Clad in Scarlet
Chapter 1 – Letters To and Fro
January – Two Months Previous…
Jake, Heather and Kelly,
Please don't worry about me; I'm fine. Is Queen Susan alright? I assume Queen Lucy used her cordial. I hope this letter finds you all well, but you will probably want to know how I am. I assure you that I am quite well. The weather isn't too harsh. I'm just north of the boarder of the desert so it is warm as well as dry here. I haven't discovered the location of Alannis yet, but I will, Aslan willing. I can't give you an idea of a time when I will return. But I should be back before midsummer. Take care till then.
Caleb
"He's near the desert," Jake announced, quickly scanning the letter for more information. "And he says he's fine."
"When will he be back?" Kelly asked eagerly, after a sigh of relief.
"He doesn't know," Jake answered. "He hopes to return before midsummer." Kelly looked downcast.
"He'll miss all the winter festivities," she sighed. "And Heather's birthday."
"Not to mention your own," Jake pointed out. "Where is Heather, anyhow? She isn't usually absent. I thought she would be here." Kelly shrugged.
"I think she is submerged in paperwork," Kelly explained. Jake rose to his feet.
"I'll take the letter down to her as well as something to eat," Jake decided. "She needs a break. King Peter will probably want to hear what Caleb has to say too."
Dear Caleb,
We are so relieved to hear from you! Queen Susan is absolutely fine thanks to Lucy. King Peter was quite shaken up about the whole affair and while he doesn't know it, King Edmund is investigating. He thinks it may be a case of poisoning. It is a little scary to think about: someone trying to kill our beloved kings and queens. Rest assured that we are quite safe. I do not think harm will come to any of them or us. Our blessing goes with you and I pray every night that Aslan will not let harm befall you. I pray that he will return you to us safely.
Your sister in the Lion,
Heather
Caleb looked up from the letter as the sun began sinking behind crimson clouds. He leaned his head back against the tree he was sitting against. His horse was tied nearby and a small fire flickered in the twilight. The Bird that had brought him the letter was perched on a tree branch, quietly hopping back and forth expectantly.
The night was so peaceful that Caleb briefly wondered how evil could exist in such a place. The rugged beauty of the mountains behind him blocked his view of his beloved Narnia but he could picture the wild beauty. He could see the magnificent castle, Cair Paravel, banners streaming in the wind rising from the ocean. He thought of the long walks taken along the beach. Sometimes they were contests of wit with Jake or serious counseling with Edmund. But somehow the crashing of the waves always soothed his nerves.
Caleb looked back at the letter in his hand once more before folding it up and tucking it into his saddlebag which lay on the ground next to him. Caleb found another letter behind it. Out of curiosity, the young knight opened it to find it also addressed to him.
Caleb,
Your wellbeing brings us considerable joy. Thank you for your concern for my sister Susan. I greatly appreciate it. No doubt Lady Heather has told you of Susan's recovery. Lucy's cordial works wonders. Narnia is quite peaceful for the time being. I will warn you, however, that a stack of paperwork is piling up on your desk. It is hard for Narnia to function in your absence. But upon discovering the mess on your desk, Lady Heather has taken it upon herself to begin plowing through it. You will have her to thank if the pile diminishes slightly before your return. I wish you the best of luck in reclaiming what is rightfully yours.
Your loyal king,
Peter
Heather was flopped on her bed, reading an ancient-looking novel when there came a little tap, tap! ather window. She looked up to see a robin perched on the sill.
"Hello," she cheerfully greeted as she opened the window allowing the robin to enter. He dropped a letter on the bed before flying back out. Heather picked up the letter and moved back to stand at the window. She gazed far out towards the south to where she had last seen her friend, Caleb. "When?" she wondered. "When will you come back?" As if expecting an answer, she continued to stare off at the mountains remembering past events. Remembering how she had let him go on his wild quest.
"Have I ever not come back?" Caleb asked. "I promise, I will always return; no matter what tomorrow brings.
"No matter what?" Heather asked.
"No matter what," Caleb echoed, blowing a stray hair out of his face. "I'll be alright, really."
"Alright," Heather reluctantly agreed. "But please be careful."
"I will," Caleb promised. "You know I'd never do anything that would unnecessarily put any of us in danger."
"I trust you," she responded. "Go and may Aslan be with you."
A teasing tug on her braid brought her back to the present. Whirling around, she found Edmund standing there, smirking at her.
"Caught you daydreaming," he teased. "Admit it!"
"Alright," she agreed. "I was daydreaming. But it was more thinking than dreaming." Edmund nodded.
"You were pretty absorbed," he pointed out. "You didn't hear me when I knocked; twice." Heather smiled sheepishly. "What's this?" Edmund asked, taking the forgotten envelope from her hands. She quickly snatched it back.
"A letter," she answered.
"Hmm," Edmund replied in mock seriousness. "From Prince Rabadash?"
"Knock it off, Edmund," Heather retorted. "He's long gone. Besides, he was interested in your sister."
"True. But he's actually not long gone," Edmund laughed. "He just became the new Tisroc. His father died last week."
"Sad," Heather answered. "Still, I can't find any sympathy for him."
"I wonder why," Edmund joked. "I'm terribly fond of the chap myself." The two friends laughed. Heather remembered her letter. She broke the seal and began reading it.
Dear Heather,
I know you say you are safe and I have no doubt that Peter and Edmund will watch out for you, but still, please be extra careful whenever you venture from the castle. And be careful even when you are in the castle. Many times your worst enemies are those in places where you think you are safe. I hope this letter reaches you and that this poor robin, by whom I am sending it, doesn't get lost. Please give Jake and Kelly an extra portion of dessert for me tonight; just this once. I'm not trying to spoil them. I apologize that I will miss the big winter festival, but I will be thinking of everyone that night. My prayers are with you all. Until we meet again.
Your brother in the Lion,
Caleb
P. S. I'm enclosing another letter for Queen Susan. Please give it to her, and try not to let Edmund know or see it or I will be forever the object of his jests.
Heather looked up at Edmund with shining eyes; eyes that were full of mirth.
"He's safe," she announced. "He doesn't say anything about Keirstrider or Alannis though."
"Anything else?" Edmund queried.
"He apologizes for missing the winter festival," Heather handed the letter to her king. "You can read it for yourself."
"No, no," Edmund tried to hand it back. "He wrote it to you." Heather took the letter back and placed it on the mantle above the fireplace.
Heather was true to Caleb's request and didn't mention the second letter to Edmund. She merely slipped it into her pocket to give to Queen Susan later.
My Queen,
I hope you have fully recovered from your unfortunate illness. And I apologize for my absence and abrupt departure before your recovery. If your brothers ask the meaning of this letter, you may truthfully tell them that it is only a cordial letter, wishing you a swift recovery. Heather writes and tells me much of the preparations going on for the winter festival soon approaching. Don't tire yourself out too much over them. After all, it is only a festival. I can imagine your scolding face right now, and I laugh. You worry too much sometimes, my Queen. Ack, I did not mean to scold you; merely to point out the truth. It is hard to write when one is weary from their day's travels. There is still no sign of Alannis and I am beginning to believe that my search might be in vain. Yet, I still think that she is waiting and plotting her revenge. I do not want to frighten any of you and you need not fear. Your brothers will protect you to the extent of laying their own lives down and I think that all of Narnia – at least all the knights – would also willingly lay down their lives for the four of you. I hope you can find some comfort in that. But ultimately, Aslan is the only one who can truly, truly keep us safe. Farewell, my Queen.
Your humble servant,
Caleb
"That was very thoughtful of him," Susan remarked to Heather as they strolled along the garden path.
"Aye," Heather agreed. "Caleb had feelings but I think he just has a hard time expressing them sometimes. Many of them are evident in his letters." The two young ladies continued to stroll along the path, talking of various things from clothing to horses to faraway lands. The blood-red sun was sinking lower and lower in the sky. The sky was streaked with red, gold, orange and yellow. It was a lovely sunset. The palette of colors reflected in the calm ocean that lapped at the shore. The sun began to sink as the moon took its place overhead.
"I love that ocean," Heather confided to Susan. "It feels like a very dear friend to me. I don't think I could bear to live anywhere else but here." The moonlight streaked across the garden, giving the scenery a breathtaking view. Numerous trees huddled together, their leaves slowly moving with the breeze. A bird chirped once or twice, but everything else was peaceful.
Snap!
The sound of a breaking twig halted Heather's train of thought. The Lady froze, her eyes searching the trees from where the sound had some and her ears alert. Perhaps it was some animal or bird, a part of her mind supplied but she remained tense.
A moment passed; followed by another. Susan and Heather slowly exchanged looks.
And then she heard it.
Author's note: Ooooh, a cliffy! I bet you can't wait to hear what happens next! Until then my fair readers!
