The Early Chronicles Book Five: By Desert Divided

Chapter 5

"Gentlemen, and my lady," King Rynard announced from his horse, "welcome to Archenland."  The following day they had traveled across the last stretch of Narnian land and were able to cross the border into their neighboring country.  It was quite exciting for Swanwhite as she had been to Archenland very few times and very long ago.  For a while the terrain and scenery was little changed.  Archenland held the same lush green pastures and healthy forests that Narnia boasted.  They refreshed themselves beside bubbling streams and lakes alive with wildlife, and the weather remained promising.  

As they neared the inland, their surroundings began to change.  Instead of soft green grass and moss, the ground grew slightly rockier and more mountainous.  It wasn't the grey dreary terrain like Swanwhite had seen in the Wild Wastelands of the North, but they began to be surrounded by mountains and steep terrain and fewer trees.  The green lush grass gave way to taller dry fields and brush.  The weather seemed to grow warmer as they traveled, and the animals they saw looked different.  Instead of songbirds and waterfowl, there were hawks and falcons as well as other smaller birds of prey.  There were mountain goats and deer that could dance on the edge of the rocky cliffs with ease, and Swanwhite saw several reptiles streaking across the dry ground.

"It won't be long before we reach Anvard."  The king noted.  "There we shall be joined by the rest of my men."

"How long before we reach the castle?"  Goran asked.

"I daresay we shall reach if before the day is out at this pace."  The king said confidently.  Swanwhite's heart lightened at the news.  Her spirits had risen as they continued to ride under a blue sky.  Though the weather was warmer than in Narnia, she had a hard time believing the harsh desert was only a few days away.  How could the terrain change so drastically?  Surely it wouldn't be so terrible after all. 

They rode on in a less-organized cluster.  Goran rode several paces ahead and Swanwhite felt herself fall in line beside the king.

"Tell me, my dear.  Is there something I should be aware of between yourself and the general?"  He asked in a knowing tone.  Swanwhite sat up straight and looked at him in surprise.  Her cheeks heated and she stuttered for words.

"I...  how did you...that is... it's nothing you need be concerned about."  She felt extremely silly.  The king chuckled.

"I think that it is, but you needn't be concerned.  I give no objection."

"That means a great deal to me, your majesty."  She smiled.  "Goran thinks very highly of you."

King Rynard looked ahead at Goran with a pained expression.  "He's been through a great deal." 

"He told me a bit of how he came to be in your ranks."

The king nodded.  "Yes.  The man has thought of nothing but fighting all his life.  I found myself teaching him more about the joys of life than about combat."

Swanwhite's heart sank for Goran.  "It must have been hard."

"Indeed."  The king looked at her.  "His changed attitude gave me reason to suspect an attachment between the two of you.  I've never seen him this happy and content."

Swanwhite's heart warmed at his words.  She had noticed a gradual change in Goran's demeanor since the first time she saw him.  He wasn't as hard and silent as he once was, and he smiled multiple times a day instead of not at all.  "You are very kind, your majesty."

"I merely state what I see."  The king nodded to her and urged his horse up front to take the lead.    The grassy cliffs beside them grew higher and narrower, and soon they found themselves riding along the bottom of a ravine.  There was still grass beneath the horses' hooves and occasionally they came across wildflowers growing along the ravine floor.  Once Swanwhite thought she saw the outline of a mountain lion above them, but it quickly disappeared over the edge.  It was fairly pleasant riding despite the gradually increasing temperature.  Swanwhite soon found herself rolling up her sleeves and removing her outer doublet to stay cooler.  When the sun began to set and Swanwhite noticed a great stiffness in her body, the king halted.