Thank you very much to those who reviewed! I'm happy you liked the first chapter and are interested in the story. Enjoy the next one!

Chapter 2
Tensions and Anxiety

If Edmund, who Corin only knew as the picture of calm and composure, was this upset, then something truly bad must have happened – or perhaps was about to happen.

As soon as they passed through the gateway onto the street, the Lord Peridan joined them, handing a dagger to Edmund which the latter tucked into his belt, and then falling into step beside them. Edmund addressed the lord gravely, and Corin could detect the underlying tension in both of them.

"How are the preparations progressing, Peridan?"

Peridan glanced around briefly, as if afraid that someone was walking behind them, but here in the upper levels there was hardly anyone on the streets. Edmund though was still keeping him close to his side, and Corin wondered for a moment whether the older thought he might disappear again.

"All is well in hand, your Highness. Her Majesty the Queen is on board now, after personally overseeing the purchase of a large amount of flowers and garlands. Sargin went to the bazaar several times together with Tam and his brother to buy every manner of victuals one would expect at a grand feast. They have already brought a boar, two geese, a whole wagonload of fruit and an enormous cake to the ship. And Tumnus and Deromik have transferred all our weapons to the Splendour Hyaline. Your Majesty of course wished to take care of the jugglers and magicians."

Edmund nodded, obviously quite pleased, but Corin became more confused by the second. They were having a banquet on the ship? But… why was everyone so nervous then?

"Well done, Peridan. I have received another missive from Prince Rabadash full of effusions of how great an honour it is that we invite his humble self to our magnificent ship, that he can hardly wait to lay eyes on Queen Susan in all her radiance and so on and so forth, so it seems that no one is suspecting anything. After I have escorted his lordship to the Splendour Hyaline, I will order the entertainment."

Hearing himself referred to, Corin decided that now was as good a moment as any to learn what in the Lion's name was going on! They had come a good deal lower by now, and the press of people had become greater, but there was still a ring of open space around them, as if there was some kind of invisible barrier that kept everyone away. Corin had to grin at this. Even when there was no crier announcing the 'barbarian king', an appellation that never failed to make Corin laugh and Edmund roll his eyes, the Calormenes seemed to be somewhat afraid of them. In a situation such as this, where they wanted to reach their destination fast, this came in really handy. And it had the added advantage that they were not likely to be overheard, a fact that he intended to use.

"Could perhaps someone tell me what is going on? I still have no idea what you're talking about!"

Corin saw how Peridan's eyebrows lifted in surprise and only belatedly realised that as far as the Narnian lord was concerned, he had been present when they had talked about their plan, and so the question had to seem somewhat strange to him. Edmund however shot his adviser a quelling look, indicating that he would explain later, and contemplated what to tell his young friend. He was not exactly keen on unfolding the situation in the middle of the city, but he knew Corin and his stubborn insistence, and that the other would not relent until he had his answers. So Edmund lowered his voice until Corin had to strain to hear him.

"We are leaving Tashbaan because Rabadash will most likely force Susan into marriage otherwise."

Corin stopped abruptly, causing his two companions to halt as well, his eyes suddenly glittering dangerously. He almost couldn't believe what he was hearing! Who did this prince think he was, planning to force a queen, the Queen of Narnia, to marry him! That was so much worse than the joke this boy had made! He clenched his fists and wished to have a sword so that he could challenge this lowlife instantly!

"But then we have to fight! We have to defend Queen Susan and teach him a lesson! Not leave!"

Edmund groaned inwardly, cursing the prince's propensity for fighting anything and everything, but unwilling to get into that now. They really did not have any time to lose!

"Corin, we are nine, plus our sailors! We cannot fight the prince's forces, so we do the next best thing to save Susan and flee!"

Corin didn't like the sound of that at all, flight was the coward's way out, wasn't it, and the King of Narnia and his entourage were no cowards!

"But Edmund, we can't run away! That's just dishonourable! We have to show them that we won't be treated like this and that our queen is unimpeachable!"

Edmund however was not prepared to listen to any more of this, so Corin found himself propelled forward again by the tightening arm around his shoulder and by Peridan's hand on his back. He tried to protest, but the elder's crossly muttered words stopped his retort before it could leave his mouth.

"One of these days, Corin, we are going to talk about what the term 'tactical retreat' exactly means! But for now you will simply come, do as I say and cease being obstinate! I do not want to hear any more of your uninformed shows of supposed bravery!"

All the replies he might have made flew out of Corin's head, and he let himself be led onwards in a state of slight shock. He couldn't remember Edmund ever talking to him like that, and it was a rather painful reminder of the fact that his friend was first and foremost a king whom you had to obey, especially when you were on a journey with him and your father had put you under his care. It was just so easy to forget because Edmund had been his friend for as long as he could recall, a kind of big brother even. One of his first memories was of Edmund carrying him piggyback through the castle and of playing hide and seek with him, so it always caught him unawares when his friend suddenly turned into the king. He still didn't like it that they seemed to be running away, but he felt that he could say nothing against this rebuke.

They were still walking through the lower levels of the city at a fast, though now less hurried pace, and were slowly nearing the big gates. Edmund was thankful for the momentary silence as his mind was full to the brim anyway. It did not even bear thinking about should their plan be discovered. He knew that all of his men would fight valiantly, but in such a case they would likely all lose their lives, and what would then happen to Susan turned his stomach.

Please Aslan, please preserve us and do not allow any harm to befall us. You have promised to protect us in times of need, so please be with us now!

It was Edmund's only hope that the great Lion would hear his plea and would let their desperate attempt at escape succeed. He breathed a silent sigh of relief when they had passed the gates, no matter that he had already done so twice in the last few hours. He feared detection at any moment and could not wait for evening and darkness to arrive so that they could set off.

As soon as they had reached the Splendour Hyaline and had gone on board, the door to the stern cabin opened, and Susan rushed over to them, drawing Corin into an embrace and looking at her brother while some of the strain left her face.

"Edmund! Thank the Lion, you brought him here safely! But… Corin! What happened to you? You look awful!"

She took his face in her hands, examining it from all sides and making Corin squirm. He didn't like this at all, from Susan even less than from Edmund, but he also knew that with the state he was in, the questions were inevitable. Before he could answer however, Edmund placed a hand on his sister's shoulder which prompted her to let go of him and turn slightly.

"He can explain that to you later, I still have to hear the whole story as well. For now we have to stay focused on what yet needs to be done. Where is…"

Edmund looked around until he spotted Tumnus talking to one of the sailors.

"Ah, there he is! I will leave again with Tumnus to order some entertainment. I want you to remain on the ship, dearest sister. Procuring the decorations was well done, but quite enough, and I ask you not to go away once more. The same of course applies to you, Corin. You will stay with the queen and not stray from her side. Do you understand me?"

Corin just nodded, still a bit cowed by Edmund's forcefulness and not wanting to get into any more trouble than he was undoubtedly already in, while Susan threw her arms around her brother's neck and buried her head in his chest.

"Oh Edmund, this is all so horrible! How could I have been so stupid, so blind? And now all of you have to suffer for it! Please be careful! You have been up and down the city all afternoon, and I am so worried! I could not bear it should anything happen to you! What… what if…"

Edmund wrapped his arms around her and dropped a kiss onto her dark hair, holding her close as she trembled slightly. He could only imagine to some extent how hard this had to be on her, and he promised himself to do everything in his power to console her.

"Courage, Susan! Nothing of what has transpired is your fault. Rabadash alone is to blame, for he has truly shown himself to be the barbarian that he delights in calling us. And believe me, I understand and share your worries, but we cannot show our fear, least of all to our good sailors. They depend on us to safeguard them, so we have to be strong and try to trust in Aslan to deliver us. I promise you to be careful, and it will likely be my last venture into the city. Only a few more hours, and then we will be on our way to Narnia. So take heart, Susie."

Susan remained in his embrace for a long moment, drawing strength from his words and his simple presence, then nodded and stepped away from him, visibly straightening herself and forcing a smile onto her face, however tremulous it was. Corin had watched the whole exchange in astonishment. He knew of course how close all of the siblings were and had seen them embrace each other frequently, but he didn't think he had ever witnessed such a public display of affection from any of them. And he had certainly never heard Edmund call the queen Susie! This entire day had already been so bizarre, and he wondered what else would occur.

Edmund now gave Tumnus a sign to join him at the railing, and after a few quietly spoken words, they left the ship together. Susan and Corin watched them until they disappeared, both hoping they would return safely. Then Susan started back towards her cabin, motioning her young friend to follow her.

"Come Corin, it will not do us any good to stand here and fret. Let us drink a cup of tea, and you can tell me what happened to you. Is your heatstroke any better? You looked so pale before, and I have been very anxious on your behalf."

Corin sighed quietly, but trailed after the queen readily enough. He was always happy to spend time with Susan, but he could have done without having to tell his tale. This would surely take some time.

TBC

It took me such a long time to come up with Narnian names, and I'm not sure I was very successful. ^^' While writing it I was wondering more than once why Lewis could not have named them something else than "one dwarf" and "another dwarf"…

Anyway, please let me know what you think, I'm happy about every comment!