Chapter 10. Rilian's POV but then Arnash's. I own nothing!

The day has gone by with nowhere near as much trouble as there was yesterday. I believe Arikaan's pride as been damaged too much to make any more advances toward Adelaide, but I still don't trust him. Night is falling and I am still at work in the field. Adelaide has already finished her work and is back in the cell. Arnash is overseeing me today and we've spoken pleasantly about things he cannot discuss with his family, such as his new-found faith.

"May I ask you a question?" He says.

"Yes, you may ask me whatever you like."

"What is your name? Who were you before you were enslaved?"

"That's two."

"Oh, sorry," the lad smirks. "Just answer the second one then."

There is something about this boy that makes me trust him. Adelaide seems to trust him as well. I feel safe enough to reveal my identity to him.

"Do not laugh when I tell you."

"Oh, I won't. I'd just like to know."

"You mustn't say a word to anyone. Do I have your word?"

"Yes." I see honesty in his face.

"I am Prince Rilian of Narnia."

His eyes widen. "The one the King was searching for all those years?"

"The same."

"You're the friend the girl was talking about aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Where were you all those years? If you don't mind my asking."

"That's a rather long story. Do you feel like listening?"

"Absolutely."

"Ten years ago my mother was killed by a serpent. She and I were out riding with a few close friends. Father was home trying to get all his work done and out of the way so he could spend time with mother that evening, for it was her birthday. Mother grew tired, I believe she and Father were up late the night before, I'd heard them talking and laughing up until I fell asleep.

"The lords and ladies and I all left her and in order to let her rest. I... I heard her scream pierce tranquility of the day." I try desperately to hold back tears. I can handle physical pain quite well, which is in part why I'm still able to work in the fields after the beating I received yesterday - that and Aslan's Grace. However, the pain these memories bring on is another matter entirely, though I suppose both kinds are endurable by the strength of Aslan.

"We all rushed to her side and I knew she was dying," I continue. "I loved her so... so dearly. I had always been her strong and brave prince, yet there was nothing I could do to save her, for I saw the bite on her hand.

"I looked up and saw the loathsome culprit. 'Twas a snake as green as poison. I rushed after it and tried to kill it but it escaped. I went back to Mother's side and she was trying to say something I couldn't make out. Looking back, I think she was trying to warn me not to go after the snake. Mother died then and there before Father could even see her one last time.

"Father became so grief-stricken I thought he might kill himself, though he assured me he wouldn't. He did not want the sympathy of the kingdom, for as he was the king it was his duty to handle the troubles of his people and not the other way around. This led to his own silent agony which he tried not to let anyone see. But I saw it. He was no longer the brave, strong king and father I had known all my life. As far as I was concerned the serpent had taken not only my mother from me but my father as well, for I knew he would never be the same. I became obsessed with revenge. I think that hatred was what made me more susceptible to the Witch."

"What Witch?

"I'll get to that. I rode out every day searching for the beast that killed my mother. The thought that it still lived tormented me day and night. I lost much sleep over it. Eventually, I found the beast, or rather, the beast found me. It wasn't the serpent I had been seeking, for the serpent was really an evil enchantress. I did not recognize her as the snake she was. She appeared to me as a beautiful and seductive refuge from the pain. Rather than asking Aslan to mend my broken heart, I turned to her and I fell under her power.

"I was her slave for ten years. There was only one hour every night when I remembered who I truly was. For that hour she would have me bound to an enchanted chair that was designed to keep me under the spell and make me forget everything again.

"It was during those years Adelaide's father, my dear friend, went searching for me."

"Who is Adelaide?"

"My traveling companion," I motion toward the house and continue my story.

"In his search his life was stolen from him and Adelaide came to live with my father, King Caspian X.

"Aslan saw fit to rescue me, by His Great Mercy. That is what I meant when I told you He would accept anyone, for He accepted me. I am forgiven of every sin I committed while in the custody of the Witch.

"He sent rescuers from beyond this world, if that makes any sense, along with a Narnian Marshwiggle. The Witch tried to use her enchantment on all of us. It took everyone to overcome her by the power of Aslan. I was certainly immersed too deep in her spell to free myself. In the end, we defeated her and I returned to my home."

"How did you get here?" he asks with great interest.

"That I can't tell you. I remember drinking tea and talking to Adelaide, then I remember going to Aslan's Country where Aslan Himself, Mother and Father were waiting for me. They warned me of trials to come and encouraged my heart, then I was sent back here. When I awoke, I was being sold. Someone must've sedated me and sold me, perhaps they accidentally killed me. But I am alive now. Alive and very confused. But I'm certain Aslan has a reason for all things."

"That's amazing! Do you think maybe I could help you, somehow?"

"If you wish to help and find a way to do so, I welcome it."

"We could take two horses! You and Adelaide on one and I on another. We'll get back to Narnia. I can't stay here with my family, not now that I can see the truth about Aslan."

"I see your point. We haven't enough money for a journey though."

"We can borrow some from Father. You're the Prince; you can repay him later! I'll go ready my horses and we'll be off tonight!"

Before I can object he is running toward the stables. I hear a scream pierce the night. Arnash's scream. I run toward the sound with my sickle in hand. I see a minotaur with Arnash in his grip. He is armed with a knife, while Arnash is utterly defenseless. I rush upon the minotaur and stab him repeatedly. I haven't time to question his presence here in Calormen. He drops the boy and turns on me. We fight for a while, but I fend him off a little too easily for my comfort. Surely it was planned.

He retreats, leaving his knife and one unconscious Arnash behind. I am bleeding but not too much. My concern is for the boy. I must tell his father what has happened. I am aware of what this looks like and that I will probably be killed for it in the end. I need get Adelaide to safety somehow. I take Arnash's keys, drop the knife and run for the house.

I go to the dungeon and unlock the door. "Adelaide! You must run to the stables and take a horse! Get far away from here as quickly as possible. I can't tell you where to go or by what means you will survive but it will be better for you there than here. Aslan will provide. You must trust Him!"

"What's going on? Where will you be in all this?"

"Dead most likely. I haven't time to explain. Go, love!"

"But I can't-"

"Now!" She heeds my warning and hurries away. How I hate to see her go for what is likely the last time. I hate that her last memory of me will be my frantic yelling at her.

I rush to the bedchambers of my master. "Master! Wake up! Arnash has was attacked! Wake up!" I shout, only briefly thinking of how I should've wiped the minotaurs blood from my hands before waking him.

He bolts out of bed and I feel sorry for him. He was widowed like my own father and now he may lose a son.

"What did you do to my son, you snake?" he shouts. He grabs me by the arm and I show him where Arnash lay on the ground."

"Father!" comes Arikaan's voice. "Father! The girl's escaped!"

Upon hearing this, the master punches my face and strikes me repeatedly before taking the boy to a doctor. He orders his six remaining sons to stay home and torture me until there's nothing left to torture. I am beaten by fists and flogged for several hours. I fight back as much as possible so as to keep them all distracted while Adelaide flees toward her freedom. It's too much to bear. My body hits the ground and I can't force myself upright again.

I awake in the bed of an infirmary. Father is at my side.

"My son, are you feeling well? I assure you, the Narnian is being repaid for the evil he has done to you!"

That statement rids me of all weariness. Clarity and terror strike my mind at once.

"Father! Where is he? You can't harm him! He saved me!"

"Whoa boy, calm down. What is this of which you speak?"

"There was this beast! It looked like a bull-man! It was terrible!"

"A Narnian minotaur by the sound of it."

"But that isn't the point, Father! The Prin - slave rescued me!

"Come again?"

"The slave saved my life."

"No. What were you about to say?"

"I may have been about to say anything. I was just attacked by a monster! But I know what I meant to say: you must go back and stop whatever torment you're putting that brave man through. Surely you can see he is worthy of fair treatment."

"My son, I am afraid it is you who do not see clearly. If the slave is Narnian and the beast is Narnian we can assume that this is all the doing of the Narnians. You must see that he wanted it to appear as though he was worthy of freedom. He wanted you to believe he was the hero in this, when in fact he was the one who hired the beast, more than likely. I should've never trusted any Narnians in the first place."

I know Father is wrong. These are good people we're dealing with. "Father, if that is the case then why did the beast attack him?"

"To make it more believable, son. Why does his fate concern you so? He's only a slave."

"He and the girl were kind to me! They were the only true friends I've known since Mother died." Suddenly another thought enters my mind. "Where's the girl? Please tell me she isn't with Arikaan!"

"Calm down, son. We can't find the girl. It looks as if she's stolen a horse and run away. Again, why does it matter to you? Next you'll be speaking to me about the goodness of Aslan. We need to be rid of these Narians. I should've known they'd be a bad influence on my poor, weak-minded son."

He pauses and takes a good look at my face. He must read the truth in it, for he asks,

"You don't believe those lies about Lion, do you?"

When I accepted the Truth of Aslan it was as if something in me came alive - nay, not just something in me but all of me - at least, the part of me that was real. It was as if all my life I'd been a shell of a boy. Inside, there was nothing but hurt and emptiness. But when Adelaide and Rilian told me the Truth, I felt alive for the first time. I felt whole. Something tells me that if I deny the Truth now, that part of me - I would die inside. I don't want to be a shell ever again. I need to live. I can't deny Him.

"I do believe, Father. I - I wish you would too."

Father stands and stares at me with a look I've seen so many times before. It's the look that means I've disappointed him and he's glad he has six other sons who meet his expectations, because I never will. Those are the words that usually follow the look. This time the words are different.

"You are not my son. You are a disgrace and I will no longer call you mine. I will go home and I will bring back enough money to pay for your stay here and to keep you fed for the next two months. Beyond that, I will have nothing to do with you. Never come back to my home. I never want to see you again. And be sure of this: I will kill the slaves that have so perverted your mind. If I never find the girl, may Tash curse her for all eternity."

I know there is nothing I can say or do to change his mind. I lay my head down and weep.

That's all for chapter 10. What do you think? Love you guys!