The Early Chronicles Book Five: By Desert Divided

Chapter 4

It seemed to Swanwhite there had been too many occasions that she sat on a horse preparing to depart on a dangerous journey towards impending doom.  She told herself she should be used to the feeling by now, but as the mass of Archenland and Narnian soldiers waved and departed from Chateau Kent with their flags and banners flying in the wind and their armor and weapons glinting in the sun, the familiar knots in her stomach and the white knuckles returned.  The entire journey lay ahead of them with the worst part at the end.  

It was late summer and the Narnian landscape was green and lush.  Talking Animals and dumb beasts alike were out in the sunshine watching as they passed.  Some bowed low and waived to the king of Archenland and the Narnian queen.  The riding was quick and easy through Narnia since the weather was preferable.  The horses were fresh, and though they had to pull carts full of supplies, they could still travel at a good speed.  They needed little rest aside from stopping for the night and checking maps, and the whole experience was rather calming and encouraging to Swanwhite.  

"It won't be long before we reach the Archenland border."  The king mentioned one night as they sat around the campfires.  "There we will be joined by the rest of my army."

"I'm pleased."  Swanwhite said.  "We've made good time."

"Indeed."  Goran stretched out on the ground beside the fire and closed his eyes.  "I hope we aren't tiring Rufus out.  He's not as young as he used to be."  

A boot tossed in Goran's direction confirmed the Minotaur had heard his comment.  Swanwhite chuckled slightly.  

"I'm not ashamed to admit my joints whine more than they used to."  King Rynard rubbed his shoulder.  Goran sat up slightly and propped himself up on his elbows.  

"Your old battle injury, my lord?"  He asked.

The king nodded.  "Indeed.  It reminds me of its presence every so-often."

Swanwhite looked at them curiously in a silent question.  "An arrow in his shoulder many years ago."  Goran said to her.  

"Now I shall have to ensure both of you don't injure your shoulders."  She grinned and took another spoonful of the stew they had cooked over the fire.

"What did Goran do to his shoulder?"  The king looked at Goran and the general hesitated.

"Nothing."  He said with a shake of his head.

"Not nothing!"  Swanwhite protested.  "He was shot in the back about six months ago.  It was during the incident with the Calormen spy."

"Indeed, man?  Earned a half-decent battle scar, eh?"  King Rynard laughed.

"It's nothing.  It's healed now."  Goran smiled and shrugged. Swanwhite felt a tug at her chest at the horrible memory of seeing Goran lying helpless on the ground with a bloody hole in his back.  The fear of losing him had gripped her fiercely during that moment and she hated reliving it.  Shaking it off, she rose from her seat.

"Goran, would you help me gather more firewood?"  She asked.  Goran nodded and rose to follow her into the dark wood.  They walked a short distance into a furrow of trees where piles of brush lay scattered on the ground.  Swanwhite stooped to gather some, but before she could, she felt Goran gently pull her up and spin her around.

"May I kiss your cheek now?"  He teased.  She smirked at him.

"You are insufferable."

"Hmm."  He leaned forward and brushed a kiss on her forehead.  "Your hair looked lovely today."

"That's a strange thing to say."  She laughed.  "It was braided to be out of my way and probably a mess from riding."

"It still looked lovely to me."  He said warmly and kissed her cheek.  

"Very well, then.  Your hair looked lovely today too."  She joked.  He chuckled in that low rumble that put the butterflies in her stomach again.  "We'd best gather the firewood like we're supposed to."

"Yes I suppose you're right."  He rubbed his hand up and down her arm briefly and then kissed her lips very lightly.  Though it was light and gentle, she still felt lightheaded for a moment and she was glad it was dark so he wouldn't see her blush.  Pulling her thoughts back together, they began gathering the logs and kindling for the fire.  

"How much trouble do you think Vilan will give us?"  Swanwhite felt uneasy asking but it was always on her mind.

"Hopefully not as much as his father did."  Goran answered.

"I wish this was over.  Constantly looking over out shoulder and dealing with a strike from Calormen every few months."

"Indeed."

"You don't suppose this is a trap, do you?"

Goran stood up straight and adjusted his grip on the logs.  "I suppose there is always a chance, but I hope not."

"How comforting."  She rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry."  He said.  "I think we stand a very good chance.  Remember we are riding with the military force of Narnia and Archenland."

They finished gathering the logs and returned to the fire.  After a few more stories and laughter were shared, they un-rolled their bedding and assembled the night watch.  Swanwhite was slightly missing the companionship of a female friend, like she had with Laurel on their journey to the North.  She was also missing Genevieve and her soft royal bed.