CHAPTER NINE: The Start of Their Journey

In the shadow of the trees on the far side, something was moving. At first glance, one might have mistaken it for smoke, but of you looked closer they would see that this could not be, unless smoke could take the shape of a large hooded humanoid creature with a curved beak poking out. The creature floated on the grass instead of walking, and the grass seemed to whither beneath it.

The friends watched it silently, unable to move, and fearful for their own lives, even though the thing wasn't moving towards them. They watched it for around a minute, until it disappeared into the trees.

"I've seen that thing," Edmund whispered, "Once before." He turned to his siblings. "You would have seen it too. Back in the Golden Age, when the Tisroc took us to that temple. A picture of it was engraved on the wall."

"Tash," Bridget breathed. She looked frightened out of her wits, which was unusual for her, even before she started to live in Narnia.

"So he's real, after all," Jewel said.

"The Ape is going to get more than he bargained for," said the Dwarf. "He didn't believe in Tash, and he called for him. So Tash has come."

"Which way did he go?" Lucy asked.

"North," Tirian said, "To the heart of Narnia."

"It has come to dwell among us," Digory said.

They watched the spot where they last saw it for a while in quiet.

"Well," Polly interrupted, "What now?"

"I say we should go back to Stable Hill," Peter said, "And show them Puzzle. Maybe they'll see how they've been tricked, and join us."

"Yes," Edmund retorted, "Like the dwarves joined us."

"Edmund has a point," Polly agreed, "I think the dwarves served as a warning. If we try to convince the other beasts, Aslan knows what they'll think." Digory nodded.

"Besides," Poggin pointed out, "The Ape looks like he'll be in a heap of trouble soon. Let's leave him to deal with them himself."

"I think we should go to Cair Paravel," Jewel said, "Roonwit might have gathered that army by now. We can go back to Stable Hill with force."

"But if we rally the Narnians already there," Tirian argued, "Then we can get it over quicker, and there won't be as much travel."

"I agree with Tirian," Lucy said, "I don't want to see those poor beasts being bullied by that Ape any longer."

"But we must be careful," Bridget said, "Dying in battle might be an honourable way to go, but what good will that do if we lose?"

"Don't talk about dying Bridget," Jill said, "But what she says is true. We should be cautious."

"I trust Jill's judgement," Eustace said, "With this sort of thing, she's usually right."

"So we go to Cair Paravel then," Selene said. It was the first time most of them had heard her speak. "Majority Rules." Everyone murmured their agreement, and it was decided they would start travelling the next morning.

Poggin stayed up this time, keeping guard while everyone else spent a well deserved rest.

The next morning brought the most glorious day a traveller could have asked for. It was just the right temperature; neither to cold nor too hot. The dew-drops were shining on the grass, and the birds were singing as if there was nothing to worry about. This was the Narnia that everyone knew and loved.

Everyone felt refreshed, even Poggin, who didn't sleep at all. The women bathed first at a nearby stream while the men packed everything they needed, and later it was their turn to wash themselves off. When everyone was done, they equipped themselves with all the battle equipment they may need, and set off. It was a two nights' journey, but that wouldn't be bothering anyone if it was always a nice day like this.

They stopped in the afternoon for a meal. Bridget said she ran out of that sweet bread and cider, so Tirian and Lucy went around to see what they could find.

"You're quite adventurous," Tirian exclaimed after they had been hunting for a while, "For a girl."

"For a girl?" Lucy asked, "Are you saying that girls can't be adventurous?"

"No!" Tirian held his palms up to show he meant no harm. "It's just that …"

"Yes?"

"You were the braver one weren't you? The one who was more involved in battles and wars."

"They don't call me Queen Lucy the Valiant for nothing."

"You didn't seem like that type of person when I first saw you,"

"Oh? Then what did I seem like?"

"You seemed like, well, a girl."

Lucy stopped what she was doing and looked at him quizzically. "A girl?"

"Well, yes."

"Wasn't I always a girl?"

"Of course. But you don't care about your looks and appearance like other girls do. Like your sister."

"Oh." Lucy looked down-hearted.

"What's wrong?" Tirian asked.

"How did they describe my sister in the legends?"

Tirian tried to remember. "Tall, graceful, and she had beauty to die for."

"And me?"

"You? You were, er, a loveable person."

Lucy sighed. "I've always been jealous of her. All my life. I know she doesn't believe in Narnia any more, but what's the good in believing if none of the boys even talk to you?"

Tirian was surprised. "Why wouldn't they?"

"Because I'm not beautiful." Lucy tried to say this as matter-of-factly as possible, but Tirian could tell this affected her.

"That isn't true," he assured her, "I'm sure someone will be there -"

"No," Lucy said, "All my sister's friends can't even tell we're related. And you should see the looks on some of the men's faces when they see that Susan's younger sister isn't quite what they expected."

"But that doesn't necessarily mean you're not beautiful."

"Doesn't it? Name one person who fancies me."

"Fancies you?"

"You know," Lucy started to look embarrassed, "Finds me attractive."

"I find you attractive."

Lucy looked at Tirian, flabbergasted. She didn't know what to say. What could she say, when a handsome young King had just, effectively, told her that he loved her. So instead, she cradled his face in her hands and brought her lips to his. She stayed like that for a few long seconds, and then pushed herself away. When he smiled back at her, she looked away, and went back to looking for game for their lunch.

Bridget and Jill were setting up a fire at their encampment.

"Bridget," Jill said, "There's something I've been wanting to ask you."

"What is it?" Bridget asked.

"Well," Jill hesitated, "When I first saw you … promise me you won't get mad at me."

"Jill," Bridget said, looking up from her fire, "How can I ever get mad at you?"

Jill saw that Bridget had a point and decided to continue. "I noticed something between you and Edmund."

Bridget looked at Jill, alarmed. "You noticed something?"

"Yes," Jill said, "What was that all about?"

Bridget sighed. Jill felt a story coming. Instead, Bridget held her palm out to her.

"Take my hand," she said.

"Why?"

"Just do it."

Jill didn't argue with her and did as she was told. As soon as she touched her, her whole world disappeared.