Daring to Dream
Chapter Thirteen
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Timeon made a slow assessment of the arm and eventually gave a nod of approval.
"Healing well," he stated. "We caught the break in time and I'm pleased with the progress of the healing. How does it feel, Miss Karna?"
"Comfortable enough, as long as it isn't jogged," she replied.
Karna smiled slightly at the older man. Compared to the other Narnians she had met, Timeon was older and more thoughtful. He was also something of a mystery.
Where Peridan and Marken were open, there was something almost guarded about the healer.
"The herbs truly help with the pain, sir. Thank you."
"No need to thank me miss, it's my calling," came the gruff reply.
She nodded. "Well I thank you nonetheless. We could never have afforded the physician's bill."
Timeon inclined his head by way of reply. He was a man of few words and often struggled with women, least of all a young one. But there was something so earnest in this young woman's inquiries that he couldn't help listening.
"Where did you learn your arts, sir?"
"I wouldn't call them arts, miss. There is no magic in what I do. I was trained by my uncle."
"From where do you hail? Are you of Narnia?"
Her dream was fresh in her mind.
"Nay. I was born on Galma."
"Galma? Where is that?"
"It is an island far to the east."
"An island? By Tash, do you mean surrounded by water? My mother spoke of such things in my girlhood."
"Indeed, miss. It has water on every side. Picturesque I suppose it might be called. Very different to Calormen, though."
"It must be. I have only ever seen the sea from a distance. On a high cliff overlooking the Eastern Sea and the Bight of Calormen."
"Well Galma is three days' sailing to the east."
The girl's curiosity was voracious and somehow, she had drawn him in.
But Timeon saw a sudden change come over her. She leant back and became almost shy.
"Do … do … do they worship the lion on Galma, sir?"
He watched her face carefully. Her peculiar question caught him completely off guard. Where had this inquiry come from?
"We do, miss," he replied slowly. "Aslan, the great lion, is worshipped by all who live north of the Winding Arrow River."
She nodded.
Try though he might, he could not help pressing her. "Why do you ask?"
Karna flushed and looked down. The edge of the blanket was pulled to almost a tourniquet around her fidgeting fingers.
"I … I was just curious when Lord Peridan mentioned him. He seems very different to Tash."
"Aye, that he is. As different as night from day."
"Have you ever seen him?"
The older man paused. A long moment passed before he spoke. "Just once, from a distance. He came to Cair Paravel on the day of Queen Lucy's eighteenth birthday and I saw him. None who were there that day can forget it."
Karna's mouth dropped open. Karlis gasped.
"You actually saw a deity!" Karna exclaimed. "What was he like?" She felt her heart give an odd flutter.
For the first time in their short acquaintance, Timeon smiled deeply.
"Wonderful," he said. "Powerful, strong, beautiful, magnificent – everything you could dream of or ask for."
His expression was hard to describe at that moment – peaceful and happy, but it ran deeper – to a contentment that seemed to capture his very soul.
Karna felt it again, that odd fluttering of her heart. A yearning deep within herself.
In that moment she knew that she longed to share that feeling, to experience the same bliss. She was about to ask something else, when a loud hammering came upon the door.
They all jumped.
Karna felt a spike of pain streak up her arm at the sudden jerk. Karlis gave a small scream. Timeon sprang to his feet with a hand on his blade.
"Who could it be?" whispered Karna.
Karlis shook her head. "I don't know."
Though her hands still shook, Karlis forced herself to rise and moved into the other room. She firmly closed the door to the bedroom, trying to still the swift beating of her heart. What was wrong with her? It could be anyone!
Unable to stand the tension, she opened the door quickly.
Tarlana stood there.
Karlis smiled from relief. She moved forward to embrace her, but Tarlana's expression made her pause.
Something was wrong.
"Come in, my sister," she said, moving aside.
Tarlana walked into the room as though in a daze. She turned to stare at Karlis and her expression could only be described as haunted. Swiftly, her younger sister urged her into a chair and started some water heating for tea. She also opened the door, assuring the others that it was only Tarlana.
Karna was so alarmed by the sight of her sister that she made to rise. Timeon gave a helping hand and soon had her installed in the other chair.
Tarlana jerked back to reality at the sight of her eldest sister.
"It's Mother…" Her voice shook. "She's been coughing a great deal this past week and I was worried, but she told me not to fuss. Then I found her collapsed on the floor this morning. Even Father looked worried and told me to take the day off work to tend to her. I've spoken to Maralis and she offered me some herbs that she uses when the children have a fever, but they don't seem to be working."
Karna took Tarlana's hand in her own and Karlis brought her a cup of tea. Both were wordless with horror.
"What are her symptoms?" Timeon's reaction was immediate. He knelt by the young woman. "What ailments is she suffering?"
Tarlana took a shaky sip of tea. "Fever, night sweats and a dreadful hacking cough, sir."
Karlis and Karna gasped. They knew these symptoms. Every Calormene citizen knew the signs of the most dreaded disease. Timeon voiced their terror.
"Consumption most likely. By the mane, if only I could see her …"
Karlis gasped. "Sir you can't, you know you can't. Karna's anonymity is only protected here because it is far enough from our Father's residence. If you were seen entering that house, then word would most certainly reach him."
"What do I care of that?" Karna exclaimed, "Mother is very ill and here is a good man who is not only willing but urgent to help her. You must take him Tarlana."
Tarlana stared at her eldest sister, hope and fear chasing each other across her face.
Karlis remained adamant. "It must not be attempted Karna, if you are discovered there is nowhere you can go. You know our father will hunt until he finds you. It is only because he thinks you dead that he has not done more."
"What does that matter in the face of our mother facing death?"
Timeon finally spoke. "If I might interject. I believe that no decision should be made rashly. There is a great deal to consider and before a course is chosen, I wish to speak to Lord Peridan. We need to discuss every choice and its consequences. Karna I do understand your urgency, but your sister is right. No decision can be reached until we have given this some serious and careful thought. The risks on either side are great."
He rose with a sudden weariness and drew a small bag from his healer's satchel. "In the meantime, Miss Tarlana, take these herbs and give them to your mother in an infusion of weak tea every other hour."
Tarlana rose and took the bag gratefully.
Timeon followed her to the door.
"I have already lingered longer than is wise," he stated. "I will return tomorrow evening after a conversation with Lord Peridan. Until then, do nothing."
He held Karna's gaze for a long moment. "Regardless of what your heart is telling you to do, heed my words. Do nothing. Rash action is the greatest danger at this time."
Karna returned his stare with a reluctant nod. She knew his wisdom was true, but her impulsive nature balked at the inaction.
The healer rested a hand on her shoulder for a single moment before nodding to Karlis. "Have patience and trust that all will be well."
Tarlana and he left together, disappearing into the bustling streets.
Peridan had always loved the dawn. Rising with the birds had been a habit since he was a child, and growing to manhood had not altered his routine.
It was that half hour, just before the sun properly rose. When the darkness was fading, giving way to the first pale light of a new day. A fresh chance to undo mistakes and make the most of a new opportunity.
Dawn was slightly different in Calormen, but the feeling was the same.
Fewer birds sung, but the freshness of the air had a greater significance. It gave a respite from the unrelenting heat of the climate. The same stars waned in that half hour as the sun's brightness banished their presence for another day.
At home he would always spend the dawn walking through the woods, or along the beach that lay below Cair Paravel. It was often during these times that he would walk with his great friend Sallowpad, discussing issues of court or questions of diplomacy. In their many years of friendship, the talking bird had become a true confidante for the knight.
They had continued this habit after the royal party's arrival and though not home, had found the house's garden to serve just as well for their dawn walks.
It was the sixth day when Peridan entered the garden again, slightly later than their usual hour of meeting. Sallowpad was perched upon the wall, overlooking the city as he often did.
"Sixth morning, my friend," he croaked before Peridan was half way across the garden.
The lord laughed. "Indeed. I apologise for my lateness; I seem to have developed a taste for the Calormen people's excellent plum wine."
"I shall have to take your words for it," Sallowpad replied with a ruffle of his feathers. "I have been pondering a mystery this morning, Peridan."
"What mystery, my friend?"
"What we are still doing in this alien city. Do you think our fair queen is blinded to the arrogance of this prince? Does she not see the brittleness of his charm?"
Peridan sighed. "I do not know, Sallowpad. Susan seems delighted with all that she beholds. But it is a wonder to me that she could ever imagine herself happy living among such vanity. I cannot help feeling that every Tarkheena who approaches her in the name of friendship is seeking intimacy in order to find a fault that may be used against her. Her majesty is so trusting that I am afraid she will be taken in and grievously hurt."
"Have you spoken to her highness of this?"
"Not candidly. I dare not. She must come to her own conclusions about Prince Rabadash."
"What does the king say?"
"We are of the same opinion. King Edmund also wonders at her majesty's choice. But he is loath to influence her, he wishes Queen Susan to make her own decision. Freedom of choice is what our dear country is built upon. I have seen the consequences of forced marriage first hand in this land and would not force any creature to marry against their will."
"Do you speak of the servant girl you met?"
"I do. If she had been given the freedom to choose her husband, she would not have been forced to reject him so publicly and suffered as she has."
"But Peridan, you must remember that every culture is different and has varying traditions."
"I have certainly seen enough of this world to know it, Sallowpad. But though I might have to show respect for differing traditions, it does not mean I have to agree with them."
The raven nodded, though he still appeared troubled. "I suppose all we can do is trust the queen's judgement and aid her as well as we can."
Peridan agreed. "As we will always do. It must be the queen's decision. Come, let us speak of other things."
They spent a lighter half hour discussing the various characters and absurdities they had met over the six days of their visit, when they were joined by a red dwarf. Peridan inclined his head.
"Good morning Droggin, how may we be of service?"
The dwarf gave a small bow and fingered his beard. "Good morrow my lord, Master raven. If it please you, Mr Tumnus bade me come and fetch you both. He wishes to have a meeting before our departure for the Tisroc's palace."
Peridan nodded. "Then please lead the way, we will not have long before it is time to depart."
After a quick discussion concerning arrangements for the day, Peridan found himself following behind the king and queen as they left for yet another entertainment.
It seemed that the prince was determined to show off to the queen in every possible way. After exhibiting his skills as a rider in a jousting tournament over the first three days, there had then been an expansive tour of the city and endless dances held every night in the Tisroc's palace.
Today's excursion was to be a pleasure cruise down the river as far as the Eastern Sea on the Prince's grandest ship. They were to have breakfast and their midday meal on the vessel, before returning for a banquet at the Tisroc's palace that evening.
Unable to forget memories of his last voyage, Peridan sought any distraction and decided that a detailed consideration of the passing scenery might aid his wretched sea-sickness. He was just comparing the lush gardens of the river-side homes to that of the distant desert, when he became aware that he had company.
Slightly embarrassed, he bowed deeply to the Tarkheena. "My lady Tarkheena, I am so very sorry, I did not see you there."
Tarkheena Menelay smiled. "Do not apologise, my lord. You seemed lost in your contemplation of my fair homeland."
"Indeed," he replied. "I was just pondering how it was your gardeners are able to cultivate such verdant gardens in an arid climate."
"With great skill my lord. They are careful with their use of water and choice of plant. I do not lie when I say that we have some of the cleverest gardeners in the world."
"I do not doubt it. I have a great fondness for the garden attached to our house."
The Tarkheena nodded. "I have a great love for my own garden. I take delight in tending it myself, though it would shock my fellow nobility to hear such scandal."
Peridan laughed. "Then you may join the Queen Susan in that scandal, my lady. She too enjoys gardening, though its chief care falls to the moles. They are greatly gifted in tending the soil."
She nodded. "Your companions have caused much wonder, my lord. Many among the nobility of my country are amazed by the population of your country."
He smiled. "It does take time to properly grow accustomed to the talking beasts, but each race has their own area of skills that humans cannot hope to compete with. For the moles it is their cultivation of plants, for the birds it is their sight, for the dogs their sense of smell and so on."
"You make me feel quite envious," she confessed. "I understand you do not come from Narnia originally, my lord Peridan?"
"Nay, my lady Tarkheena, I was born in Archenland."
"One of our neighbours. Though almost unreachable with the desert in the way."
"Indeed. It is a far distance."
"Do you miss it, my lord?"
He considered this for a while. "Not overly, my lady Tarkheena. You see, I left Archenland at the age of sixteen in pursuit of adventure and have only returned occasionally."
"Do you not miss your family?"
"From time to time, but I was a second son and my eldest brother Per was to inherit the estate. So I decided to follow my friends in pursuit of adventure in the new land of Narnia. That was over fourteen years ago now and I have never regretted my decision."
Menelay's normally merry face was strangely sombre as she spoke. "So you have found acceptance and happiness in your new land, my lord?"
Peridan watched her carefully. "Indeed, my Lady Menelay. I beg your pardon, but have I offended you I some way? Are you quite well?"
She nodded. "Our conversation has just reawakened some long-buried memories." She turned to stare out, across the river. "What would you have done if you had not felt at home in Narnia? Would you have returned to your home land?"
"I suppose so," he replied, confused. "May I ask from where these questions come?"
The Tarkheena was silent for a long time. Peridan regarded her without pushing. He waited for her to speak.
Eventually, she found the words.
"Have you ever heard of the land of Ulvar, my lord?"
He thought for a moment. "Yes. Was it not on Calormen's southern border before the Tisroc invaded many years ago?"
She nodded. "It was finally vanquished in that war, but it had long been besieged by the Tisroc (may he live forever). They took many slaves in the decades before the campaign that saw their king captured and beheaded."
Peridan waited, watching her face. The Tarkheena's expression was hard to read. Her eyes were pained and angry, but her tone was almost wistful.
Slowly, she turned to him. "My lord, my mother was an Ulvarran. She was kidnapped from her home in a night-time raid. She was just twelve when she watched her family's home burnt to the ground. My grandfather, my grandmother and both my uncles still trapped inside. She was given no choice … it was either marry my father or become a slave. She always told me that I was the greatest gift she was ever given.
"You see; my father was killed in a border skirmish when I was only three. Mother was pregnant with my brother at the time so we were taken in by my uncle. He raised my brother but hated me, so he married me off as soon as he was able."
A slight smile touched her lips. "I was very fortunate, my dear husband grew fond of me and has been very good to me. I had a friend in my youth who had a very similar experience. She was also reviled for her birth and married off as soon as her father was able to find someone willing to take her on. We would always visit each other while our husbands were away."
She paused.
"I appear to have shocked you, my Lord Peridan."
Peridan was quiet for a time as her narrative sunk in. "I am only a little surprised by your tale, my lady. I did not know that the Calormene nobility married in such a manner."
"They do not often, my lord. My mother always told me that Father claimed he fell in love with her on sight. She mourned her family, but chose to make a new life. She thought that it was the only way to survive."
Peridan nodded. "And my story of leaving my homeland reminded you of your mother?"
She returned the nod. "Indeed. I have always wondered about the life I might have had if mother had married in Ulvar, but then I remember that such thoughts are fruitless and only lead to regret."
"My own father used to say that if we pursue them, the ghosts of what might have been will eventually drive us mad."
Menelay smiled slightly. "You have a hidden talent, my lord. I had no idea that you had such a poetical turn of phrase. You must share your gift with the Grand Vizir."
Peridan laughed at the Tarkheena's wicked smile. "If you dare say such a thing, I shall have to think up a suitable revenge, my lady Tarkheena."
Laughing for the first time, she patted his hand kindly. "Then I think we shall call it a draw, my lord."
Author's note:
I know, I know! I haven't updated in over a month and I deeply apologise. The truth is that I have been writing and re-writing this chapter for the past fortnight and not been happy with how it was turning out.
RL has also been throwing several things at me, such as work being crazy and also BECOMING AN AUNTIE!
I may have to write a baby into this just so my gorgeous nephew can have a cameo … we shall see!
There has been some significant plot building in this chapter, and I hope you are following my building of extra characters such as Timeon and Menelay.
I will be updating sooner rather than later as term calms down and I find some time to breathe. Anyway, happy new year! Thank you for all the reviews and support Narniac, Meldahlie, Anyabar, Gilgharrah and Guest, I hope you haven't forgotten the story line, I know it's been quite a while.
Thanks again and please read and review! They really do motivate me!
Breeze.