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: A sorcerer challenged by Aslan. Love and friendship alike are tested by his presence. And the Gentle Queen faces her own challenge when the sorcerer's true colors are unveiled.

A/N: If you have not read the first eight stories in the A Light in the Darkness main story arc (Awakened, Shadowed, Revealed, Concealed, Rekindled, Refracted, Reflected, and Veiled), I highly recommend you do so for the full experience. However, I have included a quick summary of the previous stories so if you want to give this one a whirl on its own, you can.

Chapter Six: Cross Purposes

9 Sunbend 1009

It had been almost a fortnight since Alambiel took charge of the patrol. Oreius rested his forearms against the balcony railing as he watched the celebration taking place below. Had the revelries not been winding down at last, he would not have removed himself. But he had grown weary of avoiding too many questions about why Alambiel had gone instead of allowing another officer to go. It had to be the long patrol.

Oreius shook his head then left the balcony. His gaze travelled over the bedchamber that seemed oddly cold and empty. He had not thought, had not guessed that it would feel this way since they had only spent five days sharing these quarters and he had lived in them alone and content for nine years. But he had already spent almost as much time separated from his wife as he had with her during their marriage. Why did it have to be the long patrol?

He quickly retreated to his study then stopped. A sealed missive lay in the center of his desk. His name was written on the front and he felt the strain ease slightly as he recognized Alambiel's script. Oreius tore open the missive then slid out the single sheet of parchment. This cannot continue. It was a fool's choice, this marriage. I will not return to you.

"What?" Oreius could not believe that Alambiel would write something like this, no matter how miffed she was over the guards. She would not do this. He frowned at the parchment, studying the script more closely. Oreius unlocked the center drawer, yanked it open, and then pulled out the note Alambiel had left concerning her decision to head the patrol. Placing the two missives side by side, he could see the subtle and very few differences in the forms of the letters. The forger's attempted deception was very good but their choice of words had been completely wrong. He could not imagine Alambiel taking such recourse. His Alambiel who never feared to argue with him when she thought he was in the wrong. Yes, she might grow angry enough to feel she needed to retreat, but he would never think her so cruel as to write him this sort of missive.

No, she would not. The proof was before him. But this forger was very good. And that made whoever it was dangerous. Oreius considered the parchment again and then locked it away along with the real note from Alambiel. He would speak to one of the Sparrows. Yes, Ruffalo, he would be a good choice. The most discreet among the Birds and small enough that he would not be seen unless he revealed himself. Yes, Ruffalo would keep watch over his study and see who was leaving the missives or was carrying them on another's behalf. And as soon as his wife returned, Oreius would show her the evidence.

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The stars shone above her, ethereal in their distant beauty. For a moment, she looked up at them and allowed herself to imagine that Oreius had wrapped his arms around her and was rumbling the meaning behind the stars' dance that night in her ear.

"My Lady?"

Alambiel started slightly then turned her head to the right. Ptah was watching her, his eyes gleaming in the darkness. "Is there a report?"

"No." The Leopard padded silently across the grass and sat next to her, still watching her closely. "My Lady, are you all right?"

She glanced back down the hill where the rest of the patrol had made camp and set a watch then lowered her voice. "Not as much as I could be."

Ptah rested one heavy paw on her shoulder. "Are you still angry with your mate? The General only wants to protect you."

"I know," she whispered. "I know that's what he wants but the way he went about it…hurt."

"My understanding is that the first year of marriage can be the most difficult, especially when it is between two soldiers. But is your hurt pride enough?"

Alambiel shook her head. "There was more to it than pride, Ptah. Although that was dented too. But, I'm not a child…I should know better than to run away just because I'm…I'm…"

"Afraid?"

She glanced at him then rested her hand between his ears, stroking lightly. "Maybe I do need some new guards. Ones who can't read me as well as you can." The Leopard chuffed and she smiled slightly, still petting his fur. "The details are ones that must be addressed to Oreius and not you, my dear friend. But thank you anyway." She kissed him between his ears.

"I am here when you need me, My Lady."

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Alambiel jerked upright, gasping for breath. She looked around but there was no one else there save for Ptah who still lay with his forepaws crossed over her legs even though he was now awake and watching her. She swallowed hard then scrambled to her feet. "Rouse the others. We need to go into the Western March."

"But that will cause us to miss the next checkpoint and we do not know if the Fell have retreated far from the border."

"Do as I say." Alambiel patted her knives, calming slightly when she felt the hilts. She glanced at the Leopard and repeated in a softer tone, "Just do it, Ptah. Trust me. We need to go there. It's important."

"Yes, Dame Sepphora."

As the Leopard picked his way down the hill, Alambiel wiped the cold sweat from her brow. The dream wasn't one she could ignore. Whatever they found beyond Narnia's northwestern border, it was important. It was vital to Narnia's survival that she reach it first.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! Don't you just love complications and mysteries? :) Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.