Over The Edge Chapter 13

The ceremony was merely minutes away and Peter was still trying to think of a way to stop it. However things had gotten much more complicated that he anticipated. He didn't expect to have somebody there that he had to watch out for. Everyone seemed to watch the two carefully as if they knew that something had happened when they were alone.

"It's time," came an old womans voice. "Bring the boy."

Three men grabbed Peter and dragged him up to the alter. Peter tried to pull away, but the men were too strong for him. He could see the White Witches staff at the alter ready to be met with it's master once again. Peter took a deep breath before looking back at Vyrina. He could see the fear in her eyes, but there were many people standing around to make sure she would go through with the ceremony. It appeared that there was nothing he could do to stop it. He was about to turn back to the alter when something caught his eye in the furthest barred window. It looked as if to be someone staring into the room, but it was too far away to tell who it could be. Suddenly a mouse pushed it's way through the bars and scurried to a back room.

Peter looked back to the alter realizing that someone appeared to be plotting a rescue, but he didn't think they would be able to pull it off in time. It had already begun. Everyone began to chant in a language that Peter didn't understand. An old priestess walked up to the alter with Vyrina and began adding random herbs and plants to a pot of water. She began to stir the mixture and smoke started pouring over the sides of the pot.

There was a strange power emanating from the pot and the more ingredients added the more powerful it became. Peter was becoming increasingly nervous, the power was overwhelming and he didn't care to stay until the ceremony was complete. Vyrina looked back at Peter with the same nervousness in her eyes. Peter glanced behind him at the others who crowded the room. It appeared that less people were gathered around then when they started. It made Peter think. It didn't seem like people would start leaving before the ceremony was complete. Then Peter noticed a small mouse leaping through the crowd and plowing down as many guards as he could. Peter grinned, he knew it was Reepicheep and was sure he was not alone. However his attention to the small knight didn't go unnoticed.

"Get the mouse," The old priestess shouted.

Several men leapt into action attempting to bring down the small knight, but none were able to. The priestess grabbed Peter and put a knife to his throat.

"I would stop this if I were you," she said. "It would be a shame to lose one of your kings."

"I thought you needed him to bring back the White Witch," Reepicheep stated, keeping his guard up.

"We only need his blood," the priestess replied. "The rest of him is no use to us. Now put down your sword, Mouse."

Reepicheep reluctantly set his sword on the ground. "I do have a name you know," he mumbled.

"Alright Vyrina, put in the last two ingredients," the priestess commanded, still keeping her knife at Peter's throat. Vyrina walked up to the priestess with a knife in her hand. The priestess nodded, forcing Peter to hold his hand out to her. She placed the knife on his skin ready to cut. She looked up at Peter and suddenly dropped the knife.

"What are you doing, Vyrina?"

"I can't do this," Vyrina replied. "We can't bring her back here. She isn't going to do this world any good. She never did and she never will."

"This is your destiny,"

"I choose my destiny and this isn't it."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said the priestess. "I had thought that you felt the same way the rest of us had, but I suppose I was wrong to think so much of you. I imagine the time you have been spending with the High King has distorted your mind."

"He helped make me see more clearly," Vyrina replied, angry. "And now I'm stopping this." Vyrina began to walk over to the pot about to tip it over.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," said the priestess holding the knife more firmly against Peter's neck. "I wouldn't want you to be the cause of the High King's death."

Vyrina stopped and turned back to the priestess.

"If you think we don't know what goes on behind closed doors you're wrong. We have made sure to keep a close eye on you during these past few nights. Something tells me that you don't want the young king dead. If you won't do this, then I will."

Vyrina looked to the ground. The priestess suddenly took the knife in her hand and slid it across Peter's arm and then pushed him to the ground. She let a drop of blood land in the pot and it began to his and bubble. She reached out for Vyrina's arm, but an arrow went flying just inches from her head. Peter looked behind him to see his brother and sisters standing there.

"Drop the knife," yelled Susan.

"You're not going to stop us this time," the priestess yelled, slicing Vyrina across the shoulder. She dropped the knife into the pot just as another arrow got her in the chest. The pot began to boil even more and it started to overflow before turning to ice. Peter knew that it had already been done.

"Peter we have to get out of here," Edmund yelled. Peter began to run towards his siblings and then looked back at Vyrina.

"Come on," he yelled.

She attempted to follow, but the priestess grabbed a hold of her skirt sending her tumbling to the ground. The ice was beginning to form into the shape of a woman and Peter knew that it wouldn't be long now.

"Just go," Vyrina yelled. "Now!"

Peter hesitated, but ran out the door giving one last look to Vyrina as Jadis formed in front of the remaining followers.

"You disappoint me, my daughter," he heard Jadis say. As they made there way to the outside of the castle and into the safety of the forest.