A.N.
Risa: ELLO
Jade: Thank you, everyone, for the reviews.
Risa: Yeah! We do a happy dance every time we read one!
Jade:…
Risa: Don't look at me in that tone of voice!
Jade:…
Risa: *pouts* You're so mean Jade.
Jade: Again with the nickname! It's one freaking letter!
Risa: It's more that it' one more syllable. I'm REALLY lazy…and bored. *starts singing* my concentration, it contains a deadly flaw. My conversations change from words to blah, blah, bla-AHS. We took prescription drugs, but look how much good that did. I think I had a point, but I just got distracted.
Jade: IT BURNSSS ITS BURNSSS USSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
Risa: You know that copyrighted, right?
Jade…just get on with it.
Chapter 4
Missing Books, Bare feet, Sheep, Kidnapping and Dead Horses
We were led to a cabin in (as the book said) the poop (snicker…because I'm that mature). Jade, knowing that I am probably the most mature person in the world, jabbed my sides again.
"You and I must lodge here, Edmund. We'll leave your kinsman the bunk and sling hammocks for ourselves." Caspian said, always the gentleman. I knew I picked a good one.
"I beseech your Majesty–" Drinian started.
"No, no, shipmate," Caspian interrupted, "We have argued all that out already. You and Rhince are sailing the ship and will have cares and labors many a night when we are singing songs or telling stories, so you must have the port cabin above. King Edmund and I can lie very snug here below. But, how is the stranger."
"I'd be a whole lot better if we were not tossing about so much. Does the storm have any sign of letting up soon?"
"You, my jerky non-friend, are a complete and utter detriment to society. There is no freaking storm." I laughed, and Drinian joined me. Jade coughed to cover up her own laughter.
"Storm, young master! This is as fair weather as a man could ask for!" More laughing.
"Who's that?" Eustace, acting like my spoiled, Hollister brat, said, "Send him away, his voice goes through my head."
"The air goes through his head too, so not much of a difference." I muttered, going up quite willingly. Then a thought struck my head. He'd just been cured. That stubborn-calling-him-a-mule-gives-mules-a-bad-name was just trying to make my life miserable. After that exciting thought, I looked at the deck, which I'd already fallen in love with. Following my weird habit, I looked up and thought, why purple? That's got to be a lot of dye to make purple sails….
I wandered around, going towards the front of the ship and wondering how I could reenact Titanic. Somehow, I thought I would never be happier. Jade's seen the ocean, but I missed out on our band trip to Florida, so I was completely stunned. And this had to be SO much better than little old Florida. And the sky just seemed to meet up with the water (which it, technically, did, but I'm not very technical.). Never have I seen such a beautiful site.
Narnia. I was in the world that Jack* created. It was as if my dreams had just come true. Nothing could ruin this moment, that is, since my sibling were still in my world. I love 'em to death but, they get on my nerves. A lot.
"But why am I here?" I wondered out loud. Then I remembered something. The book. It had come with me, hadn't it?
"Aslan told them at the end…didn't He?" I was muttering to myself again. Luckily, I couldn't find my imaginary friend anywhere, or else I would have been talking to her.
I have to get something straight right here:
I am NOT insane. I am spontaneously unique, though I must appear insane at…well…at every point of every day. At least when people see me.
The thing about me is that I love to surprise people. So I unleash my spontaneously unique side normally, then have these well put points of the parts of me that are all smarticles and strong and stuff. And, making people give me those looks always makes me want to laugh. Laughing is a great thing to do; keeps you healthy. Then, when they (the people that become my friends) get used to me, they laugh right along with me. Those are the people that stick around long enough to see the me that most don't. (See the word smarticles)
"Where is it?" I asked the air, loud enough for people to hear me and look at me in that look that informed me my sanity was out the window.
"What are you searching for, Lady Clairissa." A grin formed on my face the second I heard that voice. Because I often squeaked myself, I have often been called a mouse. Now I was actually aquatinted with one. And one with a sword, and a feather.
Turning I looked at Reepicheep, "A book that holds an answer to a question."
You see, I can act perfectly sane. I don't do this often, just when I'm completely alone with someone that I trust. And I trusted Reepicheep, Chief of the Talking Mice, with my life.
"Shall I help you."
"I'd be honored." I started walking beside the Mouse, getting my own tour (all the while, searching for my book) of the Dawn Treader, with full knowledge that Jaden was probably getting a tour with the royals.
All of the sailors gave Reepicheep a hello and me a nod. I like pretty much all of them; all of them are so…real. That must be really weird, but it's true. Back where I come from, everyone is hiding something. Even me. But now, I just don't want that.
Must be the Narnian air I was always reading about.
"You told us that you come from the same world, but a different time, than their Majesties." Reepicheep commented with a curious look in his eyes.
"Yeah…" I looked off into the distance, "They wouldn't recognize it, though. Everything is falling apart." I leaned on the side of the ship, still staring at nothing but the water.
"Then, I suppose, you must put it back together." Reepicheep said, siting the wisdom of the ages. That's what we need; Reepicheep. Or a few hundred of Reepicheeps. People that would do something instead of watching bad things happen. There are people that do this, but not enough.
"If only." I said, laughing a little bit, "No one is strong enough to do anything like that."
"That is why you must surround yourself with people that can support you."
"Touché." I said, "I think our problem is that we've lost sight of our savior. That's why Narnia has thrived. You haven't lost sight of Aslan."
"Wow, Risa." I turned. It was Jaden, her mouth agape, "That was so…mature."
"I know, right?" I smiled at her. She knew this part of me, rarely, but she did.
**Days Pass that Jack felt were necessary to put in, but not describe**
"Jerk!" I cried, running across the ship towards Eustace, who was swinging Reepicheep around by his tail, "What do you think you're doing?!" But, as usual, Reep had everything under control and had jabbed his hand. Jade was very close behind me, almost as outraged as I was. That's only because NO ONE could be as enraged as I was. Reepicheep was already growing to be a great friend and seeing him disgraced like that was nearly killing me.
"Stop it." You-know-who whined when a sword was pointed at him, "go away. Put that thing away. It's not safe. Stop it, I say. I'll tell Caspian. I'll have you muzzled and tied up."
"No you won't." I said angrily, glaring at him. Jaden put a gentle hand on my shoulder. I looked at her and she nodded at Reep. Sighing, I shut my mouth.
"Why do you not draw your own sword, poltroon! Draw and fight or I'll make you black and blue with the flat!" Reepicheep said, and I never wanted to glomp him more than in that moment.
"I haven't got one, I'm a pacifist. I don't believe in fighting."
"You didn't mind when you were swinging him around." I muttered, but refrained from screaming it while choking him because this was Reep's fight…even though pummeling Eustace was high on my wish list.
"Do I understand that you do not intend to give me satisfaction?" Reep said, his voice stern and his sword withdrawn.
"I don't know what you mean," Eustace was holding his hand as if it actually hurt. Reepicheep just poked him! "If you don't know how to take a joke, I shan't bother my head about you."
"JOKE!" I squealed/screamed/made ears bleed. Jade winced, smacking me.
"This is where I take my leave. Once she starts making ears bleed, she doesn't stop." Jade wandered off, still wincing.
Eustace glared at me, but Reep paid no mind, as I once did this before, and after explaining that it was part of my character, he let it be. As long as I didn't shatter his ear drums, he was okay with it.
"The take that and that—to teach you manners—and the respect due to a knight—and a Mouse—and a Mouse's tail!" I thought I should mention that this tail was a gift from Aslan, but he wouldn't understand. He was too stupid, too pigheaded, and too…oh…what's the word…it means bothersome, but it's much more…ANNOYING! That's it, he's annoying. (A.N. This is from Ouran High School Host Club)
And then, he ran away. He can run faster than I could imagine, the little bugger. I ran after him, laughing all the while. Sure, it wasn't the most honorable thing to do, but I found his cowardice hilarious. Are we men, or are we Mice? I, personally, would rather be a Mouse. I mean, come on!!! Look at Reep!
(I.A. (Interupting Author) Risa…Get on with the story…)
(A.N. JADE!!! How the heck didya get in on my chapter…oh well…stupid Jade)
Anyway, we ran into the cabin, my laughing my butt off, and Eustace scared silly. Then, he was all surprised when the duel that Reep proposed was taken seriously. Again. I laughed. Hard. Then I stopped, getting weird looks again.
So you-know-who finally apologized and sulked away with Lucy.
"That was...interesting" I said, not finding another suitable word for the situation, "Anyway, bringing up swords and duels 'n stuff, I have question for you, Reepicheep."
"Ask away, Madam."
"Um…well…would you…um…"
"Spit it out, Risa."
"Would you teach me how to fight with a sword?"
Silence. If we weren't in the middle of the ocean, crickets would be chirping. Yikes.
"I thought that would be your reaction." I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
"But…you're…a girl." Edmund looked like he was trying to decide whether to laugh or…well…not laugh and take my request seriously.
"Before someone else makes an entirely sexist comment," I shot Edmund a look and he coughed into his fist, not looking like one that needs to cough at all, "I have to say that where I come from, women have a very esteemed role in society. In fact a woman, though I must say, I don't agree with her on most counts, heads the Defense of the United States. She is Secretary of Defense. If both the President and the Vice President die in a freak accident at the same time, she'll lead our country. Where I come from, women fight for our freedom. I just want to learn how to protect myself." In other words: PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!!! Pretty please with a cherry, whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, caramel, an chocolate sauce on top!!!
Again with the non-chirping. Jade had a look of horror on her face. Oh yes, the sharp, pointy, shiny objects—it has got to be dangerous for someone like me to have one. Heh…
"My Lady, I see your point," Reep finally said, blinking, "But if the moment arises that you are in danger, I, along with the men on this ship, will protect you, Jaden, and her Majesty."
"I wouldn't expect any less," I smiled at all of the nodding men, "but the knowledge would also be very useful on my world, the men there have a lot less honor combined than any one person, or Mouse, on this ship."
After arguing, but not really, I finally got the okay to learn how to fight with a sword. Under these conditions:
Never use the sword against an unarmed opponent
Use it only when there is no other to protect me
Never misuse the knowledge
I, of course, accepted these without question. I was told that my training would begin after we departed from the Lone Islands. Jaden would be learning archery. Waiting would be torture.
***
"Land in sight," shouted the man in the bows. I shivered, looking at the islands. Why did Jack have to make it cold today? The cold and I don't mix well at all. Tucking my hair behind my ears, then moving my hand to the back of my neck. My hair was growing longer in the back, and I would have to get it recut as soon as I got home. You see, my hairstyle is one where the front of my hair is longer than the back, so, unless I got it cut, it would look really, really weird.
Then, in a conversation I'm too lazy to type, we decided to go onto Felimath. YAY! I couldn't wait to get kidnapped, and see sheep! Jaden decided to stay, not one for getting kidnapped. And I suppose she can only take so much of my insane side. Before leaving, I took off my converse, which I'd changed back into as soon as my clothes were dry. Jeans were my best friend.
Have you ever spun around as fast as you could while looking up, then tried to walk in a straight line? That's what it's like after you've gotten off a ship. I had to say, trying to run amused me greatly. Lucy, Edmund, and Caspian laughed at my conduct, Reep chuckled a bit, and Eustace glowered. Oh well.
The sand was about fifty times better than any sand you could ever find in I, Lucy, and Edmund's world, s was the grass. If we had time, which we didn't because we were getting kidnapped soon, I would lay on the grass and watch the billowing clouds of Narnia. And I started to just randomly sing, "Sheep, sheep, sheep, sheep. Pretty, pretty sheep, sheep."
We came across that low hill Jack described, and looked back. The Dawn Treader looked really tiny, and very pretty. That is, until we climbed down and couldn't see her any more.
"Hullo, what's this?" Edmund said, nodding towards a green valley
We saw, whom I knew where, Pug and his slave merchants. They looked like they wanted to enslave anybody and everybody that came into view. You know, like us.
"Don't tell them who we are," Caspian looked at us.
"And pray, your Majesty, why not?" Reepicheep said from Lucy's shoulder. I was jealous, I'll admit, that he wasn't on my shoulder but there was nothing I could do about that right now.
Caspian gave his reason, which I don't really feel like typing right now, and I nodded, as if going down there was a smart thing to do. No, we couldn't just avoid them or anything. Not get kidnapped and such…of course everything that happened afterwards was completely necessary so I'll stop thinking with common sense. Aslan's ways are not mine.
"We have our swords." Well I didn't, but I felt it wasn't the best time to point that out.
"I say we go down there, give them a cup o' Joe, and then steal their jar of dirt. Then we'll have the thump-thump and we'll have power over them." Those looks again. I looked at my feet, "It was just a suggestion," I looked at Caspian, "You were about to say something?"
"Yes…uh…Reep, I know we have our swords, but if it is a question of re-conquering the three islands, I'd prefer to come back with a rather larger army."
"A good morning to you." Pug said, and I looked up to refrain from glaring at him.
"Pretty colors…." I spoke in an awed voice and Lucy giggled a bit.
"A good morning to you." Caspian said, "Is there still a governor of the Lone Islands?"
"To be sure there is. Governor Gumpas. His Sufficiency is at Narrowhaven. But you'll stay and drink with us."
Of course, we had to. We got captured, though I 'accidentally' threw…er…spilled my drink on the thug that tried to get me, but he succeeded. Put ordered the careful handling of Reep and got insults thrown in his face. Then Caspian kind of stated the obvious, you know, about being a kidnapper and a slaver. Pug seemed somewhat offended by this comment.
"Where…will you take us." Lucy sounded so scared, and I forced my guy to move me closer so my elbow was touching her shoulder. It wasn't much of a comfort, but it was something.
"Over to Narrowhaven for market day tomorrow."
Then Eustace began his exploit on the British Consul. It made me laugh a bit, so I'll forgive him.
We were escorted to a boat.
"Now, youngsters, let's have no fuss and then you'll have nothing to cry about."
"But…but…Captain Sparrow, I swear, it wasn't us! We didn't take your rum or your thump-thump! Please don't force us into your crew!"
"What is she blabbering about?" Pug asked the others. As if they would know.
Just then, Lord Bern came out of the houses and started to speak, "Well, Pug, more of your usual wares?"
"Yes, please your Lordship."
"How much do you want for the boy?" Bern pointed towards Caspian.
Pug started going on about Caspian and his affections for him. Bern, being smarter than the average worm, shut him up and asked for a price. The price was extremely high, but Bern brought it down by half.
"Oh, please, please, don't separate us, whatever you do. You don't know—" She stopped , seeing the look in Caspian's eyes.
"A hundred and fifty, then. As for you, little maiden, I am sorry I cannot buy you all. Un-rope my boy, Pug. And look—treat these others well while they are in your hands or it'll be the worse for you."
Pug went on about himself again until Caspian was untied. Lucy started crying and Edmund looked blank. I was mad.
"Cheer up. I'm sure it will come out all right in the end. So long."
Pug started complaining about Lucy crying, in his own way. That made me even more mad. "How dare you?" I spoke in a low, dangerous, tone that the people on my bus had begun to fear. I talked like that when someone I cared about, like my siblings, were being hurt. Unfortunaty, I'd decided that Lucy was now my younger sister as well as Edmund's, "You made Lucy cry!" I started struggling and almost knocked one or two of the thugs in the water.
"Hold on there, Missy." Pug said, "We'll move you closer to the little lass." He wasn't as afraid as he should be, when I was in that mood. But, though I didn't like him very much, I had to say he was smarter than I thought. He knew that, even with weapons, he couldn't subdue us very easily in a boat that small.
We were taken to the slave ship.
"Relax, Lucy. We have Aslan on our side." I said, smiling. She looked a bit better already. Jaden was going to kill me for changing the story even this much, but I didn't care. I started to sing, loudly, The Only Thing Worse Than Beating A Dead Horse Is Betting On One, just because I could.
*Jack is C.S. Lewis, not Jack Sparrow. He wanted to be called Jack, so Jack he is.
Okay, so this chapter was REALLY long. Like, longer than the first three combines so...well...I'm sorry if I made your eyes bleed.
Thank you ALL for reveiwing! It makes us so happy! *sniffs*
Jaden:...wow....
Risa: Shut up Ja--SQUIRREL!!!!
