Fairdawn 22, 849
When Gracia woke me the next morning, I didn’t mope around my room half asleep as I usually did. Instead, I was more awake than normal, and I hummed a bright tune as I got ready to train. My behavior didn’t go unnoticed by the Cherry Blossom Dryad. Actually, it would’ve concerned me if she didn’t notice.
“My Queen is certainly alert and happy this morning. Might I know why, Majesty?” Gracia asked, smiling as she brushed my hair into a French braid.
“Do you know Amesh Tarkaan – the Calormen who chose to stay in Narnia?”
“Oh yes, I’ve seen him about the castle.”
“Well, I invited him to dinner last night, and we had a delightful time talking . . .” I trailed off to see if the Dryad would catch on.
She did. “Oh! Did he ask if he could court you?”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t give him my answer until he consulted Kaymen.”
“Wise choice, my Queen. Does the General know as of yet?”
“No, I plan to tell him during training. I also swore Shream and Famina to secrecy because I don’t want any rumors floating around until we have the official General Kaymen approval. Could you keep the secret too, Gracia?” I asked, looking at her.
She smiled sweetly and nodded. “Of course, your Majesty.”
“Thank you, Gracia.”
“You are most welcome. Now let me get your medallion on the shorter chain and around your neck, and you can go practice swordplay,” the good Dryad said as she floated over to my jewelry box. Quickly, she changed the chain, and floated back over and put the Miraculous Medal around my neck. “There you go. Now get down to the training grounds before Kaymen comes up here looking for you.”
I headed for the door in my scarlet battle dress. “Oh, don’t you worry, Gracia. There’s a reason I have you get me up a half hour earlier than I’m supposed to.”
“Yes, I know. Just get down there. You’ve always liked having some time to practice by yourself prior to the start of training. So get!”
“Alright!”
The walk down to the training grounds was a pleasant one, as always. When I got outside, I noticed the warmth of the morning; with it being Fairdawn, I was not surprised. I proceeded down the path that led to the armory and the courtyard used for training, and headed for the room where my equipment was stored. First, I put on the chainmail leggings over my padded ones so that my legs would be protected under my skirt as I dueled. Next, I donned a hauberk and a crimson tabard with a rampant golden lion emblem in the middle of the front. Lastly, I strapped my sword belt around my torso, put on my vambraces, and placed my helm on my head. I didn’t wear gloves or gauntlets, for I preferred to fight with both hands on my sword or with two swords and I felt they got in the way ( I did know how to fight with sword and shield; in fact, I was talented in all three styles of fighting, but I disliked having to hold the shield). I then took up my shield and walked out to the courtyard.
Putting the shield to the side, I began warming up. I unsheathed Phraymore and proceeded to go through all the strikes/blocks and maneuvers I knew for one-sword style. After I finished those, I retrieved my shield and practiced the strikes, blocks, and maneuvers for sword-and-shield fighting. I had just finished warming up when the sword masters (with General Kaymen, a Satyr Captain named Sem, and a Faun Captain named Traymer among them), and other soldiers and knights started entering the courtyard to begin the morning training.
With each of the different fighting styles, I had a different sword master. I practiced one-sword fighting on First and Fourthdays with Captain Sem; sword-and-shield fighting on Second and Fifthdays with Captain Traymer; two-sword fighting on Third and Sixthdays with General Kaymen, and Seventhdays I had all to myself to relax. Today, Sixthday, was my day to train with Kaymen. I was excited since I loved fighting with two swords, and because I was going to tell him about Amesh.
The General and I went to a corner of the courtyard to begin practice. The Centaur lent me a second sword to use for training.
We were a good way into the duel when I mentioned Amesh. “General, Amesh Tarkaan will be paying you a visit after training,” I said between blocks and strikes.
The General made a dual strike for my head, causing me to duck and strike at his forelegs before he responded. “And why is the Tarkaan visiting me, Lady?”
“He has a question to ask you, General.” I blocked strikes to my torso and back flipped to get some room.
We circled each other, swords at the ready. The Centaur gave me a knowing look. “He will be put through a thorough questioning.”
“That’s why I wouldn’t answer until he talked to you.”
The General attacked. “Wise choice.”
-x-x-x-x-x-
After breakfast, I retrieved my recorder and rode to the villages near Cair Paravel. At all of them, the children would come to hear what song I had for them to learn. That week’s song was “I Heard the Voice of Aslan”. The song’s origin was from “I Heard the Voice of Jesus”, but I tweaked it so it’d fit Narnia. I thank Aslan that I was able to remember many such songs from my days in England. The children loved hearing and singing them.
The song’s original lyrics were:
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest; lay down, thou wea-ry one, lay down Thy head up-on my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, So wea-ry, worn and sad; I found in him a rest-ing place, And he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I free-ly give The liv-ing wa-ter; thrist-y one, Stoop down, and drink and live.” I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life-giv-ing stream; My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s light; Look unto me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright.” I looked to Jesus, and I found In him my star, my sun; And in that light of life I’ll walk Till trav-‘ling days are done.
I changed the name of Jesus to Aslan, in order to make it Narnian friendly, and taught the children all three verses. I taught them the third verse because it sounded like a prophecy and deserved to be heard. They all loved the song, and they enjoyed singing it over and over. When I had to depart, the children whined.
“Dear children, I must go. But do not worry, I shall bring you another song next time!”
The children cheered at this, and went skipping and walking back to their homes singing, “I Heard the Voice of Aslan”. I couldn’t help smiling as I rode back to Cair.
-x-x-x-x-x-
I didn’t see Amesh or General Kaymen until after lunch as I was making my way to the throne room for court. I was just outside the throne room door when I caught sight of them heading in my direction. Amesh looked a bit worn – probably from all the questions Kaymen asked him – and the Centaur had a satisfied look on his face.
They both bowed to me when they were an arm’s-length away. Kaymen looked to Amesh and then towards me. “You have my approval.”
Squealing in delight, I gave the General a hug, which he returned. I could hear the smile in his voice when he said, “You’re most welcome, Swanwhite.”
I pulled back and stood before the Centaur with a broad smile upon my face. I looked to Amesh, who wore a bit of a smirk on his face as he said, “The General and I thought it best to inform you, O Queen, before court proceedings so you would have the pleasure of announcing it to all the Narnians congregated.”
“That was a splendid idea. And I shall.”
Amesh moved towards me and put his arm around my waist, holding me close to his person.
“There is one rule to this courting,” Kaymen said, interrupting whatever ideas Amesh might’ve had.
“Yes, General?” I asked for the both of us.
“There is to be no kissing or what kissing leads to.” The tone of his voice told me it was an order, not a suggestion.
“Yes, General,” the two of us said in unison. I knew that if I disobeyed that order, I would be punished for it.
Amesh and I turned for the throne room and Master Temnay opened one of the doors for us. I couldn’t wait to tell the Narnians that I was courting someone I cared for.
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