Narnia in Need (Rivine and Gunner)

[LilGunner]

Even if the destination was dismal the journey didn't have to be. At least that's what Dinah convinced herself of. Her father, bless his heart, at least allowed her to ride. Her riding habit was easily the most comfortable article of clothing she possessed given how well worn it was. A strange, long, flowing dress with wide skirts and yet the top, rather than a normal bodice, was fashioned more akin to a man's military uniform. It was form fitted, cinched tight with a firm yet flexible bodice. The best part of it was the lack of corset. It was astoundingly freeing. Beneath the dress she wore riding breeches, just like men! Scandelous! Of course it was becoming a common article of clothing for the more sporting of women. Her mother was incensed at the notion of her daughter wearing breeches, riding, shooting guns. Worse, hunting. Such a barbaric sport of men! Yet Dinah was not abashed at the sport, she didn't even shy from gutting her own game. The maids of their house were quite good at getting blood out of her favorite riding habit. The green as deep and lovely as the rolling english countryside. It clashed horrendously with her mane of fine russet hair yet complimented her equally green eyes. Her hair was caught up in a fine little net, speckled with jewels. For her, General Philip Montgomery of Fairfax, spared no expense.

The union had been offered. A chance for a fragile peace. The Laird was older by a score of years and owned a great swath of land. He wasn't what one might call wealthy, not in actual coin and riches. His farms did well and he was certainly rich in land. More importantly, land near the boarder. Land that was sworn and loyal to the English Crown. Her dowry would be immense, that was certain. They would have a good holding in the still rebellious land. Enough to perhaps, once and for all, quell the fighting and bring the Scottish vermin....rebels to heel. Of course little of this was all known to Dinah. She, instead, was more deeply concerned by the man himself. She knew nothing of this man who had sent his offer. Of course her say in the matter was limited at best. Her father doted on her, that much was certain. Still, he could be more stubborn than an ass in molasses and he at least demanded she meet the man in question. Then she could make her decision. Of course, that didn't mean anyone would listen.

Still, it was a glorious day, especially given the weather in southern Scotland. They had passed the border three days hence. The sun was bright and shining. Summer was waning to fall, the weather still warm in the day but the promise of winter breathed into the night. The days grew shorter, the nights darker. It was the best time for hunting, yet it had been banned on their trip. The last thing they needed was for her to get hurt or bloodied before their arrival. Instead Dinah would have to delight in the day. The easy, slow plodding of her beloved gelding. Chulainn had been her steadfast companion for years. His sleek body of silvery grey shone brightly against the verdant countryside. Darker speckled dotted his body, building to a dark grey along his fetlocks and and pasterns. Brave, loyal, he ran faster than the wind and jumped obstacles as though angels themselves gave him wings. No finer horse had ever existed.

Their traveling party was a moderate size. Six guards, her father of course, her personal maid and four footmen. Philip, Dinah, and the guards rode their steeds leisurely while the rest rode a covered cart with all the supplies needed for such a venture. The guards were watchful as Philip and Dinah rode side by side. While in theory safe given so many Lords and Lairds had sworn their fealty there were some who still demanded their freedom. Dinah let the beautiful, rolling countryside distract her mind from considering the man she was supposed to meet. The skies a bright blue, the green verdant as could be, distant copses of trees danced in the gentle breeze.

Around midday the small retinue stopped for lunch. Simple fare of hard cheese, bread, and salted meat. Dinah sat with her maid, the pair chatting happily, pointing out birds that flew by. They had stopped in the shade of a small grove. Legs a bit tired from riding Dinah rose to her feet, dusting her hands off. "I'm going to take a short stroll," she announced. Philip looked up, his bushy grey eyebrows furrowing a little in concern. "Alright...but stay in sight and take Meribeth with you," he said. Dinah nodded and linked arms with her maid. Not the best protecting but they weren't going to leave sight. At least that was their intention. The trees grew strangely. A little twisted and gnarled. A strange mist seemed to cling around their skirts the moment they left the safe little grove. "What a strange place this Scotland. A land of mist and murk," Dinah said with a long, heavy sigh. "What is his majesty thinking...let the Scots have it...what good does this conflict do the Crown?" Meribeth, being a simple girl gave a small shrug. "Maybe 'e likes mutton overmuch miss?" She suggested. Dinah raised her eyebrows at the maid. Her blond hair glimmered even in the shade of the trees. Her skin was milky pale, her eyes a soft shade of blue. She was pretty for a common woman. Pretty stupid too.

 

[Rivine]

As the sun had risen in the sky warmth had spread across the glens and moors of Scotland, but it did nothing to warm the heart of Gabriel Forsyth. The man sat beside the smoldering fire that he and his compatriots had set the night before to cook their meal and to provide them warmth, but just like Scotland's chances the fire was starting to die. Shaking his head as he let out a sigh, Gabe stirred up the embers, watching them glow, then reached over to the small pile of twigs nearby, adding them to the embers and watching as the flames started, small at first, but soon taking hold, dancing along the twigs, consuming them.

We are the embers. We must stay alive. Charles will return. Our people will become the fire and we will scorch the English, burn them until they are naught but ash.

His thoughts had been interrupted as one of the men beside him stirred, waking as the light of the sun shone on his face. As the others woke Gabriel busied himself with helping them, making their morning oats and getting their few belongings packed. Gabe traveled with six others, all of them Scotsmen like himself, all of them believers in the Stuart cause. Though he was not the highest among them in social rank, Gabriel had held the highest rank in the regiment they had all served in together and, as such, the six had elected him to continue to be their leader. So led him he had. It had been an entire winter since the Prince had departed Scotland's shores, but still the belief in the cause remained strong for Gabriel.

It did not take long for the Scots to eat and pack up their camp. They had become accustomed to packing light and moving quickly, it was how they had stayed ahead of the redcoats. He and his lads had come south to investigate a rumor that they had heard; that one of the earls that had turned against the Prince would be getting himself a pretty English lass as a reward. Why should a traitor get a pretty English prize? So Gabe had devised himself quite the little plan. If the rumors were true than he and his lads would find the lass and spirit her away, somewhere hidden, and ask her wealth English father for her dowry to get her back. With the coin they could buy arms and powder, equipment for themselves and others, and continue to thumb the English bastards in the eye until they had enough.

The men traveled across the moor for most of the day, moving at a steady jog, their boots leaving nary a trace of their passage. They stopped at a few homes along the way, asking for news at times if people seemed to be sympathetic to them, moving on from homes that didn't seem to keen on having them there. But by talking to a few people along the road they had learned that a small English part was moving north, a woman riding with them. Curious about this Gabriel lead his men parallel to the road, wanting to see who these folks might be.

It was only a little after midday that they found the English as they stopped for luncheon. Gabe and his lads watched them, noting as the women moved away from the soldiers. But what he had also noticed was the fancy Englishman, the one with the general's braids on his shoulders. This, it seemed, was the party that they sought. Smiling a bit Gabe turned to look at one of his fellows, "We circle around and grab the last. Finn is with me to grab her. The rest of you watch our back." Having said that he led the men off, skirting around the English, who seemed entranced by their food, confident that the lands they were in were safe. They were wrong.

Gabe and Finn moved up behind the two women and, swiftly, they came up and grasped them. Forsyth clasped a hand over the mouth of the woman dressed in the fancier clothes, growling into one of her ears, "Be still lass and we will not..." But his words were cut short as a shot rang out. Glancing back over his shoulder Gabe could see the smoke curling around one of his lads, the one who had a pistol extended outward. Following the line of the pistol he then saw a redcoat laying on the ground and growled out, "Shite." Dragging the woman with him he yelled, "Let's go! Move!"

 

[LilGunner]

Dinah noted the sudden stillness in the grove. The birds who had once sang softy and sweetly were silent. The chattering of squirrels halted. Dinah glanced around with a small frown. Perhaps a hawk? An eagle even? She looked up but found nothing but dense canopy. It was as if that small glen were an ancient world, secluded from the rest of the land. Perhaps a fox then. Some kind of predator was near. Why else would the sonf of the glen halt so suddenly?

Branches hissed and scritched, Dinah pulled up short. Her heart leaped to her throat just as a large, rough hand clamped down over her mouth. Her scream more a yelp of surprise against the large hand. A band of warm, silken iron wrapped around her body. Pinned back against a warm, broad body, movement utterly stilled. She heard a muffled scream of fright. Meribeth. The maid lost her wits, shrieking against the hand that covered her mouth. Dinah managed to look over at her maid and the man that held her. A Scott obviously. It didn't take much to figure out who held her. She watched at Meribeth wiggled and writhed in the man's grip, all her movements utterly useless against the man's strength. Dinah's heat beat hard against her chest.

A whisper into her ear sent little tremors down her back. A gunshot rang through the air. The sudden booming crack of the pistol even made Meribeth stop struggling. Both women tried to turn and look. Meribeth had the better view, all Dinah could see was a pair of stilled boots. Meribeth shrieked again, her efforts doubled to get away. The man behind Dinah moved, pulling her along. Finally Dinah fought back. Her actions more solid, more thought out than Meribeth's frantic wriggling. Dinah threw her elbows back as best as she could, reared her head back to loosen his grip on his face, maybe even cracked the back of her head against his nose. That was slightly more useless since she came up to his collar bone. That was with riding boots on too. Still she tried to dislodge his hand to sink her teeth in. All the while her legs stayed limp to making dragging her a little harder, add more weight so he might drop her.

The remaining guards didn't sit idly by with their comrade being shot. Drawing pistol and sword they ran to give chase. "Come back you mangy curs!" The men shouted. Their tones snarling. The Scotts killed one of their own and were trying to make off with their women. This would not stand.

 

[Rivine]

Gabriel grunted as the woman in his grasp started to struggle mightily after he started trying to take her away. He tightened his grip, trying to hold on to her, but between her throwing her elbows and the biting, he ended up losing his grasp. "Fuckin' wench!" he declared, feeling the results of her bite turning moist with blood. Gabe was no small man, standing half a head taller than most of his fellows, but the way that the Englishwoman fought... well she fought as if she were a Highland lass. He reached out as if to grab her again, to try and take hold of her before she could really slip away from him, but the redcoats had other plans.

More shots rang out, from the Scots and Brits both, with men on both sides falling. In the first exchange three of the Scotsmen fell as did two more Englishmen. Three of the remaining redcoats had bypassed the small Scottish rearguard and had closed on Gabriel and Finn. Gabe had managed to grab the back of her skirt, but was forced to let go as one of the footmen bore down on him,charging with bayonet leveled he was forced to twist away. His hand quickly darted to the hilt of his basket hilted sword drawing it smoothly and then quickly striking at the English soldier, but his blow was intercepted by the stock of the man's musket. Gabriel's blood rose as he became embroiled in the fight, raining a flurry of blows on the man before landing a slash across the man's chest. As the footman fell Gabe noticed that Finn had been overcome by two soldiers. Growling he drew his own pistol, leveling it at one of the duo and firing, practically point blank. The ball ripped into the man, even as Gabriel closed in on his confederate.

The fighting continued to rage, the Scotsmen proving their valor against the greater numbers. Gabriel had his pistol knocked from his hand, but his sword found the redcoat's gut. As he slipped the weapon free he looked around. His two remaining fellows were still fighting, but he could not spare a moment for them. No, his attention returned to the woman he had taken hold of before.

Where is she!?

He could feel the chance slipping away, but he was not about to give up.

 

[LilGunner]

The iron tang of blood danced on her tongue. The man, with a very foul mouth by-the-by, released her. Wether from her violent efforts or from her father's men rushing to fight she was released. Dinah did not pause to consider what to do. She picked up her skirts to run to Maribeth's side. Her maid, too, had been released as her captor was suddenly engaged in fighting. Her skirts caught and she staggered to a halt. She turned just in time to see the large, brutish Scott holding the folds of her wide riding skirts before having to turn and engage one of the guards. Dinah took the second opportunity to grab Maribeth by the hand and make a break for the wagon.

Both women burst from the small grove to see the rest of the Englishmen engaging the Scottish ruffians. Maribeth cling to Dinah's arm in fear. "Come on," Dinah hissed to her terrified maid. She nearly had to drag the women to the cart with the sounds of fighting behind them. Sharp cracks of gun fire filled the air, grunts of pain, clashing metal. As they passed a guard Dinah stopped the grab his sword he never got to draw before his life was ended. The sharp blade sliced through the leathers that bound the large draft horse to the cart. "Up you get now," Dinah said as she helped push Maribeth onto the massive horse's back. "You need to run, find a town. If you see none in red do not stop. Do you understand?" Maribeth nodded frantically. Dinah was not so sure the doe eyed woman fully grasped what she said. It didn't matter, she would find safe haven. With a sharp slap to the gelding's rump they were off. Now for Chulainn.

The handsome, sleek gelding had danced away from the fighting but was easily spotted a few yards away. He pranced and danced in worry. Blood was ripe in the air. All the sounds terrifying but he didn't have his mistress. Dinah put her thumb and forefinger to her lips and gave a long, sharp whistle. Chulainn's ears pricked forward and he tossed his head before he began running towards her. Good horse. Dinah picked up her skirts and ran to meet him. There would be no dramatic, running mount. Not with a side saddle and not in such skirts. Chulainn pulled up to stop and Dinah caught his reins. Without a block and given his height mounting from the ground was always a challenge. With a few small hips and a heave she at least managed to flop onto the saddle in an ungainly manner. "Dash it all," she groaned as she struggled to right herself.

A crack of a gun. Chulainn squealed and bucked, dumping Dinah onto the grass. She grunted with the sudden hard drop and rolled to her back as Chulainn bucked. It was easy to see the red gash on his flank. A stray bullet had grazed him. Dinah was up again, catching his reins. "Easy...easy boy...shhhh..." she tried to calm him. He was in pain! His mistress was near but it hurt! She managed to calm him just enough to give mounting a second try with far more success. Single stirrup or not she didn't bother righting her skirts or slinging her leg over the side. Very unladylike display of leg, covered by breeches of course.

 

[Rivine]

The fight was a hot one, brutal and unyielding. There was no quarter given by either side as firearm and blade alike took life after life. Gabriel had caught sight of his quarry, seen her dash for the small encampment the English had made. So he took after her, hoping that his brothers-in-arms could hold the English long enough for him to see the job through. His blue and green kilt did not impede his movements as he dashed after her, his steps carrying him swiftly and unerringly after his prey.

He had closed in on her and just made it into the campsite when one of the footmen interposed himself between Gabe and her. The Scotsman slammed into the redcoat at a run, before he could level his musket to fire or stab, bowling him over. As the guard hit the ground his rifle discharged, the shot grazing the side of Dinah's horse, though neither Gabriel nor the soldier knew that. The two tousled on the ground, Gabriel having lost his sword, but as it so happened he still had his dirk at his belt. The man reached down and drew it free, then plunged it into the redcoat time and again until the man stilled.

Grunting, Gabriel pushed himself up off the ground, just in time to see the woman mounting a fine grey horse. Quickly he sheathed his dagger and picked up his sword, sheathing it in turn, then dashed towards her at a dead sprint. He used a nearby rock as a launching point and jumped, landing on the horse behind her and quickly putting an arm around her waist as his other hand moved to try and wrestle the reins from her. The horse reared and bucked as the two fought on it's back, then it bolted, carrying them both away from the battlefield. Gabriel gripped her tightly, still trying to gain the reins as the horse galloped. Thankfully he was a skilled horseman and despite the bumpy ride he had been able to keep his seat so far, his strong legs latched onto the horse's flanks.

"Give it up lass!" he cried out, determined to take her. With he he could make the sacrifice of his comrades worthwhile. How much would she bring? He suspected her dowry would be counted in the thousands. But first he would have to get her away from the redcoats that had been protecting her.

 

[LilGunner]

Dinah was nearly Scott free. Nearly though. Chulainn squealed at the sudden thumping weight on his back as the massive Scott leaped begins Dinah. The woman also yelled in surprise and frustration as a she was wrapped in a warm coil once more. "Get off my horse you cur," she shouted at him, squeezing the reins right as he tried to wrest them from her grip. Terrified and in pain Chulainn suddenly bolted, kicking and bucking as he took off. The ride was rough as he barreled across the sweeping fields. Chulainn weaves and swerved as his reins were yanked and jostled in the fight. Dinah had just as firm a grip on her horse with. It's legs astride as the Scott begins her did. One arm was firmly pinned to her side while the other clings to the reins like a lifeline.

With no guidance and no path Chulainn veered towards a misty copse of trees. He barreled right in, uncaring for the humans safety. By some insane amount of luck neither human was struck by a rogue branch. The battle was hard fought between the pair who wouldn't give in. Dinah's hair came loose from the delicate jeweled net which hung in tangled in her hair which flowed somewhat freely. They barreled through an overgrown, misty path. Though Dinah was not overly concerned with where they were going. Her face as flushed as she battled with the man, green eyes ablaze. "You give it up you mongrel!"

They broke through the trees. "Stop!" Dinah suddenly shrieked, pressing her back into the Scott as she pulled the reins. Not five feet of ground remained before the cliffs edge. Chulainn's hooves skittered on the deathly grey rock but it was no use. All three were pulled over the edge before anyone could stop or dismount. The sudden descent took her breath away. It was not such a long fall and they all hit gentle rolling surf. Dinah released her legs from Chulainn and kicked for the surface. Chulainn managed to break surface first. Being a simple beast he had an instinct for survival and began paddling towards shore. Only one hundred yards away, perhaps less, with the rolling tide to help carry. He trotted ashore and shook off with a groan, tossing his head and flicking his tail. Meanwhile Dinah's pale face was white. Oh she was a sporting thing but she was not such a strong swimmer. Even the soft waves were too much and she struggled to keep herself above the surface.

 

[Rivine]

Despite her demands for him to get off and give up, Gabriel stuck it out. He had nearly wrestled the reins from her! But then she screamed for them to stop and pulled back on the reins. Gabe did not know why... and then he saw the cliff. "Shite!" he cried out as they all toppled over the edge, his cries joining those of the horse and woman. It was only a second or so before he hit the water with the others. his breath taken away from him. The Scotsman found himself swimming, but it took him a moment to orient himself and go upwards. As he broke the surface he gasped for breath and slowly turned, trying to find the nearest shore, which was the cliff of course, but in the distance he saw a beach and knew he had to get there.

However he didn't get to swimming there, not quite yet, for he noticed the woman flailing near him. He hesitated for a moment or two, then realized quickly that he had to help her. Gabriel swam over and put an arm around her chest as he moved behind her, speaking loudly, "Stay still!" He turned his own back to the beach, leaning back to float a bit as he started to kick as hard as he could, dragging her with him through the water. To say that the effort of swimming with her as well was taxing was a complete understatement. His legs and free arm ached, his body weakening with every kick and stroke.

An eternity seemed to pass, but eventually he felt something under his feet. With an effort he righted himself, standing and dragging her with him onto the shore where he collapsed. His breathing was ragged as he lay on the wet sand. A minute or two passed, but then he sat up, looking around, his brows furrowed after he had realized something. "Where in bloody hell are we!?" he declared loudly, looking around. "We were nowhere near the shore!" To say that he was confused was an understatement. As he took in more of their surroundings, taking in the geography his blood ran cold. The soft sand beach, the trees, everything about the place was off. He realized then a simple truth... they were not in Scotland anymore.

 

[LilGunner]

Stay still! The shouting command rang in her ear as she felt a warmth behind her, a powerful arm wrap around her. For a moment she moved to fight, until she realized she was keeping afloat. Every fiber in her being screamed to fight but she held herself in check. Despite anything it wasn't better to drown in the sea. Dinah gave some meager kicks to try and help propel them forward as he swam for both. It wasn't much help and her legs were tangled in her skirts. Her ears felt hot as she relied on this...this Scott for safety. A Scot that tried to...make off with her? For what reasons she could only begin to guess at.

Finally their feet found land. He wasn't about to let her go and dragged her with him away from the water. While he collapsed she was pulled down to her knees besides him. Dinah tried not to consider how winded the man was from keeping her alive. He must be a powerful swimmer to keep both of them afloat and brought safely to shore. Chulainn nickered softly and plodded over toward the humans with an uneven gait, favoring the leg near where he had been grazed by a stray ball. Dinah wrenched away from the Scott and went to her horse. The wound was dribbling blood but it was clean enough, just grazed. She came around and gently stroked his muzzle. No chance at fleeing with him and she wouldn't leave Chulainn alone with a mad Scott.

Speaking of the mad Scott he suddenly sat up with confused shouts. "Well I'm sure I don't know but I am not familiar with Scottish countryside," she said with a huffy little sniff. Though she too looked around. The area looked nothing like the rolling hills of their travels. The forests surrounding them were less the bright verdant of the hills and more a darker green. The massive mountains in the distance certainly were not familiar. Dinah felt a shudder run down their back. This was utterly impossible. It was as if they were...somewhere else. It was impossible! No, chin up, carry on as it were. There was another matter to attend to.

Dinah very suddenly rounded on the Scott. Her only weapon a wagging finger at his face. "Now see here. Who do you think you are, attacking our caravan, grabbing me and such business? I have half a mind to leave you right on this beach and permit whatever ill you deserve befall you. As it were...you did save my life and there is gratitude owed." She rose up and flicked her dripping hair from her face. "But when we find...a...town...hello...." she said slowly, distracted by a sight further down the beach. A Lion. Near as tall as Chulainn with a shining golden mane. Fright should have been the first instinct and yet...seeing this lion was not unlike wrapping up before a warm hearth with a bracing cup of tea and a good book. "Scott...do you see this?" She asked as her green eyes stared at the lion.

Of all things Chulainn gave an excited whinny and trotted towards the lion. Dinah should have been scared. The lion could eat Chulainn. Yet she didn't fear for her beloved companion's life. He trotted with an awkward, limping gait right to the massive beast. The animals touched noses a moment. The lion's maw opened wide and Dinah sucked in a breath. Perhaps her lack of fear was misplaced. But only Chulainn's forelock ruffled and settled. The lion turned towards the humans but didn't move for them. His big, liquid eyes gazing at them placidly before he turned and began lumbering towards the forest.

 

[Rivine]

When the Englishwoman spoke about not knowing the countryside, Gabriel rolled his eyes. Of course she would not know where she was, why would she? She had only come north to be the prize of a laird. Though, now that he had a chance to look at her, she was dressed rather strangely. What was that about? He took a moment to stroke his auburn beard, then brushed the long strands of hair off of his face. Then, suddenly, she was in his face. Gabriel's face darkened as he listened to her, then, slowly, he rose, standing fully and looking down at her with his brows furrowed. "Listen here lass," he started, his tone soft and dangerous, "Your people came to my country. I merely seek the freedom that all those born free by God's will have a right to enjoy."

However when she looked away from him, directing his gaze down the beach. As his blue eyes followed her direction they widened in shock. There was a lion, a bloody damned lion! Gabriel was a learned man compared to most, had attended university for awhile even, but never in all of his years had he ever seen an actually lion! That cemented it for him, they were definently not in Scotland anymore! He moved between her and the creature, drawing his broadsword with his right hand and his dirk with his left. "Aye, I bloody see it. Stay behind me. If it charges I will do what I can." He watched as the horse actually trotted towards the beast, completely dumbfounded. A horse should not have been acting like that near a predator! He had seen a lot of curious things in his life, but this was just bizarre! When the lion opened it's mouth he tensed, ready to hold her back if the cat pounced, but it didn't.

When the lion finally turned and left he let out a sigh of relief. Slowly he moved down the beach a bit, looking after it to make sure it did not double back. When he was relatively sure that the creature was not coming back he sheathed his blades and turned back to her, frowning. "Well I know something for bloody sure, there are no lions in Scotland," he declared. His gaze moved around them, taking in their surroundings once more, than he said, "We are somewhere foreign, I am quite sure. It is not France, I have been there. Nor is it Ireland." Sighing he then said, "We need to find somewhere to make a camp, to get dry. It will be night in six hours, maybe less. We can't be sodding wet when night comes." His blue eyes locked on her once more before he asked, "So it looks like you best be sticking with me lass. Even if you don't like the company of Scotsmen."

 

[LilGunner]

Dinah wasn't certain if she appreciated him placing himself between her and the lion. It spoke well of chivalry but she had good reason to be a little miffed with the man. His words especially confounding. She scolded him for trying to make off with her and he replies with her people invading his land? There was absolutely no correlation! His brain must have been addled by the sea water. His manly display was...impressive she supposed. He was ready to face down a lion. Silly of course. Strange though he did not feel the same towards the beast. While he was ready to fight it she was ready to snuggle into his mane. She watched as he moved down the beach to see where the lion went off to. Meanwhile Chulain plodded back towards the humans.

Her eyebrows raised at the Scott as he came back, sheathing his weapons. She listened as he listed off possible places they could be. Madness really. There was absolutely no way they could be in Ireland let alone France. Though he moved on to speak of making camp and such. Chulainn made it back over to the pair and shook her head, his mane flopping elegantly side to side. The Scott's quip about not liking the company of a Scotsman made her scoff and roll her eyes. "Do not be so dramatic. It is you specifically I draw issue with," she said as she laid a hand on Chulainn's muzzle. "I've never been in the company of Scotsmen and can't possibly judged if their company is appealing or not. You, however, led a band of your men to attack our caravan. You tried to grab me and whisk me away. You...partially succeeded but I imagine not in the way you wanted. What ever it is you want with me you can shove right up your man skirts."

"Ouu thell him thinah," came a voice from the side the humans. Dinah whirled around but no one was there. Just Chulainn who looked at them placidly. "Scott...did you hear that...?" She asked in a low voice, peering around. "Thorry," Chulainn said and shook his head. "Hahd to fpheak waith fith the beht..." Dinah stared, mouth and eyes wide. "Oh...oh yes the bit..." she said in stunned monotone. Slowly she edged forward as though approaching the devil himself. Reaching up she undid the chin strap and cheek strap before pulling the bridle down and the bit ou tof Chulainn's mouth. He smacked his lip and tongue a moment before nodding vigorously. "Oh yes oh yes! Much better, much better indeed. Now the saddle too perhaps? It chafes something terrible," he said with a small groan. Dinah glanced to the Scott. This was madness right? Horses didn't talk. Still she moved to Chulainn's side and undid the girth then pulled the saddle down. Chulainn shook his body and abled away. With a happy groan he laid in the sand and rolled. "Wonderful!" He explained as his legs flailed in the air while Dinah dropped the saddle into the sand.

Chulainn finished his roll and clambered back to his hooves with another full bodied shake. "Now then...we should follow. He wanted us to follow," he said as he looked towards where the lion had been. "Who...is he...?" Dinah asked slowly. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would be asking her horses where the lion went. "Why Aslan of course...the lion. Come along then, on the double." Chulainn began walking towards the tree line but paused to make sure the humans were following. Dinah looked over at the Scott, clearly struggling to process all of what transpired but eventually gave a shrug. "I trust Chulainn. Stay here and camp if you like," she said before picking up her skirts and running after her horse.

 

[Rivine]

The lion had made Gabe feel... odd. While he had stepped in front of her to defend her he had felt an odd pull towards the creature, a warmth almost. It had been something he had found to be rather inexplicable. But the feeling had passed rather quickly, which the man was not sure if he was thankful for or not. He actually somewhat missed it. As the lion disappeared he found himself longing for it's presence.

What is wrong with you lad, pull yourself together!

Shaking his head his attention returned to her as she chided him more. Gabriel half turned back to her, his eyes focused on her as she berated him in the way only an ignorant noble woman could. "You do not have the slightest idea of what your countrymen have done to my people," Gabriel said, his tone soft, but hard at the same time. "You were to be a means to an end. The money your father would have given as your dowry would have been paid to us rather than that traitorous bastard you would have been given to. That would have been justice." His words were blunt, straightforward. What reason was there to hide his intentions from her?

He would have said more to her, but then the horse interrupted. Gabriel stood there, his eyes widening as he realized what he had just heard. The bloody horse had interrupted him! Gabriel had seen the damned thing's mouth move as it had spoken! It took him a moment after she had spoken for him to answer, nodding dumbly, "Yes, I heard it." The Scotsman did not move as the horse continued to speak, asking her to remove both bit and saddle. His eyes followed her as she did the bidding of the equine. Where the hell were they?!

Gabriel still was standing motionless as the woman moved off, following the horse. He stayed that way for quite some time, then finally started to follow them. The man did not speak as he trailed after them, his mind trying to grasp what he had found himself in. Had a redcoat shot him? Was this the afterlife? No, they had been too far from the camp for a ball to hit either of them. Maybe they had fallen and broken their necks? That seemed more probable. But he did not feel as if he had died. It was then that a crazy idea came to him. The Scotsman trotted up to the duo, coming up alongside the horse. "Aye, you seemed to know the name of that...lion... do you know where we are?" he asked.

You are completely out of your mind lad...

 

[LilGunner]

Dinah pulled up beside Chulainn, walking on his right next to his neck. It seemed madness to trust in this strange turn. Still it was far better than lingering around on the beach, ferreting away to make a campsite. Honestly she hardly cared if the Scott followed. While she wouldn't begrudge him to follow she wasn't about to beg him for it. Yet even as the thought crossed her mind she heard the heavy, swishing steps of feet as he hurried along side of Chulainn as well. The horse shook his large head as they entered the forest. He rolled an eye to the Scott and his question and shook his head side to side. "I do not. Aslan said but to follow and I hardly dared ask a question," he said. "Strange isn't it? Suddenly you humans can understand me now. You know, Dinah, for years I have said I preferred apples to carrots but you never seemed to understand." Dinah blinked in surprise a moment before laughing a little. "I shall try to keep that in mind, though apples are not available all year you know." Chulainn snorted. "A shame...I do love apples..."

Despite the command of follow the lion was no where in sight. Yet there was a clean, well traveled path through the woods. It could only be assumed they should follow it. Chulainn and Dinah chatted as the walk, nearly ignoring the Scott. Chulainn recounted his favorite things: rolling, apples, jumping. He hated his saddle and was quite miffed at the fight the humans hand on his back. Though he was quick to forgive it since they ended up in the strange place where he could talk. After her initial shock Dinah settled into chatting with him as if it were perfectly normal. As though she had been able tp speak with him since the very beginning.

Suddenly Chulainn stopped, his ears pricked forward. "What is it?" Dinah asked in a quiet whisper. "Voices...small voices..." he said back. Yet rather than turn away or try and sneak forward Chulainn managed a still limping trot up ahead. Dinah picked up her skirts to run along side. They pulled up to a glen, not unlike where they had stopped for lunch before the Scotsmen attacked. Though rather than redcoats and ladies dining it was a myriad of forest creatures. Larger than usual certainly and every single one could talk. Their chatter died down as the group approached. The air grew still as the party critters stared. Their eyes assessed the horse and say nothing unusual but they kept bouncing between the two humans.

"A...a son of Adam...and...a daughter of Eve..." a handsome badger exclaimed in a whisper. He got up from the table and waddled forward on his hind legs. "Are you...by chance...humans? Son and daughter of Adam and Eve?" He asked, his maw agape. "Rubbish!" Chattered a squirrel. "King Peter has returned, why would more of them be here!" He squeaked. "Oh yes...the High King indeed. Returned alone. No siblings. Balderdash," grumbled a hedgehog before sipping his tea.

Dinah stared at the various critters. He shock very momentary and more so over the fine little tea set they shared. After the lion, Aslan apparently, and Chulainn's speech she couldn't be surprised by talking animals anymore.

 

[Rivine]

Gabriel nodded a bit as the horse said that he had no idea where they might be, then sighed softly. Well that was no bloody help. The man then rolled his eyes as the conversation turned to apples and carrots, nothing worthwhile. To say that he was a little miffed as the noblewoman and the horse started to just chatter away as if they were just out for a little walk! The Scotsman sulked along, still wet, and now starting to get a bit cold as the wind off the coast blew through the trees. As they moved along he receded into himself, cursing God and whatever other forces might have forced him to wind up her with this woman and her talking horse. What in the name of all that was holy was bloody going on!?

But when the horse declared that he had heard voices and took off, with the woman in tow, the man found himself pulled back to the moment. He stood there, blinking as he watched them both take off, then quickly he sprinted after them. What in the blazes were they doing!? They had no idea what they were running towards! Knowing his bloody luck it would be a bunch of damned redcoats. However when he came up to the small clearing where the other's had stopped, his mouth dropped open. What he saw boggled the mind, even more than the damn horse talking! Now there wasn't just a talking horse, but a badger, squirrel, hedgehog... all manner of beasts! Gabriel stood there, looking dumbfounded.

"Oy! The bloke has a sword!" declared a rabbi that was dining with the others.

That caused Gabriel to put a hand on the hilt of his broadsword as he wondered if trouble was about to start.

"Are you a knight!?" asked a younger badger that was near the other, excitement in his tone.

The question though caused Gabe's stance to soften a bit as he looked at the youthful creature, blinking a bit. "Uh... no," Gabriel found himself murmuring. It took him a second, but then he added, "I am actually a laird. Laird Gabriel Forsyth , chieftain of the clan of the same name and keeper of Inchnoch castle." The statement was made with such confidence and an air or certainty that the animals before them looked at the man in awe, none of them really seeming to notice that he still was sodding wet.

It was the hedgehog that broke the silence, "Well I have never heard of no Inchnoch castle! Are you Archenlanders or foreigners of some sort?"

"Aye, we be foreign," Gabriel agreed, "So tell us, what land might we find ourselves in?"

"You are in the Kingdom of Narnia!" the badger declared.

Gabriel blinked a bit at that statement. Narnia? He had never heard of anywhere called Narnia!

 

[LilGunner]

Dinah glanced over at Gabriel as he arrived on the scene and the rabbit comment on the sword. She tensed as he hand went to the hilt. Despite the strange newness she didn't think the little critters meant them any harm. It didn't take much for the Scott the relax. Just a younger badger, perhaps the child of sorts of the other badger. Dinah couldn't help a small smile at the creature. A knight. What sort of world was this? Knights hadn't existed in hundreds of years. The Scott, Gabriel apparently, introduced himself to the critters. HIs voice was rumbling and commanding. She had heard but a few men speak with such airs of confidence. She glanced to the creatures who stared with wide, liquid eyes, as if he had given some stirring speech. Dinah rolled her eyes.

Her head tilted at the declaration of their location. "Narnia is it?" Dinah repeated, wracking her brain. She had never heard of such a place in her life. "We dropped into your country....rather unexpectedly," she said with a rueful grin.

"So certainly not Archenlanders...Most assuredly not Calormenes...Now we Badgers, we remember. Human...in Narnia...surely..." But he was cut off by the hedgehog once again. "Poppycock! I tell you King Peter is returned!" He slammed his tiny fist onto their tiny table much to chitters and harumphs to the assembled. Mostly to the disturbed tea. Dinah glanced to Gabriel, positively perplexed. Not even for the talking creatures but the clear divide between them.

"If you please...I'm sure even my...ah..." She stared at Gabriel a moment. Kidnapper was appropriate. "Associate...fully understand what is going on. Though perhaps...there is a town or...an inn...?" Despite the warm air Dinah was starting to feel chill in her wet clothing. "Oh! How rude! Yes you both seem to have take a swim! My my my Come come....sit by the fire. Chippersqueak!" He called and looked around. A small, black squirrel bounds forward, nose twitching. "Perhaps you could find Rumperkin and his kin? They may just have room for our friends." Chippersqueak nodded sharply. "Ohhhh yes yes yes! Find find!" He chattered before leaping to the trees and bounded away. "Now come, come, sit." The badger said, using the group to the cool fire to warm up and dry off a little.

Dinah hung close to Chulainn and began to unfasten her riding habit. It took some doing but she managed to wriggle out of it. Underneath she wore a thin, simple shirt and her breeches. Dinah sighed in relief as the badger came up to help hand the habit to dry some. "You are very kind, thank you," she said as she sat by the fire. Chulainn settles nearby, laying down to give his tired hooves a rest.

 

[Rivine]

Gabriel drifted off into silence again as Dinah and the creatures started speaking once more, the animals having quite the lively debate for a moment as to what the humans being there meant. It was clear that this King Peter fellow was really something to these creatures and Gabriel realized he would need to learn more about him. It struck him at hat moment, the absurdity of that thought, wanting to learn about a king from a group of animals! He really must have gone somewhat mad he could not help but think.

When Dinah asked about an inn or something Gabe shot a glance her way, wondering if she was still seeking some Redcoats to help her get away. What did it matter really? They clearly had come somewhere that was totally unknown to both of them, so how likely was it that they would run across some of their countrymen? The Scot highly doubted that there were any Englishmen nearby at this point. After all, if there had been, they likely would have gone ahead and slaughtered all the talking beasts or captured them to put in zoos.

When the badger ushered them over to a fire Gabriel moved over and sat down where indicated. As she undid her riding habit he arched an eyebrow as he watched for a moment, but quickly looked away. The man took a moment to remove a fair bit of his tartan, making sure to keep some of it covering his lower body as he held the rest out towards the fire to allow it to dry. As they sat there he asked a quick question of the badger, "Who is this Rumperkin?"

"Oh! He is a red dwarf! He and his kin are good folk!" the badger declared.

"Dwarves?" the man asked rhetorically. His eyes found the Englishwoman, his eyebrows raising in question. Where had they come to that dwarves were a common thing? But Gabriel fell silent for again as he went about drawing his sword, dirk and his two sgian-dubh, drying them all on his tartan before he sheathed them one at a time.

By the time he was done with that the badger had come back over carrying two cups of tea, one for each of them. The creature served Dinah first, then Gabe. As he took the tea Gabriel asked him, "So who is King Peter?"

The badger looked somewhat taken aback by the question. "Who is King Peter!? Indeed you are not of Narnia. King Peter the Magnificent! It has been foretold that during Narnia's time of need that the kings and queens of old would return, and so he has! Narnia has been in such a poor state for so long... but it is strange he has not returned with his brother and sisters."

 

[LilGunner]

Dinah glanced at the Scot as he unwound his tartan a bit to help dry it by the fire as she dried her habit. Her eyes met his as the badger exclaimed that this Rumperkin was a dwarf. Gabriel looked just as perplexed at the notion as ever. Dinah just gave him a small shrug. He was asking the question from a talking badger yet he would raise an eyebrow at the notion of a dwarf. What a very strange man. She slid back and leaned against Chulainn's warm side as they sat while Gabriel asked about this King Peter. She too was curious about this mysterious yet clearly revered king.

Her head tilted a little at the equally strange explanation. Even still she gratefully accepted the small cup of tea, sipping it slow to savor the earthy taste. "If I understand you correctly your rulers only come when there is need?" Her eyebrows pulled together in confusion at that. Then again, talking badger. "Who rules when they are away?" She asked. The badger hesitated and his face scrunched up in thought. He was quite for quite a while before finally shrugging. "No one I suppose...we just go about life as it is." Very peculiar indeed. Dinah gave a slow but confused nod as she glanced to Gabriel once more.

"See...in our lands...our ruling class never leaves. They govern all aspects from trade to law. Assigning duties and responsibilities to nobility and the gentry, on down to county clerks. Of course there are some who refuse to simply fall in line," she said with a poignant glance towards Gabriel. If the Scottish would just lay down their arms and submit as they should none of this would have happened. Gabriel likely would have remained Laird of his lands, married well, all of that. No, instead he had to be a rebel. Be a rebel and drag her into this mess.

"I can't say we have such troubles in Narnia," the Badger said as he settled down near the fire with a little grunt. "We get along just fine, mostly fend for ourselves and help one another."