Disclaimer: All the rights of the character and story line from the Chronicles of Narnia belongs to C. . This is a work of fiction with an extra original character to stir up a little storm.
Author's Note: Enjoy and don't forget to drop a comment! Thank you!
Chapter 1: Faith dropping in
Rustles of leaves and breaking of twigs resounded through the forest as numerous silhouette were sighted dashing about. In the eyes of the squirrel that was peeping from one of the tall trees, there were at least about five men chasing a girl adorning grey and black hakama. A katana (Japanese blade) was wrapped and tied with white cloth; currently attached to her back using the same cloth.
Running through the thick forest was not as hard as it seemed to be for her and her height and training from kendo provided the much needed leverage in such survival situation. As she ran, her long jet-black hair tied in a loose ponytail flowed fluidly at the back of her head.
"Don't let her get away with that sword!" yelled one of the men.
The chase continued until they reached the cliff.
"Hah! Dead end! Handover the sword right now!" warned the leader.
"It's not a sword for the last… 45th times! It's a katana or a blade if you would like to call it in English! I will not hand it over to some fools who don't even know the true beauty of it!" said the girl backing out further and further to the edge.
"Look, all you have to do is handover the sw… blade and we'll spare your pathetic life!"
The girl looked down the cliff and saw waves crashing onto the shore. She turned to the men and glared at them with the grey eyes of determination, "As the last descendant of the Kurogitsune and Black family, it is my duty to protect the sacred heirloom from both the families' ancestors. I would rather be buried in the deep ocean with Black Yuri (lily) than to disgrace my family!" With that, she leaped over and fell into the deep ocean.
"Good grace! She jumped!"
-Back in Narnia-
The Kings and Queens of the Old had left the soil of Narnia three days ago leaving Narnia united once again in peace. Caspian's heart was left with a hole when Susan, the woman he had only begin to love return to the land where she belongs. However so, there are much to be done after the ruling of Miraz and the war that affected all Narnians and Telmarines. Caspian pushed away his grief and attended to his kingdom with diligence.
That one morning Caspian, now the king, traveled out the forest with Reepicheep, Glenstorm and Trufflehunter. "Your Majesty, it seemed that the people of Telmar and Narnia are beginning to settle down," commented Trufflehunter breaking the awkward silence.
"Yes, indeed Trufflehunter but we are far from ideal. There are still Telmarines and Narnians who has yet able to find a place they can call home. There are still people dying out of poverty," replied Caspian with a hint of sadness for the fate of his people.
"Your Majesty, this is only the beginning and we have time to help Narnia to recover its former glory," encouraged Reepicheep.
As they reached the beach, they heard a faint voice calling for help. One look out at the shore, they found a figure flailing in the water as if 'it' was drowning. Without much hesitation, Caspian descended his horse and ran into the water. He swam as fast as he could to the figure that is slowly sinking into the clear water of Narnia. Before Caspian could reach her (that Caspian can be sure since he saw long black hair), she drowned into the water. He dived in and caught her before swimming back to the shore with the girl in tow.
At the shore, all three of Caspian most trusted royal subjects rushed over to help Caspian with the girl their king just saved. They slowly put her down, took off her blade wrapped with cloth and Reepicheep quickly pressed onto her abdomen to expel the sea water from her lungs.
"Is she okay?" asked Caspian from the sideline.
"As long as she expels the water, sire," answered Reepicheep not stopping. Soon, the girl coughed out water and went back to unconsciousness.
"Your Majesty, she doesn't look like the Telmarines nor she dressed like one," commented Trufflehunter observing the girl. Caspian too observed the girl properly for once; heart-shaped face and decent features. She has long jet-black hair, side-parted on her fringe that accentuated her fair features. Her height, Caspian approximate, should be slightly above his shoulder. Glenstorm who has not spoken finally said, "From the appearance of this lady, she might be from the land where the Kings and the Queens of Old is from."
"In any case, let's bring her back to the castle first. When she awakes, we can ask her," suggested Caspian.
"What about this?" asked Trufflehunter holding up the blade.
"I will keep it in my possession until I deem safe for her to have it back," answered Caspian. With that, they loaded the girl onto Glenstorm's back and rode back to the castle.
That night after we saved the mysterious girl from the sea, Glenstorm asked to meet me.
"What is the matter, Glenstorm? Is there problems with the rebuilding?" I asked concerned.
"No, Your Majesty. It is about the girl. But I would like to first ask for your forgiveness for I have been withholding some information from you," he said eyes not meeting mine.
I gently patted his shoulder and said, "You're forgiven, Glenstorm but you have to tell me what is it that you have been keeping silent about."
"I saw the arrival of the girl coming when I was looking at the stars few nights ago. A prophecy came that says 'For the nurturing Daughter of Eve shall be bestowed upon people of Narnia and the king, for that to heal broken hearts, broken homes and broken dreams. Along she brought what of every other beings desire, and also spirit that burns that of fire.' It could have meant her."
I listened intently to the prophecy and memorized it by heart, "Only time could tell, Glenstorm. Only time could tell."
I leaped into the ocean as there are no other options left for me. The katana must not drop into the hands of the outsider much left those people. The impact of hitting the water hurts more than I thought it would and I could feel the pressure pushing me down into the sea as I hit the surface of the water. I flapped my limbs, propelling myself upwards but you see… I am definitely not a good swimmer. Like a rat dropped into the water, I flailed and finally got a gasped of air. When I reached the surface, I knew that something was amidst, different but I was too panicked to be bothered. I tried calling out for help but I guess no one heard me and I was slowly losing my strength and consciousness. Before I was completely wiped out, I could feel a strong pair of arms who reached out for me. At the short second, I wonder if it is a turn of luck or is it another series of unfortunate events. Caspian stared into the night sky and allowed his thoughts to wonder.
"Faith! This maybe a year too early but I'm giving Black Yuri to you now and I want you to keep it save. Do not. Let me repeat, . let this fall into the hands of the evil. Do you understand?" asked father as he pushed the katana I was chosen to inherit.
"But father, why…" before I could finish, father coughed out with an evil laughter resounding in my ear. He slumped onto the ground and never again he woke. Appeared out of thin air was mother and Aunt Georgia, Uncle Kenji, grandfather, and many many more of my family members; all of them died from cold murder.
"No, no more… please… STOP!" I yelled and my eyes snapped open. Immediately after that I shut my eyes tight and shielded my face with my hand. "Ah! My Lady is awake. I have to inform His Majesty immediately!" cried a really girly voice and I heard the door shut. It felt like I was on a very comfortable bed and it should be day time since the light is unnervingly blinding. Wait… I'm on a bed! My thoughts flew to my katana and I scurried up at find for it.
My mind was all over the place when I couldn't see it anywhere in the room. I jumped out of the bed not knowing what I was wearing and headed out to the door. Oh God, please tell me it is not fallen into the wrong hands yet. I stormed out of the room to only bump into a solid surface.
"Offt," I fell back on my bottoms. I looked up to find a pair of deep browns eyes staring into my grey pools. Still on my defenses, I stood up and went onto my fighting stance, "Who are you?"
His eyes widened for a while before a smile broke onto his face, "I see that you are well, my lady." He has a deep voice and thick accent.
I quirked my eyebrows at his odd language and asked him once more, "Who are you? Where is my katana?"
Puzzlement adorned his face and I stand myself corrected, "My blade."
"Ah, you don't have to worry about that. It is in my room, safely kept."
"Give it back," I growled not with anger but with threat.
"Not until you answer my questions honestly. Shall we head into the room?" I stood there in silent as I looked into his. It was nothing but sincerity, and amusement. Deciding that I have no other option, I nodded and walked back into the room. It was then only I realized where I was. The bedroom looked like it popped out from the Medieval times and I was wearing this long robe that made me really uncomfortable. As if he could sense my discomfort, he said, "I'll wait outside while your lady in waiting will help you with your dress."
I stood there stoned like a statue as he walked out and replaced by the girl I assumed the one with the really girly voice.
"My lady…"
"Faith."
"I beg your pardon, my lady."
"Please call me Faith. I am nowhere near a noble. What is your name?"
"If that pleases you, Faith. I am Miranda," she said with a smile. I can't help but to smile a little smile at her back. I can sense that she poses no harm. She took my hand and led me to the wardrobe. I looked at the row of dresses wide eyes, "Only dresses?"
"Well, His Majesty figured that you may need it when you woke and dress would be the safest bet. They are all new, His Majesty got them freshly tailored for you," she replied bubbly.
I picked out a simple dress with cream-coloured top and lilac-coloured bodice and skirt that flowed all the way to my ankle. Well, it does fit nicely on my body. I may not be luscious and soft skinned after years of training but I definitely have a fit body. I tied up my hair in a loose ponytail with a white ribbon on the dressing table and neatly parted my fringe to the right while Miranda went out.
When I heard the door shut, I turned around to only find the man earlier standing at the door. He motioned me to the chair near the balcony. We took the seats opposite each other and he asked, "What is your name? Oh, and how old are you?"
"Faith, 16. Who are you? Where am I? What do you want from me?" I asked monotonously still refusing to drop my defense.
"It seems to me that you are still cautious about my intentions. Then I shall spare you the worry. I am Caspian X, King of Narnia. You are in the land called Narnia and I merely want to know where you came from considering that I have saved your life," he answered calmly with the same hint of amusement.
"Narnia? What are you talking about?!" I asked furiously feeling like I was cheated.
"I spoke the truth, my lady. You could be from the world where the Kings and the Queens of Old came from. Narnia is another world separate from that world."
I was silenced at stared at him; daring him to speak more. He did and he spoke of everything I need to know about Narnia, the Kings and Queens of Old and the current ruling under him.
Halfway through his explanation, Miranda came in with food. Apparently, he asked Miranda to prepare some before he came in. I ate as I listened to him explaining.
When Caspian was done, reality finally sunk into Faith; she is indeed in another world.
"Now do you believe me?" asked Caspian. Faith nodded sheepishly not looking at the kind man opposite her, suddenly feeling a little shy.
"Now can you tell me about you and the blade that you treasure so much, Lady Faith?" asked Caspian softly as if he is treading on dangerous waters.
"Please, Faith is all I am going to acknowledge."
"Alright then, Faith it is." Faith let out a heavy breath and started explaining after deciding that he had no bad intention.
"My full name is Faith Black-Kurogitsune."
"Well, it is certainly different," commented Caspian shortly unable to grasp her name fully. Faith chuckled at his confusion and Caspian was slightly thrown off by her first laughter ever since they met.
"In my world, I am the descendent from an English Family and Japanese family, two different countries. Hundred years ago, the men of these two families met in a battle and became allies. Through that battle, they became sworn brothers. The man of the Black family made a blade and the technique of using it was created by the man in Kurogitsune family. Their son and daughter then married and the family merged which now became Black-Kurogitsune. The blade holds great power to the skilled wielder that the value of it increases with the years it survived through. This blade is passed to the next generation and the heir is chosen through matches of duels."
"Which in this case, you are the heir for your generation."
"Yes, but I received it a year earlier before I became eligible. You see, when the blade was kept by my father's generation, one of the powerful lords wanted the power the blade could give him. He wanted it for himself with the intention of monopolizing the underground world. The underground world is filled with people with bad intentions and by monopolizing it, he could create havoc in the country. Thanks to some scumbag traitor of the family, he got hold of the technique so that he could wield the sword. That year when my father handed the blade over to me, many of my family members, aunts, uncles and grandparents died because he was searching for it. It was on a January night when our family got raided and my parents were murdered in the process of helping me to escape with the blade."
"I'm so sorry…," he said as sadness swam in his eyes; he too suffered the same fate as Faith did.
"No, your Majesty. My parents die honorably and I have never felt that they left me. We believe that the spirit of our family members rests in this blade," she hurriedly answered not allowing a blush to creep onto her face.
"Then what happened?" asked Caspian.
"From that day onwards, I have been running across the country, constantly in hiding. While I ran, I devised a planned for the revenge for all the family members he had killed. The day before I came to Narnia, I avenged for my dead family members. When I came to this world, I was once again running away from his underlings who tried to take the blade in the name of revenge. When I reached the cliff, I jumped into the sea. I would rather die than to have the blade falling into the wrong hands. Next thing I knew, I'm already here."
Caspian sat and contemplated whether should he tell her about the prophecy but decided otherwise, "Well, thank you with your honesty, Faith. I shall return the blade back to you."
"Won't you look down at me after I told you all of this? I have murdered many people." asked Faith surprised by Caspian attitude despite her telling him she had murdered.
"Why would I? This is a duty as a filial child to her parents and family then there's nothing to be looked down at. In fact, your courage and strength is very much admirable," answered Caspian with all due honesty; and Faith could see it in his eyes.
Caspian took Faith into his room and returned her the blade, her family heirloom she has been protecting.
"Black Yuri…"
"I beg your pardon," said Caspian confused at the uttered words.
"This blade, her name is Black Yuri… as in Black Lily," said Faith smiling with genuine happiness so beautiful that Caspian had never saw on anyone. Suddenly, her eyes widened which in turn caused Caspian to go into a short temporary stage of surprise.
"Can you do me a favor?" asked Faith.
"Yes?"
"Can I have a change of pants?" Her questions sent Caspian into a row of laughter.
~ To be continued ~