Brother of the Dark
Chapter Two
Peter and his Horse, Alfreeid, raced around the next bend, both struggling to catch up to Edmund and Philip.
"Come on, Alfreeid, we can catch up." His Horse, already breathing hard, panted out his answer,
"If… you believe so,… Sire." He picked up his pace infinitesimally after that and they were almost past the last bend before Cair Paraveil when Peter spotted something in the road.
"Alfreeid, slow down. You're tired and Edmund's likely preening at the gates already, so we can wait until the next race. I think I see something on the path." Alfreeid happily obliged and soon they were at a slow canter before Peter dismounted. There was a metal rod lying slightly to the side of the road, glistening dully in the late afternoon sun with a few spots of red at one end. As Peter walked up to it, his boot hit something soft. Looking down he saw a red velvet pouch lying next to his foot. It was soft in his hand as he picked it up and he felt something inside. Hoping it would give him a clue as to who the owner was; he upended it into his hand.
A heavy ring of silver fell out as well as a sheet of paper and Peter's blood ran cold. It was Edmund's crown.
His fists tightened and he took a few deep breaths before straightening and flattening the crushed note. Fury filled his veins as he read the swirling handwriting and he stood quickly, calling Alfreeid over and mounting before speaking to the Horse.
"I'm sorry, my friend, but the rest is over and we must get back to the Cair quickly. Someone has taken Edmund."
Barely minutes later, they sped into Cair Paraveil and he ran to find his sisters where he shoved the note into Susan's hand before sending a servant to find Orieus and beginning to pace. Susan's voice rang out, beginning to tremble as she read further.
"Greetings to you, Royals of Narnia,
I write to inform of something that you have lost, that is, if you were unaware previously. I have taken the privilege of removing King Edmund the Just from your loving and tender care. I do hope you don't mind too terribly. If you do, then I invite you to find me. I assure you, either way you will be too late.
Best wishes,
Calstrious Maine"
There was a sort of horrified silence after Susan's voice trailed off before everyone began speaking. Servants were talking urgently, Orieus was giving orders for a search to be begun, Lucy was crying and Susan was trying to comfort her while silent tears ran down her pale cheeks. Peter was stationary, trembling in rage as the color leeched from his face and knuckles. The room gradually quieted as everyone turned to face their High King.
"What do we do, Peter?" Lucy asked her voice small and scared.
"We find him. We find Edmund, we bring him home, and then we make the man who dared to steal our brother pay. Orieus, send more to search, go along the borders and begin in the Western Woods where he was taken. We will find them." His voice carried deadly promise and steel lurked behind his eyes. "And that man will regret this day."