"Cass? Cass!"
Someone was shaking his shoulder. Caspian, sitting on the ground and still trying to catch his breath, could hear Sarielle's voice, as if from far away or underwater, around the pounding of his blood in his ears. But he didn't have the energy to raise his head and answer her. Another voice, male this time, said something in an urgent tone that Caspian couldn't quite hear, and Sarielle answered, "No, he's not wounded. But he's been ill, and he's still weak."
"Your Majesty?" Someone had taken him by both shoulders. "Caspian? Speak to me, lad."
Blinking, Caspian raised his head, and the face of Drinian swam into focus. The Captain of the Dawn Treader was looking anxious.
Caspian managed a weak smile. "Drinian," he said between gasps. "Am I ever glad to see you."
Drinian gave a short laugh of relief. "We have to go, Sire. Those men look like trouble."
Caspian looked over his shoulder to see two of the overseers running toward them. They had armed themselves with long knives.
"Shall we dispatch them for you?" Rhince said grimly, putting his hand to his sword hilt.
"No," Caspian panted as Drinian and Sarielle helped him to his feet. He still had not caught his breath. "There has been—enough bloodshed." He almost thought Sarielle looked a little disappointed.
"Let us go immediately, then," Drinian replied. The men quickly helped Caspian and Sarielle, now silent once more, into the boat and pushed off. Caspian, still feeling weakened and a little sick from his exertions, couldn't yet feel the relief he knew he should at getting away from Doorn. As the boat pitched on the waves he swayed sideways in his seat, and felt Sarielle grasp his arm, holding him upright as the longboat made its way back toward the Dawn Treader.
He had caught his breath again by the time they reached the side of the ship, and he heard the crew cheering for his return as they made preparations to hoist the longboat. Caspian was only glad that he didn't have to climb the ladder up the side of the ship to get back on board: his limbs still felt like water, and he was almost afraid if he tried to stand up he would fall over.
He did manage to keep his feet when Drinian had helped him out of the longboat and he stood on deck again, despite the usual rolling of the ship. He felt weak and slightly sick to his stomach at the exertion he had made on the beach, but the obvious relief in the crew's faces as he stood among them once more brought a genuine smile to his face.
"Thank you, my friends: you did not give up the search," he exclaimed, in the voice of command he had not used since he had been captured. "I swear to you, we will bring Queen Lucy, King Edmund, Reepicheep and Eustace back to the Dawn Treader!"
The men cheered again, and Drinian took Caspian's elbow and steered him toward the state cabin.
"We'll head back around to Bernstead and regroup," he said calmly. "Meanwhile, you need to rest. And no arguments, your Majesty."
Caspian grinned. "You'll get none from me, Drinian." He paused at the door and put his hand on the man's shoulder. "And thank you again."
Drinian nodded and left Caspian staring around at the cabin he had not occupied since Lucy came aboard. The room reminded him of her now, and of Edmund and Reepicheep. He was safe, but he could not be fully grateful until he knew that they were, as well.
Caspian sat on the edge of the bed to remove his boots, and then realized how very tired he was. Muddy boots on the bed wouldn't hurt anything this once: he was the king, after all! Without even turning down the covers, Caspian stretched out on his stomach and was asleep in moments. His last thought was of Lucy's face.
000
When Caspian awoke, it was hours later. The color of the light coming in the windows of the cabin proclaimed it was late afternoon, and the ship, Caspian could see when he sat up stiffly, was in harbor. This then, must be Bernstead. He could see people, men and women, working in the fields, and a low, pillared house on top of the hill which sloped down to the water's edge. There were brightly-colored flowers twining up the pillars, and Caspian could see women in equally bright dresses moving about, arranging a table and laughing as the breeze caught up their long hair. It was an image of the kind of carefree beauty he seemed to not have enjoyed for some time, though he had not been long a slave.
A quiet knock at the door of the cabin brought his attention back to the present, and Drinian entered.
"Ah, you're awake!" the captain exclaimed cheerfully. "I came to tell you that Lord Bern sends his compliments and invites you to dine with him and his family."
Caspian smiled. He had eaten nothing since the evening before, and guessed that much of the weakness he felt now was more a result of his hunger than the morning's exertions. But then he thought of the sight he had had of Lord Bern's land, and frowned once more.
"I would not wish to be rude to anyone who offered us their hospitality," he said stiffly, "but I will not eat at the home of any who keep slaves."
Drinian, who had not been expecting this reaction, stared at him in confusion for a moment, and then his face cleared. "All the people working in Lord Bern's fields are freemen," he assured Caspian.
Caspian stifled a heartfelt sigh of relief. "In that case, please let Lord Bern that I gladly accept his invitation—" Caspian paused mid-sentence. "…Did you say 'Lord Bern'?" he asked.
Drinian was grinning. "Yes I did."
Caspian laughed. "You found him, then! The first of the lost lords!"
"It would be more accurate to say that he found us," Drinian laughed, "but that story can wait for dinner." He was opening the closet door; he had apparently noticed Caspian's stiffness of movement. "Shall I help you dress, Your Majesty?"
"No!" Caspian said quickly, then schooled his expression into a smile when Drinian turned to look at him in surprise. "No, I can manage; thank you, Drinian," he added more civilly. "Please let Lord Bern know I will be ashore shortly."
Drinian bowed and left the cabin, and Caspian gazed after him for a moment. Why had he refused the captain's help? Why hadn't he wanted Drinian to see the whip marks on his back? It would create a great deal of consternation, generate questions Caspian didn't feel up to answering at the moment. But weariness wasn't the only thing behind his sensitivity about the matter. He realized that he didn't want Drinian to know the depths of degradation he had fallen to as a slave: that the King of Narnia and Emperor of the Lone Islands had been beaten by a mere brute like Gerius. It was one thing to be bested in a tournament by a noble knight twice his age; it was something else entirely to be stripped and flogged by a filthy overseer as if he were an unspeaking animal. He hoped Sarielle hadn't mentioned anything of the incident to Drinian or any of the men.
Caspian shook his head. He needed to start getting dressed, or Drinian would be back again, and it would be harder to refuse his help the second time. Slowly, Caspian began pulling off his muddy boots and removed the linen shirt he had not changed since the day they had all left the ship to walk across Felimath. Putting a suitable coat on over a clean shirt was rather a painful exercise, and the coat felt hot and tight on his back when he had it on. But Caspian swallowed his discomfort and went out on deck.
The men were just preparing the longboat to take him to shore. Caspian spotted Sarielle, standing by the rail and watching the proceedings. They nodded to one another, and Caspian stood beside her in silence for a few moments.
"I understand that Lord Bern employs no slaves," Caspian said at last.
Sarielle nodded. "He is a good man."
Caspian looked at her in surprise. "You know him?"
"By reputation only," Sarielle amended. "I am a little acquainted with his housekeeper. He is spoken well of by all those who act in the name of King Edmund. I understand that he has helped some slaves in imminent danger to escape the islands."
Caspian nodded. "Then he is exactly the sort of man we will need to help us in what we plan tonight. I would like you to join us for dinner as well," he added.
Sarielle's brows contracted in surprise. "Me?"
"We will be discussing how to bring an end to slavery in the islands," Caspian explained. "And you understand the subject better than any of us. I would value your input."
For a moment he thought she would refuse, but then she nodded, her face calm. "I would be honored, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty?" Drinian was at his elbow, and the longboat was ready. Caspian handed Sarielle in, then clambered into the boat himself, and they set off for Bernstead.
TBC
AN: I'm baaaaaack! lol Sorry for the long wait between chapters, but the semester is finally over and I don't have to go back until the beginning of February. And I am determined to finish this thing! So please stay tuned, and please review!