Chapter Twelve: Escape

Lucy's POV

"Lucy" Susan called to me, "You're going first – with Edmund. Act normal, alright?"

I walked over to her and she handed me a tray covered with a blanket, I nodded, "Yes, Su. But what's inside?"

Susan wrinkled her nose, "Those little iced fruits that Calormenes love" she straightened up, "Where's Edmund?"

Eustace walked in, heaving a large trunk, which I recognized as Susan's. We had covered the upper portions of all our trunks with food and what-not, but I don't think Susan liked that idea at all. "Edmund went to the boat with Lucy's trunk; I think he'll be back in a few minutes"

Susan nodded, "Good, Jill's in the kitchen with the lemon tarts"

I laughed, despite the tension, "She's a little obsessed with those tarts, isn't she?"

Susan grinned, "I think she is"

In five minutes, Edmund was back and Susan breathed easier.

"Lu, put on your cloak – the fancy one – and don't try to ruin your hair" Susan said as she thrust a bag onto Edmund's arms. "And Edmund, don't you dare try and squash that bag, antiques are in there. Tell the guards that those are extra decorations, hold them properly, alright?"

I rolled my eyes as I put on my cloak. Susan loves her vintage clothes.

I was anxious and nervous as Edmund and I walked out of the palace, often meeting guards who nodded politely. It was exactly quarter to nine o'clock in the evening, and the party was to be tomorrow afternoon. Edmund carried the lamp that lighted our way.

We met Eustace on the way back, accompanied by Lilliandil.

"Lu, Ed, I think we're a little short on decorations" Eustace said, loud enough for the guards to hear.

"Don't worry" Edmund replied, "I think Susan has some extra decorations in here"

Eustace nodded, "Very well, is there anything that we need to pick up?"

"I think Susan wants Lilliandil to help her with the food" I said.

Lilliandil nodded, "Alright, let's go, Eustace"

We walked quickly to the Splendor Hyaline. Jill was hanging pennants on the side of the boat with the help of a lantern that one of the crewmen held. They were also informed the day before of the plan.

"Thank Aslan you're here" Jill muttered, "Lu, take my place hanging these stupid things on, I have to bring all our extra things on board" she handed me the pennants.

I nodded, "Sure Jill" I grinned, "And you're going back with Eustace, I suppose?"

Jill muttered something and I noticed her face flush, for the light of the lantern was bright enough.

Edmund and one of the crewmen were carrying the trunk up to the cabin, so I helped Jill first with the pennants. She muttered and winced as she kept poking herself with the pins we were using.

Ten minutes later, Eustace and Lilliandil returned. Both of them were carrying bags that I suspected were Susan's.

"Jill, Susan wants you to help Miss Polly and Lilliandil at the palace" Eustace said as he threw the bag to the side.

Lilliandil rolled her eyes, "Eustace, the things in that bag are important!"

"Yeah" replied Eustace sarcastically, "All those scarves and shoes are really important"

"Okay, cut it out, you two" Jill commanded, "We'll wait for Edmund, then let's go"

An hour and a half later, everything was gone from the Tisroc's palace, and everything was in the Splendor Hyaline. Susan seemed to breathe easier, but still seemed tense. I knew I feel tense.

"We're not leaving till midnight, right?" I whispered to her. She nodded.

"Yes. Are Jill and Lilliandil on the deck decorating?"

I nodded, "Yes. Jill's having trouble with those pennants though. Maybe they should stop, it's almost eleven"

Susan agreed, and I went out of our cabin and almost collided with Edmund.

"Lucy!"

"Sorry, I didn't know you were standing there" I stammered. "What do you want?"

"Captain Drinian asked if what time he wants us to sail"

"At midnight" I replied as he followed me down the stairs. "And tell them that they should better prepare, and when it's time to sail, to blow out all the brightest lights"

He nodded, "Alright"

We separated on the deck, me heading to Jill and Lilliandil. Miss Polly was below deck, unpacking and preparing things.

"Jill, Lilliandil, Susan says you should stop hanging those things up" I gestured to the decorations. "Lilliandil, Miss Polly may want you below"

Lilliandil nodded and she left. I pulled Jill to the side, where nobody could hear us.

"Well, Jill" I put my hands on my hips, "We hadn't talked a lot for the past two days"

Jill nodded absent-mindedly. She was eyeing the table where most of the food was placed. "Yes, do you mind if I get some of those lemon tarts first?"

I rolled my eyes, "Fine"

She grinned and dashed off, taking a piece and walking back to me slowly, biting it, "So"

"Is there something between you and Eustace?"

She looked taken aback by my question, "What do you mean?"

I scoffed, "Jill, you come back late at night to our chambers, most of the day, you and Eustace disappear, and you think we don't know that something's between the two of you?"

Jill shuffled, "Well…maybe"

I snorted.

"Well, yes. But don't tell anyone" Jill admitted.

I laughed, "My dear Jill, everyone already knows about it. We're not dumb"

She blushed and quickly changed the subject, "Anyway, what about you and Edmund? Did you work things out?"

I sighed and told her about what happened in the marketplace, when I decided to buy some food for the supposed "banquet".

Jill nodded understandingly, "A knight in shining armor? No pun intended, as he is a night" she bit into the lemon tart, "Narnian lemon tarts are way better than Calormene tarts, just saying"

I rolled my eyes again, "Whatever, Jill. Share those tarts with Eustace"

"Whatever Luce"

The hour passed by quickly and it was soon midnight. Susan joined us on deck. Miss Polly and Lilliandil were below, and Eustace, who still hadn't found his sea legs, was complaining about the boat, even though we hadn't even moved yet.

Typical Eustace.

The Splendor Hyaline moved quickly and quietly, and soon, we were out of the harbor in Calormen, heading back to Narnia. I grinned. Finally, we were gone from that place.

Susan turned to me, "You know, Lu, this may lead to something awful" she said quietly.

I nodded, "I know…but it was the best thing to do, wasn't it? Rabadash would have made us slaves if we didn't make a choice"

"Yes" Susan agreed, "This is for the best"

I grinned at her, "Well, now it's Narnia and the north!"

We were going home.

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