A.N.: I may have gone overboard on evil cliffhangers for these first few chapters. At least the drafts of the next few chapters are already done so you don't have to wait too long.

Chapter 2

Caspian's reflexes didn't fail him completely. He managed to twist around just in time letting the sword catch his side instead of his chest. Clutching his side and letting out a cry, he fell backwards leaving him vulnerable on the ground. The figure advanced towards him once more, but Caspian kicked upward hitting him in the stomach. It knocked the wind out of the attacker giving the prince the chance to get back on his feet.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

The attacker didn't reply. Instead, he took another swing at Caspian. The prince dodged out of the way. Though he couldn't see much in the dim light, Caspian could tell the man was a Telmarine soldier, though armourless and wearing dark clothes. He must have been quite a skilled one to move so swiftly and silently in the woods.

The man thrust his sword forward once more, but this time Caspian side-stepped and came up beside him grabbing the arm holding the sword. Pinching the man's wrist, Caspian forced him to let go of his weapon. It flew off into the forest's dark undergrowth.

The attacker threw Caspian off, but the prince rolled around to face him once more. They exchanged several more blows before the man got a lucky opening and punched Caspian's wounded side. As Caspian backed off gasping in pain, the Telmarine soldier took the opportunity to grab a dagger from his boot.

Caspian was only just able to stop the man's hand before the dagger could slice open his throat. As it was, Caspian suddenly found himself with his back against a tree as the man pushed the dagger closer to his neck. Looking into his attacker's face, the prince expected it to be covered with savage fury. Instead, the man's expression was strangely blank except for a cold determination in his eyes.

Swinging his right leg, Caspian tried to knock the man off his feet but was blocked by the soldier's knee. He was about to summon all his strength for a final shove when he heard a shout. Suddenly, the man's face slackened and his eyes became glassy. The Telmarine soldier's body fell away to reveal Edmund standing behind him with a stained sword.

"Are you alright?" he asked looking him over in the moonlight.

Caspian nodded wiping his damp hands on his trousers as he caught his breath.

Frowning, Edmund crouched down next to the body. "An assassin?"

"Must be." Caspian's eyes searched the woods now more wary than ever. "We should warn Peter and set up more guards. There might be others out there."

The pair jogged back to the firelight of the camp and the tent they shared with Peter. Grabbing a torch, Edmund threw open the flap calling his brother's name. Just as he expected the high king was already awake. He sprang to his feet.

"What's going on?"

"Trouble," announced Edmund. "Some sort of Telmarine assassin attacked Caspian in the woods not five minutes from camp."

"An assassin?" Peter's eyes grew wide before the steeliness of command settled back in. "Is he…?"

"Edmund dealt with him," Caspian replied leaning against the main support pole of the tent.

"But we're worried there might be more," continued Edmund. "If there's still soldiers loyal to Miraz about…"

The high king nodded. "Ed, I need you to set up more guards around the perimeter. No one is to leave the safety of the camp until morning. Caspian, we need to… Caspian?"

The prince who had momentarily closed his eyes opened them again to look questioningly at Peter, but didn't raise his head from where it now leaned against the pole. It suddenly felt as if the exhaustion of the entire week had finally hit him.

Peter frowned looking him over, noting his features seemed oddly pale beneath his dark hair. "We're you hurt?"

"The assassin's sword grazed my side, but I'm fine." As if to prove it, Caspian forced himself upright, but a wave of dizziness swept over him forcing him to use the pole for support once more.

Grabbing the torch from Edmund, Peter came around to Caspian's side and pulled back the young prince's cloak. He paled.

"Ed, change of plan. Tell Trumpkin to deal with the guards. I need you to fetch Lucy."

"But I don't know where…" Edmund began as he moved over next to Peter, but he stopped when he saw what his brother had seen.

"Just find her, now!"