Chapter 10

The day passed by uneventfully for Peter and Becca. Becca looked happier than Peter had ever seen her: she was no longer cowering in fear. Peter wondered absently why Paquin wasn't looking for them. Not that Peter wanted him to, but it was so unlike the merchant to neglect to even send people after them.

"Queen Aleatha is so kind to me," Becca said, smiling. Her face clouded over. "I have a bad feeling that he'll come after us. Why hasn't he come looking for us?" Becca wrung her hands in distress.

Peter looked at her. "He probably forgot about us." He could only hope. Unfortunately, within his experience, the idea of the merchant forgetting about them was slim to none. Peter didn't mention this to Becca, or even to King Lune or Queen Alethea, but the thought was with him all day.

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Paquin was pacing the floor of his manor. "Have you found them yet?" he growled as a servant walked in.

The servant bowed. "They were spotted in a village a few miles away from here."

Paquin smiled coldly. "Saddle up my horse," he ordered. He'd drag that king back here even if he had to kill him first. No one was going to make Paquin look like a fool. Besides, how hard would it be to overtake two children traveling on foot? Paquin jumped on his horse and took off at a gallop in hot pursuit of the runaways, thinking of the tortures he would inflict on that brat of a king once he caught him. The girl was no better the cowering little fool. He'd sell her the minute they got back to Thillia.Let's see how you protect her ,then ,king Paquin thought as he urged the horse on.

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Queen Alathea needed a few supplies and she was going to ask Becky to go,but Peter volunteered to go instead .The villagemarket was a bustling place of activity as priceswere yelled out and buyers haggled and bargained for the best price,suddenly above the hum of voices ,Peter heard a voice that sent a chill down his spine..

In two minutes he was staring at the tip of Paquin's sword and looking into the sneering face of the merchant. A sinister smile spread over Paquin's face. "Did you really think you could escape, little king?" Paquin hissed, gripping Peter's arm so that he couldn't escape no matter how hard he struggled. Suddenly an arrow went whizzing past, then another, and another.

Paquin whirled around, looking for the archer. In his attempt, he let go of Peter's arm. Something in Peter told him told him to look down. A sword lay on the cobblestones. He picked it up and pointed it at Paquin.

"Put that sword down, boy. How dare you threaten me?" Paquin snapped. Another arrow whizzed past. "Tell whoever it is to stop!" Paquin cried.

Peter narrowed his eyes. "Why should I?" He knew it was Susan. He had caught a glimpse of her gown as she hid behind a post. Sure enough, Susan stepped out, her arrow trained on the cowering merchant.

She looked at Peter, and gave a small nod. "Edmund's here," she said.

Peter raised an eyebrow, keeping the sword trained on Paquin. "Where are they?" he asked.

Susan gave a sharp whistle. Edmund and Lucy came walking up. Paquin's eyes became wide, dancing with greedy thoughts. Susan and Peter noticed and exchanged a glance.

"How did you find me?" Peter asked.

Susan told him all that had transpired since his kidnapping a month ago. "Regina told us you were sold. Well, we had to threaten her first, but in the end she told us everything, including the scheme she and her brother had going. They're in a dungeon at Cair Paravel. Enough about us. What happened to you? You look awful." Susan stared at her older brother. He still sported the bruises from where he was hit and slapped. Susan shook her head, glad that Lucy had her cordial - but knowing Peter, he'd tell his little sister not to waste the cordial on him. Peter didn't offer any information, and Susan had a feeling that it would be a while until he felt comfortable enough to talk about what he had been through..

A/N This a true story...wait no it's not cause I own nothing except those not related to Narnia.Thanks millions for all the reviews