Ruth's Magpie

Chapter 38: Stars and Satyrs

EDMUND:

"How long have you two been married?" Ruth asked as we walked the perimeter of the camp alongside the two centaur leaders.

The female centaur, Thesina, chuckled. "We are not married; we are actually brother and sister. Our father was a leader, and our aunt was the other one. We lead together, but we have our own spouses."

Ruth blushed. "I'm sorry. How long have you been leaders?"

The centaurs exchanged a thoughtful glance.

"Twelve years?" Milhon, the male centaur, offered tentatively.

"I believe so," his sister replied.

"I remember from my last visit to a centaur camp that the men are in charge of weaponry and defense while the women are in charge of both finding and preparing food," I said. "Is that still true?"

"Yes," Milhon replied with a nod. "However, more women have been helping with weapons lately; there has been an abundance of food lately, but there have been some concerning activities along our borders."

An icy chill crept down my spine.

Ruth and I exchanged a worried glance. "What sort of activities, sir?" she asked. "The only news we have heard of late was a dwarf rebellion that turned out to be nonexistent; our informant was either misinformed or seeking to distract or mislead us."

"There have been no outright rebellions from within, but there have been whispers of attacks from the outside."

"Calormen or Telmar?"

"Calormen, primarily. In the early days of your rule," he said, turning to me, "they felt no threat because we were in fact ruled by children. But you are no longer children anymore, and Narnia has grown strong under your authority. And now Narnia is both a threat, and desirable land with plenty to gain by defeating it."

"What then would you suggest? Should we begin quietly preparing for war? Or should we strike first, in a show of strength that will hopefully deter them from ever attacking to begin with?"

"We could always try diplomacy, Edmund," Ruth giggled. "Perhaps opening trade with Calormen would help us both."

The centaurs chuckled. "Do not be afraid, King Edmund and Lady Ruth," Thesina said. "These are merely rumors, and I am sure that your kindness to Narnia and the prosperity you have brought to these people will not be forgotten should the time ever come to fight against outside enemies."

"Thank you for your kind words," Ruth replied. "They comfort me."

"Then perhaps you would be further comforted to know that there have been already discussions of both organizing a makeshift militia and opening up trade relations with not only Calormen, but Archenland, Telmar, and Ettinsmoor as well."

"That is also very comforting!" I agreed.

"Would you like to dine with us?" Milhon asked as we reached the end of a very long table, where many centaurs had already gathered. "We make an effort to always eat altogether as a camp. But if you would rather your food brought to your tent, that is understandable."

"Dining with you would be an honor," Ruth said, beaming.

"That is fortunate," Thesina teased, "because we have already set two extra places for you!"

Ruth and I chuckled, then went to take our places. The table was meant for standing centaurs, so we had to fetch rocks to stand on so that we reached our plates, overflowing with food both fresh from their gardens and cuts of meat from wild animals. While many animals in Narnia were able to talk, some were still wild and dumb, meaning they were alright to eat. But true Narnian animals were given the gift of speech and freedom of will and mind, and were very careful to not let themselves join their counterparts.