Chapter 10: Sword Practice
Tessa opened her eyes slowly and saw that it was still dark outside. She wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and made her way out into the cool morning.
She laid down on the grass and looked up into the starry sky.
It was so foreign. She hadn't seen the stars too often in London, but her Dad had taken her to the countryside once and pointed out all the constellations he knew. She couldn't spot a familiar one anywhere.
Her heart was filled with sadness as she recalled her father. She wondered whether he could see her now, if he was proud of her. She wondered how her mother was doing too, especially without Tessa. How Long she had been gone for? … Would she ever make it back?
"Good morning, Dear one." Aslan's voice rumbled suddenly from beside her, but it didn't scare her at all, rather a warm sense of peace flooded throughout her.
Tessa sat up and turned to him.
"Your majesty," She smiled and leaned into his shoulder, wrapping her fingers in and out of his soft mane.
"What Troubles you, Child?"
Tessa glanced up at him.
"There's going to be a war. There's a war at home. It's just-" She sighed. "I'm not very brave."
"Have Courage, Dear heart." Aslan nodded. "Everything will work itself out in the end."
"Thank you," she whispered as the sun rose over the horizon, he hadn't said much, but simply just sitting with the great lion was enough for Tessa. She was content, relaxed. She wished she could spend every waking moment by Aslan's side.
"Good morning, Peter," Aslan's voice cut through her thoughts and Tessa turned to look at Peter.
"It's early," she frowned and he laughed.
"Well, I could say the same to you," he sat himself down next to her as Aslan excused himself, and a comfortable silence settled over them.
"What's wrong Pete?" Tessa turned to him, noticing his worry and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"There's a war Tess." For some reason, unknown to her, she loved it when he called her that. No one else did, and it made her heart soar.
"Funny, that's the exact same thing I just said to Aslan," She nodded.
"It's not safe," Peter shook his head and looked as if he would continue, but he cut himself off just as Edmund, Susan, and Lucy approached.
"Breakfast is ready," Susan smiled and looked between them, winking at Peter before continuing on their way.
When they finally caught up and began to eatbreakfast,Tess
"Narnia isn't going to run out of toast, Ed!" Lucy snickered as Edmund stole more toast off her platr and he laughed easily.
"We'll pack some up for the journey back," Peter leaned against a rock, sippIng from his Goblet.
"We're leaving?" Lucy asked.
"You are," Peter came to the table, sitting down next her. "I promised mum I'd keep you safe, but that doesn't mean I can't stay behind and help!"
Tessa grinned as she found the lone loophole. "Peter, You're Mum didn't say you had to keep me safe."
"Too bad." Peter shrugged.
"But they need us… All five of us." Lucy nodded.
"Lucy, it's too dangerous," Peter countered. "You almost drowned, Tessa was nearly mauled by wolves, and Ed was almost killed!"
"Which is why we have to stay," Edmund's voice was grave. Tessa grabbed his hand from under the table, sensing where he was going with this. "I've seen what the White Witch can do, and I've helped her do it. We can't leave these people behind to suffer for it." His voice was determined.
Peter opened his mouth to say something, but closed it, knowing he couldn't win.
"Well I suppose that's it then," said Susan as she got up. They all turned to her thinking the same question, but Peter was the first to ask.
"Where are you going?"
Susan picked up her bow and arrows and turned back to them, "To get in some practice. Lucy, Tessa, would you like to come along as well?"
Tessa and Lucy shared a glance before jumping up with a grin.
"Wait!" Peter grabbed Tessa's arm and looked at Edmund, "Maybe she should practice with us, since she has swords?"
"Oh let's watch!" Lucy cried in glee and they all made their way to the top of the hill.
Tessa smiled at Peter as she unsheathed her swords.
"Ready to lose?" Peter grinned crookedly and she laughed. .
"Giving yourself a pep-talk?"
"On three!" Susan exclaimed. "One…"
"You can do it Tessa!" Lucy shouted.
"Two…."
"Come on, Pete! Don't let a girl best you!" Edmund added.
"Three!"
Peter shoulders his shield and ran towards her. Tessa easily sidestepped his sword, whirling around to block his next blow.
"Beat her Peter!" Edmund shouted and Tessa rolled her eyes and Peter deflected her swing.
He swiftly swung his sword and Tessa somersaulted to the left, kicking out her foot and knocking Peter to the ground.
"Good one Tessa!" Lucy shrieked and Tessa grinned at Peter.
He rolled to his feet and she ducked his swing and parried his offense.
"Peter!" Edmund cried in frustration and Tessa, using his momentary distraction, disarmed Peter of his sword.
Standing back in pride, she turned back to face the others when she was suddenly knocked to the ground. Peter stood above her gloatingly, and offered her his hand. Sighing heavily, she glared at him as he pulled her to her feet.
"We tied," Tessa placed her swords on her back shrugged.
"Sure, a tie," he grunted and brushed himself off.
"Well done your majesties," A deep voice sounded from the edge and she turned to see Oreius.
"I told you Father Christmas' Gifts would not find you talentless," he smiled. "Keep your hands near the hilt, they were inching upwards, which gives you less control." Tessa nodded and grinned at Lucy and Susan.
"At least we know we could each beat Edmund," Peter winked and Tessa threw an arm over his shoulder and laughed, walking back over to the others and ignoring Edmund's cry of indignation.
"Wanna watch us practice?" Lucy looked up at her hopefully and Tessa excused herself from the boys.
Susan pulled the string of her bow and released it. The arrow sunk into the circle above the bull's eye.
"Good shot," Tessa encouraged but Susan sighed.
"Yeah, but not good enough."
All of the sudden a small dagger landed in the center of the bull's eye. Susan and Tessa turned, completely shocked to see it was Lucy who threw the dagger.
"It's all in the wrist," She shrugged and the three of them burst into laughter.
Tessa turned at the shouts behind them. They looked to see Peter and Edmund practicing sword fighting on horse, and well, a unicorn. Leave it to Peter to get a unicorn.
"Come on Ed, sword hand up like Oreius showed us," said Peter.
"En Garde!" Edmund laughed and They were swinging and clashing their swords.
"Peter, Edmund," Mr. Beaver ran up to them frantically and Edmund's spooked, rearing up.
"Woah Horsey!" Edmund cried as he tried to calm it down, but the horse quickly stopped and turned his head.
"My name is Philip." Edmund looked taken aback and stuttered a sorry.
"The Witch has demanded a meeting with Aslan!" The beaver couldn't hold it in any longer, "She's on her way here."