Chase the Morning
Chapter 7: Birds, snakes, and demons. Oh my!
I placed my glowing hand over the victim's body to determine their time of death. The results say about yesterday around dusk. A sigh escaped upon the poor boy, which died the same fate as his family in the village. All pale as death with their veins visible, followed by swelling in the mouth, eyes, and throat. An epidemic has proceeded over the kingdom. However it was infecting humans. It first started out in the village and we assumed it was something in their resources. But now, noble classes were also infected with this unknown disease. The only assumption of the similarities of the two classes was one source they both share. Water.
Or at least that was how Dr. Cornelius presumed. Now everybody had been drinking wine or other liquid sources to quench the thirst, including collecting rain water as backup. Caspian wasn't doing so well on the number of casualties. Neither of us are, especially Peter who's been doing autopsy on valid victims. The idea baffled the royal court on gutting a dead man, but with thoroughly explanation it is the only choice. That was how we gotten the idea of water contamination. Only in the isolated room did Peter and I get along, with the observation of Dr. Cornelius of course. We had the same common goal and that was too finding a cure to the water epidemic.
We even request naiads to scavenge the rivers and streams to investigate if this was mineral poisoning. I remember from watching a movie that iron and mercury could cause contamination. Peter would agree since he found those in the deceases stomach. While Peter was going through some samples; I was on research on cures or herbs to solve this predicament. Lucy offered her cordial to save those who were ill, but we couldn't risk it. Fire lilies are rare and found in the south west upon unknown charters. So, I try to reduce the virus as possible with spells that can sustain it. Except spells of healing were stronger compared to those of attack and defense? For energy is given to keep life going, it was a consuming process.
"Found anything?" Peter asked.
"Not yet," I sighed in defeat, banging my head on the table. I look up to see Peter wearing the ridicules medical costume. How the mask full with herbs made him look like a bird.
"Why don't we take a break?" Peter suggested.
"That sounds like an excellent idea," Professor Cornelius agreed. "You two finish up and I'll bring in some lunch."
On cue our stomach growled in starvation. I blushed and nodded while Peter chuckled as he put the scalpel down. We clean up the room and I cast a cleansing spell, part of protocol. We sat by the window watching the storm continued onward. This was a strange tempest in Narnian history, to last almost a month with no end. Sure there were a few breaks of storms but the clouds suffocated the sun and open air. This wasn't a good sign for the crops and fields upon food resources. Practically had to cast a spell over the farms to keep them from drowning while a substitute on photosynthesis. I've been wasting so much magic in this predicament that I hardly had time to rest, eat, or have a conversation with my family and friends. Edmund tried to sneak in to help with the problem, however, the human anatomy made him queasy as did everybody minus Peter. The first time I saw Peter dissect a human, I practically fainted. But once examining the heart and lungs when the chest cavity was removed, I thought it look cool. Okay, I wasn't top A student in biology, but I once dissected a frog and learn the basic of the human body.
"Is it ever going to stop?" I asked in defeat upon the rain.
"I don't know," Peter answered with a sigh. "Can you … you know?"
I sighed and nodded. Peter tried not to be harsh or sarcastically rude about my magic genetics as I tried not to perform magic constantly in his presences. I closed my eyes to project my spirit into the rain and examine the possibilities to this storm. It started out as your typical storm, but then I felt something. Magic. I felt magic in the combustion on the clouds that hold no atmosphere relation to the water cycle. Nothing that is related to sciences until lighting strike and I saw a large figure; following the lightning trail to the far north when something flew by rapidly. I turned around to see what it was when collided to acute feathers and smack with talons. I gasped in shock grabbing my chest coming back to my vessel. Peter helped me calm down from shock, telling me to get into fetal position head between my knees and breathe. Well, this is one way for treatment of shock, but first aid back in America was different. Though, don't want to be on Peter's bad side now, do I?
Once calmed down enough to focused, I sat back normal. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, but what happen?" Peter asked taking a seat.
"I don't quite actually know. I projected my power to the storm and discovered it not actually a storm. It held magic. Before I could track the source my spirit was smacked in the face by some sort of bird!" I explained.
Peter nodded, scowling in thought like he always does. The storm wasn't normal like it was before either. There was something amidst causing trouble over Narnia. Something causing the epidemic in the watering system while controlling the weather. There weren't many mythical beings in Narnia that could do such damage to target just humans.
Suddenly Professor Cornelius barged in panting out of breath. Peter and I stood up quickly to see what the matter for the old dwarf to run is. "There has been an accident. Caspian request for a meeting, so get dress!"
.o0o.
"It came from the North," a faun of mere fifteen said in fear. He was scared out of his wits while his younger brother held onto his thigh as other Narnia's who lived in the northern area stood behind. Caspian and I sat on our thrones in the throne room. The council sat in their chair while Liliandil stood next to me and the Pevensies received VIP seats next to Caspian. I could sense the fear written on the children face as the young faun whose name was Fergus told us what happen.
"What did?" Caspian asked caring for how scared the children were.
"A giant bird! Where clouds are formed for each wing beat, as the sound of thunder clasped for each flap it makes, while sheets of lightning burst from its eyes when it blinks. Please your majesty, I'm not making this up! This monster of thunder has tormented our homes and killed our parents. We are nothing but orphans now!" Fergus said as tears stained his face while the other children cried over their parent's death.
Caspian looked at me to confirm if the accusation was true. I examine Fergus position and detect no false evidences, he was telling the truth. By the looks of number of children of ten, twenty parents or so are gone. From the information the faun has given, I had a feeling I know this foul beast. But where? Then it hit me like a doornail. I learned it in school about the North American indigenous culture and their legends, the thunder bird. By the time line of these setting down to the tremendous storm we been having for the past month, it could possibly be the culprit of these irrational events. I nodded to Caspian to confirm.
"Fergus, I give my condolences from the bottom of my heart and apologized to you all of your loved ones deaths. You are safe now and welcome here at Cair Paravel till things are sorted out. Windmane, could you so kindly escort the children to the kitchen and have them fed." Caspian asked.
Glenstorm wife, a beautiful centaur nodded, ushering the children out so they could have a hot meal in the tummies after a tremendous journey.
"Thank you, Sire." Fergus said as he led his brother out.
With that said, the lords and most of the council were excused leaving us and the Pevensies alone in the throne room.
"That is the third sighting of this thing the past month!" Peter announced.
"Yes, but what is it?" Lucy asked.
"I have a possible theory," I said aloud. All eyes were on me as I explained. "There was a legend in North America, about a creature that its species and spirit created by Great Spirit to send messages through the sky. This is unknown for there are countless tales of this beast. What I know about this creature that it is a creature of storm it is intelligent, powerful, and wrathful; in the form of a bald eagle."
"Yes, I heard about the legend of the thunderbird." Edmund said. "Remember when we went to that Native American museum in Washington D.C.?" His siblings nodded. "If I recall, the curator said they lived in the mountain region. So it makes sense that the thunderbird came from the North."
"Wouldn't that make it High King Peter's territory?" Liliandil asked. "Also, why haven't the giants solved the problems?"
"Possibly this being doesn't cross Ettinsmoor?" Caspian suggested. "But the longer we stay here the more lives are at stake. We must do something against this creature?"
"But how can we defeat something that is . . . gigantic?" Lucy asked.
The room was silent when Liliandil raised her hand. "I think I may know if something. When on my father's island, I learned many spells that could interact with thunder."
Across many North America indigenous cultures, the THUNDERBIRD carries many of the same characteristics. It is described as a large bird, capable of creating storms and thundering while it flies. Clouds are pulled together by its wing beats, the sound of thunder made by its wings clapping, sheet lightning the light flashing from its eyes when it blinks, and individual lightning bolts made by the glowing snakes that it carries around with it. In masks, it is depicted as many-colored, with two curling horns, and often teeth within its beak. The Native Americans believed that the giant Thunderbird could shoot lightning from its eyes. Origins of the belief may lie in the tendency of large birds to take advantage of the warm updrafts which precede large storms, giving the impression that violent weather followed in their wake. Well that would account for the thunder storms. And me getting smack in the face by the thing earlier.
"Very well," Caspian said.
"Wait, you're just going to send a woman on this business?" Peter bellowed.
Caspian sighed and shook his head, "Peter, Liliandil has her reason and I treat her as my equal. If she knows something that could stop this being then so is it. She by far the most powerful person here at the moment. It is her decision."
"I truly appreciate your compliment, Caspian." Liliandil said with a smile.
Peter stepped back, before he cleared his voice. "Then I volunteered to accompany Liliandil on this quest."
"As you wish," Liliandil said with a blush.
I couldn't help but noticed something was going on between the two. Ever since the Pevensie returned to Narnia, I noticed how they interact with one another… including Peter asking me questions about Liliandil since the start of our research the past week. I could tell the High King is infatuated by her glamour but also fancy her on her elegant personality. So maybe this quest might start a courtship afterwards.
"When do you start your mission?" Lucy asked in concern.
"A day after tomorrow shall we say, Peter?" Liliandil suggested.
"Agreed," Peter said.
"So be it," Caspian said as he stood from his throne "Let's prepare for this shall we?"
Caspian offered a hand to Lucy who gladly accepted this. They say they were going to check on our new guest, see if there was any objective they could do. Peter did the same for Liliandil, offering his arm so they can prepare for their journey ahead. I sat on my chair with a Cheshire grin while Edmund seemed to hold the same gestured.
"Is it me," I started, "Or do I sense romance in the air?"
Edmund chuckled crossing his arm and leaned against the pillar. "Probably, Peter been fancying Liliandil for two weeks now and Lucy had a crush on Caspian since the Voyage on the Dawn Treader."
"I knew it," I murmured in victory. I was right; Lucy and Caspian liked each other more than friends. I wonder when the announcement will arrive on courtship as well as the beating of the older brothers. Please let this be courtship.
Edmund shook his head. "So got anything to do?"
I groan, "I have to keep on researching on a cure…."
"I can help," Edmund offered. "You're not going to dissect somebody are you?"
"No, that's Peters job," I assured. "I do the boring part of reading countless books. Though if I read another medical book… I think my brain might explode."
"Let me help you on that shall we," he asked, offering an arm.
I smiled and kindly accepted his arm as we headed towards my studies to see if we could find any information on this epidemic. Edmund pulled out a herbology book on medical plants while I went to my desk and go over the notes. Three hours later we came up with nothing.
"I don't get it," I exclaimed. "Every book shows no cure or record of this epidemic!"
"Relax Wisteria," Edmund said petting my shoulder. "There's always an answer for everything."
"Yeah, but I got nothing." I protest slinging my shoulder and put my feet on the desk. "The only option is fire lilies, but they're rare and only Father Christmas knows the location."
Edmund didn't say anything just sighed and gazed out the window. The room was engulfed in silences as we were lost in thought. My mind went off the list of events this past month:
The train collision dreams,
The storm,
The Pevensie return,
The water going stale,
The plague killing Peepicheep men,
The thunderbird,
And now the epidemic!
What the hell is going on here? If this was some sort of a sick test on somebody to grow up, I'll start hexing people. This was serious matter and with no answer to anything. I was about to give up when Edmund snapped his fingers.
"What if it's magic?" Edmund announced.
"Pardon," I replied.
"Magic, think about it," Edmund started and sat on the desk leaning close to me. "Remember the mist and how it can manipulate dreams and humans?" I nodded. "What if it's the same thing? Somebody is controlling all this natural disaster. Think about, Mushrooms aren't plague related and this storm is no actual storm. And you yourself stated that they weren't any thunderbird in Narnia. So, somebody is summoning and casting trouble?"
"Ed, if this was magic than I would had sense it since day one." I stated rubbing my temple.
"But what if, the cause of these problems wasn't direct magic." Edmund continued, "Remember the dragon treasure, the fountain of gold, and the invisible spell. You didn't sense that unless you shivered. And you have been shivering time to time."
I thought about it, I've been shivering time to time when sensing strong magic. But with all this rain and cold atmosphere, I could have mistaken it to a breeze. "Okay, so by hypotheses that it is magic, how come Liliandil and I can't directly detect it? I know when magic is being used no matter the composite."
"That's where the thunderbirds come in," Edmund said. "What if it's not a wizard or witch that's causing trouble, but magical creatures. Creatures that aren't part of Narnia! Somebody must have summoned them to cause havoc."
"Are you accusing that a summoner is doing this?" I asked bewilder of this assumption and how thoroughly he was to this belief.
"Yes," Edmund answered with a serious face.
I sighed and summon my 'book of spells,' "Alright, so let believe in this theory. If a thunderbird is causing these storms then what's contaminating the water. Naiads are good creatures as are the river gods and mermaids."
"I don't know," Edmund said in defeat.
I sighed and command the book of spells to find us the suspect to all the earth and water related beings. The pages flew about till stop center page: Afanc. An Afanc description and location varies along with its history. As the sketch from the previous owner of the books states that an Afanc variation: it is described variously as resembling a crocodile, beaver or dwarf-like creature, and is sometimes said to be a demon. All in all, an Afanc certainly poisoned the water.
"Well shit, Sherlock." I muttered.
Edmund smiled at me before he laughed. I stared at him in question as if he gone mad. Once he finished his laughing fit he looked at me again. "It's good to hear your old self again."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"You and your cursing moment." Edmund stated. "It fun to hear you curse, though I think you scarred Eustace for life?"
I blushed at his words. It was true; I have been restraining myself from cursing these past two years. I am the Grand Duchess of Narnia and people frown upon foul language. So I only cursed when on voyages with Drinian and the crew. But having Edmund here, I feel like my old seventeen year old self again. How I would be a tomboy while doing crazy things. Shaking my head before remembering the graceful moment to read more about.
"Fire," I read aloud. "Fire and air are their weakness, opposite to water and earth."
"Guess so, but what about a cure its poison?" Edmund asked.
Suddenly the pages went flying again until reaching the important herbology section then stop. On the lone page was a golden flower, called the golden incantation. Legend says that its seed came from the sun and rested upon the earth in full bloom. It was said that this flower had the power to heal the sick and injured. However, the whereabouts of the incantation flower was in a cave between Western March and Great Waterfall.
"Seems the flower is on your turf, Ed," I said.
"Yeah," Edmund agreed. "It's a five day journey to the lamppost if it's still there?"
"It is," I replied. "The landmarks of Narnia never fade on the map."
I continued reading until a scowl crossed my face. "We got a problem."
"What?" Edmund asked.
"Other than the incantation that could release the flowers power of healing…It has a guardian." I explained flipping through the pages before lifting the book to show him what the guardian looked like. "Ever heard of a basilisk?"
"You're joking," Edmund groan, for he heard of it. Basilisk isn't your typical serpents that slithered about. It is a legendary reptile reputed to be king of serpents and said to have the power to cause death with a single glance. As well as its venom that is so venomous it leaves a wide trail of deadly venom in its wake, and its gaze is likewise lethal. Though, this won't be twelve fingers in length but a serpent of Dark Island.
"Anyway to defeat a Basilisk?" Edmund asked.
I shook my head, "Just brute force. Although, it mentions that a mongoose irritates them."
"Where are we supposed to get a mongoose at such noticed?" Edmund exclaimed. I couldn't help but chuckled at his childish behavior.
"Ed, we'll figure something out." I assured him placing a hand on his arm. "You got me and my magic. I'm sure we'll come up with a plan. But we need to establish about the Afanc."
"Don't need too…" said a voice.
We looked at the door to find Caspian and Lucy standing by the entrance.
I groan sitting back in my chair, I truly need to lock the door more often.
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Sorry for the long wait for this chapter; I've been very busy and had a writer block. Afanc inspired by Merlin. Basilisk from Harry Potter. And the golden flower from tangle. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and please leave a review!
Silent wolf singer
