Chapter 2 The Arrival
Reepicheep steps back a little. "What?" "Then let him bring it forward this is the reason we have gathered." Once Reepicheep gets off of Caspian he stands. "Glenstorm." Saferia says as she puts her bow down. "You're Highness." The Centaur bows. "He comes with us." Then he walks away. Saferia follows as do the rest of us.
It's nearly nightfall when they reach the clearing. Everyone bows when she walks by. Saferia sits on the tree stump in the center. "Kill him!" One of the Narians says. "Telmarine! Liar! Murderer!" They continue to shout horrible things at him. Nikabrik steps forward. "All this horn proves is that they've stolen yet another thing from us!" "I did not steal anything." Caspian says. "Didn't steal anything? Shall we make a list of things the Telmarines have taken?"
"Our homes!" A female centaur says. "Our land!" Another centaur says. "Our freedom!" A Satyr says. "Our lives! You stole Narnia!" Someone else says. Caspian looks around. "You would hold me accountable for all the crimes of my people?" Nikabrik scoffs. "Accountable...and punishable." "That's rich coming from you, dwarf. Have you not forgotten that it was your people who fought alongside the White Witch?" Reepicheep says as he stalks toward Nikabrik. "And I'd gladly do it again, if it would rid us of these Barbarians!"
"But you can't." Saferia said as she cleans her sword. "But then we would be free." Nikabrik argues. "Then it's lucky that it is not in your power to bring her back. Or are you suggesting that we ask this boy to go against Aslan now? Some of you may have forgotten, but we badgers remember well, that Narnia was never right except when a Son of Adam was king." "He's a Telmarine! Why would we want him as our King? I rather have Saferia be our Queen!" "Enough Nikabrik, though I will help you all I am not meant to be your Queen." She says as she puts her sword down.
"And I can help you." Caspian says he smiles at Saferia but she does not look at him. "It's a trick!" A Minotaur says. "At least hear him out." Someone says. "Beyond these woods, I'm a prince. The Telmarine throne is rightfully mine! Help me claim it, and I can bring peace between us." Caspian tries to reason. "It is true. The time is ripe. I watch the skies, for it is mine to watch as it is yours to remember, badger. Tarva, the lord of victory, and Alambil, the lady of peace, have come together in the high heavens. And now here, a Son of Adam has come forth... ...to offer us back our freedom." Glemstorm says as he walks passed Caspian to Saferia.
"Is this possible? Do you really think there could be peace? Do you? I mean, really?" Pattertwig the squirrel asks. "Two days ago, I didn't believe in the existence of talking animals... ...or dwarves... or centaurs. Yet here you are in strength and numbers that we Telmarines could never have imagined. Whether this horn is magic or not, it brought us together. And together, we have a chance to take back what is ours." Caspian says as he lifts up the horn looking at Glenstorm. "If you will lead us, then my sons and I... ...offer you our swords." The centaurs raise their swords.
Everyone looked at Saferia waiting for her to do the same. "I will help aid you." She lifts up her sword and everyone else follows her. "And we offer you our lives, unreservedly." Reepicheep says with a slight bow. "Miraz's army will not be far behind us, sire." Trufflehunter says. Caspian nods. "If we are to be ready for them, we need to hurry to find soldiers and weapons. I'm sure they will be here soon." He looks at Saferia and she nods to confirm. She stands and puts her sword back.
"Well come on then, we have a secure place a little further from here if that helps." Caspian smiles. "That's a start." Saferia leads the way. Once they reach their 'Fortress' Saferia shows him around. "So tell me why you aren't back in the Archenlands?" Princess Saferia stops her sliver eyes flicker. "Because I alone cannot stop the Calormen." Caspian stops and looks at her. "I thought they could not reach you since the Great Desert is difficult to cross." She shakes her raven black hair. "Well they found a way to invade while we were asleep. I lost my parents, my brothers, and sister." She says painfully.
"I'm sorry." He says. Saferia shakes her head again and gives him a weak smile. "For what? The invasion was not your fault. I'll return home after we help the Narnians get their kingdom back. Come on let's go on patrol." She walks away leaving Caspian to follow her. Once they reach the forest they mass one of the Minotaur's and Caspian stops an unknown young man from attacking the Minotaur. Caspian is able to make the other man lodge his sword in a tree they keep fighting until. "No, stop!" Caspian and the man look at her.
"Prince Caspian?" The man ask. Caspian eyes him suspiciously. "Yes? And who are you?" "Peter!" a feminine voices says from behind them. Caspian looks down at the sword he's holding. "High King Peter." The King looks at him. "I believe you called." Caspian nods. "Well, yes, but... I thought you'd be older." Peter nods. "If you like, we could come back in a few years…" He starts to walk away. "No. No, that's all right. You're just... You're not exactly what I expected." Caspian says as he looks at all of them. "Neither are you." King Edmund says while looking at the Minotaur. "And who are you?" Queen Susan asks looking at Saferia. "I am Princess Saferia of the Archenlands." She says with a bow. "The Archenlands? What are you doing here?" King Peter asks. "My home was attacked by the Calormen." She says.
"Calormen? Impossible." Peter says. "Impossible it way be, but it happened. Look we don't have time for this."Saferia says. "A common enemy unites even the oldest of foes." Trufflehunter says to break the awkward silence. "We have anxiously awaited your return, my liege. Our hearts and swords are at your service." Reepicheep says as he bows in front of King Peter. "Oh, my gosh, he is so cute." Queen Lucy says. "Who said that?" He pulls out his sword. Queen Lucy takes a step forward. "Sorry." Reepicheep blinks. "Your Majesty, with the greatest respect, I do believe "courageous," "courteous," or "chivalrous" might more befit a knight of Narnia."
"Well, at least we know some of you can handle a blade." Peter says. "Yes, indeed. And I have recently put it to good use, securing weapons for your army, sire." He says. King Peter nods. "Good. Because we're going to need every sword we can get." Caspian steps forward. "Well, then, you will probably be wanting yours back." High King Peter takes his sword back they start off towards their 'Fortress.'