The Beach near Sted Cair
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This stretch of beach is quiet, largely abandoned except for the occasional shorebird. Perfectly clear blue water surges up in rhythmic waves to meet the smooth shore, fine golden sand studded with seashells. The water is gentle and fairly shallow for some distance out, though a darkening in the color suggests an abrupt drop-off of the ground below the surface. The beach is sheltered by a series of towering sea-stacks to the southeast and by the the peninsula to the north, on which the castle of Cair Paravel sits with all its windows glittering in the sun. The beach gets progressively rockier to the south, where smooth sand gives way gradually to tide pools and boulders.
A sandy little-trodden path leads southwest up the slope to the main road, and the beach is clear all the way to the castle to the north.
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You can go: Cair Paravel <N>, Footpath <SW>
Contents: A centaur with short black hair; A son of adam wearing ornate garb of superior nobility; A son of adam who carries himself well; A son of adam with wavy brown hair; Aliyah; Keernakeep; and Tumnus.
The Splendour Hyaline sits moored in the harbor of Cair Paravel, sails furled, a shimmering reminder of the age so newly past. On the horizon an indistinct dot may be seen, which gradually resolves itself into a ship, her hull of a reddish wood. Her prow is likewise fashioned in the form of a bird, but of less stature than the Splendour’s swan. Its blue wings sweep backward only a little way, and its breast is of the same red wood as the rest of the ship.
A Killdeer swoops over the beach, keeping watch for the expected arrival, and disappears into the castle once the dot on the horizon has resolved into a ship. A group of Beasts and Beings assembles at the end of the dock, Narnia’s standard waving above them.
The ship continues its steady westward progress until it nears the harbor and turns, its navy standard of embroidered stars fluttering in the breeze. After some handy maneuvering by the ship’s crew, the smaller vessel slips into the harbor and is secured next to the Splendour Hyaline and a ramp is put down.
Aliyah stands straight, almost rigid in posture. Her ears flick about as the ship approaches, and her head tilts in curiosity.
A son of adam wearing ornate garb of superior nobility shields his eyes against the sun to observe the vessel as it approaches.
Keernakeep stands still, hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Tumnus clasps his hands together behind his back, watching as the ship docks.
A centaur with short black hair stands in silence next to Keernakeep and slightly behind Tumnus, motionless except for the occasional flick of her tail.
A tall man in well-made, but not overly formal attire stands at the top of the ramp looking down. An observant watcher would note that this was the same man who lately stood at the helm to bring the ship into port. Next to him stands another man of no less height, and the first speaks to him.
Oren mumbles “… beautiful, Mateo.”, to Mateo.
A son of adam with wavy brown hair looks out of the ship, over at the new country that now stretches before him, and nods speaking in a low voice.
Mateo mumbles “… is, … …”, to Oren.
A son of adam who carries himself well smiles at his companion and starts down the ramp, a number of others falling in behind, while many remain to attend the business of the ship.
A son of adam with wavy brown hair too falls in line and follows down the ramp, remaining at that distance that is not so close as to not be respectful but not too far either.
A son of adam wearing ornate garb of superior nobility observes the men scrutinizingly from a bit of a distance, aware of the guardsfaun accompanying him who stands nearby.
Keernakeep pulls himself up onto a rock to better stand on height with the others. “Hail and welcome, guests!”
Aliyah steps a bit closer, eyes focusing on the men disembarking.
A son of adam who carries himself well’s step catches momentarily (Perhaps he was not expecting to be addressed by a Mouse?) before he breaks into a smile. “Well met, friend.”
A centaur with short black hair watches the son of Adam in the lead keenly, her face pleasantly impassive.
Caileana stands shoulder to shoulder with Aliyah, her gaze flicking over all those gathered.
Tumnus twists his hands together behind his back.
Aliyah looks to Caileana and speaks softly. “Do you recognize them?”
Caileana shakes her head, answering in an equally soft tone.
A son of adam who carries himself well’s eyes sweep over the crowd before he returns his attention to the Mouse. “I thank you for your gracious welcome. I am Oren of Lapidos. Might I have the favor of your name?”
You mumble “They don’t seem familiar, by sight or by smell. I don’t think they’re Narnians, but they’re not Archenlanders, either.”, to Aliyah.
Caileana mumbles “They … seem … … sight … … … … … … … Narnians, but they’re … Archenlanders, either.”, to Aliyah.
Keernakeep says, “We trust your journey was untroubled? If you are weary, rooms have been prepared in our guest rooms for ten. I’m afraid we were unsure of the size of your party, but accommodations have been made for any others to set up a comfortable camp outside the castle proper if there is need.””
A chipmunk female with too much energy comes bounding toward you from the north.
A son of adam wearing ornate garb of superior nobility turns to the guard faun beside him to inquire of the nature of the newly arriving guests.
Keernakeep says, “Well met. I am Sir Keernakeep of Cair Paravel, Narnia, and her lands beyond, and these my compatriots form the better part of our ruling council and some of their advisors. We trust your journey was untroubled? If you are weary, rooms have been prepared in our guest rooms for ten. I’m afraid we were unsure of the size of your party, but accommodations have been made for any others to set up a comfortable camp outside the castle proper if there is need.””
Petria comes trotting toward you from the north.
A son of adam who carries himself well nods. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Sir Keernakeep. Indeed, my party does number more than ten, but many of those shall remain on the ship, and we shall by your leave erect pavilions near the Cair for the balance of our company.
A centaur with short black hair’s eyes shift to the ship behind the newcomers, quietly assessing the sailors standing attentively on the deck.
Petria stands eagerly at attention, the very picture eagerness and friendlyness.
A chipmunk female with too much energy scurries between legs and over feet to find a better vantage spot.
Keernakeep’s gaze also shifts to the ship to guess the number there, but he says, “It is well. For how many may we prepare food?”
Aliyah quietly waves a paw in Petria’s direction.
Caileana lifts a paw out of the little Chipmunk’s way just in time to not be scampered over.
A son of adam with wavy brown hair remains silent, though his eyes do scan the crowd with interest, taking in the new surroundings.
A son of adam who carries himself well says, “Thirty-seven, if you can accommodate us. We have brought some provisions of our own that we may ration for a time, of course. It is not our intent to empty your larders.”
Tumnus looks over at Oren’s second, where the man stands behind his lord, a slight purse to his lips.
Petria waves a paw at Aliyah, before turning eagerly to the discussion at hand. Eager to serve by delivering a message she stands at attention as much as possibly with how eager she is.
A son of adam who carries himself well notices the faun’s gaze and addresses the unspoken question. “My lords and ladies, estimable knights, may I make known to you Mateo, my good friend and companion-at-arms.
A centaur with short black hair’s left hind leg stamps.*
Aliyah muffles her laughter with a paw as she watches the little dog’s eagerness. Her gaze returns to the newcomers once more as one speaks.
Caileana’s expression darkens at the number of men Oren cites. She scans the ship behind him more carefully.
Keernakeep says, “Quite a retinue, my lord. Very well. We shall have the cooks informed” He gestures Petria toward him.”
A son of adam who carries himself well places a hand over his heart in a gesture of appreciation.
Keernakeep mumbles “Give … number to … Wethil, … what … castle staff you …”, to Petria.
Aliyah looks at the ground… The ground of the once quiet beach where she liked to relax. She sighs quietly, shifting a bit.
Petria makes her way over to the Mouse knight, listening carefully to the message and nodding when she has heard it, making her way quickly towards the Castle to deliver her message.
Petria trots north, following the beach.
Caileana glances at Aliyah questioningly.
A son of adam who carries himself well says, “The country is as beautiful as I remember. I’ve been away too long.”
Aliyah speaks for Caileana’s ears alone…
Keernakeep says, “Please rest a while.”
Aliyah mumbles “Just thinking about all of these … men here … I never expected this sort of thing for our visit I suppose. I’ll have to figure out how in the world to get used to it.”, to Caileana.
Aliyah mumbles “Just thinking about all … these … … … … I never expected … … … … for our visit … … … … to … … … in … … to get used … …”, to Caileana.
You mumble “You mean Sons of Adam specifically?”, to Aliyah.
Caileana mumbles “… … Sons … … …”, to Aliyah.
Aliyah shakes her head. “More in a general sense I think… Different is all.”
A son of adam wearing ornate garb of superior nobility observes the newcomer and conversation with the mouse knight quietly.
Caileana wrinkles up her muzzle.
You mumble “Seems odd to be welcoming visitors of state in times like these, doesn’t it?”, to Aliyah.
Caileana mumbles “Seems odd … … … visitors of state … times like … … …”, to Aliyah.
Aliyah pretends to scratch an itchy ear.
Aliyah mumbles “Indeed, and the fact no one seems to know them?”, to Caileana.
Aliyah mumbles “… and the fact no one seems … know them?”, to Caileana.
You mumble “Reckon the Council seems to know what’s going on, at least. We need to chat with them.”, to Aliyah.
Caileana mumbles “… the Council … … know … going on, at least. … need to chat with them.”, to Aliyah.
Oren seems to catch the end of this comment and turns his head toward Aliyah.
Oren says, “I am not unknown among you, good Wolf. I visited Narnia not five years past, with my son, and tarried for a time at court, as many in the council will remember.”
Aliyah glances up stoically from her pretend ear scratching. She glances at the others for any sort of affirmation.
A centaur with short black hair nods once to confirm Oren’s statement.
Oren glances around the crowd, then shifts, looking a little uncomfortable. He addresses Keernakeep quietly. “Was I…did you intend for me to make a speech? I hadn’t, um…”
Keernakeep suggests, “Perhaps this talk would be most easily continued with awning and meal.”
Oren looks relieved. “Yes, ah, we would be most grateful, thank you.” He gestures to his followers to come along.
Caileana studies Oren critically when he addresses her fellow Wolf.
Keernakeep nods. He gestures southward down the beach and indicates for a few of the castle servants to head that way. “There is space for a camp on the south beach. I will show your what rooms we have prepared for you and 9 others in the castle so that you may settle while our cooks prepare a meal.”
A centaur with short black hair says, stepping forward, “I will escort the rest of your retinue to their camp.”
Oren says, “Our thanks.” He bows to the council and the assembly and turns to follow the knight.
Aliyah watches them all, expression unchanging until the members of the council start to move. She then looks at Caileana with a brow raised, questioning what they should do.
Oren’s contingent sorts itself out. A small retinue follows him while the remainder follow Niobe. Mateo remains at Oren’s side.
Keernakeep leaps nimbly down from the rock on which he stands and departs toward the Cair.
A centaur with short black hair waits quietly for the remainder of those who traveled with Oren to unload what is necessary from the ship, then leads them down the beach to show them where a sheltered, flat space out of the range of the tides opens off the sand.
Oren walks north, following the beach.
A chipmunk female with too much energy steps gingerly about, looking for anyone she knows.
Keernakeep walks north, following the beach.
Caileana returns Aliyah’s look as the others disperse. “Well then. This is already proving to be more interesting than I think the packs foresaw.”
Not finding anyone, Chirrup speaks to no one in particular. “Is he to be our new king? He has very nice shoes.”
Aliyah nods. “So it seems.” she glances down at the chipmunk uncomfortably.
Caileana tells the Chipmunk, “I’m getting the impression he’s a candidate, at least.”
A chipmunk female with too much energy exclaims, “Oh. How exciting!”
Aliyah asks, “Where did he say he was from?”
A chipmunk female with too much energy shakes her head. “I didn’t hear.”
You say, “I don’t think he said.”
Aliyah hmms thoughtfully.
Caileana sits down, wrapping her tail around her. “Thoughts on what we should do next, Aliyah?”
Aliyah shrugs, pacing for a bit before seating herself next to the other wolf. “I have absolutely no ideas other than to think this may put our plan on hold for a while. you?”
You say, “We need more details about this Oren fellow, I think.”
A chipmunk female with too much energy glances in the direction of the castle. “How will they decide if he’s the king?”
Aliyah nods in agreement. She inhales noisily. “Suppose we should ask around to see if anyone met him before to find out what sort he is.”
Caileana looks down at the Chipmunk. “I’m not entirely sure.” She snorts at Aliyah. “The fancy type.”
Aliyah snorts, glancing at the ship.
A centaur with short black hair comes back along the beach, the sailors settled, and makes for the path to the castle.
A chipmunk female with too much energy asks, “Fancy?”
You ask, “Seems like human nobility. And he brought a fair amount of Sons of Adam with him, didn’t he?”
Aliyah sighs. “That he did. I have never seen that many in Narnia before. It’s a bit reminiscent of Archenland. They were a friendly sort, but it was still uncomfortable in their crowds.”
A centaur with short black hair nods to the little group still assembled as she nears.
A chipmunk female with too much energy says, “I guess there were a lot…but we’ve had some already, and they were good. Their Majesties, and the Lord Peridan.”
Caileana looks thoughtful, her tail twitching.
Aliyah asks, “What is it?”
Caileana shakes her head. “Don’t know. I need more information.” She exhales, “I’m trying to decide if I should send a missive to my Alphas or wait till I know more about what Oren wants.”
A centaur with short black hair continues on her way.
Aliyah nods. “So I guess we wait. I suppose I need to let Winterden know to amp up the patrols just in case…”
A centaur with short black hair trots north, following the beach.
You say, “Maybe.”
Aliyah stands. “I need to go think for a bit… Before I do anything. Hopefully I can meet up with you later.”
Caileana dips her head. “Sounds like a plan.”
Aliyah pads off of the beach, head lowered so as to not catch anyone’s attention.
Aliyah follows the footpath southwest, toward the road.
Caileana watches her go before wandering down the beach to scope out Oren’s men’s encampment.
Caileana 