Peter cut himself off with a frustrated growl as he ran both hands through his hair, "I don't know. What if the Werewolves had attacked the outpost again? What if they weren't the only Fell involved and, I don't know, Hags or Ogres or...or Harpies! What if Harpies were also in on it? They could have pulled you and Tila out of the sky with very little work on their part even with Tila's best efforts!"

Oreius remained silent as he watched Queen Lucy give the High King her best scowl, which was still more of an unhappy pout than anything else, as she held up the life-giving cordial. "This is why I'm here, Peter. Our people, our cousins, needed me here. That's why Tila came to get me. She just didn't know that she wouldn't need to go all the way back to Cair Paravel. I was given this cordial for a reason you know that! This is where I was needed, so I came. There wasn't time to travel here anyway other than going with Tila, and Kat and Susan both agreed with me coming here."

The High King was facing away from him, but Oreius could tell that he was struggling with allowing his fears for his youngest sister to continue guiding his responses and with acknowledging that she had been needed at the outpost. King Edmund cleared his throat, "You know, Pete, that Susan and Kat wouldn't have agreed to Lucy coming if they didn't have some assurance that she would be kept safe. And, we would have lost over two-thirds of the soldiers to either death or severely debilitating injuries if she hadn't come when she did."

Queen Lucy immediately latched on to her brother's statement as she nodded, "He's right, Peter. Kat made the final decision and she ordered Tila not to let me down if the outpost wasn't secured when we arrived." That order sounded like something Sepphora would give, and it meant she had had a fairly good idea of the kind of situation that required the presence of the Valiant Queen. Queen Lucy clasped her hands under her chin and gazed at her brother with wide blue eyes as she continued in a softer tone, "Please, Peter, say you're not mad at me or with Tila. Aslan protected us so I could be here when I was needed."

Oreius knew the High King would be unable to resist his favorite sister's plea, and he was proven right as King Peter sighed then walked over and wrapped Queen Lucy in a tight hug, "I'm not mad at you, Lu."

King Edmund snorted as he mumbled, "Like you would even know how to be mad at Lucy."

King Peter acted as though he didn't hear that, in spite of Queen Lucy's giggle, as he continued, "I just wasn't expecting to find you here after we already knew there weren't really enough able soldiers to hold the perimeter against another attack. Nevertheless, I do thank Aslan that you came with your blessed cordial. It's terrible that we lost eight faithful soldiers, but it would have been even worse if you hadn't come." He bussed her hair before adding, "However, I would prefer it if the next time you come to the rescue, you bring your full escort with you."

Oreius finally spoke, "I share the High King's preference regarding your escort, Queen Lucy, although I understand why it was impossible under these circumstances. However, I should like to hear how it came about that your majesty was not at Cair Paravel."

The High King nodded as he let go of Queen Lucy and ruffled her hair before retreating to sit in his own hammock. "Yes, I should have thought Su-" King Peter abruptly cut himself off with a startled yelp as his hammock flipped over, dumping him to land on the ground. The side of Oreius' mouth twitched as Queen Lucy and King Edmund both laughed at their brother's mishap. The High King scowled as he flipped the hammock back and went to work replacing his bedding. "As I was saying- Oh shut up, Edmund, it is not that funny." He glared at his still-chuckling brother then continued, "As I was saying, I should have thought Susan was neck-deep in her preparations for the Yule festivities and for the party from Galma who are due to arrive on the 26th or 27th. Why weren't all of you at the Cair?"

Queen Lucy smiled, "Kat recovered from her bout with pneumonia and we decided to escape the busyness of the Cair for a day or so. We thought it was a good time to make our annual deliveries to the smaller villages and we persuaded Susan to come with us. She left Deianeira and Marsalla in charge of everything and came with us. We were on our way to the smallest settlement near Glasswater when Tila came to fetch me."

King Edmund frowned a little, "Isn't that the same settlement that used to hold the weavers' guild house? At least, until the Ogres ran through it because they had been chasing Kat?"

Oreius gave a curt nod at the same time Queen Lucy laughed, "Don't worry, Kat only likes to antagonize the weavers when Oreius is there to protect her." He smirked as the Kings chuckled.

The High King cautiously eased into his hammock and Oreius was certain the colt was holding his breath as he lay down in fear of the hammock once again ejecting him. King Edmund and Queen Lucy smiled as they easily slipped into their own bedding. Oreius began to cover the lanterns as King Peter glanced at him, "Well, Susan and Kat have probably already returned to the Cair."

Oreius nodded, at least that was his own hope, and he saw no reason to cause the colt to worry unnecessarily. He covered all but the last lantern as the High King slowly slipped further into his bedding. He walked over to where he was standing by the last lamp and, more importantly, between the royals' hammocks and the tent entrance. Covering the lantern, the tent was enveloped in shadow. He smirked as he heard King Peter release an audible sigh of relief as his hammock continued to hold him. Unfortunately, the other two also heard him and their not-so-muffled laughter filled the tent.

King Peter sounded indignant as he scolded his siblings, "Be quiet and go to sleep while you can, especially you, Lu. Edmund snores."

Oreius shook his head slightly as King Edmund responded over Queen Lucy's giggles. "Hey! I do not snore!"

"Yes, you do."

"I do not!"

"You do."

"Do not!"

"Yes, you do."

"I do n-"

"Majesties."

Oreius had to fight the urge to chuckle as three voices chimed, "Yes, Oreius?"

"Good night."

Again, all three voices chimed, "Good night, Oreius."

He smiled knowing their limited night vision would not be able to discern it in the darkened interior of the tent. Katerina Alambiel would enjoy hearing about this incident. His smile faded as he resolutely pushed the question that had been haunting him out of his mind. This was not the time to attempt to decipher the answer to that question. Instead, he shifted his weight as he began to rehearse what he would put in the letters he would send or say to the families of the eight soldiers who had fallen during or as a result of wounds received during the attack on the outpost. These were the personal notes he tried to send with every official notification...and it was probably one of the most painful tasks he had to do in his role as the General of the Army. The only thing truly worse was when he had to inform a soldier that something ill had happened to their family.

A loud snore suddenly broke through the relative silence of the tent and Oreius had to stifle his own chuckle as King Edmund continued snoring...very loudly. Setting both hands on the hilts of his one-handed swords, Oreius allowed himself to slip into a light doze as he stood between his slumbering sovereigns and the tent entrance. The night was peaceful. Unfortunately, it did not stay that way...

Oreius snapped awake as Ardon rushed into the tent with Peridan on his heels, "General! Majesties! Wake!"

He heard the Kings and Queen Lucy stir and then a soft thud as he uncovered one of the lanterns. His eyes landed briefly on where the High King was sitting on the ground pulling a blanket off his head before Oreius continued uncovering the lanterns, lighting the interior of the tent enough for them all to see a large Flying Fox hanging upside down from Ardon's raised forearm. The Bat curled up toward Ardon's arm, bowing as the three royals approached, "Your Majesties, General, Aslan's blessings upon you. I am Tuah Nor'Sauts of the Glasswater Nor'Sauts. Dame Sepphora sends me with an urgent message for you, General. Werewolves ambushed the party. She sends the wounded back to the settlement under command of Lieutenant Alaois. The Werewolves have taken the Gentle Queen. Dame Sepphora pursues them with the swiftest remaining soldiers, but she requests aid."

The Bat ducked his head behind his wings as the High King shouted in fury and anguish, "What?!" King Peter didn't pause long enough for Tuah Nor'Sauts or anyone else to respond before he launched into an agitated diatribe, "What do you mean Susan's been taken by Werewolves? Why would they take her? Where have they taken her? Why didn't Kat and the others protect her? This is Susan! Susan does not leave the Cair without a large escort. Susan does not throw herself into the thick of trouble. Susan does not get abducted by Werewolves! That's Kat's specialty. Susan- And, where was Kat when this happened? Why didn't she interfere? That is her sworn duty! Why would the Werewolves take Susan? What could they want with her? What- Oh Aslan, what if they have killed her already?"

Oreius glanced at King Edmund, but he seemed frozen in shock. Queen Lucy's hands were clamped over her mouth, her eyes were wide, and it was clear she was fighting back tears. It was a shock, to be sure, that it was Queen Susan who was imperiled in such a manner since she was the most cautious and easiest to guard of the Four, and Oreius felt certain that was the main reason for King Peter's outburst, especially since this news came after a very tiring and stressful day. He stepped toward the colt and forced him to halt as he placed one hand on the High King's shoulder. He squeezed lightly and the colt looked up at him with stark fear in his eyes, "Peace, Wolfsbane. Your sister is held between the Lion's paws, as are we all." Oreius softened his gaze as he continued, "Peter, trust Him to protect her until we may find her. Sepphora did what she could during the ambush and has already begun tracking her. And, thanks to the Valiant Queen's cordial, we may set out with enough numbers to aid Sepphora and Queen Susan. We will leave within the hour. Ardon, Peridan, present the orders to our original escort. Skeat, Ihbari, and Atho will set up a relay to seek out any sign of either the Gentle Queen or Dame Sepphora's party. Queen Lucy, Tila will carry you back to Cair Paravel. Lieutenant Illusin and the other soldiers who were stationed here at the outpost will follow you as soon as their relief arrives sometime tomorrow."

The fear and worry in the eyes of King Peter and his siblings eased as Oreius spoke, though the High King still clung tightly to Oreius' wrist. Peridan left with Ardon, who was carrying Tuah Nor'Sauts as the Bat quietly relayed the path Sepphora originally intended to follow and Oreius spoke once more as he looked at each of his three sovereigns in turn. "Just as you know that you and yours are Aslan's, so should you know that Katerina Alambiel will not stop hunting the Werewolves until she has found and rescued your sister. The Werewolves have provoked her into unleashing her wrath upon them. And, we may reach them only to find that Sepphora has already rescued the Gentle Queen. Do not lose hope, my Kings and Queen. This battle has only just begun and, Aslan willing, we shall not fail to rise to the occasion."

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Katerina Alambiel breathed a silent prayer of thanks to Aslan for the brightness of the moon and stars as their light provided a means of following the Werewolves' tracks without requiring torches or lanterns, which would give away their presence and movement far too easily. Aslan, give us endurance and shield Susan between Thy paws. She leaned forward and patted her horse on the neck. The determined gelding, who had been dubbed Pepin, tossed his head and played with the bit for a moment before he resumed forging his way through the snow. There were only six of them, not counting herself, which was why she was hoping against hope that Tuah Nor'Sauts had reached Oreius and the others in time for them to rendezvous. However, if they missed each other, she did have a plan. Of course, she was basing it all on a guess, but if it worked, it would prove worth the risk. And, if it didn't, being lectured by Oreius for having a half-baked and extremely reckless plan would be the least of her worries. But, that had never stopped her before, and she certainly wasn't about to let it stop her now.

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Susan barely resisted the urge to press her hand against her throbbing temple and cheek as she watched the Werewolves surrounding her. The leader was the Werewolf with the scarred muzzle, of that she was certain, and for some unknown reason he had kept her alive and whole. However, she knew better than to show weakness to the Fell. The cold night temperatures felt like a sharp sting again her exposed face and she tried to decide whether it was worth the risk of drawing the Werewolves' attention to her by drawing the hood of her cloak up.

She couldn't help wondering who had fallen and who had been wounded and who had been left to decide what to do in the aftermath of the Werewolves' ambush. She prayed there hadn't been too many casualties, even though she knew it unlikely considering the circumstances of the attack. One part of her wanted to wait and let the soldiers, Kat, or perhaps even her brothers and Oreius, come rescue her from these Fell creatures. However, wisdom and logic dictated that the Werewolves would probably decide to kill and eat her, in that order if she were fortunate, long before help could reach her. So, she would have to reach help.

A fight suddenly broke out between three Werewolves and all eyes turned toward them until the leader approached them with snarl. Susan wished she still had a knife as she carefully shifted her feet so she was crouching, but she didn't. There was a grove of trees perhaps twenty yards away. Aslan willing, she would find Trees or other Narnians who could help her there. She glanced at the fighting Werewolves out of the corner of her eye. The scarred leader suddenly leapt into the scuffle, snarling as the other Werewolves pressed in closer around the four fighting. This was her chance. Aslan help me! She leapt to her feet and bolted toward the trees.

Snowdrifts and her skirts slowed her pace. Her heart was beating so loudly that she was almost surprised when she heard the Werewolves howl as her flight was noticed. The snarls and howls brought to mind the memory of trying to outrun Maugrim and the rest of Her Wolves. She was almost to the trees. Just a few more feet. The snarls and howls grew louder. Susan yanked her skirts up higher and raced for the trees, already drawing breath to scream for aid. Her foot caught on something hidden by the snow and she fell. She tried to scramble back to her feet before the Werewolves reached her but she wasn't fast enough. Her hand bumped into something hard and smooth. A rock! Her hand tightened around it as a Werewolf lunged for her, and she swung it toward his face, heedless of the snapping jaws.

The Werewolf yelped and just missed crashing into her as the rock caught him just above his left eye. Its edge was sharper than Susan had realized, causing blood to fall into the Fell creature's eye. She scrambled to her feet only to be knocked down by another Werewolf. She screamed even as she slammed the rock against his ribs, "Help! Narnians! Aid!" Her unspoken prayers went unanswered as no one emerged from the trees to aid her.

She fought to keep panic from overwhelming her. Instead, she gritted her teeth and swung the rock at the Werewolf again, trying to stun him or wind him enough for her to run again. The Werewolf snarled and then the Werewolf she had wounded first helped him pin her down. She struggled as best she could, but the Werewolves were slowly crushing her into the snow as they both stared at her hungrily. She once again refused to close her eyes. She would not let them have that victory. Aslan, into Thy paws.

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Brutus and his third tossed the two younger pack members off the pretender queen. He snarled and they both crouched low in the snow, flattening their ears completely, and tucking their tails. They were too weak to fight him and win, even if they worked together. "She is not for eating...yet."

They whined, "Yes, Alpha."

They began to slink away, but Brutus had had enough with his pack allowing their hunger to overrule his orders. He caught the weakest Werewolf, the one the pretender queen had wounded with a rock, by the leg, sinking his claws into the muscles as he yanked him back. Brutus growled as he landed a killing blow before the weakling could even attempt to block it. He removed the heart then tossed the body toward the pack who fell on it eagerly. The other Werewolf slunk away, hiding behind the rest of the feasting pack as Brutus turned to the pretender queen. She reeked of fear and disgust, but her eyes showed only cool disdain. She didn't flinch even when he snarled, "Once my plan for you is complete that will be you, usurper." He tossed half the heart at her feet and snarled in his own twisted version of a grin before he swallowed his half in one gulp.

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Susan felt her stomach churn as she observed the Werewolves killing and devouring a member of their own pack. When the leader turned his back on her, she subtly scooted her feet back from the bloody piece of the heart he had tossed at her feet. The only glimmer of hope she had was that for now she was safe from being eaten by the Werewolves, which meant she had time to figure out a better way of escaping the Fell. And, the others would surely be closer to finding her as well. She looked up at the stars shining brightly above her and found the Leopard, Lucy's favorite constellation, and then her gaze settled on Spearhead. If she could just get away from the Werewolves, she knew she could follow Spearhead home. They were currently heading west...she just needed a more opportune moment to escape so she could get far enough away from the Werewolves. Aslan, guide me. She just had to bide her time until it was the right moment for her escape. Susan finally glanced back at the Werewolves and refused to do anything except give a disapproving sniff when she met the leader's evil gaze.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Okay, so real life finally let me finish this chapter. I do warn that there might be a lengthy gap before the next chapter is posted due to school and other real life interference. Any guesses as to what Kat's plan is? Do you think Oreius and the Kings will reach them in time to help Kat rescue Susan? Leave a review and let me know what y'all think.