Anabeth followed the Great Lion out of the apartment. She looked at her parents as they followed behind them, keen on seeing this task through to the end. She sighed, realizing that maybe her parents did care about her, care enough to help her mentor through this dark period. She looked at Aslan, determination in her eyes.

"So, what's the plan?" Anabeth asked Aslan, curious.

"We need to find Terrence before he reaches Brona," Aslan said, cautious.

"And then?" Tobias asked.

"Then we prepare for the real fight," Aslan said.

"If only that plan could come sooner, then we wouldn't have to fight," Tobias said.

"Sadly, these things must come to pass," Aslan said. "Come. We don't have much time."

~o~

Terrence's brown robes whipped behind him as he ran through the castle. He had to reach the druids in the Great Hall, inform them that a battle was drawing closer. That battle may very well be Brona's end. Terrence knew it! And yet, he couldn't stand this. The druids had to know what was going on!

"Brona – need helps!" Terrence cried, as soon as he entered the Great Hall. He stared, stunned, at the druids, who were slowly coming out of their sleep. "No! This is Aslan's doing! Aslan!" He ran out of the Great Hall, hoping to find the Lion and find out what he knew.

Terrence knew that Aslan was allied with the Word. Surely, a Great Lion like him could help them through this troublesome time? Terrence hoped it, but he also hoped that the Lion hadn't found Brona and stopped him before the young druid had his chance. Terrence just wanted to fight, to do something to protect the other druids of Paranor.

He hoped he wasn't too late to stop this.

But what about Anabeth? She would be so worried. Oh, what was he thinking when he broke up with her? Had he done something wrong? He knew he was speaking out of haste when he said they weren't meant to be together, convinced minutes ago this was right.

He had been a fool about a lot of things. This was one such occasion where he could be wrong again! Everything would be all right. Anabeth would see her family again. He'd help her out. That was his purpose. He would ensure that no one fell under dark magic again!

He hoped that this mistake didn't end a bloodline. That was the last thing he wanted to do—

He heard voices. Aslan drew closer. Should he tell him about the druid's sleep? Was that its name? Was that the gift Aslan gave to them? No. He mustn't think that! There was stop this: to find Brona and prevent him from whatever plan he was concocting. Yes, that sounded good!

"Anabeth, forgive me," Terrence said, darting up the stairs to the second floor.

.

He journeyed past the meeting room and stared at a door connecting the dining hall to the offices and study. He sighed. There was no turning back. He must make a decision now!

He weighed the options in his head: What if he went into the study and found Brona reading the Ildatch, the book containing black magic? Terrence knew the dangers of reading that book. No. Brona wouldn't dare touch that book!

Then there was Anabeth and her parents. Was he doing this for them? Was he doing this as well for Aslan and the druids, who looked out for them after all these years? How was he supposed to know which path was right? There was only one way to go and that was through the door.

Terrence sighed again, knowing he had no choice: he had to seek the out druid and convince him he was going down the wrong path. His hand touched the latch, turned it, opened the door. He ran down the hallway in due haste, determined to find the older druid and stop him before he touched that book! He turned a corner and found the study door. To his surprise, it was already opened.

Someone was inside. Terrence looked around the hallway, making sure no one was near and opened the door a little wider. To his surprise, he discovered the one person he thought was kept safe, the one who he thought was good.

Brona had just betrayed them.