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 Twenty-Eight: Clarity

Smiling and laughing faces populated the banquet hall as the guests enjoyed some early dancing before the feast was set out. Tarkaan Babak had declined to attend, which was both a relief and a concern, but a quick conference with Edmund proved that his spies were still keeping an eye on the Calormene party and they were conducting a quiet meal thus far. Years of practice allowed Susan to maintain a small, pleasant but noncommittal smile as she listened with half an ear to Lord Derrick's ramblings on seashells. She wasn't entirely certain as to whether he was again trying to compare her to seashells or if he merely thought she was most interested in them.

When Kat finally arrived, Susan turned her most charming smile on the nephew of Terebinthia's ambassador and politely excused herself from his company. He bowed but then he followed after her, lingering only just far enough to be considered proper. Susan repressed the urge to sigh. It was as if Lord Derrick were intent on pressing his suit tonight.

"Lord Derrick, there you are!" A glance over her shoulder proved that Edmund, Lion bless him, had decided to intercede. Her younger brother grasped the Terebinthian lord's shoulder. "I say, I was hoping you would be able to aid me in this discussion with Lord Peridan and your uncle. They have arrayed themselves against me and my royal brother has decided the delight of dancing with his wife is only buoyed by the delight of leaving me alone."

The older man cast a longing look in her direction just as Susan hurriedly turned away. She heard his hesitant answer, "If you truly think I may be of service, your majesty, I shall do my best."

"You're just the chap I need, Lord Derrick. Come along now."

Susan risked a glance back and saw her brother had successfully turned Derrick away from his pursuit. She mouthed 'thank you' and Edmund mouthed back 'apple pie.' She almost frowned but then she relented with a smile and a gracious dip of her head. After all, he had managed to keep his foolish Wolf pups out of trouble for the last week, which was quite an achievement.

"I see Edmund has removed the leech."

Susan whirled to see Kat standing behind her. The older woman grinned. "I had to escape Terrick already and I haven't been here more than five minutes. Deianeira recruited one of the Cherry Dryads to natter at the man."

"Oreius did not scare him off?"

"Oh, I'm sure he would but they haven't actually met. At least, not since Terrick decided he must pursue me." Kat glanced over her shoulder then she nodded to one of the tables. "I suppose we'll have to take our seats soon."

"Yes," she looped her arm through Kat's and steered her toward the table, "come on, I'll show you where you and Oreius shall be sitting. I thought it would be prudent to seat you together. Actually, where is Oreius? Not indisposed still?"

"No, the Kentauri and I were both on our way here when he was delayed." Kat looked around, a slightly distracted air about her. "He promised he would make it to the banquet, Susan."

"Then, I'm sure he will."

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

Oreius was not surprised when Despoina looked up at his entry into the small meeting room only to give him an imperious look. "You are late and where is the filly?"

He did not react save to offer a slight bow. "Aunt Despoina, I did not know to expect you." Then he nodded to the three stallions. "Uncle Frostmoon, Stormwind, Firemoon."

His cousins shuffled their hooves, looking more than a little uncomfortable, especially Firemoon but the palomino stallion had also been raised by his grandparents. And he was still young. Frostmoon merely bowed his head then crossed his arms over his chest and flowing steel-grey beard. "Nephew. Stormwind told us you married in Greenroof."

"I did."

"Then why were we not informed?" Despoina asked with no small amount of disapproval in her dark eyes. She lifted her chin, making a show of scanning the room. "And where is this filly you married? Has she deemed herself too important to greet her husband's kin?"

Oreius flicked his tail, measuring the response he wanted to give. Despoina had always been set in her ways, worse than Alcippe. Better to appease than to immediately reprimand her hasty judgment of Alambiel. Despoina would not take kindly to his efforts to protect his wife; unfortunately, they would be more likely to set her permanently against Alambiel. Oreius forced down the urge to reprimand his great-aunt. "The wedding took place under a hastened amount of time and Stormwind was there to provide representation for Selene's herd. I also expected him to carry word of my marriage to your ears, Aunt Despoina, as he has done. My wife is fulfilling her duties as a royal this night and could not accompany me. Allow us to make amends for the delay in introductions by hosting you all tomorrow eve so I might introduce my wife to you properly."

Despoina raised her head, watching him for several long moments, before she gave an imperious little nod. "Very well. I am interested in meeting this filly Stormwind claims has stolen you completely."

"I would not have married her if she had not." Oreius opened the door and bowed slightly. "There is a servant waiting to escort you to appropriate guest quarters."

Stormwind lingered, sympathy in his gaze, as the elder Centaurs and his brother followed the Gazelle doe who tended to nocturnal guests' arrival and room assignments. "I attempted to persuade Grandam and Grandda to at least send word of our arrival but Grandam would not be moved. And Grandda decided to let her have her way."

Oreius clapped his cousin on the shoulder, already shaking his head. "When has trying to dissuade Despoina ever worked? Come; let us ensure that she finds her quarters tolerable at the very least."

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

"Please, your majesty." Lord Derrick gave her the most eager expression as he laid his hand over his heart. "I assure you I am in earnest. Mayn't I at least beg the favor of holding your ivory, no, porcelain hand?"

Susan looked up at the stars glinting overheard and allowed the barest smiles to appear as she admired their beauty. But, she still kept both of her hands fully occupied with holding her shawl in place. "Lord Derrick, there is a bench where we might take a brief respite and talk more."

He nodded eagerly then sat next to her on the bench with less space between them than she had expected based on his past behavior. But her guard was within earshot. Even eager lords would not argue with sharp steel and bared claws. And that was before her brothers learned of their forwardness. Still, Susan twitched the shawl closer about herself and absently wished she had brought a cloak as the cold night breeze bit through the light layers easily. "Lord Derrick. I am flattered by your continued and persistent suit of my hand. However, I wonder if you might share with me the reason you chose to pursue me long after other men have given up."

"Because I am entranced!" he blurted out, almost yelling. He cleared his throat, turning almost as red as his hair. Then he grasped her hand, half-tugging her shawl off in his enthusiasm as he slid off the bench to land on one knee. "Indeed, I am most entranced. There are none who can rival your beauty in all the world. Your eyes and lips are formed of the tenderest of flowers. Would that you were in my garden. Or a greenhouse. A greenhouse would certainly keep you more delicately than just a garden. Your hair rivals the beauty of the night sky and should be shorn. No, not shorn, shown, yes, it should be shown to the envious weavers and grand ladies who could find no silk so soft."

Susan stared at him. His flatteries fell soundlessly on her ears. They never truly varied from what her past suitors were always so quick to praise, her face, her beauty. Lord Derrick was as blind as the others before him. He did not see her. Not to her heart or character. He did not want to look so deep. Her gaze flicked up to the twinkling stars overhead. Aslan, I- Is Markus correct? Do my manners only attract those men who want a trophy to parade? Lord Derrick tightened his grasp on her hand, drawing Susan's attention back to him, as his eyes fastened on her mouth. "Lips like tender buds, the dew that kisses them should be envied by men."

He leaned in but Susan yanked free of him, shoving him back so he overbalanced and fell on his rear. She jerked her shawl back into place as she rose from the little bench. She allowed no warmth to enter her voice as she stared down at the Terebinthian. "You, sir, have overstepped. We are not some village maid too afraid to reject your dishonorable actions. Should Our brothers learn of your behavior tonight, they will not hesitate to strike, which would be a pitying fate to befall your poor uncle. We have no desire to join Our life with yours in any sense. Return to your uncle and inform him that he is now able to return home." She sidestepped as Lord Derrick reached out a hand and two of her guards came out of the shadows, a Centaur and one of the fierce Big Cats. "Do not attempt to delay Us in Our return or We shall not forgive such an act as overzealousness. Good night, Lord Derrick. We bid you a safe journey on the morrow."

Then she swept away from him, returning to the palace and her quarters before she allowed herself to tremble. Susan looked around the empty rooms. It would be a lie to say that she did not want love, did not want children of her own. But she wanted to have what Peter had with Thalia and what Kat had with Oreius. A single tear blurred her vision but she caught the drop before it fully escaped. Removing her crown and tossing aside her shawl, Susan scanned the lonely rooms once more then slipped out. Her journey didn't take her far, just down the hall. She knocked once then slipped in.

Lucy looked up and immediately dismissed the ladies-in-waiting. Then the two sisters embraced. Susan was grateful that Lucy didn't ask why she had come. Instead, her joyous little sister merely took her by the hand and led her to the pile of pillows in front of the fireplace. "Susan, you won't believe what I saw! Mr. Tumnus was talking to Harmonia, one of the Apple Dryads and . . ." She grinned mischievously. "I think he likes her a lot. We simply must see about helping them get to know each other better. I thought maybe we could…"

As she listened to Lucy's matchmaking ideas, Susan silently thanked Aslan that she had a sister who knew when to ask questions and when a distraction was most needed.

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

"Ah, Your Highness."

Alambiel rolled her eyes then turned around to see Terrick watching her. The Terebinthian ran a hand through his thick brownish-red curls that were too perfect to be natural. Cavalier curls. He offered her a crooked grin. "My Lady."

"Certainly not yours."

Terrick chuckled. Alambiel sighed, wondering what it was she did that seemed to appeal to one honorable Centaur and a whole bunch of scuzzballs. Terrick grinned at her, moving in closer and making her fingers itch for a dagger. "Not yet, at least. But, that can be changed."

"I'm married. Happily by the way." She glanced around but most of the crowd had dispersed after Peter and Thalia disappeared. Lucy had already retired and Edmund had been forced to chase after Remus once that pup stole an overly embroidered handbag from one of the ladies visiting from the Lone Islands. She had a feeling it was the dangling feathers that made the bag so irresistible to the pup. She looked back at Terrick who was still grinning like an idiot. Maybe she should stab him. "You do understand that I'm happily married, don't you?"

"I do not see how this can be true."

She frowned. "And just how do you get that conclusion?"

Terrick gestured at the room with a too-practiced flick of the wrist. "Where is your husband? He should be here, paying court to your every whim and anticipating your every desire. You are left alone too often, My Lady. If your husband is too blind to appreciate you, well, another could prove the ardent admiration you invoke."

Ew. Alambiel raised an eyebrow. "That tripped so smoothly off your tongue that I wonder if you've approached women with such an offer before."

He didn't even have the wit to realize she wasn't complimenting him. Instead, he grinned and bowed. "You see truly, My Lady. But the five ladies before you could not compare to your exotic nature. They did not wield swords as easily as an embroidery needle."

How flattering. Not. "And were they all unappreciated by their husbands?"

Terrick winked. "The four who saw the wisdom of my offer were, fortunately for me. The fifth was a maid closely guarded. She was not worth the noose of marriage."

She really should stab him. However, it would probably just convince the idiot that she was infatuated with him. She'd have to go with a different tactic. Alambiel smiled. "Ah, but what you do not realize is I already have a lover too. And I'm quite satisfied with his attentions."

The man was too busy staring at her, probably trying to think of how to spin a new strategy, to notice when she waved at someone behind him. Terrick didn't turn around until he heard the stamp of a hoof. Alambiel bit back a grin. "Lord Terrick, I don't believe you've had the chance to be properly introduced to General Sir Oreius Cyneward." She paused, enjoying the show as Terrick seemed frozen by Oreius' impassive gaze, then added cheerfully, "My lover."

Terrick staggered back a step. "But the General is your husband."

"Oh yes, that too."

She grinned as the Terebinthian blanched then offered her an abbreviated bow, stuttering, "I-I-I m-must take m-my lea-leave, y-y-yes." Then he turned on his heel, gave Oreius a wide berth, and ran.

Alambiel watched him go then snickered. She turned back to Oreius only to find him giving her a rather reproving look as he folded his arms over his chest. "Alambiel."

"What? It's in our wedding vows. Not to mention it is far less awkward than risking the wrong name by cheating." She grinned as she added casually, "Besides, I checked. You're the only Centaur named 'Oreius.' Actually, you're the only Oreius in Narnia." Oreius raised both eyebrows at her, still attempting to convince her he was being stern, but she saw the little twitch at the corner of his mouth that proved he was far more amused than scandalized. She stepped closer to him, fluttered her eyelashes, and lowered her voice. "And as I told the upstart philanderer, I am most satisfied with my great love affair."

His gaze softened and the Kentauri chuckled. "I think we should return to our quarters before you give the soldiers and courtiers even more to gossip about this eve."

Alambiel rolled her eyes. "Leat a dhéanamh a bhaint amach Ba mhaith liom tú a póg dom, ceart?" You do realize I want you to kiss me, right?

Oreius leaned down, placing his mouth beside her ear as he whispered, "And I will. When we will not be interrupted."

She sighed. "So decorous. Fine." Walking around him, she paused to see if he would offer his arm this time or at least take her hand, but he didn't. They walked in silence through the halls. Alambiel clasped her hands in front of her as she stole a glance at the Kentauri once they had nearly reached their quarters. "You know what I said earlier about names?"

"Yes?"

"Is é an t-aon bhealach a bheadh ann Centaur eile a roinn d'ainm má ainmnithe muid air an óige." The only way there would be another Centaur who shared your name is if we named him the Younger. She laughed at the stunned look the Kentauri granted her then casually sauntered into their quarters. Perhaps one of their sons would indeed share his sire's name but she wasn't certain about letting that son be the eldest.

ӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁӁ

A/N: Please Read and Review!