The Early Chronicles Book Three: Narnia and the North

Chapter 5

Days went by with Laurel staying at the palace.  Swanwhite enjoyed treating her like a princess and making her as comfortable as possible even thought the poor girl seemed very worried, and rightfully so.  Swanwhite, Rufus, and Goran did their best to discuss military plans when Laurel wasn't around.  King Rynard had responded to their request and soon there were Archenland rangers patrolling around Narnia, searching for any Giant threats that had ventured from the North.  It felt like in the blink of an eye they were standing in the courtyard saddling up for their venture to the North.  

"Thasian, are you sure you feel comfortable coming with us?"  Swanwhite asked as she tightened her saddle girth.  

"I've never felt more sure of my readiness, your majesty."  Thasian said as he led two geldings out of the stable for Sir Oliver and Sir Ethan.

"I have."  Rufus said with a chuckle.  Several of the other knights laughed at his comment.  

Swanwhite rolled her eyes.  "Don't worry about them, Thasian.  I've seen you train, and you're ready."  She turned her attention to Laurel who was sitting on her mare looking straight ahead.  

"Are you ready, Laurel?"  She asked sweetly.

Laurel didn't answer but just kept staring off in the distance.

"Laurel?"

Laurel's gaze snapped back to her.  "I'm sorry, my lady.  Yes, I'm ready."

Swanwhite wasn't convinced by her tone.  "You'll ride between myself and Captain Rufus.  There won't be a safer place in the whole cavalry."

"You are good to me, my lady."

"I can ride behind Lady Laurel, your majesty."  Thasian said eagerly.  Swanwhite looked at Laurel and caught the slightest hint of redness in her cheeks.  She looked back at Thasian and saw genuine concern in his eyes.

"Very well."  She nodded her approval.

"Mount up!"  General Goran shouted above the ruckus.  Swanwhite swung up onto Kismir amidst the other jingling of reins and saddles.  She made a quick check of her saddlebag, satchel, and weapons strapped to her saddle.  General Goran, Swanwhite, Laurel, and Captain Rufus led the way, with Thasian and Sir Ethan among the knights directly behind them.  Once all the men were mounted, Goran raised his arm in the air.

"Move out!"  He commanded.  Horse hooves clip-clopped on the pavement, as they walked out of the courtyard.  Once outside the gate and across the bridge, the hooves made little noise on the turf.  When Goran urged them into a swift canter, the ground began to rumble with the horses' hooves and sing with their whinnies and brays.  The morning was bright and promising for their journey and the horses were fresh and sharp to their commands.  

"We must cross the Great River and travel through the northern forest of Narnia before passing into the Wild Wastelands of the North."  Goran instructed.

"The Great River?"

"Don't worry, my lady.  There is a ford not far from here where the water runs low enough to cross."

Swanwhite nodded.  She had traveled very little up north.  To her knowledge, there wasn't much there.  All of her business was with the men that lived in the South.  Most of the northern lands were only occupied by Talking Animals and the Fauns.  

"You know the North well, then?"  She asked.

"Almost as well as I know Chateau Kent by now."

"We are very fortunate then.  Let us hope that gives us some advantage against the Giants."