Well, this is quite surprising but here I am with another chapter. We're moving right along!

Thanks to all who reviewed, namely zauberine, narniadreamer1, Pendragon2601, rainpaint, MCH, Eregnar, and 2inchfish! It's awesome to get such great feedback!

Thanks to all who put this story on alert and favorite as well!

Also, a thank you is due to Laer Fea for talking through this chapter and the next with me! You are awesome, lady! (And yes, that does mean I've got another chapter already in the works. Exciting!)

A/N: If you're completely confused after the next few chapters, just hang in there. Things will start clicking into place rather quickly.

Chapter 18: Scout

A quick burst of speed took her left at the gnarled oak.

Pause.

Smell the air.

Feel direction of the breeze.

The dappled colors of her furry coat blended with the shadows of the forest as Laresi's paws touched the cool earth in near-silence.

Her objective had been clear and there was little time with which to accomplish it. Every darkened corner could hide their enemy away from even her keen eyes. Speed was to be used in short bursts, giving way to stealth as she drew closer to the enemy's line.

A call of a falcon echoed through the air and Laresi's shoulders tightened, her chest dropping low to the ground, eyes darting to the sky. Her speed as a cheetah was legendary but a falcon would not need speed to find her, only a brief moment of carelessness of Laresi's part.

She caught the slightest glimpse of his dark feathers through the tree branches and then he was gone, his voice fading away slowly.

Safe then, for the moment. She crept out from the overhanging tree branches and made for the hill crest several yards ahead. The valley before her appeared to be empty but Laresi's skilled eye would not be fooled.

The distinct scent of bear, and possibly a faun as well, could be detected near a group of thick brambles and a moss-covered boulder. But these were the only scents she'd spotted in a half mile's length.

She'd found the weak spot then.

A thrill of accomplishment burned through her veins, her heart thrumming against her ribs. She waited a moment longer to confirm her suspicions and was rewarded by few snapping branches and a flash of thick, dark fur.

Laresi had no great fondness for bears. They were loud, fierce, and constantly complained of noise. Her liege-lord would not be terribly pleased by this unfolding of events but she supposed that it mattered little. In times like these, one could only find a way to push through anyway.

She flicked her tail and dove back down the hill. Her findings must be returned with all haste. No offensive movements could be mobilized until they had her final report. She lowered her shoulders, stretched her legs to their fullest and felt the air whistle past her ears.

Breathlessly, she found her companions near a grassy knoll, half-hidden beneath a fallen tree.

"What did you find?" A voice whispered and the golden head of High King Peter poked through the leaves. Behind him, a wolf and a lean centaur completed their company.

"There is but two patrolling guards, your majesty. A faun and a bear."

"Well, that's…surprising." He looked away in thought. "You're sure?"

"Yes, my lord. I believe they hoped the steep incline of the hill would deter an assault. The ground is quite slick. A falcon passed over briefly but did not return."

"Then we continue with the plan." He slapped the shoulder of the wolf nearest him, eyes alight with battle-lust. "Shall we?"

The wolf, called Cian if her memory served correctly, grinned back up at him. "Wit pleasure."

"Lead on, Laresi. We follow."

A slight jangle of chain mail and the group was on its, trailing closely behind her heels. They moved in silence save for a few gasps for air as they mounted the incline. She threw a look over her shoulder and saw that they had indeed slowed, grasping at the rocks along their path.

Immediately, her thoughts went to the need for silence and speed but even High King Peter seemed to struggle, his cheeks flushing and his breath coming quickly. He paused for a moment and wiped at his brow. Her admonition died on her lips and instead she felt concern.

"My lord?"

"It's fine." He grinned up at her. "Su's attack won't keep them distracted much longer. We need to press on."

"The crest of the hill is just ahead."

He nodded, drew an arm across his forehead, and began again.

Sure enough, they reached the top of hill in little time. High King Peter slid on his belly through the grasses and surveyed her findings.

"Behind that boulder there, my lord."

"Ah, yes." He sighed, a hand knotting in his hair. "A bear…this should be fun."

"Your orders, my lord?"

Whispered orders were distributed and the grating ring of metal leaving a scabbard left Rhindon gleaming even in the dark of the forest.

Exactly as planned, a loud snap of branches turned the faun's head, the bear following a moment later. High King Peter threw himself to his feet, crouched but moving quickly, while the distraction held their attention.

Cian leapt to the top of the boulder and snarled. The bear, fur graying about the edges of his face, spun and spread his arms.

But it was too late, and the one they call Magnificent was upon him.

The pommel of Rhindon made contact with his skull with a loud crack. He wavered a moment and then, like a decades old oak finally caving to a storm, he collapsed. The faun, just behind him, squeaked in fear, saw the High King, and tried to bolster his courage. His trembling hand reached for a silver horn on his belt, presumably to warn his comrades when a well-aimed rock made contact with his forehead. His eyes rolled up behind their lids and he slumped over the bear's back.

The tension in the King's body bled out. "Good shot."

"And you as well." Tristen, the centaur, bowed slightly.

The four of them stared down at their fallen foes and then turned to their next objective. They moved in tandem now, no words being spoken, as they mounted the last hill to deliver a definitive strike against the enemy's rear guard.

High King Peter caught her eye, waved his hand twice, and she leapt ahead of them. Pivoting hard to avoid the increasing boulders, she quickly distanced herself from them.

It was a scout's duty to encounter danger first.

The griffons had informed them that the bulk of the enemy's forces had moved south towards the river, leaving only a small contingency near their supplies. Those supplies were now the responsibility of the infiltrating party.

The dull white of a pitched tent appeared beyond the next rock and Laresi took the risk of leaping atop it to get a better view. Confusion wormed through her.

Only one tent…and no guard…this wasn't right.

She turned to warn the King but they were only a few dozen meters behind her. They'd moved faster than she'd anticipated. Her only option now was to call out.

"Turn back! Turn back!"

They hesitated as her words began to penetrate their single-minded focus.

But, much like the bear they'd trapped, it was too late.

Their enemies surrounded them in moments and the rocky field became a clash of weapons and battle-cries. High King Peter was surrounded by the bulk of their attackers, his golden head only visible over the pikes, blades, and chain mail.

Laresi jumped into the fray, tearing one of the thickly armored dwarves away with a swipe of her paws. Her liege-lord would not face them alone. Not while she had breath yet in her body.

The air became clouded with churned dust and Laresi had to move closer still to view High King Peter. He held his own, great blows from Rhindon keeping his attackers from landing any hits.

Suddenly, they parted and stilled as a helmed warrior strode into the circle. He was tall and slim, and wore a deep blue tunic over a suit of chain mail. He lifted a pair of swords in salute and then sank into an attack stance.

High King Peter lifted his own sword, closed his eyes, and breathed out slowly.

He was centering. She'd seen him do this before on the practice fields of Cair Paravel when a particularly difficult task lay ahead of him and a shiver ran down her spine in nervous anticipation. What would happen now would be fiercely intense.

The King's opponent seemed to recognize the moment as well and the sword in his right hand faltered slightly.

All at once, High King Peter's eyes snapped open, his lips quirked up in an irreverent grin, and he said, "For Narnia."

And then they met in flashing steel and intricate, dusty steps. The first few moments were blindingly fast and equally matched. Neither managed to corner the other and no blows came within a few inches of contact.

Laresi felt her throat constrict as a forceful swing from the helmed warrior drove the High King back several steps. He caught himself on the edge of a boulder and spun away, but his breath came quickly and his shoulders sagged.

"Cheap shot." He quipped.

The warrior tore off his helm. "Worked, didn't it?" Dark hair sticking in all directions, King Edmund the Just looked reminiscent of a sprite. "Besides, I thought you were the master of cheap shots."

"Oooh," A massive grin split the High Kind's face. "That's it!" And they were at it again, dust puffing up from where their boots scraped the ground.

Despite the High King's efforts, King Edmund's dual bladed attack proved too much at one moment and with a swift and well-placed kick, the High King fell harshly to his back. He managed to keep hold of Rhindon but his arms were splayed wide and King Edmund was quick on his feet.

Laresi darted forward to defend her liege-lord when a brilliant cloud of red exploded from the center of King Edmund's chest.

High King Peter was the first to brooch the silence. "I think that's a kill, Ed." His eyes twinkled as he stared down at his own unmarked jerkin.

"But…"

"You think too much, Edmund." There was a clatter of hooves and then Queen Susan astride a sturdy bay was amongst them, her empty bow across her lap and an empty quiver at her side.

King Edmund reached up and scratched the back of his neck, the corners of his mouth lifting. "I should have known he'd send you to meet up with him." He bent down and offered his brother a hand.

They sprang up together and High King Peter clapped a hand on King Edmund's shoulder. "Well fought all the same though, Ed. I think I'll have to spend more time on the training fields." He handed over an arrow shaft, bound at the head with powdered cloth.

"You've got to keep light on your feet somehow, clumsy oaf."

"I've just beaten you. A little humility might be in order."

"You'd be the one powdered if it weren't for Susan."

"I'll show you powdered."

King Edmund had the good sense to flee, the High King hot on his heels. Her first war games and she had done her duty. Laresi blew out a breath and watched in giddy relief as the two hollered and leapt from boulder to boulder, threats and even a few curses echoing over them.

The field was won.