Disclaimer: I don't own Narnia or any characters you may recognize from the books or the movies, I wish I did but I don't... I also don't own the Narnian Calendar. It belongs to Elecktrum who was kind enough to let me borrow it for my story. Her own stories are awesome and you should go read them too.

Summary: After being knighted, all Katerina Alambiel has to do is discover her past. But, as her quest leads to some unexpected answers, her simple task takes a dangerous turn as enemies who will use any means necessary to force her to reveal the secrets of her past conspire to place her in an impossible situation: Her secrets or Edmund's life...

What's Gone on Before

Shot entering a courthouse in our world, a stranger comes to Narnia one year into the Pevensies' reign. This stranger, Katerina Alambiel, gains the trust of young Queen Lucy even though others suspect she might be a witch. Still, she is allowed to remain in Cair Paravel as a guest. Oreius begins to earn her trust as she earns his. When the evil sorcerer, Jannes, takes Lucy, Katerina Alambiel is accused of being an accomplice even as she crafts a plan to rescue the Valiant Queen. Infiltrating the sorcerer's lair, Katerina Alambiel leaves a trail for Oreius and the Kings allowing them to rescue Lucy. Katerina Alambiel pursues and kills Jannes with Oreius' aid (Full story: Awakening).

After six months of finding a niche in the daily life and routine of Cair Paravel (Full story: Shields), Katerina Alambiel is counted as a friend rather than a guest by the Four and by General Oreius. She accompanies High King Peter and Queen Susan on a trip, unaware that another sorcerer intends to frame her as the High King's assassin. Just before parting ways with Susan, dark secrets in Katerina Alambiel's past are revealed. A pair of assassins frames Katerina Alambiel in two attacks on the High King's life before she and a badly wounded Peter are captured by the sorcerer, Jambres. As he tortures them, Jambres reveals that Katerina Alambiel is part Human and part Narnian. Katerina Alambiel interferes with Jambres' attempt to kill Peter, taking the brunt of the spell herself before Oreius and the other Narnians rescue them. Aslan confirms to Katerina Alambiel that she is both Human and Narnian, and that her Narnian heritage is that of Nymph and Centaur due to her mother being the Nymph daughter of a Centaur, before charging her with the task of searching for the identity of her birth family, thereby unlocking the forgotten memories of her early childhood. Katerina Alambiel survives the spell with the addition of two white streaks in the front of her hair as souvenirs and Peter decides to knight her into his chivalric order for her actions (Full story: Shadowed).

A Light in the Darkness: Revealed

Prologue: Knighted

Cair Paravel

5 Quickening 1001

Katerina Alambiel tugged at the neck of her hauberk then adjusted the new baldric that held Chrysaor, the sword of Esti, securely against her back. She had checked, double-checked, and now triple-checked all of her armor in the span of five minutes. She held her hands out and could see that her fingers were shaking. She forced herself to lower both hands to her sides and took a deep breath.

A soft chuckle sounded from overhead, but when she looked up there were only shadows. She glanced towards the doors when a warm weight landed onto her shoulders causing her to sway slightly before she adjusted her footing. Whiskers brushed against her ear and she had to fight the urge to giggle at the tickling sensation while a bushy tail curled around to brush up against her throat. "You aren't getting nervous, are you, my dear lady?"

Katerina gave a rueful grin, "Now, why in the world would I be nervous, Sir Rupert? I've had over two weeks to get used to the idea of being knighted in a ceremony in front of a very, very large crowd of people..." Her voice trailed off and the Fox touched his nose to her cheek in sympathy.

His tail curled in to rest more firmly against her throat as Sir Rupert settled himself on her shoulders. "Don't think about it so much and you won't work yourself into a nervous ninny."

Katerina glanced at the Fox out of the corner of her eye and sighed, "Right. Except for the little fact that my impending knighthood is all anyone has been talking about since Peter announced it. We've been back in the Cair for nine days and not one of those days has gone by without a dozen or so people talking about my being knighted. Given that, how can I not think about it?"

Sir Rupert nodded solemnly, "Well, you must understand that we Narnians currently only have six knights and you are the first female to be knighted, so people are excited. Not to mention there is the fact that the deeds that have earned your knighthood are nothing to sneeze at either. You have fought numerous Werewolves, two evil sorcerers, and saved both the High King and the Valiant Queen all within six months of each other."

Katerina wondered if Sir Rupert Grefftus Fox had come to distract her from her impending doom, but then something he said caught her curiosity. She absently reached up and stroked the soft fur behind his ears, "Only six knights? I knew about you, Peter, and Edmund, of course. But, who are the other three?"

"Cletus and Ardon both earned their knighthood a few months before you came to Narnia. So, they are Sir Cletus Owlwood and Sir Ardon Einion. Of course, the first of us to be knighted after the Kings was General Oreius. Properly he is General Sir Oreius Cyneward." Sir Rupert paused then chuckled, "Dear lady, please look in the mirror to your right.

Katerina turned and was immediately confronted by the reflection of a young woman wearing armor comprised of a dark brown cuirass that bore delicately tooled sunbursts inlaid with silver and a hauberk that had been polished until it glinted silver under the candlelight as it lay over a deep blue dress that provided an interesting contrast to her armor. Her dark gold hair had been partially braided and then caught up and twisted and pinned into a tight figure eight at the back of her head, but her newly acquired white streaks were already trying to escape their confines and had started falling in wispy curls around her face. And, to top it all off, there was a grinning Fox draped along her shoulders with his body tucked between her neck and the handle of her sword and his bushy tail curled against her throat.

Katerina couldn't help smiling as Sir Rupert chuckled again, "Now, tell me, my dear lady, when have you ever seen a knight-to-be wearing another knight around their shoulders?"

She shook her head and grinned, after all it was rather difficult not to when she had a chuckling Fox nestled on her shoulders. She had finally started to relax when the doors opened and Ardon stepped into the room also wearing full armor. The huge Centaur looked down at her and smiled with genuine fondness, "Are you ready, Katerina Alambiel?"

She felt herself tensing up again as she stared back at him and she unconsciously started to pet Rupert's fur again. "No, but that's never mattered before so why should it now?"

Both Ardon and Rupert laughed at her tone and she rolled her eyes at them. Sir Rupert pressed his nose against her cheek once more then leapt down to the ground. He looked up at her and smiled, "You will do very well, now get moving before someone else comes to find you and try to look happy. You're not going to your execution, just a simple ceremony and celebration."

She nodded and started walking towards the doors. She could do this, it was just a little ceremony, that's all, she could do this. Ardon stopped her with a light touch on her shoulder as she drew even with him, "Bear it well, Katerina Alambiel. And, most importantly, don't forget to breathe."

She managed to nod before she focused on walking across the hall from the small antechamber to the Great Hall of Cair Paravel. She fought the sudden impulse to run when she entered the Great Hall and saw it was packed. She hated being in crowds, but after enduring six years of courtrooms, police stations, and trials, she should be able to handle a simple ceremony and celebration. Aslan, give me courage. Katerina took another deep breath and held her head high as she walked towards the dais where the Kings and Queens were waiting.

It felt like she had walked for hours with the weight of hundreds of eyes boring into her, but in reality, it had only been a minute or two. She finally stopped before the dais where King Edmund, Queen Susan, and Queen Lucy sat on their thrones dressed in their best finery while High King Peter clad in his full armor and crown stood at the front of the dais. "Kneel before me."

She sank in a graceful curtsy down to one knee and she smirked briefly at the hint of surprise that flashed through Peter's eyes. He, and everyone else in Narnia, had probably assumed she didn't know how to curtsy because she had never done more than bow her head in respect to anyone. She rather enjoyed proving that just because she didn't do something did not mean it was because she couldn't do it. She bowed her head as Peter drew Rhindon and tapped first one shoulder then the other as he declared, "Rise, Dame Katerina Alambiel Sepphora, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Lion."

Katerina rose although she slightly bemused at how Peter had chosen to give her the name of the Centauress who had been Narnia's first female knight as her chivalric title. She had heard many tales in the last fifteen days about various knights, among them was how Sepphora had famously saved King Frank the Second's wife and youngest son when a group of Fell Beasts had ambushed them shortly after they had briefly crossed paths with Sepphora as she was traveling from her parents' home to her own home. In a desperate bid to distract the Fell Beasts long enough for the queen and prince to escape, Sepphora sent her own young son for help while she attacked the leader of the Fell Beasts, a Werewolf feared for his cunning, cruelty, and strength. After a long fight, Sepphora had emerged the victor though she had been badly wounded almost to the point of death.

High King Peter leaned down and placed a blessing of two quick kisses on the top of her head then he looked out over the crowded Great Hall as Katerina turned to face them. His voice rang out clearly as he announced, "Soldiers of Narnia, beloved cousins and subjects, I give you Dame Katerina Alambiel Sepphora, Knight of the Order of the Lion!"

The crowd erupted into cheers that echoed deafeningly throughout the Great Hall. Katerina looked to her right and saw Oreius smiling at her with pride from his place at the head of the long line of soldiers who she now noticed had framed her path with a wall of swords. She smiled at Oreius and at the fact that she had managed to completely overlook the soldiers acting as an honor guard because of her nerves. Something she hoped Oreius would never figure out, otherwise, knighthood or no knighthood, he would put her through a training regimen that would make sure she never overlooked anything again. She was exhausted just from imagining it. She was pulled from her thoughts when she was nearly knocked over by the hyperactive rabbit that was Lucy as the girl threw her arms around Katerina in an enthusiastic hug. Katerina returned the hug then Susan and Edmund approached her. The Gentle Queen also gave Katerina a hug and whispered her thanks before leaving Edmund who shocked Katerina by throwing his arms around her in a tight hug as he whispered, "Thank you for saving them both. Thank you for giving them back to me."

Peter also pulled her into a hug, and then the celebration feast began in earnest. The newly knighted Dame Katerina Alambiel Sepphora still clung to the half-hearted hope that she might be able to make an early exit from the festivities. But, she quietly resigned herself to enduring another crowded situation that she would have preferred skipping when a laughing Lucy pulled her further into the crowd. This was going to be a long night.

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Oreius quietly made his way down to the beach after the feast finally ended at three hours past midnight. Most of the revelers had retired, so his passing didn't attract much attention. He himself had returned to his quarters only long enough to take off his armor before he decided to walk along the beach and observe the stars. Looking up he could see Alambil, the Lady of Peace, dancing joyfully across the heavens. He sighed in relief and gave thanks to Aslan that it seemed a peaceful time was settling over Narnia once again. After all, it made his task of keeping his Kings and Queens safe much easier when there wasn't an impending disaster hanging over Narnia.

He watched the stars weave their tale of peace and celebration for a while before his thoughts wandered to the events of the feast. He had known Katerina Alambiel had been uneasy about the entire concept of being knighted, but tonight she had hidden her nerves well. Though, he, Ardon, Alithia, and Sherket had all kept a very close eye on her throughout the evening, Oreius had been pleased to see Katerina speaking with many Narnians, whether she knew them or not. She had also made her peace with Satyr Alaois and a somewhat grudging Captain Pyrrhos. He was proud of both Katerina and Alaois for being willing to put aside their unpleasant beginning, although he didn't think they would ever be close friends. There had been a few times when Katerina had looked overwhelmed by the festivities, but those had never lasted more than a moment before she appeared to be enjoying herself again. She had finally slipped away from the feast sometime after midnight had come and gone.

Oreius looked up at the night sky and thanked Aslan for sending Narnia's newest knight to them. He was certain that without her presence Narnia would have lost both the High King and the Valiant Queen this past year. The effect that the loss of the eldest and youngest monarchs would have had on all of Narnia was one he didn't even want to contemplate.

Oreius was pulled from his thoughts when he heard someone singing further down the beach. He could only make out bits and pieces of the song, but what he heard was compelling enough that he went in search of the source. The song had drawn to a close when Oreius finally found the person who was singing it.

He came to a halt as he was greeted by the sight of Katerina Alambiel swaying with her hands clasped over her heart and her eyes closed. She had taken off her armor and now wore only the deep blue dress. Katerina suddenly grabbed a handful of her skirt and started to dance barefoot in the sand with as much grace as any Nymph. She danced a simple waltz then she spun twice and on the second spin, she finally opened her eyes and spotted him. "Ah. Oreius, what are you doing out here?"

He smiled at her, "I could ask you the same thing, Dame Sepphora."

She blushed and shook her head, "I'm still not sure I should have been knighted, especially since I am being credited with killing two sorcerers. I only managed to kill Jannes because you were there to help me, and you're the one who killed Jambres not I."

Oreius had wondered if that was part of the reason she had been so uneasy about knighthood. "Katerina Alambiel, you earned your knighthood for many reasons. Your role in ridding Narnia of the Sorcerers Jannes and Jambres was only part of it. And, I may have been the one to end Jambres' life, but you were the one who kept him from torturing the High King beyond his strength, destroyed the staff and made Jambres vulnerable, and then you sacrificed your own life to keep Jambres from killing Peter." Oreius paused then continued with a slight teasing note in his voice. "The only reason you are able to stand here and complain about a knighthood that has already been bestowed is because Aslan saved you."

Katerina gave him a quick smile as she tugged ruefully on a loose strand of white hair, "I'm still trying to get use to the fact that I have white hair before I turn twenty. Of course, I suppose I should be grateful that my chivalric title is actually normal."

Oreius smirked as he recalled the debate between the Kings over what title was suitable for Katerina Alambiel and her actions. "You have no idea. However, you still haven't said why you decided to come out here."

Katerina grinned, "Neither have you and I asked first. Therefore, in all fairness, you should be the one to answer. However, because of my oh so gracious nature, I shall answer you. I came out here to think about what's happened and what I'm supposed to do now and to give thanks for the opportunity to find some of the answers to my questions."

Oreius nodded, "I also came down to the beach to think and to read the stars. Of course, then I happened to hear someone singing and when I investigated, I found you. I thought you had retired, but since you obviously did not, I do have something for you. Elwood informed me before I left the feast that he has gathered both genealogies and other pertinent documents to help with your search. He said he would leave them on the table in the back corner for you."

Katerina's smile grew and Oreius knew where she would be spending the rest of Seventhday. She brushed the strands of escaping hair behind her ear as she suddenly pointed at him. "Sir Cyneward, you didn't see or hear anything. Understand?"

Oreius smirked down at her, "I understand, Dame Sephhora." He hesitated then pulled a small box from where he had tucked it into the sash of his tunic, "Give me your hand." Katerina raised an eyebrow but held her left hand out, which he held in his own larger hand and placing the box in the middle of her palm, he curled her fingers around it. "I want you to have this, but don't open it until the sun is up. You'll understand why when you see what's inside."

Katerina rolled her eyes but she smiled and nodded. Oreius let go of her hand, then glanced at the stars before looking back down at her. "It's late and we should be getting back. But, first I want to see your other hand."

Katerina shook her head as she placed her free hand in his while clutching the small box in her other hand. "There are times when I think you are very strange, Kentauri, and this is one of those times." Oreius ignored her comment as he grasped her hand then twirled her twice. Katerina actually laughed out loud with delight and he twirled her once more before letting go of her hand. "Okay, that was fun. Thank you, Oreius, for everything."

Oreius smiled at her, "You are most welcome, Katerina Alambiel. Come on, I'll escort you back to the Cair. After all, you won't make much progress through those records if you are suffering from a lack of sleep."

Katerina shrugged as they started walking back up the beach. "Well, I have to make some progress tomorrow…or today, rather. Besides, how long can it take to run through some records when looking for a Human who married the Nymph daughter of a Centaur? A few months or perhaps a year at the most?"

Oreius shook his head, "I couldn't guess but I suppose you're about to find out, Katerina Alambiel."

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A/N: And, I'm back! Okay, this story will be a little different from the first two because it will not feature much, if any, angst, the main villian will not show up for a while, and there will be a jump forward in time (how much will be revealed in the next chapter). I also will probably have some long pauses between updates as I'm heading to Grad School, which will slow my fanfiction writing activities. But, I will finish the story! Promise! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Also, finding the perfect chivalric titles for Katerina and Ardon and Oreius was rather difficult but I hope the ones I picked worked well. Click the little review button below and let me know what y'all think.

And, Merry Christmas to everyone!

A/N2: Take note that I did not end with a cliffhanger and I was actually nice to all the characters in this chapter, Lady Firewing ;)