༄ ⍴һ᥆ᥱᥒі᥊ ᥕᥲrrі᥆r sһ᥆r𝗍 s𝗍᥆rіᥱs ༄

A Calormene Threat

Summary: Ana realizes that trouble seems to follow her everywhere. 

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~Part Three of The Horse and His Boy~

Three weeks. That's how long it took. Three weeks of scathing and flirtatious comments to her. Three weeks of Calormene nobles trying to buy her, and being vehemently denied by the King. Three weeks of men eyeing her in ways that made Ana shiver—and not in a good way. Three weeks for Queen Susan to realize what a foolish trip this had been.

"Ana, you have to stay," Edmund advised. He was nearly pleading with her but kept his royal composure and tone.

She had a brief recollection of a similar conversation with Peter. Edmund was leaving and forcing Ana to stay behind, but there were two major differences this time. The first was that Edmund wasn't going anywhere particularly dangerous—just a stroll through the city in hopes of finding Corin. The second was that Ana had no desire to go with him.  After the way the Calormenes had been treating her, she found it safer to be with the Queen.

They had been nothing but polite and cordial to her and the others when they first arrived. But somehow they found out she wasn't a royal, nor was she betrothed to Prince Corin—a thought that Ana found ludicrous—and that's when it started. The Calormene nobles knew she was some high-ranking noblewoman, although they didn't know the exact position she held. But the Calormenes saw her as an available woman with a title and they wanted her. Never mind that she was merely fifteen—in appearance only—but that was the excuse Edmund used to try and deter them.

However, it didn't matter. Unless she was with Susan, all eyes were on her. Not the King, not the ambassadors,  nor the Narnians. Her. Ana knew she stood out more than the others—her auburn hair contrasted with that of the Calormenes and even  Archenlanders. She originally thought that to be the reason for their interest. But as the weeks stretched, she realized several Calormene women were married off young. And she was of perfect 'age' to them. Ana doubted it would've made a difference if she was a royal.

"I know," Ana sighed, agreeing with Edmund.
"It's just that..." he trailed off, seeming to have a hard time explaining.
"Unfortunately,  I agree. They've taken an interest in me and they want your approval  for a marriage." He looked surprised at her statement.
"They've said something?" he asked, with slight bemusement.
"Not directly, at first..." she admitted. "But I could hear their whispers and comments. I'm sure some of the Calormenes wanted me to hear them.  However, later I was approached at one of the feasts by some noble—I  didn't catch his name. He told me he had asked you for my hand and encouraged me to convince you to agree. Something about it being mutually beneficial for us—though I fail to see how Narnia benefits,  much less me. I told him I wasn't interested and thought that would be the end of it. But it just got worse when they realized I wouldn't push for it. They'll keep pressuring until we're gone or you relent. And I  know you would never allow that."
"It's not just that though. I'm afraid for you and Su. They do not take kindly to refusals. I worry they may try something."
"You think they mean to kidnap me?" Ana asked, now troubled herself.
"I  don't know. I wouldn't put it past them... But I doubt you'll get out of here without revealing your magic. And if Susan rejects the Prince...  Well, I do not think any of us will make it out of Tashbaan alive."
"I'm sorry."
He frowned. "What for?"
"My presence here has caused you more stress. I'm supposed to make it easier, but I've only done the opposite."
"It's not your fault. Neither of us could have predicted they'd behave like this," he sighed. "You're not the reason for my distress. It's this  whole situation and of course Corin."
"You'll find him," she assured him. "And I'll watch after Susan while you're gone. The Prince's disappearance has left her greatly distraught. Besides, the only way I  can keep the nobles from pestering me is if she is present."
"Ah, yes. Susan's beauty is the only thing to distract them from you."
Ana nodded. "Stay safe."
"I will. I'll have Peridan and several Knights with me."