Chapter Three
Destrier ran as fast and as hard as he could. He could feel the desperation in Caspian's heart. He made a sudden turn and ran in the direction of the mountains. Caspian was too worried for Peter to really care. Though, he realized that he needed to get Peter to Lucy as soon as possible.
They ran for a few more minutes, and then stopped when they came to a small cave. Caspian realized that Destrier had done that to protect them from the soldiers. He patted Destrier neck in thanks and dismounted. He then guided Destrier into the cave. He didn't want Destrier to get caught in case they hadn't lost the soldiers.
He pulled gently at Peter and placed him on the ground. He then went outside the cave and gathered a few logs and sticks so that he could start a fire. He then undressed Peter and tried to clean his wounds best he could. As he undressed him, he could feel his heart pound. He was confused because he kept feeling embarrassed even after dressing the wounds. The feeling of Peter's skin made him blush even harder and he didn't understand.
After worrying about Peter, he decided to dress his own wounds. He didn't do a very good job but didn't seem to mind because Peter seemed to be doing a little better.
Destrier lay beside Caspian. Caspian was startled at the move but was quite thankful because of the warmth.
The next morning Caspian awoke to a crackling noise. Peter was still asleep so he got up as quiet as he could so he wouldn't wake him.
He didn't see anything but didn't want to take any chances, so he woke up Destrier and tried to wake Peter. He found Peter in a cold sweat. He began to panic, and if there was danger he didn't know if he could get Peter back in time.
He picked Peter up and put him as carefully as he could onto
the horse, then mounted himself right behind him. Destrier was
cautious of every step for he knew Caspian was nervous about
something. Suddenly Destrier bolted into a gallop and ran in the
direction of the river.
Caspian could hear it, a roar. Caspian
looked behind them, and saw a white tiger on their trail.
"Please wait!" The tiger yelled to them. Caspian uneasily asked Destrier to stop and the horse cautiously stayed its distance. "I mean you no harm. I have heard that you are in need of help."
"Where did you hear that from?" Caspian spat at the tiger.
"There is no need to be rude you know. King Edmund has informed the army of Peter's kidnap. I went to follow you my prince and found Miraz's armies on the move. We have to hurry back to the How and I
know the quickest way there. Please follow me."
Caspian trusted his words after hearing Edmunds name and signaled Destrier to do the same.
After a days run they made it to the clearing without any trouble from Miraz's armies.
"That's amazing. How did you know this way?" Caspian asked amazed.
"Many years of walking this, forest one possesses the knowledge of shortcuts." The tiger laughed.
Caspian begins to laugh but he had forgotten about his wounds and blacks out.
"Hurry! We must get them to Queen Lucy!" The tiger ran behind the horse to be sure they were not followed and to catch Caspian or Peter if either fell.
"Peter, Caspian!" Edmund yelled out as the horse and tiger approached the How.
"I got them here as fast as I could sire." The tiger said.
"Thank you. Lucy!" Edmund called to his sister as he laid Caspian and his brother on the ground. Peter was barely breathing and Caspian was sweating uncontrollably. Lucy arrived and dropped the fire flower juice into their mouths.
It took a few minutes, but Caspian
finally awoke. Peter as well opened his eyes.
"Thank you Lucy."
Caspian bowed and looked at Peter.
"You came for me. Why?" Peter asked Caspian, but before Caspian could retort Peter's eyes were shut and he was unconscious again.
"Professor!" Caspian called his professor. He would know what happened to Peter. The professor came out of the tavern and kneeled beside Peter.
"Oh, no." He said.
"What did uncle do to him?" Caspian asked in a dark voice.
"He used the secret poison, poison made from the flowers that lie to the south of Calormen." The professor announced.
"What does that mean?" Caspian asked.
"Peter's wounds are healed, though I don't know if he'll have the strength to awaken from the poison"
The professor looked at Peter's wounds. "He used way over the lethal dose. I am sorry."
Caspian was at a loss of words.
"So you are saying he won't wake up?" Edmund asked "That's impossible. He has to." Edmund began to panic.
"My King, I'm not saying he won't because this is Narnia and impossible things have been known to happen. I'm just saying it is highly unlikely." The professor said.
"He will wake up. I just know it!" Lucy yelled and ran back into the tavern. Susan, also at a loss for words, followed Lucy and tried her best to comfort her.
Caspian stayed by Peter's side as did Edmund. The Narnian army retreated inside and tried their best to keep their spirits high, but with the High King in that kind of condition, they didn't know what was to come of them.
