Susan kept on wandering for hours in the woods but always checking how close she was to the river and always looking over her shoulder whenever a rabbit squealed or whenever a dry leaf was cracking, fearing it was that Lord Miraz or one of his troops. It was after she heard that warm voice when she realized they were all dressed in a quite medieval manner, fully armoured and carrying weapons such as swords or crossbows. They did look weird, for some reason, and illogical but on the other side they seemed perfectly normal.
She wondered what would happen should that Lord find her. Would he treat her as poorly as he treated his General? Or perhaps he was a better man than she gave him credit for? After all, she couldn't judge people so easily without even knowing them. Nothing is what it seems. Perhaps she should go back and search him, beg him to show her kindness and help her. But as much as her logic thought it the right thing to do, her instinct and heart were shouting at her to not turn back, not to listen to her logic, and that's what she did. In the state she was in she could trust no one, anyway.
When she thought she distanced herself a great deal away from Lord Miraz's troops, she walked slowly by the river's shore and sat so close to its waters so that the cool, soft waves would splash gently on her feet reaching just a little above her weak knees. She closed her eyes and smiled contentedly at the soothing feeling, all her senses focused on the water brushing on her feet. It was the first time that day that she felt utterly calm and relaxed, untroubled and contented. Well, she didn't exactly remember feeling like this any other time in her life or generally other feelings she had felt and that only made the corners of her lips turn in a disappointed frown. She had to remember who she was, she just had to. And just a name wasn't exactly helpful nor was it comforting. To the contrary, it was reminding her that hadn't it been for that magical voice, she wouldn't know even that. How would she be able to survive without recalling vital information?
But that voice had fired a small sparkle of hope in her timid heart, and somehow she believed him, whoever he was. His voice seemed too sincere and kind to be lying and she felt as if he were actually truly concerned and sorrowful by her miserable situation. As if she were someone he loved, someone close to him. But if he was why wouldn't he show himself to her, why would he leave her wandering alone in an unknown land? Was it some kind of task she had to pass? But how would she pass any kind of task with such an awful memory loss?
Aggravated and confused, she hit her hand with force on the water, the water splashing wetting her lilac, filthy dress. Realizing her situation was even worse than she had thought, she sighed desperately, suddenly all the faith the voice had restored in her getting lost again, and crossed her arms on her chest stubbornly and puzzled before sighing once more, sounding more like a little girl than a young woman, and buried her face in her dusty hands. Staying in that position for a while, she managed to control her exploding emotions and to regain her calm, serene self. Enjoying the coolness and refreshing qualities of the crystal blue water was much better and desirable than getting desperate and nervous again.
"Enjoying yourself…missy?"
She gasped startled and frightened at the sound of a thickly accented voice that she had heard just a while ago. Her head shot up and a hand was driven on her chest as she turned around to gaze at the owner of the voice. It was the man she had been trying to avoid all this time and realizing she had failed miserably made her huff and curse herself silently. With silvery blue, concerned eyes glued on the Lord, Susan found the strength to stand at her feet so that she was fully facing him.
Behind him, his General and another armoured man, who by his proud stare seemed to also be a Lord, were studying her with their dark, curious eyes from head to toe. She suddenly felt naked under their indiscreet stares, as if her lilac dress, which's hem was reaching her knees, was transparent, invisible and she reflexively drove her hands on the dress's skirt, pushing it downwards in an attempt to hide her bare legs.
After a moment of silence, for she was unable to articulate a single word before the menacing man, the Lord spoke again. "What is a fragile, little thing such as yourself doing here?" his voice full of irony as he dismounted his horse and closed the distance between them. She tried stepping backwards but her heels met with the cold water, reminding her she was trapped. "Who are you and where do you come from? You do not seem to be Telmarine."
But again she felt as though she had swallowed her tongue, despite the crying voice in her head shouting that she knew nothing, not even what a Telmarine was. But if she did say that to him, would he believe her? And if not, what would he do to her? She was getting scared, even more than before, her eyes scanning the area around her searching for a way of escape, but there was none.
"What's the matter, girl? Cat got your tongue?" his tone was more demanding now, getting irritated by receiving no reply. But the change in his voice and the threatening look darkening even more his features did not egg her on to speaking yet again. Getting angry, the man gripped her wrist and ordered his General to tie her up and take her to the castle, saying something of her being Narnian. Her eyes widened and she was about to protest when a rough fabric was brought to her lips tied tightly around her neck, silencing her. Hot tears of despair ran down her dirty cheeks as she struggled to free herself but it was pointless. She was weak and those men were trained soldiers, she did not stand a chance. So after she was made to mount the General's horse, she gave up, accepting her defeat and fate.
They reached the castle by nightfall, much to Susan's relief. The throbbing pain in the back of her neck only got worse by the horse's murderously quick galloping and it was sending waves of pain down her spine, making it almost unbearable to sit up straight. The muscles of her legs were sore and dry, making her feel weaker than ever, as she was putting much effort to not fall off the horse. At least, the General had allowed her to get rid of that disgusting gag. But despite the pain and struggle to remain on the horse's back, she felt as if it wasn't the first time in her life horse riding, it actually felt as if practicing an old sport after quite a long time, a sport which used to be familiar and easy.
"We have arrived. The Telmarine Castle." The General announced as soon as the bright lights of the lanterns and torches of the castle's walls became visible. Though he needed not to. By the grand, impenetrable stony walls, Susan guessed it wasn't just a castle they were protecting but a town also, a village even. Entering through the massive gate, the young woman was speechless and in awe by the glorious Telmarine Castle, a castle that resembled much to its owner because of its dark visage. But what intrigued Susan the most was the way the castle was separated from the small town by a deep, menacing canyon of rocks and stones, a stony, long-lengthed bridge the only way of the two places communating.
"Why is the town separated from the castle?" she spoke after what seemed like eons, surprising the General.
"Oh, so you do have a voice?" he chuckled but not in the same sarcastic manner his Lord would. "Caspian the Conqueror chose to build his castle on the canyon and separate from the village so not the royalties would mix with commoners and those of inferior birth."
Susan's lips parted and she grimaced in shock and disgust. "How prejudiced he must have been."
"Wouldn't a Narnian know about that, though?" Glozelle sounded suspicious now and he slowed his horse down so to be able to talk with her more calmly, making Susan bite her tongue so not to curse him.
"A Narnian? What's that?" she asked instead, her curiosity and intrigue taking over, making her forget all about her aching body.
The General laughed ironically as if expecting that kind of question. "Are you playing dumb with me, Narnian? Then you should know by now you cannot trick me. Oh, and I suggest no such games to the Lord Miraz. He's not a very patient man, if you know what I mean."
"Oh, well, thank you for your kind words of advice, General! I'll have that in mind." She practically spat venomously at him, disgust and hatred suddenly boiling in her veins and blood, confusing her for she had no reason to feel so resentfully towards a man she had never met. But the feeling came out naturally, as if it was already buried in her and it wasn't actually concerning him. But who was it for then?
"Good. Now, might I ask how in the blazes did you and your lot survived? I did not believe Lord Miraz when he told me Narnians still existed but you blew all my doubts away, for sure." He said in a chuckling voice yet again, making the girl more and more irritated. He was charging her to be somebody she'd never heard before and of spying on his precious Lord. How would she prove she was innocent? They would never believe her, especially now that she wasn't denying it anymore. But she couldn't really bring herself to refuse as much as she wanted to, a fact that was perfectly driving her insane.
"I am sorry, but I have no idea what you're speaking of. And no matter what you think, I will never be able to answer any questions of this sort for I know not the answers." She replied dryly, too enigmatically than she should for she only was making him more sure of her false identity.
"A diplomatic answer, I like that. It's not a frequent sight, a woman who can liberally voice her thoughts and stand her ground I mean." He observed interested and somewhat surprised.
"Perhaps because you treat your women like dumb animals or dead objects?" The young woman guessed not realizing the man was about to reach his boiling point because the truthfulness of her words. But she didn't see his tanned face getting white as all the blood drained away. "Women are capable of a great deal more than you give them credit for. If you gave them a chance then you'd see I'm right."
They had by now reached the royal stables and Glozelle had already dismounted. He helped her down –her body reminding her of the aching pain she had forgotten because of their talk- giving her a hard look, confusing her. He didn't strike her as the type of man who would threaten or hurt her, not so soon and for no reason at least, and she felt slightly intimidated though she managed to hide the emotion well. "And how would a Narnian filth know of such things?" he questioned giving her another suspicious look as he cut the ropes around her wounded now wrists. It was then she realised her guess was correct and she felt disgusted yet again. "Lord Miraz was correct. You were spying on us."
"I was not, it was just a guess. And for the last time, I am not a Narnian, whatever this is! I do not even know where we are!" she exclaimed exasperated, throwing her hands in the air so to emphasise her point and to look truthful and convincing. But obviously that man had many encounters with spies and liars before and through time he had gotten more suspicious.
"And why should I believe in your words?" Glozelle gripped her by the elbow and shook her closer to him, looking deep in her eyes. "For all I know you might be indeed a Narnian and lying to me so to gain our trust, while you would send secret messages to your filthy friends, informing them on every little thing happening behind the walls of this very castle."
Susan gave him a resentful look and jerked her arm free off his tight grip, surprising even herself, not knowing that when so determined she could be as fierce and strong. "I may not be a Narnian but I can see why they are enemies of yours. The little time I spend around you and your lot was enough for me to understand that you are a race of arrogant, selfish and cruel tyrants."
She heard a gasp escaping her injured lips and she shut her eyes tightly when seeing the man's hand raising suddenly in the air, ready to hit her face. Despite her mental preparations to feel pain, the pain never came. Snapping her eyes slowly open, she saw a more controlled and even regretful look in his eyes and she felt a little relieved. "Narnian or not, you know nothing of our race." He hissed menacingly before gripping her wrist again and dragging her through a passage that she prayed led in the castle. Hopefully they would not throw her in the dungeon. The single thought of a bed or a comfortable sofa and clean cloths seemed really appealing to her now.
Much to her relief and pleasure, she was given a large, but small considering she was in a castle, bedroom furnished with a king-sized bed –silken red and golden pillows lying under the satin sheets and blanket- a separate room for the bathtub, a fireplace with a roaring, warm fire which she appreciated also, a sofa and coffee-table and a toilette. It was to her exact likings, simple and equipped with the absolute essentials. She was also given one simple forest-green gown for the following day and a white, satin nightdress and a robe, along with a pair of shoes and the General surprised her when he ordered a maid to draw a bath for her.
She was curious as to why he was being so kind to her and she did not bother hiding her curiosity. But he only said that one has to keep his enemies closer than his friends and that if she were a Narnian, like they suspected, she would receive the fate she deserved. That she did not bother asking what meant, knowing full well she wouldn't like the answer and it was better she did not know.
Getting rid of her worn-out dress and getting in the tub filled with hot, clean water and with a bar of soap resting beside her, she felt all her worries had been swiftly swept away and the comforting, relaxing feeling took her over again, making her sigh in delight as she sank her chest nut hair and head in the steamy water of the tub. She fretted getting out of the bathtub, knowing that she would have to face all her troubles again and she wasn't sure whether she was ready to come up with a plan or an idea. Not to mention the water felt like having healing powers as her wounds and cuts stung a little at their first contact with it but swiftly the pain and blood and dirt were taken away from them.
Surfacing again, taking a deep breath, she went over in her mind that day's events. None of it all made sense. Especially the fact that she had been lying unconscious and severely injured in the middle of a strange forest. Was she alone all along, before even when that accident –whatever it was- had happened to her and left her with no memories? Or had she beem with company? But were they so mean and cruel or even stupid as to leave her alone in such an awful state? Well, it didn't matter anymore.
What did matter was learning fast where she was, who those Telmarines and Narnians were, who that majestical voice belonged to and also finding somebody who could tell her what had happened to her and how she had gotten in…wherever she was. And she had to do that quickly before those vile men executed her with false charges. What if she found a way to escape and searched for those Narnians? Maybe they could help her? She didn't have anything to lose. Well, she would lose her life if she stayed more than she should in that Telmarine castle, and that's the reason she had to move fast. Was it possible that somebody in the castle would help her?
Susan wasn't allowed to leave her room. At least not unsupervised. She scoffed at the thought, feeling like a little girl who needed to be escorted by her father to go to a party. Ridiculous. It was pretty obvious by now that they did not trust her nor did they want to even try trusting her. Stubborn, arrogant brutes. And what was she to do all alone in a bedroom? There weren't even books to read or a piece of paper to write. And she was tired of thinking, after all, it was no use anymore. She was locked in a room in a castle's probably higher tower. That fact only secluded her possibility of escaping. So she was just sitting on her sofa, not bothering to change in her gown, gazing out the enormous windows. At least the room had magnificent view to the faraway green hills and forests.
She was remembering the maids bringing her breakfast-tray whispering about their Lady's birth last night, birth of a son that seemed to have given much joy to her husband, they were probably talking of Miraz she assumed. But what interested and disgusted at the same time Susan was hearing how Miraz wasn't present in his child's birth but waiting outside the chamber to hear the news. She felt awful for that poor wife of his, he seemed such a cruel and heartless man, how did she bear to imprison herself in marriage with him?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a light, almost timid knock on her door and she had to remind them she was locked in therefore unable of opening the door. But that's all they needed to hear. Soon she heard the clinging melodious sound of keys being revealed and unlocking as silently as possible her bedchambers' door. The door open and shut in a fraction of seconds by an old man with long silvery beard and hair and a small pair of glasses were resting on his wrinkled nose. He was dressed in a velvet, turquoise cloak, probably disguising himself. He was rather short and stout and he seemed more than good-natured and kind.
"Forgive my intrusion, my Lady," he started with an apologetic, faint smile on his bearded lips, his voice accented also. "but I had to see for my own eyes if it were true."
"See what?" she requested kindly, surprised to be treated and spoken to so politely, standing to her feet so not to seem rude to the old man. "Who are you?"
"Oh, silly me. Please forgive the mind of an old man. I have so many things in mind that I have forgotten to introduce myself. I am Doctor Cornelius, Prince Caspian's Professor." He inclined lightly his head and approached her ashamed and timid. "I had to see if a true Narnian was in our castle." He whispered conspiratorially to her before backing away and she felt a little amused and bewildered by his bizarre behavior.
"A pleasure, Professor, but I'm afraid I'll disappoint you" she pursed her lips apologetically and funnily "for I am no Narnian. I don't even know who those Narnians are."
"Well, that's impossible, my Lady. You do look very Narnian. There is this aura about you that is…." Apparently he seemed to lack of terms and she pursed her lips so not to smile again, afraid that she would offend him. "…very…Narnian… and I am not mistaken." he insisted when she opened her lips to protest.
"But I must insist, I do not know anything about Narnians. I just woke up in the middle of a forest completely alone and injured, I even have this awful memory loss and-"
"That's it!" the Professor practically exclaimed enlightened, looking much childish and excited. "That's it, you have forgotten, that's why you can't remember. I can tell when somebody is a true Narnian and you are. Do tell me, what is your name, my Lady?"
The woman hesitated, not knowing whether she should trust the polite Professor. But his gentle, hopeful smile and his good manners dissolved any trace of doubt in her. He was unlike any other Telmarine she had met and he actually seemed fond of Narnians. Perhaps that was her chance to escape, perhaps he would help her? "My name is Susan, it's the only thing I know about myself and that is thanks to-"
"Susan?" his shocked, surprised face made her raise a questioning brow. He seemed quite alert and shook when hearing her name. "The Susan? Susan the Gentle? But, bless my soul, you said you do not remember anything but your name! Wait a minute…" Susan knitted her brows as the old man started circling her, scrutinizing her face and characteristics quite closely. "Yes…The description fits perfectly…yes…yes…can't be…I wonder…"
"Professor, what's going on?" Susan asked curiously and somewhat impatiently after a moment. But for some reason, the old man's blue eyes started watering and he had to look away for a moment before gazing back at her again. The young woman feared she had hurt him by almost snapping at him and felt terribly sorry for making him feel bad. "Professor, are you all right? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-!"
"No, child, it's nothing you have done…" his voice trailed away as he avoided eye contact with her again. "It's just that…that's the exact same thing my student told me last night as I was hurrying to save his life…poor boy…"
"Your student? That Prince you mentioned before?" Susan asked intrigued sitting on the sofa, inviting the old man to sit beside her as well. "Save him from what?"
"From his uncle, Lord Miraz… My Queen, there's so much you have to know…" he took his glasses off and rubbed them on his velvet robe. "I have not much time. Here, take those keys" he urgently placed his keys in her palm and made her grip tightly on them "and find a way out of the castle as soon as you can. You must find Prince Caspian. He must be the one who called you back."
"Called me back? What are you-? And why are you calling me a Queen?"
"I must leave now, My Queen, find the Prince and the Narnians. They will explain everything. Tell him I send you." he said hurriedly as he rushed to the door. He placed his hand on the doorknob and turned and looked at her one last time. "May Aslan be with you, my Queen. And remember, the woods are every Telmarine's enemy and every Narnian's ally."
Pacing up and down her room. That's what she had been doing ever since she got the visit from the Prince's Professor. She had been most disturbed by his attitude and his words, and confused beyond words. She couldn't waste time wondering the reason of his calling her a Queen or of speaking of some Prince calling her back, for she knew she'd find no answer, no matter how hard and deep she searched her mind. She pondered as to why Miraz would want to kill his own nephew, but remembering his son's birth, she concluded he wanted the throne for himself and now that he had an heir of his own, he was next in line. Then she focused her thoughts on escaping. She had the keys and she had the plan as well. It wasn't great but it was better than nothing at all. And she would put it into action that very night.
That night, she requested the maid who brought her dinner, to draw a bath for her. The woman reluctantly agreed and left only to return with new, clean towels. Susan hated what she was about to do but she had to escape somehow and that was the only way she could think of. So as the maid, who was around her thirties, was busy drawing her bath, she silently tiptoed behind her when the maid wasn't looking, and with one of the solid gold candlesticks, she hit her hard on the head, leaving her unconscious. As she kept undressing her, she kept mumbling her apologies even though she knew the maid was not listening. She put on the maid's dress and put on her white ribbon on her chestnut hair and dressed the maid in her nightgown and placed her on the bed.
She grabbed her green-forest gown and the towels she had used the night before, exited the room and locked it with the unconscious maid in her place. She kept her head down, it seemed the natural thing to do, as she trudge through the stony, large corridors holding the towels and gown in her hands and telling to whoever was asking her that she was ordered to get them cleaned. And it was working, much to her surprise and great relief.
It wasn't difficult for her to trick one of the guards just with a battering of her silvery blues eyes of mirth and a gentle, seductive smile of hers and unsheathe one of the daggers on his belt. Pressing it gently on his back, she made him escort her through the courtyard to the great entrance without sounding the alarm. He convinced the guard on the gatehouse to open the gates saying that King Miraz himself had granted her permission to leave and he was to escort her. Soon they were walking across the long bridge, Susan had her arm around his shoulder hiding the dagger pressed now on his throat with a towel while the guard was cursing and threatening her.
"Women, I knew I shouldn't let my guard down!" he muttered making her snicker satisfied.
"I am awfully sorry for all this but you would have done the same if you were me." she apologized once more when they reached the other end of the bridge before pushing him violently away and running at her top speed. Her legs, even though still a little weak and wounded weren't as fast as she would want them to, were fast enough as to find a villager's brown mare, cut loose the ropes tied around its neck and a tree, and mount it while the now free guard was waking the whole town up, alarming and informing them of a prisoner's escape. But it was too late for all villagers were too sleepy to run after her and her horse was already halfway, closing the distance with the great entrance.
The horse was now galloping at its top speed as she egged it on so not to miss the closing gate, the cool air brushing violently Susan's face and wiping her hair back, pulling her white ribbon off. She looked back to watch it fly in the air and falling down the canyon before focusing her attention to the closing gate before her. She was almost there, she had not to fail. She heard men shouting angrily at her but it was if all of her senses were off but her eyesight. She was completely focused on not missing the gate. And she managed to get through just in time. Arrows started flying in different directions around her but she knew she was the real target. Soon she was too far, out of reach of their arrows.
A yell of victory escaped her full lips when she finally felt safe, but she didn't mind. She had managed to escape that horrid place and was on her way to those who would help her, according to the good Professor to whom she owed so much. The only problem was how would she find them? She remembered Dr. Cornelius speaking of the woods and so she jerked her mare's reins, hacking her towards the woods. Perhaps the Telmarines were on her tail and the woods were the perfect place to lose them and hopefully to find those Narnians. She only wished and hoped with all of her heart that she would soon.
When she thought she was deep enough in the forest, she made her mare jog calmly, the wild galloping making the pain on her back return. After all, it was the middle of the night in a forest, the Telmarines would never find her. She looked down at the dress she was wearing and felt sorry for the poor maid she had knocked out once more. What would that poor woman go through after that? Would she be the cause of her possible punishment? How dreadful and sorrowful.
She was so deep in thought she did not hear the slow creaking of a door opening and she was surprised when her horse started whining and stood on its two back legs. Unprepared as she was, she slipped off the saddle and found herself lying flat on her back yet again, the throbbing pain returning in its full glory.
"Oh, not again!" she muttered aggravated sitting up and watching her horse running away in the dark. "Great, now I've no horse as well!"
"Oi, what is it with Telmarines and horses nowadays?" a grumpy voice said to her left before she heard feet being dragged on the dry leaves.
"Wait! Nikabrik! Don't!" another said making the feet stop dead. Susan was very still, not daring to lift her gaze and look to the owners of the voice, afraid they would be Telmarines.
"What again? Not every Telmarine carries a stolen object from the Kings and Queens of Old!"
Realising those people, whoever they were, thought her to be a Telmarine, she lifted her head in hope of meeting with those Narnians she had heard so much about. "Wait! I'm no Telmarine!" she screamed lifting her hands in the air in surrender. "Are you Narnians?"
"You bet we are! And what are you? Some lost puppy?" the grumpy voice said again. Susan finally got all of her courage and looked at them, ready to give them an answer but the sight astounded her. Before her stood a very short, black-bearded dwarf with his sword at his hand and a badger.
"I'm…I'm..Su..san…" she managed to say in a very uncertain voice.
"Did you say Susan?" the badger spoke, looking very much like the Professor when she introduced herself to him, making her gasp in surprise, her eyes growing twice as big. The badger looked at her questioningly before regarding the dwarf again. "Did I say something?"
"Actually you weren't supposed to be saying anything!" she uttered horrified, staying very still. "You are Narnians?"
"Are you unintelligent or something?" the dwarf suggested sheathing his sword again.
"Enough, Nikabrikk! Come in, my girl, there's still some hot soup." The badger offered ignoring his friend who huffed and entered the small house underground. Susan wasn't sure what to do or say so she just obeyed and followed the talking animal who seemed as kind as the Prince's Professor.
"Thank you, good badger…" she said perplexed as she entered the small living room of the house. "Umm… do you happen to have met someone…a Telmarine Prince, I think…?"
Nikabrikk rolled his eyes and mumbled something about having a boarding house but the badger shook a dismissive hand at his friend's direction. He was about to reply when someone else answered for him, startling Susan and making her drive a hand on her chest.
"Who are you and why are you looking for me?"
Oof! I hope this wasn't so bad! I'm not entirely satisfied with it, I think Susan's escape came out a little forced... but no matter, I hope you enjoyed it!
Next chapter: Susan meets Prince Caspian (hihi my favourite part!) and the two Narnians and the Prince explain the truth to her before starting their quest for the rest of the Narnians. How does this sound? :D
Thank you all for the lovely reviews and please keep it up! I, like every writer out there, love listening to your thoughts and taking advices! :D
