Part Fourteen: Trufflehunter's News

The following days carried on in the same manner as the first day. The Narnians sang and danced and there were feasts every night. Eve tried not to think of Aslan, remembering Caspian's words. She couldn't enjoy herself as much as she wanted to, however. Finally, on the third day, news came from the castle. Trufflehunter, the badger, made the journey to Dancing Lawn to give Caspian news of Cair Paravel.

"The city is overrun with wild men from the north. Their numbers are great, though unknown. Davin reported that all the other scouts were killed. Some dark force is at works, though. The wild men serve no one, and they're not smart enough to take over the castle by themselves. There has to be some dark sorcerer behind all this," the badger said hurriedly as soon as he had found Caspian.

Caspian looked grave. "Then retaking Cair Paravel is going to be harder than we thought."

"What are your orders, my King?" Trufflehunter asked.

"We must assemble an army as soon as possible and reclaim Cair Paravel. It belongs to Narnia, not the wild men of the north. We will gather Narnians and assemble in two days at Aslan's How."

Trufflehunter nodded. "I will send word by the trees," he answered.

…

"Something occurred to me," Eve said to Caspian later that day.

"What?"

"Perhaps the man who tried to attack me was from the north – I mean one of the wild men."

"It's possible. What has become of our prisoner, Trufflehunter?" Caspian asked the badger.

"Well, he's still not talking, but he did happen to mention something about a girl in his sleep. We already knew he had an interest in her though."

"Great," Eve muttered.

"No one will harm you," Caspian assured her.

"What could I even have to do with all this, though?" Eve asked desperately.

Caspian frowned. "That I don't know."

. . .

Caspian sat on a fallen tree just outside the camp. Night had fallen once again upon Narnia and the vivid constellations twinkled high above. Sighing to himself, he looked off into the distance, wondering what would happen in two days. Would there be another great battle? Probably. How many would be lost this time? Caspian started mulling over battle strategies, but not having ever battled with the wild men, he didn't know where to start. If we take them by surprise, will that give us the upper hand? But they have the advantage of Cair Paravel. They can defend it while we have to attack it. We don't want it destroyed. Will they come to us? Or would they honor an official battle challenge? They'd probably just kill the messenger before he got a chance to deliver the message. Why should they honor traditions? Caspian's thoughts turned suddenly to Eve, and he momentarily forgot about the threat of battle. I hadn't realized how fond I've gotten to be of her… At first we didn't get along too well, but that's to be expected…I mean, she's from a completely different world. But that's just it…she's not from Narnia, nor will she be able to stay here forever. If I let my feelings get the better of me, then we'll both end up hurt in the end… Like when Susan had to leave… Caspian glared up at the stars in the dark sky. He hated to do it, but he would have to keep his distance from Eve. In the end it would be better for both of them.

. . .

The next morning they began their journey to Aslan's How just after dawn broke. Caspian and Trufflehunter were busy discussing battle plans, so Eve saddled the horse herself. She had just finished with the bridle when one of the centaurs approached her.

"Daughter of Eve," he greeted her, bowing slightly.

"Hello," Eve responded shyly.

"I am Ouranos," the centaur said solemnly. "Centaurs have the gift of reading the stars, and I have seen much about you, Eve." He looked up into the sky to gaze upon the fading stars. "I have seen that you will save Narnia."

"Me?" Eve whispered in a disbelieving voice.

Ouranos nodded. "I have seen it. Aslan has chosen you to be Narnia's savior. It is your turn, as it once was King Peter's, to save Aslan's beloved land."

Eve stared up at the centaur, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. "But, why didn't Aslan himself tell me? I mean, if he wants me to save his land…"

"You have not yet spoken to Aslan, besides perhaps in your dreams, because you have not opened your eyes to him," Ouranos explained earnestly. "You must accept him and let him in."

Eve nodded. She thought of all the times she had shunned Caspian's help and blamed things on him just because she was mad. What about all the times she had refused to help because she was afraid? She hadn't believed that she could possibly be the one set to save Narnia, and so she had rejected the truth. Blinking, Eve smiled shakily up at the centaur. "Thank you, Ouranos. I will open my eyes to Aslan."

"I have seen that you will." With that Ouranos walked slowly away, swishing his great black tail as he went. Eve observed that he had a dark bay coat, four strong legs, and a head topped with wild, black hair. The part of him that was horse was so beautiful, but his fearsome face, though wise and mystical, scared Eve. Eve looked back toward Caspian who was still speaking to Trufflehunter. So that's it then, Eve thought to herself. I'm the one who has to save Narnia. And I have no clue how I'm going to do that.