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 Fourteen: Changed?

4 Twirleaf 1009

Edmund wasn't surprised to see Oreius in front of Markus' cell. It would have been more surprising if he had not been there. The sorcerer was sitting on the cot, one leg pulled up so his foot was resting on the edge and his chin rested on his knee. The Centaur's tone remained stony, giving nothing away, as he questioned their prisoner. "Did you set any Fell to attack Narnia? To provide an opportunity of escape for you?"

Markus didn't bother to look at them. But his own tone seemed pleasant enough if a trifle bored as he stated, "That would be an exercise in futility, Centaur. After all, I am in the dungeon and I rather doubt any Fell who somehow won their way past your safeguards would be very interested in rescuing me. They would be far more concerned with slaying the Four or your wife or all five of them if they could manage such a feat."

The way Oreius' fists clenched made Edmund grateful that Markus was on the other side of two sets of bars because he wasn't sure if the good General's temper would tolerate much more of Markus' casual mention of possible assassinations. He decided he should intervene before anything happened to cut the sorcerer's life short. Stepping forward, he clasped his hands behind his back. "Maybe the conversation would be a more beneficial one if we discussed why you broke ties with the Fell as you claim."

The sorcerer twitched. It was a minor thing, more a flick of his hand than anything else, but something in the movement caught Edmund's attention. But was it caused by guilt of past association or by his words touching on a topic that Markus found difficult to provide a convincing story for? He wasn't sure yet. Edmund's eyes narrowed as he continued to wait on the sorcerer's reply but minutes crawled by and Markus said nothing.

"If you were confronted by the Great Lion, who also blinded your most effective means of cowing the Fell, would you have maintained ties with them?" The sorcerer glanced at him for the briefest of moments, then he stretched out on the cot, closed his eyes, and folded his arms over his chest. He yawned noisily then added, "I fear your questions have made me quite weary. Though I look forward to tomorrow's conversation."

Edmund met Oreius' furious gaze and shook his head slightly. They would not force Markus to pay attention to them. Not yet. He tilted his head toward the door and the Centaur offered a curt nod. But, just as the door was opened for them, Markus' rasping words carried to them, "But, General, I feel I should warn you to keep special watch over your lady wife. Linchpins are rarely allowed to live in peace. Too many people want to know what happens when they are . . . removed from the scenario."

The Centaur stopped, his tail flicking and lashing his flanks, but then he continued forward at a steady pace. Edmund had to lengthen his own stride though to keep as he followed Oreius out of the dungeons and up to his own study. He shut the door then sat behind the desk, silently thankful that his Wolves were off 'inspecting' the training yard. "Do you believe him, Oreius? That he's changed, I mean."

"No."

"I know the comments about Kat are troublesome, Oreius, but-"

He cut himself off as the Centaur shook his head. "No, my King, there is more to it than that, I assure you. This Markus was only lately on the battlefield fighting against us and it was only by the grace of Aslan that you and your brother escaped death at his hands. And yet he now claims that he serves Aslan. I have seen no behavior that can truly be attributed to a change of heart. His so-called advice and warnings are nothing more than threats couched in false concern. I cannot believe that he is here because Aslan sent him. It is far more likely that he only offered a pretense of repentance in order to be brought to Cair Paravel."

Edmund looked down, considering the evidence and weighing it against Markus' words and actions. He wanted to believe Markus was sincere if not always the most helpful but his words did not always align with his actions. "You've never cared for traitors, General."

"No." He started when a large hand closed around his shoulder. He looked up to meet the dark, solemn gaze of the Centaur who was the closest thing he had to a father in this world. Oreius nodded once. "No, I do not care for traitors and it takes much for me to believe them truly changed. Although there was one who more than proved his changed heart in the single act of destroying a wand."

Ducking his head, Edmund hoped he wasn't flushing but it did warm him to hear Oreius say that. He cleared his throat as Oreius withdrew to resume the stance of a general consulting with his king. Edmund picked up the wooden block that Kat had given him some years ago. He still didn't know what it was actually supposed to do but it was less dangerous to fiddle with than the biting fox. The wood was smooth and cool beneath his fingers as he turned it over. "Do you think it's easy to change?"

"I believe that depends on the habits you are attempting to change. New habits are relatively easy to adjust, mold, or even break. For the most part, at least. Older habits, however, tend to be the most difficult, especially if you have lived a life where those habits have formed and influenced your reactions for a significant amount of time." The Centaur looked away and his voice softened to the point that Edmund didn't think he was actually supposed to hear as Oreius said, "Even if you want to change them for a new, better habit that won't grieve the one you love."

Edmund twirled the wooden block, studying its smooth surfaces. "We don't even know how old he is or how long he lived one way before Aslan caught him. If He caught him. Maybe Markus needs more help, more time to break the old habits."

The silence was deafening and Edmund knew that the Centaur did not agree with the unspoken suggestion even if he did not voice his opinion. Actually, he suspected that Oreius would be far happier if they kept Markus locked up or possibly bound him hand and foot then tossed him into the sea. He looked up to meet the Centaur's dark gaze. "Why don't you believe him? The evidence does show that he has books about Aslan, writes about Aslan, and he has no difficulty speaking of Him."

Oreius shifted on his hooves then folded his arms over his chest, a shadow of memory in his eyes drawing his angular features into a sterner and more forbidding mien. "Not all of Jadis' spies were Fell to the point that they could not withstand the sound of the Name. Dwarfs, Satyrs, Fauns, Minotaurs, and various Beasts, even a very small number of Centaurs who had been blackmailed into spying to protect their herds (though they normally took care to feed Her old information), all of them could withstand the sound of Aslan's name. The best spies never gave away that the words they spoke and sometimes taught to others about Aslan were not truly imprinted on their hearts. They spoke rightly, even gave the appearance of living rightly, but it was ultimately proven to be a sham. And many well-meaning, trusting people were hurt by their actions. Sometimes they were even killed. This Markus may be attempting to act as though his heart has changed but knowing about Aslan and knowing Aslan are very different even if the actions and words can be similar."

"Then it's more reason to keep watch and ask him questions. We need more time to determine if he is sincere or simply trying to coax us into letting our guard down."

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Markus stared at the ceiling. The smooth stones overhead gave no hint of what occurred outside past the dungeon walls. He clenched his teeth, suddenly wanting to curse his inability to leave or to at least use his magic to see what went on in the wider world. He had refined that skill when Jadis brought him to Narnia and kept him locked in her own dungeon until she was certain that she had cowed any defiance he might have inherited from his father. But she had not kept him from seeing, from searching the enviable happiness in Narnia as well as Archenland and watching how those people lived. Until the day Jadis had caught him as he observed a pair of young siblings playing in the Eastern Sea under their Nereid mother's protective gaze.

He shuttered those memories away. Sitting up, he ran a hand over his face, feeling the scratchiness of his own beard. When would he learn? He had seen the affront on the Centaur's face whenever he spoke of Lew's Daughter in her role of linchpin and he found words escaping, forming themselves into the most aggravating means possible, as he reminded the General not only of her continued danger but also of his past failure to protect her. He needed advice. He needed to write but the quill and ink would not be brought for another three hours. He needed . . .

Leaping to his feet, Markus strode over to the bars. "You! Centaur, send someone for the Princess Royal! I have some important information to share with her."

The guard looked at him impassively then turned away. "You should wait and relay your message to the Kings or the General when they return to question you on the morrow."

He grasped the bars, wishing once again that he had his magic. "My information is for the Princess Royal. If she does not hear it today, then she will die."

The guards all looked at him and then the others turned to the golden Centaur. His expression hardened as he stamped one iron-shod hoof then nodded to the Starling perched on the empty sconce. Markus didn't move as the Bird flitted off. He ignored the glares from the guards, who no doubt interpreted his words as a threat against Lew's Daughter, but then he had seen before that most of the soldiers followed the General's example in being extremely overprotective as regarded the royals of Narnia.

Still he was surprised at how swiftly Lew's Daughter entered the dungeons (with the Leopard trailing in her wake). She motioned to the Centaur guard. "Unlock it, Darius. Now." Once she stood across from him with only the single set of bars separating them (but not so close that he could touch her), she propped her hands on her hips. "Are you really stupid enough to make death threats in your situation? If so, I'm disappointed. You're supposed to have better social skills than the other sorcerers."

Markus blinked. "Are you going to hit me?"

"I might if I get annoyed enough. Now," she raised an eyebrow, "what is it you really want to talk about? And if you say death threats, I will hit you. Hard."

He chuckled in spite of himself. Lew's Daughter always had such fire when she faced a challenge. "I may be more afraid of you than of your husband."

She grinned. "You'd better. And you should be doing your best to stay on my good side."

"What of your husband?"

"Oreius doesn't have a good side where you're concerned, Markus." She moved a little closer to the bars, her brown skirts rustling softly as she did so, and a more serious light crept into her eyes. "Why did you want to see me?"

"To warn you. There is a possibility that someone is hunting for you."

Lew's Daughter shrugged. "Someone's always hunting for me."

"This is different. There are forces at work that you are unaware of and the General and the Kings will not heed my warnings."

"Have you considered the fact that your tone is creating that result? You sound like you're taunting them. They don't react well to taunts, especially Oreius." She shook her head then moved closer to the bars as she lowered her voice, "I don't know what game you're playing right now, Markus, but you need to decide how sincere you really are and you need to work on living sincerely even though you are frustrated by the natural and expected caution you are being treated with. You've made a name for yourself and that can be a hindrance. So, tell me," she came even closer, "how are you going to change their minds about you? How are you going to prove you've really changed?

Markus stared at her then shook his head. "I do not know."

"That's a lazy answer." She turned to leave.

She couldn't leave yet. She could not leave him alone yet. Unthinking of the consequences, he reached between the bars and clamped his hand around her wrist. He heard the Leopard snarl and a low command that stayed the Beast but he paid no heed to any of it as he focused on the woman. "Don't. You have to listen. This is different. I cannot see what is happening outside these cells. My magic is sealed away, perhaps gone forever, and I can no longer use it to my advantage. I cannot offer you a more complete warning. You are being hunted by someone you will not recognize until it is too late. You will die and so will one of the Four. And then Narnia will burn."

Something in his words had an impact. Lew's Daughter tensed then turned to look at him but all the blood had drained from her face. "What?"

"I-"

"Release her!" The Centaur grabbed his arm with unforgiving force, breaking his hold on Lew's Daughter, and then shoving him back hard enough that Markus stumbled into the cot. He looked up to meet the General's blazing glare. He was now between his wife and the bars. Markus could just hear the rage boiling beneath as the General stated stonily, "Never touch anyone who comes down here. Guards or royals, you do not touch them. If you attempt to grab anyone again, it will be perceived as an attempted attack and you will be restrained even if it means you lose the offending hand. Do you understand, sorcerer?"

Markus sneered. "You perceive everything as an attempted attack, Centaur. All I intended was to ensure that she listened to what I had to say." He turned his back on them. Fools, all of them. This was why he despised interacting with others. They never listened and always jumped to conclusions. He ignored the imbeciles behind him even as swift steps sounded just before the door leading to the rest of the dungeons slammed shut. Fury made him want to curse or to lay a very particular curse on that Centaur. He hated-

A roar echoed through the air, driving Markus to his knees. Head bowed, he drew in one shuddering breath after another. A glance over his shoulder proved that the guards had not reacted. They had not heard the roar and none of the Big Cats were present now that the Leopard had left with his mistress. No, he knew the roar had echoed through his mind and his trembling soul recognized it as a warning. Aslan was still watching and He did not need magic to see all.

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A/N: Please Read and Review! So, more Markus as promised. Leave a review and let me know what y'all thought about this one.

A/N2: Jesus' girl 4 ever has made an awesome trailer for Unveiled. I am so thrilled with it. The link is in my profile next to Unveiled's entry in the chronology. Check it out and then please let me know what y'all think of it. Thank you, Jaygee! :D