[Fic] Under Foreign Skies
Sep. 6th, 2015 11:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
autumniaTitle: Under Foreign Skies
Summary: Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. And for Lord Peridan of Narnia, he could only dream of it as he searches for a missing prince in a foreign city.
Spoilers: The Horse and His Boy
He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"... Oh the sweet air of Narnia! An hour's life there is better than a thousand years in Calormen."
— Bree, "The Horse and His Boy", C.S. Lewis
***
The day had just begun but the sun already shone hot and bright above the land barely an hour after dawn. Every whitewashed wall and tower and silver dome was painted in shades of gold for miles along both banks of the river. The water below and between the banks sparkled like diamonds or stars against a deep blue liquid fabric that rippled downstream towards the mouth of the river. Many boats of various shapes and sizes bobbed up and down while the ropes that kept them tied to the floating docks swayed gently as the vessels rocked against the shifting currents.
Peridan raised his hand to his temple, shielding his eyes from the glare of strong sunlight as he scanned the opposite bank for any unusual movement. He wish he brought a spyglass but knew it would draw even more attention to himself than he wanted; the appearance of a pale Barbarian of the North outside the city gates at such an hour already attracted more than a few curious glances—if not questions—from the sailors and slaves that were working nearby. The width of the Tashiin River at this junction was far wider than the Fords of Beruna but not so much that he could not see what activities were going on with his own eyes. His previous life on the seas allowed him to see better against sunlit waters than the average man though his vision was naught compared to all the Birds could see.
He never liked Tashbaan and his tolerance of the capital decreased ever more during the midst of high summer as the heat of the sun mixed with the haze of dust and sand from the desert spread out behind the island city. What he wouldn't give to jump aboard one of the ships moored in the river and sail away from the capital, down the Tashiin and into the Bight and straight towards home.
"Any sign of our scapegrace?"
He shifted slightly at the voice that spoke from behind but kept his feet firmly on the ground. Years ago, he would have jumped at being startled so but with experience and time, he grew accustomed to the other's man predilection for moving about as quietly as a Talking Mouse.
"Nay, my liege. Just the usual hustle and bustle of the city. Surely the Prince wouldn't have been so foolish as to wander outside the gates?"
The other man gave a short but strained laugh as he stepped forward, standing beside him. "You know Corin as well as I do, Peridan. What think you?"
He thought for a moment. "Were I his age, King Edmund, I'd probably go to those places where I was expressly forbidden to visit."
"Exactly."
"But then again, Corin is no ordinary boy," Peridan said. "To his credit, the Prince is aware of his place and duty even if he does not enjoy it."
The King sighed. "Let's hope so. He did make a promise to Susan and knows he is honor bound to keep his oaths."
The two men lingered along the bank a little while longer, watching as a cog sailing under Terebinthian flags docked along the far bank. A large group of Calormene slaves boarded the vessel and formed a line from the deck down the gangplank, passing crates and barrels from the shoulders and backs of one person to the next and setting the cargo onto the pier. Uncomfortable as he was watching the slaves work, Peridan found it oddly soothing as his eyes followed the rhythmic pattern of objects as they moved up and down along the line.
Edmund turned his eyes away from the river and onto Peridan. "Come, we'll have to figure out what to do next if Corin has yet to appear by noon."
Peridan broke off his gaze and dutifully followed the other man as they walked along the riverbank. It was the same path he had taken earlier to reach the pier but now it was far more busy and crowded with people, horses, and carts tugged slowly along by dusty mules and donkeys. They were halfway to the city gates when Edmund turned swiftly to the right and made his way down another pier. A pair of armed guards were stationed at the base of the gangplank and as the King arrived, they stood at attention and saluted. Peridan walked a few paces behind the King and nodded at the guards as he passed them.
All was quiet aboard the Splendor Hyaline as the two men embarked. Unlike earlier, Edmund allowed his footsteps to be heard as his feet landed with a loud thump on the deck of the galleon. The sounds of boots stomping on wood were repeated as Peridan stepped off the gangplank and onto the boat. They could hear flapping wings echoing in the sky and looking up, they saw a large black bird fly between the rigging and furled sails before landing on a rail far above them on the mainmast.
"A raven in a crow's nest," Peridan noted with slight amusement at where the bird sat looking down the waist of the ship. "It's rather unkind for him to land up there while we're down here, isn't it, my liege?"
"Indeed." Edmund raised his arm and made a gesture at the bird. The raven croaked once and took flight, gliding downwards until it reached the two men.
"Better for a raven to be unkind than to be involved with a murder, Lord Peridan," the Raven croaked as it landed on top of a keg.
Peridan smiled; despite his great age, the Raven still retained a sense of humour. "Well said, Sir."
The Raven spread his wings slightly and bowed his head to Edmund. "Majesty."
"Hail, Sallowpad," replied the King. "What news?"
"Captain Faremin and some of the crew have gone ashore for supplies. Gerrart and the others should be below in the hold; from the sky, I saw movement aboard but none have left the ship."
As if in response to Sallowpad's words, a door by the forecastle opened and a short, stout man with a bald head appeared before them. The man's eyes widened in surprise as he took note of the King. He quickly sketched a bow and said, "Good morn, King Edmund. The Cap'n ain't here at the moment but how may I serve?"
Edmund nodded at the older man. "All is well, Gerrart," he said to the first mate. "But tell me, have any of our company beside the crew come down to the Hyaline these last few days?"
Gerrart did not answer right away, his thick dark brows furrowing in thought. After a few moments, he shook his head. "None but yourself, Sire, and Lord Peridan this morn."
The King thanked the man with a smile and after Gerrart left, Edmund looked to Sallowpad and said, "Pray continue with your report."
"Queen Susan was still abed when I left the guesthouse." There was a sigh from the King which the Raven politely ignored before adding, "And a messenger arrived from the Tisroc's palace. Prince Rabadash wishes to meet with you in two hours' time."
"How delightful," the King muttered, more to himself than the others and not sounding particularly delighted about it at all. In a lower voice, he asked, "And Corin?"
The Raven clacked his beak once, the snapping sound an indication of his disapproval. "His Royal Highness has yet to make his presence known this morn."
Edmund rubbed his hand across his face and Peridan saw how weary the King looked; this embassage to Tashbaan had taken its toll on everyone but none more so than on the man before him. Dealing with the delicate and difficult discussions over the courtship of Queen Susan and Prince Rabadash was trial enough but now there was the additional duty of locating the missing Prince of Archenland.
Peridan waited a moment before asking, "Shall we continue the search, your Majesty?"
"Yes and no." The King looked to the Raven. "Sallowpad, seek out Captain Faremin and alert him of the situation with Prince Corin. Have his men discreetly keep an eye out for the boy as they wander the streets and markets. They're to send a message to either me, Susan, Tumnus or Peridan if the Prince is found."
"Aye, Sire," croaked the Raven. He bowed to the King and took flight a moment later, soaring across the river toward the floating market on the other bank.
Peridan turned to the King. "I can try to make inquiries amongst the neighboring houses; perhaps the servants have seen him."
"Susan already sent someone to ask around last evening. No luck there, I'm afraid." Edmund cast one last glance around the ship, a wistful expression on his face as he took in everything from the poop to the forecastle. Peridan could see the same look of longing he himself felt earlier; he was not the only one yearning to be free of the city. The King shook his head to clear his thoughts and then gestured for them to disembark.
The men began to retrace their steps, joining the long queue of people waiting to enter the city. On the bridge, the salty tang of the river mixed with the scents of those that traveled on foot, by litter or wagon. The smells of ripe and sweet fruits mingled with the musty odors of donkeys and horses, and the salt and sour stench of sweat from the peasants and half-naked slaves. And lingering above these base scents were the heady floral perfumes and spiced oils the Calormene nobility often used to scent their bodies and the air around them.
The queue shuffled indifferently to one side of the bridge as a cryer shouted, "Way, way!" before a dozen slaves followed behind him, bearing two young Tarkheenas who were chattering loudly to each other from across their litters.
The sights, smells and sounds grated on Peridan's nerves; he closed his eyes briefly and tried to conjure the stillness of the woods near his home, the gentle lapping of water of Glasswater Creek and the smell of wildflowers and grass that grew in the clearing behind his manor. For the briefest of moments, he imagined he was home in Narnia.
As objects and bodies jostled around him, the vision in his head dispersed and he caught his King staring at him with amusement.
"Thinking of home, are we?" asked Edmund slyly as they stepped forth, the queue inching forward once more after the litters disappeared through the gates ahead of them.
"Aye, and there is no place I'd rather be, Sire," he answered with much feeling in his words.
A more solemn look appeared on the King's face. "I know, Per," he said softly, addressing the lord more casually as he would were they home at Cair Paravel or on the shores of Glasswater. "I know."
Peridan knew what thoughts ran through Edmund's head but did not voice them aloud; he too thought of their shared past and how it led to him being in service to Narnia and this king. "I hope we shall return before the Summer Festival kicks off, Ed—your Majesty," he amended his words, sticking to formality while they remained in such a public place as this. "'Twould be a shame to miss the fun and I know Queen Lucy has put much effort into the planning this year."
Edmund laughed. "I received a letter from her yesterday. She is both frustrated at and delighted in the preparations. With Tumnus and Susan here in Tashbaan, it has become quite a task for Lu without having either of the main organizers present. She told me she thinks of it as a challenge and is trying to understand what it's like to be in Susan's shoes. Between ourselves, I think she will happily hand things back to Su and Tumnus upon our return."
Hope rose in his heart at Edmund's words. "Does this mean our departure is imminent then?"
"That depends on my sister and our hospitable hosts," the King said. His voice was mild but Peridan did not miss the shadow that briefly crossed Edmund's face. "And speaking of our hosts, I would you like to attend this meeting I have with Rabadash." Edmund smiled at the slight flicker of annoyance that appeared on Peridan's face. "Aye, 'tis not a choice assignment I would offer thee but I would most welcome your company."
He and Edmund were good friends but Peridan knew his place and his duty. "And you shall have it along with my support, my liege."
They were several feet from the gates now. A group of soldiers stood on either side of the entrance, their heads covered by tall pointed caps and in their hands each man held a sharp spear, the tips glistening in the morning light. The queue slowed to a crawl as some of the men stopped people at random, examining the contents of wagons and baskets. When Edmund and Peridan reached the gate, the soldiers eyed them curiously but allowed them through the archway of the thick stone walls that circled the island without comment. Neither King nor courtier carried anything except for sheathed swords at their sides but Peridan thought Edmund's assertive walk and demeanor still conveyed something of the man's stature even without the crown on his head.
The narrow streets on the lower terraces of the island were packed with people moving about everywhere with no regard for others. Barely two people could walk abreast without being separated every few seconds by some creature or object heading towards them from the opposite direction.
Peridan grunted as he was forced to the side of the road, ducking quickly before his head hit the large, overladen basket a woman carried upon her head. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the King do the same on the other side of the street. As they met up again further down the lane, he tugged on the other man's sleeve and said, "This way, Ed," jerking his head toward a nearby alley. Quickening their steps, they dodged two mules and a group of rowdy street urchins to reach the other passageway.
The alley was blessedly quiet; it was much smaller and tighter than the streets and stairs that connected each terrace all the way up to the Tisroc's palace in the center of the island. No beast of burden nor wagon of wares could travel easily along the passage and for that, he was grateful. He turned to the king and said, "'Tis best if I lead the way back to the guesthouse from here. I know of a shortcut we can use to avoid the hassle of the main roads."
"Lead the way, Per," said Edmund. "I'm not familiar enough with Tashbaan to stray off the usual streets without a guide."
"Unfortunately for me, I am well acquainted with the back roads and alleys." He grimaced as he thought about his prior visits to the city.
Edmund was following closely behind and caught the expression on his face. "Dare I ask?"
"It's somewhat similar to how we first met," replied Peridan.
"Ah," said Edmund. The King did not question him any further and after a moment's pause asked, "What are the odds that we'll find his Highness in his rooms when we get back?"
Peridan waited until they reached the top of a set of steep, narrow stairs before answering. "The Dwarfs would predict even money on any outcome that relies on Prince Corin; I would agree with them here and not even bother with a wager."
They were more than halfway up the island now. The air was clearer and cleaner and the streets were wider and quieter as they continued through the wealthier quarters of the city. A bird chirped a cheerful tune nearby and the sounds of bubbling fountains could be heard behind the whitewashed walls of enclosed gardens and courtyards.
"Corin reminds me a bit of myself when I was his age," Peridan confided to the other man as they ducked beneath a branch that grew beyond the wall of its enclosure and partially obstructed the street. The scent of orange blossoms hung heavily in the air and he plucked one ripe fruit from the overladen branch and offered it to the king. "I was young and brash and quite reckless; it was all about doing first and thinking later."
"Most boys that age would certainly do no less," said Edmund. "I think I might have been the same, back from where—" he paused, uncertain, and then continued, "I'm pretty sure Peter and Susan have told me off over such things before. Unfortunately for Corin, he isn't like most boys."
"Nor were you, Sire," said Peridan. "To be young and burdened with much responsibility; it's not surprising he should run off and seek a bit of fun." He turned left and they were once more on the main road, two levels below that where the Tisroc's palace stood. Ahead of them was the large guesthouse where the Narnian delegation was temporarily quartered. He stopped briefly to allow the King to precede him as they neared the building.
Edmund took the lead and nodded at the Faun and man stationed at the entrance. As he and Peridan entered the courtyard, the King said, "Let's just hope the Prince has had enough fun for one night and he'll turn up later today. After this meeting with Rabadash, I have a feeling that our welcome in Tashbaan won't be as warm as it has been thus far."
***
Peridan waited until the Hyaline had sailed through the mouth of the Tashiin and into the safety of open waters before he sought his friend and King. There was muted rejoicing aboard the ship as all were aware of how narrowly they made their escape from the clutches of Rabadash. As he climbed down from the poop deck, he could see the golden head of Prince Corin disappearing through the port of the sterncastle. Following directly behind the boy was Queen Susan, her beautiful face marred with frustration at trying to keep her young charge close at hand. She offered Peridan a brief smile before heading inside to the royal cabins.
He chuckled quietly to himself. The Queen had naught to fear; there was nowhere for Corin to hide should he even wish to do so. Not with a full ship's crew, two other members of royalty and nearly two dozen courtiers aboard. But after the day's events, it was no surprise to find both King and Queen to be more attentive to the boy's whereabouts after his reappearance at the guesthouse that afternoon.
He slowly and carefully made his way across the main deck as his eyes adjusted to the near darkness that surrounded them. Most of the lights were extinguished above deck, save for one or two lanterns hanging dimly in the steerage. Overhead, large clouds partially hid the moon and stars which worked to their advantage as the plan was to sail away under cover of darkness and draw as little attention to the ship as possible.
King Edmund stood alone on the foredeck; his back faced the ship while the silhouette of his tall, slim frame glowed softly by the light of a small candle that sat nearby. Peridan climbed the ladder and paused at the top, not wishing to immediately intrude but Edmund heard his approach; without turning his head, the King raised his hand and beckoned him forward.
"We did it, Peridan," Edmund said quietly. "We're on our way home."
"Thank the Lion," he replied, "and thank Tumnus for coming up with such a plan." He sighed and felt the tension slowly draining from his body as he cast his eyes over the darkened seas and skies. It seemed as if they were sailing through an abyss and the troubled thoughts that filled his mind were seeping out of his body and into the vast emptiness around them. "Do you think they will give chase in the morn?"
"Perhaps. But it would be difficult for them to catch us at sea; their ships are ill-equipped for a naval battle."
"Aye," Peridan agreed. He and Captain Faremin had been given a tour of the Calormene naval ships the first week of their stay in Tashbaan and while polite and humbling remarks were made to the Calormene ambassador in public, the two men privately agreed that there was little to fear from the Tisroc's navy. Calormen was a nation more concerned with land than sea. "But if Rabadash persists in futility, there's still the Tisroc's army to contend with and the Tarkhaans' own guards should they be called up."
"And a large desert and Archenland between them and Narnia. They have no argument with King Lune that I know of; he will not allow them to cross his lands without just cause and any other route will cost them much time and delay. We shall be home long before they reach our borders." The King sighed. "At best, the Tisroc will merely think us ill-mannered for our unannounced departure; he already thinks so little of the northern countries. If need be, I shall tender a more diplomatic apology once we arrive at the Cair." He drummed his fingers thoughtfully on the rail. "There is one other matter I am more concerned about."
Peridan could easily divine the King's thoughts; he too shared the same trepdiations. "The boy."
"Yes. I wish he had stayed. We know nothing about him and there's a chance he may betray us to the Calormenes."
"From Prince Corin's description of him, I don't think it likely he would do that." At times, Corin loved to embellish his adventures but he seemed to truly speak from the heart when he shared his story of meeting the other boy in the guesthouse. "We all met him, Edmund, though he did not say much in our presence."
"Clearly, there was a reason for that," answered the King wryly. "Would that we had more Good Beasts with us; they would have noticed something was amiss."
In hindsight and now with the frantic activities of the long day behind them, Peridan had more time to reflect on the mysterious stranger that had been in their midst. "I do believe there is more to that boy than what we saw of him." His resemblance to Prince Corin was uncanny, so much so that he decided to voice his theory aloud. "Edmund, do you think..."
The King nodded. "It is a very small possibility. It hadn't occurred to me until Susan and I spoke just before the banquet. That's another reason why I wish he had remained in our company; if he truly wished to go North as he told Corin, we might have been able to help him." He turned to face Peridan. "Do not speak of this to Lune; all we have now are suspicions and We do not wish to raise our good Cousin's hopes after so long when there is no concrete proof."
Peridan could hear the royal command in Edmund's words and bowed his head to the King. "I understand, your Majesty. This conversation shall not leave the boat." He decided it was time to change the subject to something he hoped was a little more lighthearted. "And has His Highness recovered from his night of fun?"
"Verily he has. He was quite excited about the plans for the evening and offered to help Tumnus find the best entertainers for the festivities," Edmund said, his voice droll. "Any hurts he still bears are superficial; he seems rather proud of the cuts, scratches and his black eye."
Peridan smiled. "Quite so, if the reasons behind all of it are to be believed; one cannot fault him for defending a Lady's honour."
"Except when it causes said Lady a great amount of distress," the King answered with a laugh. "Susan thoroughly chastised him for giving her such a great fright for a night and nearly a day."
"Her Majesty had every right to do so," Peridan said, remembering how the Queen was overcome with such worry at Corin's disappearance. "At his age, Corin's penchant for getting into scrapes is no less than that of other boys. Did you ever find yourself in similar circumstances when you were younger, Sire?"
Edmund smiled ruefully and shook his head. "Alas no. At least, not that I can remember. I was far too busy trying to learn how to run a kingdom. There were barely any humans in Narnia back then and my siblings and I were trying very hard to not give offense—even accidentally—to anyone we met."
It was hard for Peridan to imagine living under such scrutiny as the Kings and Queens had when the Four were merely children. Oftimes, he would forget just how young they really were. He himself had seen a few summers more than Edmund though it was usually the King who behaved more like the elder. Peridan was closer to the High King in years but there were instances when it appeared the younger king was older than King Peter as well; Edmund's reputation for fairness and his often grave demeanor was not unfounded.
"I'm near certain you have had such misadventures, Peridan." The King's voice drew him from his thoughts. "Long before we met."
"Of course. Ask any child brought up at sea and doubtless, they will have many a tale to tell, be they tall or not." He paused. "Usually not."
"You've never told me one from that time of your life. Should you ever wish to regale us with a story from your past, know that you will have the undivided attention of at least one listener."
Peridan was extremely thankful it was not a command. "It's not that I don't want to share; you've already had glimpses of what life was like for me back then. In truth, ever since Narnia became my home, I haven't dwelt upon the days I lived before then. They weren't always bad but they belong more to the boy I was forced to be, not the man I became nor my true self. Does that make sense?"
He looked at the King and found the other man appeared more thoughtful than offended. In answer to his question, Edmund replied with a single word.
"Perfectly."
As they stood side by side looking out at the sea, neither man said another word for the rest of the evening.
***
It had been a long and trying month. Peridan hadn't been away from his home this long since King Edmund sent him on an assignment on Doorn some years ago. He had been looking forward to enjoying a brief respite back at Glasswater before joining the High King on the Northern border but the unfortunate news that awaited them at the harbour meant only a day's rest in the officers' barracks at the Cair before they rode for Archenland.
He recalled the conversation he had with Edmund aboard the Splendor Hyaline a few days earlier. Contrary to what the king thought, the Calormene prince was foolish enough to cross the desert with two hundred horsemen to try to capture Anvard. There was no provocation for such an attack and it was fortunate that Narnia arrived in time to aid Archenland in the battle. No matter what King Lune thought, had the invasion succeeded, Narnia would have harboured some blame for Rabadash's actions since it was their flight from Tashbaan that prompted the surprise attack.
But it wasn't luck that saved Archenland either. From his vantage point on the balcony, Peridan watched as the two princes circled each other in the courtyard, wooden swords in hand. Prince Corin attacked first, his quick movements catching Prince Cor off-guard and causing the newly reinstated heir to the throne to jump backward. Peridan winced as the older boy fell hard and flat on his back with a loud thud. Sitting on a bench near the far side of the courtyard, the young Tarkheena shouted words of encouragement as Cor slowly rose to his feet, grinding the tip of his practice weapon into the ground as he used it to steady himself.
Corin allowed his brother a brief moment to get his bearings and then without warning, lunged forward. This time, Cor remained on his feet and managed to raise his own sword in time to block the attack. However, he wasn't fast enough to stop Corin from disarming him with a flick of the wrist and the sword flew out of his hand and across the yard, landing with a clatter in front of Aravis.
Peridan could hear a sharp cry from below as Prince Cor held his right hand with the bandaged fingers of his left. He smiled in sympathy as he remembered his own beginners' lessons in the art of swordplay.
"Do you want to stop?" Corin's voice was loud enough to carry up to the balcony. The prince held his sword loosely at his side as approached his brother with some concern. Even the Tarkheena rose from her seat and joined the two boys in the middle of the yard.
Peridan could not hear Cor's answer but it seemed he had answered in the negative. He watched as Aravis reached up behind her head and removed the scarf that held her dark hair back, wrapping the long strip of silk around Cor's newly injured hand. She then walked back to her seat, picked up the dropped sword and handed the weapon back to the Crown Prince. He took it from her with a grateful smile and his eyes grew wide as Aravis leaned close to him, whispering into his ear. He nodded and waited for her to move to a safer distance before he motioned for his brother to ready his fighting stance once more.
"His Highness continues to show improvement," Edmund said as he stepped onto the balcony. Peridan shifted slightly to allow the other man room to stand beside him as they continued to watch the scene below.
He decided to be cheeky and asked, "Which one?" though he thought he knew which prince Edmund meant.
"Both," the King eventually replied. "They balance and complement each other very well. One is loud and rash while the other is more quiet and studious. I believe Cor's presence will help temper his brother's recklessness and in return, Corin will show him what it means to be part of a family—and in a royal one at that."
Peridan agreed with Edmund's observations; over the past week, he had already noted changes in Prince Corin though he doubted the boy knew it himself. As for Prince Cor, the Crown Prince had been wandering about the castle in something of a daze the first few days after his reunion with his father. Peridan easily recognized the signs of shock that appeared on the boy's face and in his movements; he understood what it was like to have suddenly gained a new family and home in so short a time after many years of being nearly on one's own.
"What are your thoughts on the Tarkheena, Peridan?"
He shifted his attention from the two boys to the lone girl amongst them. "Strong-willed and loyal," he said, thinking of the story Aravis and Cor told of their escape from Tashbaan. "She has much in common with Corin than with Cor but will side with her friend more often than not." He paused a moment and then added, "But loyalty to Prince Cor does not mean she will not argue with him either." Several times, he had come across the two children in the corridor having heated discussions over various topics.
King Edmund chuckled. "That is well then. It is good for the Princes to have people at their side willing to disagree with them; they'll have enough flatterers at court when they are older and with more responsibilities."
"Prince Cor will find no flattery from his brother and the Tarkheena," Peridan said with confidence. He nodded with approval as the Crown Prince successfully drove Prince Corin back several paces across the courtyard. "And with time, I think he will be a good leader when he succeeds to the throne. Given all that he managed to do when the prophecy came to pass, he shall continue to be a force to be reckoned with."
"Prophecies can certainly change a person," the King said quietly, "be they good or ill. It was probably better that he had no prior knowledge of it than to grow up trying to prepare for or change it."
Peridan remembered too late to avoid speaking of prophecies to King Edmund; it was a subject the other man did not much enjoy expounding upon as it touched upon his past. He sought to return the conversation to something less solemn but a loud crack drew the attention of both men back to the activity taking place below them.
Once again, one prince managed to disarm the other but to Peridan's surprise, it was Prince Corin who lost his sword to his brother. Cor held his own sword tightly with both hands but he appeared to have exerted a good deal of strength to defeat his brother; the older boy was panting heavily and his arms and shoulders trembled with exhaustion.
Aravis jumped up from her seat and clapped her hands in delight. "Well done, Sha—I mean, Cor!"
Corin had remained on his feet and his empty hands were spread apart in front of him. His practice sword lay on the ground some feet away, cracked into two pieces. On his face was a look of shock but he recovered swiftly and asked with wonder, "How did you do that?"
Cor smiled somewhat weakly and jerked his head toward Aravis. When both boys looked to her, she explained, "It's an old Calormene technique. My brother was taught the trick early on in his training and I in turn learned it from him."
"I say, that was a bit unfair of you to teach Cor something new right before that round," said Corin as he bent down to pick up the remains of his weapon.
To Peridan's amusement, she replied airily, "Real battles aren't always fair. Besides, you've had a lot more practice at this than Sh—Cor. I was trying to even things out."
"The Tarkheena is adapting beautifully to her new surroundings and family," Edmund murmured beside him. "She appears quite capable of handling the twins without any assistance. I see why Lucy said she's getting along with the Lady Aravis spectacularly, in her words."
"Oh c'mon, Aravis," they could hear Corin pleading from below. "Can't you be a bit more sporting about this?"
The two men watched as Cor turned to the girl and spoke to her in a voice too low for them to hear. After a moment, Aravis turned to Corin. "How about a trade then? If I teach you some basic Calormene sword moves, what will you offer in return?"
The younger boy was quick to respond. "I'll share with you and Cor all the secret passageways of the castle I've discovered, as well as the perfect hiding spots for when you need to hide from Father, the guards or the swordmaster."
Aravis looked skeptical but Corin appealed directly to his brother. "Father said you're to begin your schooling soon. You know what that means, don't you? Education. Believe me, you'll want to hide from the tutors at some point, especially when there is maths and history involved."
Cor shuddered at the reminder and conceded to his twin. "Yes, I do think you're right, Corin." And to Aravis, "Will you accept, Aravis?"
"Very well," she said, relenting as Corin's face brightened. "But I can't teach you without a proper sword though, and I'll need one myself. I was taught with a Calormene curved sword but I think the rules should still apply even with a straight blade."
Corin looked ruefully at his broken sword and perked up as a thought came to him. "Let's go the armoury right now. I'll begin to hold up my end of the bargain first and show you a shortcut to get there without having to cut through the northwest tower." And without waiting for a response, the prince spun around and made his way to the doorway of the courtyard.
"Corin, wait up!" Cor called out but his brother did not seem to hear him.
Aravis just shook her head and hooked Cor's arm into hers. "We'd better hurry, Shasta. Neither of us knows Anvard that well yet. Odds are we'll get lost trying to figure out where your brother went."
Cor groaned but allowed his friend to lead him inside. "Is this going to be another adventure, Aravis? Can't we have a break before the next one?"
As he watched the prince and the Tarkheena disappear into the castle, Peridan remarked, "I suppose it shall be another adventure if Corin is involved though it will be far less exciting than their last one."
"Aye," Edmund agreed, "but I do agree with Prince Cor. He has earned a bit of quiet and rest after everything that's happened."
"So His Highness turned out to be more than an accidental eavesdropper after all," Peridan said, reminding the King of the conversation they shared over the concerns of a possible traitor in their midst in Tashbaan. This was the first chance they had to speak of things since they arrived in and departed from Narnia in such a short span of time and there was no longer any concern about keeping their suspicions to themselves. "And we were both right about his true identity."
"Thank the Lion things ended well for us and for Prince Cor. I do not wish to think any more on what could happen had he not turned out to be Lune's missing son. There might still be some complications concerning the Tarkheena though."
Peridan followed the King's train of thought. "Lady Aravis's father will likely demand her back."
"It is a strong possibility and Lune is well aware of the diplomatic issue that arrived at his doorstep," Edmund said, shaking his head. "I've sat in council with him going over what transpired during our visit to Tashbaan. He's been preparing for what to say to the Calormene ambassador before summoning the man to court. But given the Tarkheena's role in all of this and the recent development with Rabadash, Kidrash Tarkhaan may be less inclined to move forward with his daughter's betrothal to the Grand Vizier."
Prince Rabadash was currently stabled in an empty barrack at the castle, away from the common beasts used for riding and hunts. Peridan once caught Prince Corin trying to sneak in but quickly shooed the young boy away before he could see the Ass the prince had become; neither Aravis nor Cor showed any inclination to visit the Calormene prince.
"Kidrash Tarkhaan has power enough in his domain but he is like most Tarkhaans and would not see the political situation as a hindrance to getting even closer to the throne." Peridan had visited Calavar once, long ago, and observed the lord of that province from a distance; he remembered all the talk amongst the commoners about the man and the things he had done for the Tisroc. But he also knew how superstitious the Calormenes were, nobles or not. "Perhaps we can use this failed invasion as an advantage. The Tarkheena's father may think the demon god of the North would punish him for allowing the marriage contract to stand when the Lady Aravis is quite unwilling to bind herself to Ahoshta Tarkhaan."
Edmund looked intrigued at the suggestion. "That is a possibility. I will speak to Lune about it and if he wishes, Narnia can aid in spreading such a rumour throughout the province and Tashbaan to help reinforce such an idea." He smiled at Peridan. "I am glad it is Narnia you serve, my friend, and not elsewhere."
"Narnia is my home, Sire, and I am pledged to serve her and her rulers in any way I can."
The King sighed. "And speaking of service, I am reminded to have a word with Nasil on our return about all of this as well."
Peridan liked the Tarkhaan very much. The Calormene ambassador was a quick learner and he adapted well to living in the North after his awkward introduction to the Four and to Narnia. He did not envy Nasil the diplomatic dance that will be required to handle the backlash of Aslan's punishment of Rabadash "because of his actions concerning Queen Susan and the unprovoked attack on Anvard. Peridan was all too glad he chose to remain a loyal soldier instead of accepting the promotion to ambassador the Kings had once offered him.
"I am sure Nasil Tarkhaan is preparing for such a meeting," he said. "The rumours about Rabadash have already begun to spread beyond King Lune's borders."
Edmund shrugged. It was unlike him to respond so casually in a public setting but there were no others around to witness the King's reaction except for Peridan. "That can't be helped. We all saw what happened very clearly as did quite a few servants on the terrace and the Birds in the trees as well. All the more reason I need to tie up the loose ends dangling back at the Cair as soon as possible."
The King leaned back from the railing and stood up. "I've told Lune that we'll be leaving in two days' time and Lucy has already extended an invitation to Prince Cor and Lady Aravis for a proper visit to Narnia after they've settled into their new home." He stretched his arms high in the air and yawned. "In the meantime, I'm quite looking forward to going home myself."
"As do the other Narnians who accompanied us, my lord."
"Including you, Peridan."
He nodded, turning away from the king to look at the landscape beyond the castle walls. In the time of their visit to Tashbaan, the color of the forests had grown several shades darker. No longer did the foliage bear the vivid greens that Spring brought forth; now leaves and stems had taken on more deeper hues that reminded him of dusty emeralds. He could see small patches of gold and brown scattered amongst the verdant canopy that began to hint at the approaching change of season. Further north, he knew the woods of Narnia would retain the lush and glossy greens of young leaves and grass for a little while longer thanks to the magic of the woodland gods.
"There really is no place like it, King Edmund. None at all."
And soon, he would be able to enjoy the remaining vestiges of summer while it lingered yet in the land they all called home.
End.
Summary: Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home. And for Lord Peridan of Narnia, he could only dream of it as he searches for a missing prince in a foreign city.
Spoilers: The Horse and His Boy
He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"... Oh the sweet air of Narnia! An hour's life there is better than a thousand years in Calormen."
— Bree, "The Horse and His Boy", C.S. Lewis
The day had just begun but the sun already shone hot and bright above the land barely an hour after dawn. Every whitewashed wall and tower and silver dome was painted in shades of gold for miles along both banks of the river. The water below and between the banks sparkled like diamonds or stars against a deep blue liquid fabric that rippled downstream towards the mouth of the river. Many boats of various shapes and sizes bobbed up and down while the ropes that kept them tied to the floating docks swayed gently as the vessels rocked against the shifting currents.
Peridan raised his hand to his temple, shielding his eyes from the glare of strong sunlight as he scanned the opposite bank for any unusual movement. He wish he brought a spyglass but knew it would draw even more attention to himself than he wanted; the appearance of a pale Barbarian of the North outside the city gates at such an hour already attracted more than a few curious glances—if not questions—from the sailors and slaves that were working nearby. The width of the Tashiin River at this junction was far wider than the Fords of Beruna but not so much that he could not see what activities were going on with his own eyes. His previous life on the seas allowed him to see better against sunlit waters than the average man though his vision was naught compared to all the Birds could see.
He never liked Tashbaan and his tolerance of the capital decreased ever more during the midst of high summer as the heat of the sun mixed with the haze of dust and sand from the desert spread out behind the island city. What he wouldn't give to jump aboard one of the ships moored in the river and sail away from the capital, down the Tashiin and into the Bight and straight towards home.
"Any sign of our scapegrace?"
He shifted slightly at the voice that spoke from behind but kept his feet firmly on the ground. Years ago, he would have jumped at being startled so but with experience and time, he grew accustomed to the other's man predilection for moving about as quietly as a Talking Mouse.
"Nay, my liege. Just the usual hustle and bustle of the city. Surely the Prince wouldn't have been so foolish as to wander outside the gates?"
The other man gave a short but strained laugh as he stepped forward, standing beside him. "You know Corin as well as I do, Peridan. What think you?"
He thought for a moment. "Were I his age, King Edmund, I'd probably go to those places where I was expressly forbidden to visit."
"Exactly."
"But then again, Corin is no ordinary boy," Peridan said. "To his credit, the Prince is aware of his place and duty even if he does not enjoy it."
The King sighed. "Let's hope so. He did make a promise to Susan and knows he is honor bound to keep his oaths."
The two men lingered along the bank a little while longer, watching as a cog sailing under Terebinthian flags docked along the far bank. A large group of Calormene slaves boarded the vessel and formed a line from the deck down the gangplank, passing crates and barrels from the shoulders and backs of one person to the next and setting the cargo onto the pier. Uncomfortable as he was watching the slaves work, Peridan found it oddly soothing as his eyes followed the rhythmic pattern of objects as they moved up and down along the line.
Edmund turned his eyes away from the river and onto Peridan. "Come, we'll have to figure out what to do next if Corin has yet to appear by noon."
Peridan broke off his gaze and dutifully followed the other man as they walked along the riverbank. It was the same path he had taken earlier to reach the pier but now it was far more busy and crowded with people, horses, and carts tugged slowly along by dusty mules and donkeys. They were halfway to the city gates when Edmund turned swiftly to the right and made his way down another pier. A pair of armed guards were stationed at the base of the gangplank and as the King arrived, they stood at attention and saluted. Peridan walked a few paces behind the King and nodded at the guards as he passed them.
All was quiet aboard the Splendor Hyaline as the two men embarked. Unlike earlier, Edmund allowed his footsteps to be heard as his feet landed with a loud thump on the deck of the galleon. The sounds of boots stomping on wood were repeated as Peridan stepped off the gangplank and onto the boat. They could hear flapping wings echoing in the sky and looking up, they saw a large black bird fly between the rigging and furled sails before landing on a rail far above them on the mainmast.
"A raven in a crow's nest," Peridan noted with slight amusement at where the bird sat looking down the waist of the ship. "It's rather unkind for him to land up there while we're down here, isn't it, my liege?"
"Indeed." Edmund raised his arm and made a gesture at the bird. The raven croaked once and took flight, gliding downwards until it reached the two men.
"Better for a raven to be unkind than to be involved with a murder, Lord Peridan," the Raven croaked as it landed on top of a keg.
Peridan smiled; despite his great age, the Raven still retained a sense of humour. "Well said, Sir."
The Raven spread his wings slightly and bowed his head to Edmund. "Majesty."
"Hail, Sallowpad," replied the King. "What news?"
"Captain Faremin and some of the crew have gone ashore for supplies. Gerrart and the others should be below in the hold; from the sky, I saw movement aboard but none have left the ship."
As if in response to Sallowpad's words, a door by the forecastle opened and a short, stout man with a bald head appeared before them. The man's eyes widened in surprise as he took note of the King. He quickly sketched a bow and said, "Good morn, King Edmund. The Cap'n ain't here at the moment but how may I serve?"
Edmund nodded at the older man. "All is well, Gerrart," he said to the first mate. "But tell me, have any of our company beside the crew come down to the Hyaline these last few days?"
Gerrart did not answer right away, his thick dark brows furrowing in thought. After a few moments, he shook his head. "None but yourself, Sire, and Lord Peridan this morn."
The King thanked the man with a smile and after Gerrart left, Edmund looked to Sallowpad and said, "Pray continue with your report."
"Queen Susan was still abed when I left the guesthouse." There was a sigh from the King which the Raven politely ignored before adding, "And a messenger arrived from the Tisroc's palace. Prince Rabadash wishes to meet with you in two hours' time."
"How delightful," the King muttered, more to himself than the others and not sounding particularly delighted about it at all. In a lower voice, he asked, "And Corin?"
The Raven clacked his beak once, the snapping sound an indication of his disapproval. "His Royal Highness has yet to make his presence known this morn."
Edmund rubbed his hand across his face and Peridan saw how weary the King looked; this embassage to Tashbaan had taken its toll on everyone but none more so than on the man before him. Dealing with the delicate and difficult discussions over the courtship of Queen Susan and Prince Rabadash was trial enough but now there was the additional duty of locating the missing Prince of Archenland.
Peridan waited a moment before asking, "Shall we continue the search, your Majesty?"
"Yes and no." The King looked to the Raven. "Sallowpad, seek out Captain Faremin and alert him of the situation with Prince Corin. Have his men discreetly keep an eye out for the boy as they wander the streets and markets. They're to send a message to either me, Susan, Tumnus or Peridan if the Prince is found."
"Aye, Sire," croaked the Raven. He bowed to the King and took flight a moment later, soaring across the river toward the floating market on the other bank.
Peridan turned to the King. "I can try to make inquiries amongst the neighboring houses; perhaps the servants have seen him."
"Susan already sent someone to ask around last evening. No luck there, I'm afraid." Edmund cast one last glance around the ship, a wistful expression on his face as he took in everything from the poop to the forecastle. Peridan could see the same look of longing he himself felt earlier; he was not the only one yearning to be free of the city. The King shook his head to clear his thoughts and then gestured for them to disembark.
The men began to retrace their steps, joining the long queue of people waiting to enter the city. On the bridge, the salty tang of the river mixed with the scents of those that traveled on foot, by litter or wagon. The smells of ripe and sweet fruits mingled with the musty odors of donkeys and horses, and the salt and sour stench of sweat from the peasants and half-naked slaves. And lingering above these base scents were the heady floral perfumes and spiced oils the Calormene nobility often used to scent their bodies and the air around them.
The queue shuffled indifferently to one side of the bridge as a cryer shouted, "Way, way!" before a dozen slaves followed behind him, bearing two young Tarkheenas who were chattering loudly to each other from across their litters.
The sights, smells and sounds grated on Peridan's nerves; he closed his eyes briefly and tried to conjure the stillness of the woods near his home, the gentle lapping of water of Glasswater Creek and the smell of wildflowers and grass that grew in the clearing behind his manor. For the briefest of moments, he imagined he was home in Narnia.
As objects and bodies jostled around him, the vision in his head dispersed and he caught his King staring at him with amusement.
"Thinking of home, are we?" asked Edmund slyly as they stepped forth, the queue inching forward once more after the litters disappeared through the gates ahead of them.
"Aye, and there is no place I'd rather be, Sire," he answered with much feeling in his words.
A more solemn look appeared on the King's face. "I know, Per," he said softly, addressing the lord more casually as he would were they home at Cair Paravel or on the shores of Glasswater. "I know."
Peridan knew what thoughts ran through Edmund's head but did not voice them aloud; he too thought of their shared past and how it led to him being in service to Narnia and this king. "I hope we shall return before the Summer Festival kicks off, Ed—your Majesty," he amended his words, sticking to formality while they remained in such a public place as this. "'Twould be a shame to miss the fun and I know Queen Lucy has put much effort into the planning this year."
Edmund laughed. "I received a letter from her yesterday. She is both frustrated at and delighted in the preparations. With Tumnus and Susan here in Tashbaan, it has become quite a task for Lu without having either of the main organizers present. She told me she thinks of it as a challenge and is trying to understand what it's like to be in Susan's shoes. Between ourselves, I think she will happily hand things back to Su and Tumnus upon our return."
Hope rose in his heart at Edmund's words. "Does this mean our departure is imminent then?"
"That depends on my sister and our hospitable hosts," the King said. His voice was mild but Peridan did not miss the shadow that briefly crossed Edmund's face. "And speaking of our hosts, I would you like to attend this meeting I have with Rabadash." Edmund smiled at the slight flicker of annoyance that appeared on Peridan's face. "Aye, 'tis not a choice assignment I would offer thee but I would most welcome your company."
He and Edmund were good friends but Peridan knew his place and his duty. "And you shall have it along with my support, my liege."
They were several feet from the gates now. A group of soldiers stood on either side of the entrance, their heads covered by tall pointed caps and in their hands each man held a sharp spear, the tips glistening in the morning light. The queue slowed to a crawl as some of the men stopped people at random, examining the contents of wagons and baskets. When Edmund and Peridan reached the gate, the soldiers eyed them curiously but allowed them through the archway of the thick stone walls that circled the island without comment. Neither King nor courtier carried anything except for sheathed swords at their sides but Peridan thought Edmund's assertive walk and demeanor still conveyed something of the man's stature even without the crown on his head.
The narrow streets on the lower terraces of the island were packed with people moving about everywhere with no regard for others. Barely two people could walk abreast without being separated every few seconds by some creature or object heading towards them from the opposite direction.
Peridan grunted as he was forced to the side of the road, ducking quickly before his head hit the large, overladen basket a woman carried upon her head. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the King do the same on the other side of the street. As they met up again further down the lane, he tugged on the other man's sleeve and said, "This way, Ed," jerking his head toward a nearby alley. Quickening their steps, they dodged two mules and a group of rowdy street urchins to reach the other passageway.
The alley was blessedly quiet; it was much smaller and tighter than the streets and stairs that connected each terrace all the way up to the Tisroc's palace in the center of the island. No beast of burden nor wagon of wares could travel easily along the passage and for that, he was grateful. He turned to the king and said, "'Tis best if I lead the way back to the guesthouse from here. I know of a shortcut we can use to avoid the hassle of the main roads."
"Lead the way, Per," said Edmund. "I'm not familiar enough with Tashbaan to stray off the usual streets without a guide."
"Unfortunately for me, I am well acquainted with the back roads and alleys." He grimaced as he thought about his prior visits to the city.
Edmund was following closely behind and caught the expression on his face. "Dare I ask?"
"It's somewhat similar to how we first met," replied Peridan.
"Ah," said Edmund. The King did not question him any further and after a moment's pause asked, "What are the odds that we'll find his Highness in his rooms when we get back?"
Peridan waited until they reached the top of a set of steep, narrow stairs before answering. "The Dwarfs would predict even money on any outcome that relies on Prince Corin; I would agree with them here and not even bother with a wager."
They were more than halfway up the island now. The air was clearer and cleaner and the streets were wider and quieter as they continued through the wealthier quarters of the city. A bird chirped a cheerful tune nearby and the sounds of bubbling fountains could be heard behind the whitewashed walls of enclosed gardens and courtyards.
"Corin reminds me a bit of myself when I was his age," Peridan confided to the other man as they ducked beneath a branch that grew beyond the wall of its enclosure and partially obstructed the street. The scent of orange blossoms hung heavily in the air and he plucked one ripe fruit from the overladen branch and offered it to the king. "I was young and brash and quite reckless; it was all about doing first and thinking later."
"Most boys that age would certainly do no less," said Edmund. "I think I might have been the same, back from where—" he paused, uncertain, and then continued, "I'm pretty sure Peter and Susan have told me off over such things before. Unfortunately for Corin, he isn't like most boys."
"Nor were you, Sire," said Peridan. "To be young and burdened with much responsibility; it's not surprising he should run off and seek a bit of fun." He turned left and they were once more on the main road, two levels below that where the Tisroc's palace stood. Ahead of them was the large guesthouse where the Narnian delegation was temporarily quartered. He stopped briefly to allow the King to precede him as they neared the building.
Edmund took the lead and nodded at the Faun and man stationed at the entrance. As he and Peridan entered the courtyard, the King said, "Let's just hope the Prince has had enough fun for one night and he'll turn up later today. After this meeting with Rabadash, I have a feeling that our welcome in Tashbaan won't be as warm as it has been thus far."
Peridan waited until the Hyaline had sailed through the mouth of the Tashiin and into the safety of open waters before he sought his friend and King. There was muted rejoicing aboard the ship as all were aware of how narrowly they made their escape from the clutches of Rabadash. As he climbed down from the poop deck, he could see the golden head of Prince Corin disappearing through the port of the sterncastle. Following directly behind the boy was Queen Susan, her beautiful face marred with frustration at trying to keep her young charge close at hand. She offered Peridan a brief smile before heading inside to the royal cabins.
He chuckled quietly to himself. The Queen had naught to fear; there was nowhere for Corin to hide should he even wish to do so. Not with a full ship's crew, two other members of royalty and nearly two dozen courtiers aboard. But after the day's events, it was no surprise to find both King and Queen to be more attentive to the boy's whereabouts after his reappearance at the guesthouse that afternoon.
He slowly and carefully made his way across the main deck as his eyes adjusted to the near darkness that surrounded them. Most of the lights were extinguished above deck, save for one or two lanterns hanging dimly in the steerage. Overhead, large clouds partially hid the moon and stars which worked to their advantage as the plan was to sail away under cover of darkness and draw as little attention to the ship as possible.
King Edmund stood alone on the foredeck; his back faced the ship while the silhouette of his tall, slim frame glowed softly by the light of a small candle that sat nearby. Peridan climbed the ladder and paused at the top, not wishing to immediately intrude but Edmund heard his approach; without turning his head, the King raised his hand and beckoned him forward.
"We did it, Peridan," Edmund said quietly. "We're on our way home."
"Thank the Lion," he replied, "and thank Tumnus for coming up with such a plan." He sighed and felt the tension slowly draining from his body as he cast his eyes over the darkened seas and skies. It seemed as if they were sailing through an abyss and the troubled thoughts that filled his mind were seeping out of his body and into the vast emptiness around them. "Do you think they will give chase in the morn?"
"Perhaps. But it would be difficult for them to catch us at sea; their ships are ill-equipped for a naval battle."
"Aye," Peridan agreed. He and Captain Faremin had been given a tour of the Calormene naval ships the first week of their stay in Tashbaan and while polite and humbling remarks were made to the Calormene ambassador in public, the two men privately agreed that there was little to fear from the Tisroc's navy. Calormen was a nation more concerned with land than sea. "But if Rabadash persists in futility, there's still the Tisroc's army to contend with and the Tarkhaans' own guards should they be called up."
"And a large desert and Archenland between them and Narnia. They have no argument with King Lune that I know of; he will not allow them to cross his lands without just cause and any other route will cost them much time and delay. We shall be home long before they reach our borders." The King sighed. "At best, the Tisroc will merely think us ill-mannered for our unannounced departure; he already thinks so little of the northern countries. If need be, I shall tender a more diplomatic apology once we arrive at the Cair." He drummed his fingers thoughtfully on the rail. "There is one other matter I am more concerned about."
Peridan could easily divine the King's thoughts; he too shared the same trepdiations. "The boy."
"Yes. I wish he had stayed. We know nothing about him and there's a chance he may betray us to the Calormenes."
"From Prince Corin's description of him, I don't think it likely he would do that." At times, Corin loved to embellish his adventures but he seemed to truly speak from the heart when he shared his story of meeting the other boy in the guesthouse. "We all met him, Edmund, though he did not say much in our presence."
"Clearly, there was a reason for that," answered the King wryly. "Would that we had more Good Beasts with us; they would have noticed something was amiss."
In hindsight and now with the frantic activities of the long day behind them, Peridan had more time to reflect on the mysterious stranger that had been in their midst. "I do believe there is more to that boy than what we saw of him." His resemblance to Prince Corin was uncanny, so much so that he decided to voice his theory aloud. "Edmund, do you think..."
The King nodded. "It is a very small possibility. It hadn't occurred to me until Susan and I spoke just before the banquet. That's another reason why I wish he had remained in our company; if he truly wished to go North as he told Corin, we might have been able to help him." He turned to face Peridan. "Do not speak of this to Lune; all we have now are suspicions and We do not wish to raise our good Cousin's hopes after so long when there is no concrete proof."
Peridan could hear the royal command in Edmund's words and bowed his head to the King. "I understand, your Majesty. This conversation shall not leave the boat." He decided it was time to change the subject to something he hoped was a little more lighthearted. "And has His Highness recovered from his night of fun?"
"Verily he has. He was quite excited about the plans for the evening and offered to help Tumnus find the best entertainers for the festivities," Edmund said, his voice droll. "Any hurts he still bears are superficial; he seems rather proud of the cuts, scratches and his black eye."
Peridan smiled. "Quite so, if the reasons behind all of it are to be believed; one cannot fault him for defending a Lady's honour."
"Except when it causes said Lady a great amount of distress," the King answered with a laugh. "Susan thoroughly chastised him for giving her such a great fright for a night and nearly a day."
"Her Majesty had every right to do so," Peridan said, remembering how the Queen was overcome with such worry at Corin's disappearance. "At his age, Corin's penchant for getting into scrapes is no less than that of other boys. Did you ever find yourself in similar circumstances when you were younger, Sire?"
Edmund smiled ruefully and shook his head. "Alas no. At least, not that I can remember. I was far too busy trying to learn how to run a kingdom. There were barely any humans in Narnia back then and my siblings and I were trying very hard to not give offense—even accidentally—to anyone we met."
It was hard for Peridan to imagine living under such scrutiny as the Kings and Queens had when the Four were merely children. Oftimes, he would forget just how young they really were. He himself had seen a few summers more than Edmund though it was usually the King who behaved more like the elder. Peridan was closer to the High King in years but there were instances when it appeared the younger king was older than King Peter as well; Edmund's reputation for fairness and his often grave demeanor was not unfounded.
"I'm near certain you have had such misadventures, Peridan." The King's voice drew him from his thoughts. "Long before we met."
"Of course. Ask any child brought up at sea and doubtless, they will have many a tale to tell, be they tall or not." He paused. "Usually not."
"You've never told me one from that time of your life. Should you ever wish to regale us with a story from your past, know that you will have the undivided attention of at least one listener."
Peridan was extremely thankful it was not a command. "It's not that I don't want to share; you've already had glimpses of what life was like for me back then. In truth, ever since Narnia became my home, I haven't dwelt upon the days I lived before then. They weren't always bad but they belong more to the boy I was forced to be, not the man I became nor my true self. Does that make sense?"
He looked at the King and found the other man appeared more thoughtful than offended. In answer to his question, Edmund replied with a single word.
"Perfectly."
As they stood side by side looking out at the sea, neither man said another word for the rest of the evening.
It had been a long and trying month. Peridan hadn't been away from his home this long since King Edmund sent him on an assignment on Doorn some years ago. He had been looking forward to enjoying a brief respite back at Glasswater before joining the High King on the Northern border but the unfortunate news that awaited them at the harbour meant only a day's rest in the officers' barracks at the Cair before they rode for Archenland.
He recalled the conversation he had with Edmund aboard the Splendor Hyaline a few days earlier. Contrary to what the king thought, the Calormene prince was foolish enough to cross the desert with two hundred horsemen to try to capture Anvard. There was no provocation for such an attack and it was fortunate that Narnia arrived in time to aid Archenland in the battle. No matter what King Lune thought, had the invasion succeeded, Narnia would have harboured some blame for Rabadash's actions since it was their flight from Tashbaan that prompted the surprise attack.
But it wasn't luck that saved Archenland either. From his vantage point on the balcony, Peridan watched as the two princes circled each other in the courtyard, wooden swords in hand. Prince Corin attacked first, his quick movements catching Prince Cor off-guard and causing the newly reinstated heir to the throne to jump backward. Peridan winced as the older boy fell hard and flat on his back with a loud thud. Sitting on a bench near the far side of the courtyard, the young Tarkheena shouted words of encouragement as Cor slowly rose to his feet, grinding the tip of his practice weapon into the ground as he used it to steady himself.
Corin allowed his brother a brief moment to get his bearings and then without warning, lunged forward. This time, Cor remained on his feet and managed to raise his own sword in time to block the attack. However, he wasn't fast enough to stop Corin from disarming him with a flick of the wrist and the sword flew out of his hand and across the yard, landing with a clatter in front of Aravis.
Peridan could hear a sharp cry from below as Prince Cor held his right hand with the bandaged fingers of his left. He smiled in sympathy as he remembered his own beginners' lessons in the art of swordplay.
"Do you want to stop?" Corin's voice was loud enough to carry up to the balcony. The prince held his sword loosely at his side as approached his brother with some concern. Even the Tarkheena rose from her seat and joined the two boys in the middle of the yard.
Peridan could not hear Cor's answer but it seemed he had answered in the negative. He watched as Aravis reached up behind her head and removed the scarf that held her dark hair back, wrapping the long strip of silk around Cor's newly injured hand. She then walked back to her seat, picked up the dropped sword and handed the weapon back to the Crown Prince. He took it from her with a grateful smile and his eyes grew wide as Aravis leaned close to him, whispering into his ear. He nodded and waited for her to move to a safer distance before he motioned for his brother to ready his fighting stance once more.
"His Highness continues to show improvement," Edmund said as he stepped onto the balcony. Peridan shifted slightly to allow the other man room to stand beside him as they continued to watch the scene below.
He decided to be cheeky and asked, "Which one?" though he thought he knew which prince Edmund meant.
"Both," the King eventually replied. "They balance and complement each other very well. One is loud and rash while the other is more quiet and studious. I believe Cor's presence will help temper his brother's recklessness and in return, Corin will show him what it means to be part of a family—and in a royal one at that."
Peridan agreed with Edmund's observations; over the past week, he had already noted changes in Prince Corin though he doubted the boy knew it himself. As for Prince Cor, the Crown Prince had been wandering about the castle in something of a daze the first few days after his reunion with his father. Peridan easily recognized the signs of shock that appeared on the boy's face and in his movements; he understood what it was like to have suddenly gained a new family and home in so short a time after many years of being nearly on one's own.
"What are your thoughts on the Tarkheena, Peridan?"
He shifted his attention from the two boys to the lone girl amongst them. "Strong-willed and loyal," he said, thinking of the story Aravis and Cor told of their escape from Tashbaan. "She has much in common with Corin than with Cor but will side with her friend more often than not." He paused a moment and then added, "But loyalty to Prince Cor does not mean she will not argue with him either." Several times, he had come across the two children in the corridor having heated discussions over various topics.
King Edmund chuckled. "That is well then. It is good for the Princes to have people at their side willing to disagree with them; they'll have enough flatterers at court when they are older and with more responsibilities."
"Prince Cor will find no flattery from his brother and the Tarkheena," Peridan said with confidence. He nodded with approval as the Crown Prince successfully drove Prince Corin back several paces across the courtyard. "And with time, I think he will be a good leader when he succeeds to the throne. Given all that he managed to do when the prophecy came to pass, he shall continue to be a force to be reckoned with."
"Prophecies can certainly change a person," the King said quietly, "be they good or ill. It was probably better that he had no prior knowledge of it than to grow up trying to prepare for or change it."
Peridan remembered too late to avoid speaking of prophecies to King Edmund; it was a subject the other man did not much enjoy expounding upon as it touched upon his past. He sought to return the conversation to something less solemn but a loud crack drew the attention of both men back to the activity taking place below them.
Once again, one prince managed to disarm the other but to Peridan's surprise, it was Prince Corin who lost his sword to his brother. Cor held his own sword tightly with both hands but he appeared to have exerted a good deal of strength to defeat his brother; the older boy was panting heavily and his arms and shoulders trembled with exhaustion.
Aravis jumped up from her seat and clapped her hands in delight. "Well done, Sha—I mean, Cor!"
Corin had remained on his feet and his empty hands were spread apart in front of him. His practice sword lay on the ground some feet away, cracked into two pieces. On his face was a look of shock but he recovered swiftly and asked with wonder, "How did you do that?"
Cor smiled somewhat weakly and jerked his head toward Aravis. When both boys looked to her, she explained, "It's an old Calormene technique. My brother was taught the trick early on in his training and I in turn learned it from him."
"I say, that was a bit unfair of you to teach Cor something new right before that round," said Corin as he bent down to pick up the remains of his weapon.
To Peridan's amusement, she replied airily, "Real battles aren't always fair. Besides, you've had a lot more practice at this than Sh—Cor. I was trying to even things out."
"The Tarkheena is adapting beautifully to her new surroundings and family," Edmund murmured beside him. "She appears quite capable of handling the twins without any assistance. I see why Lucy said she's getting along with the Lady Aravis spectacularly, in her words."
"Oh c'mon, Aravis," they could hear Corin pleading from below. "Can't you be a bit more sporting about this?"
The two men watched as Cor turned to the girl and spoke to her in a voice too low for them to hear. After a moment, Aravis turned to Corin. "How about a trade then? If I teach you some basic Calormene sword moves, what will you offer in return?"
The younger boy was quick to respond. "I'll share with you and Cor all the secret passageways of the castle I've discovered, as well as the perfect hiding spots for when you need to hide from Father, the guards or the swordmaster."
Aravis looked skeptical but Corin appealed directly to his brother. "Father said you're to begin your schooling soon. You know what that means, don't you? Education. Believe me, you'll want to hide from the tutors at some point, especially when there is maths and history involved."
Cor shuddered at the reminder and conceded to his twin. "Yes, I do think you're right, Corin." And to Aravis, "Will you accept, Aravis?"
"Very well," she said, relenting as Corin's face brightened. "But I can't teach you without a proper sword though, and I'll need one myself. I was taught with a Calormene curved sword but I think the rules should still apply even with a straight blade."
Corin looked ruefully at his broken sword and perked up as a thought came to him. "Let's go the armoury right now. I'll begin to hold up my end of the bargain first and show you a shortcut to get there without having to cut through the northwest tower." And without waiting for a response, the prince spun around and made his way to the doorway of the courtyard.
"Corin, wait up!" Cor called out but his brother did not seem to hear him.
Aravis just shook her head and hooked Cor's arm into hers. "We'd better hurry, Shasta. Neither of us knows Anvard that well yet. Odds are we'll get lost trying to figure out where your brother went."
Cor groaned but allowed his friend to lead him inside. "Is this going to be another adventure, Aravis? Can't we have a break before the next one?"
As he watched the prince and the Tarkheena disappear into the castle, Peridan remarked, "I suppose it shall be another adventure if Corin is involved though it will be far less exciting than their last one."
"Aye," Edmund agreed, "but I do agree with Prince Cor. He has earned a bit of quiet and rest after everything that's happened."
"So His Highness turned out to be more than an accidental eavesdropper after all," Peridan said, reminding the King of the conversation they shared over the concerns of a possible traitor in their midst in Tashbaan. This was the first chance they had to speak of things since they arrived in and departed from Narnia in such a short span of time and there was no longer any concern about keeping their suspicions to themselves. "And we were both right about his true identity."
"Thank the Lion things ended well for us and for Prince Cor. I do not wish to think any more on what could happen had he not turned out to be Lune's missing son. There might still be some complications concerning the Tarkheena though."
Peridan followed the King's train of thought. "Lady Aravis's father will likely demand her back."
"It is a strong possibility and Lune is well aware of the diplomatic issue that arrived at his doorstep," Edmund said, shaking his head. "I've sat in council with him going over what transpired during our visit to Tashbaan. He's been preparing for what to say to the Calormene ambassador before summoning the man to court. But given the Tarkheena's role in all of this and the recent development with Rabadash, Kidrash Tarkhaan may be less inclined to move forward with his daughter's betrothal to the Grand Vizier."
Prince Rabadash was currently stabled in an empty barrack at the castle, away from the common beasts used for riding and hunts. Peridan once caught Prince Corin trying to sneak in but quickly shooed the young boy away before he could see the Ass the prince had become; neither Aravis nor Cor showed any inclination to visit the Calormene prince.
"Kidrash Tarkhaan has power enough in his domain but he is like most Tarkhaans and would not see the political situation as a hindrance to getting even closer to the throne." Peridan had visited Calavar once, long ago, and observed the lord of that province from a distance; he remembered all the talk amongst the commoners about the man and the things he had done for the Tisroc. But he also knew how superstitious the Calormenes were, nobles or not. "Perhaps we can use this failed invasion as an advantage. The Tarkheena's father may think the demon god of the North would punish him for allowing the marriage contract to stand when the Lady Aravis is quite unwilling to bind herself to Ahoshta Tarkhaan."
Edmund looked intrigued at the suggestion. "That is a possibility. I will speak to Lune about it and if he wishes, Narnia can aid in spreading such a rumour throughout the province and Tashbaan to help reinforce such an idea." He smiled at Peridan. "I am glad it is Narnia you serve, my friend, and not elsewhere."
"Narnia is my home, Sire, and I am pledged to serve her and her rulers in any way I can."
The King sighed. "And speaking of service, I am reminded to have a word with Nasil on our return about all of this as well."
Peridan liked the Tarkhaan very much. The Calormene ambassador was a quick learner and he adapted well to living in the North after his awkward introduction to the Four and to Narnia. He did not envy Nasil the diplomatic dance that will be required to handle the backlash of Aslan's punishment of Rabadash "because of his actions concerning Queen Susan and the unprovoked attack on Anvard. Peridan was all too glad he chose to remain a loyal soldier instead of accepting the promotion to ambassador the Kings had once offered him.
"I am sure Nasil Tarkhaan is preparing for such a meeting," he said. "The rumours about Rabadash have already begun to spread beyond King Lune's borders."
Edmund shrugged. It was unlike him to respond so casually in a public setting but there were no others around to witness the King's reaction except for Peridan. "That can't be helped. We all saw what happened very clearly as did quite a few servants on the terrace and the Birds in the trees as well. All the more reason I need to tie up the loose ends dangling back at the Cair as soon as possible."
The King leaned back from the railing and stood up. "I've told Lune that we'll be leaving in two days' time and Lucy has already extended an invitation to Prince Cor and Lady Aravis for a proper visit to Narnia after they've settled into their new home." He stretched his arms high in the air and yawned. "In the meantime, I'm quite looking forward to going home myself."
"As do the other Narnians who accompanied us, my lord."
"Including you, Peridan."
He nodded, turning away from the king to look at the landscape beyond the castle walls. In the time of their visit to Tashbaan, the color of the forests had grown several shades darker. No longer did the foliage bear the vivid greens that Spring brought forth; now leaves and stems had taken on more deeper hues that reminded him of dusty emeralds. He could see small patches of gold and brown scattered amongst the verdant canopy that began to hint at the approaching change of season. Further north, he knew the woods of Narnia would retain the lush and glossy greens of young leaves and grass for a little while longer thanks to the magic of the woodland gods.
"There really is no place like it, King Edmund. None at all."
And soon, he would be able to enjoy the remaining vestiges of summer while it lingered yet in the land they all called home.
End.
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no subject
Date: 2015-09-07 04:09 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-08 12:07 am (UTC)Not a proper review!
Date: 2015-09-07 04:45 am (UTC)I like your name for the river!
Nice entrance, Edmund!
Oh, I like the credit you give to Corin for being aware of his responsibilities! (He's so often written as nothing but irresponsible.)
Love Sallowpad's word-play!
Wonderful sense of place as they walk back from the Splendour Hyaline - the scents, the sounds, the sights - it's all very real.
I like the reference to their shared history - it grounds the story beautifully.
"back from where..." Oh,that touch of uncertainty in Edmund's memory!
I like this recurring thread about childhood and responsibility.
Wow! So much under the surface there,in that one word: "Perfectly."
Oh! secret passages! :) Do I remember correctly that you've written about these? (It's lovely to see these three enjoying some play-time, some simply being young together.)
and so to the diplomatic and political fall-out! (which had quite a bit of attention in NFE, I think? I must check to see how much!)
Lovely close - with description of the Narnian summer contrasting beautifully with the Calormene one at the opening!
and thank you! I enjoyed reading that immensely! :)
Re: Not a proper review!
Date: 2015-09-08 12:34 am (UTC)Corin should definitely be aware of his responsibilities since he is assumed to inherit the throne before Cor shows up in HHB. If he's willing to defend a lady's honour as well as telling the truth of where he'd been all night (as he told Shasta, insulted that he may lie to Edmund and Susan), then he definitely is not as reckless as Lewis makes him out to be.
An Unkindness of Ravens is certainly a mouthful though it sounds less ominous than a Murder of Crows.
I do know most of Peridan's backstory—it was trying to figure all that out that actually led me to write this fic. That, and the discussion of childhoods, how there are similarities between the Twins' lives and that of Peridan and Edmund.
Yes, I did write about secret passages in my both of my previous NFE fics. :-) Corin's discovered quite a few in Cair Paravel and in Anvard. All three stories are set in the same universe.
And I didn't realize how the opening and closing were exact opposites until you pointed it out. That was entirely coincidental!
no subject
Date: 2015-09-07 12:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-08 12:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-09-09 02:08 am (UTC)The turn to Archenland is great too. I love their observations about the children, how Corin and Aravis are both similar and that Cor is the more thoughtful. (The swordplay trick is great too).
The hints of Peridan's own back story are so interesting. You obviously have head canon for that -- how did he end up in Narnia so much so that he calls it home?
The threads throughout this of homes lost and found, forgotten and remade, gives this an air that is both hopeful and a little melancholy.
It is wonderful to have you writing again!
So surely you have some head canon about Nasil? It's nice to hear Peridan express so positive of thoughts about him.
no subject
Date: 2015-09-09 10:51 pm (UTC)For some reason, it's a lot easier for me to form a clear picture of what Tashbaan looks like in my head than any other place in the books. I think Lewis wrote some pretty good descriptions as we see Tashbaan through the eyes of Shasta and Aravis. Would that he described Narnia in such detail too...
I have notes on Peridan's backstory written in a notebook somewhere; I need to transfer that to a Word doc soon before I lose it all. Peridan's father is from the Lone Islands, his mother is from the Seven Isles. After their (tragic) deaths, he lives on the streets and ends up saving Edmund from something (that is TBD) while he's making a state visit to the Lone Islands. As a thank you, Edmund invites him to the Narnian court where he becomes a loyal and trusted councillor.
There aren't any notes on Nasil yet. The reference in this story about his introduction is the 3-sentence fic I filled about Peter and camels from earlier this year. Let's just say he learned very quickly that the High King is not fond of camels, and proceeded to discreetly learn what else irks the Narnian monarchs (Peridan possibly helps him with this, knowing quite a bit of the Kings and Queens' dislikes).