Hi there,

here comes chapter 25, and... I just hope it's not too much or too dramatic. (Deep down I guess I know it's blatant kitsch, but I just can't help it.)

Hope you like this chap.

Have fun!

Chapter 25

Long live the King

When he informed Trumpkin and the others right before Alhajar's welcoming celebration, Caspian made sure that Ria did not overhear any details of Diorn's alleged conspiracy - even if he was not very worried himself. He assumed that the evening would go by without any trouble, but it could not hurt to raise his companions' awareness about the current circumstances. They would all remain vigilant and not let Ria out of their sight - so what could go wrong?

They reached the lively festivities in the throne room of the palace when Alhajar and Lorella were already waiting for them, between many guards and innumerable guests. Tarkaans and Tarkheenas from all over the country had come. The highest nobility of Calormen was only too happy to gather when the Tis'roc called for them.

Also the less fortunate and not so wealthy had joined as guests. As strictly hierarchical as life in the South was regulated, there was great unity when it came to music and dance. Celebrations of all kinds were open events in Tashbaan - everyone could attend, regardless of social status.

"Thanks to Lorella's suggestions, we were also able to tell our musicians to play songs from the North," the Tis'roc shouted so he could be understood over the loud instruments. "But I hope you like our Southern tunes as well."

"Just as much," Caspian assured against the noise and forced a charming smile. By doing so, he intuitively drew Ria closer to him.

He had told her that Lorella only wanted to talk about politics, so she did not suspect any evil. And for the first time in a while, she seemed genuinely happy - he saw no point in alarming her.

Ria looked up at him teasingly, and for no one else to hear she asked, "If you like the music so much, will you dance with me?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "You know I won't, love."

Ria had already expected this answer and sighed in amusement - the memory of the banquet in Anvard as well as their wedding dance was probably still enough for him.

All of a sudden, the throne room became quiet, at least until the mesmerizing melody of a duduk could be heard. Some servants carried torches into the middle of the open hall so even the shadows flickered in orange light. Then also drums were added to the music, and dancers stepped into the illuminated center of the high room. They wore flowing, light fabrics, transparent around the waist, and were adorned with countless chains from head to toe. Ria could recognize some of the women from the harem.

"Dance and sing for our guests!" clapped the Tis'roc, and in no time the whole hall did the same in Alhajar's rhythm. Soon other musician played along as well, the traditional melodies got faster and louder. The dancers in the middle of the throne room moved synchronously, as if they were of one body. They clearly enjoyed the attention, but after a while, also some of the guests joined them.

Ria believed she recognized the dancing steps and the longer she watched, the better she actually remembered them. In her childhood, when both North and South were peaceful, her father had often invited friends from Calormen, and their wives had taught Jhara and her lots of steps. She had not thought about them in years, but the sensual arm and hip movements of the dancers quickly brought the memories back.

"Forgive me - am I mistaken or is this one of the traditional desert dances from Rabadash's time?" she eventually turned to Alhajar.

His eyes widened in surprise and he could not help but grin, "You know the steps? Lorella, show what you've learned and take the Queen with you!"

"Oh, wait, no, that's not a good idea...", Ria tried to protest, but it was already too late.

The King's cousin took her by the hand, laughing, and pulled her with her faster than she could even react. Lorella had already had a drink or two - she kept telling herself that she needed the courage to sneak out to see Cuartio later - and that did not miss its effect. By now she knew the love for living in Tashbaan well enough. Everyone danced in Calormen, it was the only point of contact between the poor and the rich, and joy was expressed through music. It reminded Lorella so much of her Telmarine home that she had no trouble joining those traditions from the beginning.

Her euphoria was contagious, and Ria remembered more and more of the steps she had learned many years ago with each movement they made. The light fabric of the waisted low-cut dresses they both wore to withstand the warm temperatures of the South were flowing along, and their laughter could be heard even from the distance.

Alhajar was thrilled, that was hard to overlook. He turned to the fascinated yet perplexed King and asked, "Did you know your beloved could dance like that?"

"I had no idea," Caspian replied dryly, unable to turn his gaze away from Ria.

"Now you see that there was no reason to worry about your cousin, either. She's safe and very happy," Alhajar added with unusual sincerity. "Surely you understand that the circumstances forced us to… take her here."

Caspian was hesitant to answer and took a long breath. After all, Alhajar's coercion had not only overshadowed his young marriage in recent weeks, but also his government and his peace of mind.

"I believe you already know it well, but let me tell you..." Alhajar went on, no longer speaking of himself in plural form as in all his private moments. "I want to keep the peace - I've wanted to do that ever since our first encounter. I didn't reproach you for taking Archenland, or for stopping the payments to secure its border."

What Alhajar said was indeed true and basically proofed that he really meant it.

Caspian knew it was only fair to lay his cards on the table, so he said, "I had no choice regarding the border payments. Anvard is in ruins and, unlike those of your empire, Archenland's gold reserves are limited."

Alhajar laughed mischievously. "But not those of Cair Paravel."

"No, but I can't demand that many tributes from Narnia for the reconstruction."

The Tis'roc winked. "Not quite the good trade you thought it would be, mh?"

"I don't complain," Caspian could not help but smile as he watched Ria dance in the crowd, "without it, I still wouldn't be married."

"True, probably not," Alhajar grinned. "But seeing you say your vows was a surprise to me anyway. I got to know you as quite keen on, let's say... freedom! I'd have had so many beautiful girls for you..."

Caspian's mouth twitched. "That's too kind, but I'll only need the one I got." He went on to allude to Alhajar's harem - even though the Tis'roc had no interest in it according to Lorella. "And you know best how exhausting... freedom... can be."

"Yes, yes, I understand," Alhajar nodded as if it was a matter of course. "Almost tiring. Like standing around right here! Why don't we make ourselves comfortable? Take your men with you!"

Alhajar insisted that they all joined him, so Trumpkin, Valerik and Caspian, followed by many guards, soon found themselves at the edge of the hall in one of the many cushion-heaped seating corners that were so typical of Calormen. None of them let Ria and Lorella out of their sight, but there was hardly any reason to worry as Abney and the officers stayed with them.

Alhajar had so much to tell that he did not even notice the indifference of his listeners. Trumpkin and Valerik soon leaned back in boredom and had their cups refilled regularly - they hardly took part in the conversation and watched people dance. Caspian, however, could not escape the conversation with Alhajar, so he at least tried to talk about important matters.

"There was mostly war between the South and the North in the old days. I hope we continue to avoid the patterns of our ancestors."

The Tis'roc nodded contentedly. "We will. But your uncle had a completely different opinion. His ridiculous aim was to take Tashbaan one day."

"His delusions of grandeur were exactly what brought him down in the end," Caspian said almost absently. "The borders exist for a reason."

It did not escape Caspian that the Tis'roc seemed to be surprised by that comment yet again.

"You're reasonable despite your young age. I think so, too," Alhajar said firmly.

Suddenly Caspian knew that he had to ask the question that was most important to him now or never.

"And your subjects - what do they think?"

Alhajar looked confident as he said, "They think what I think."

Alhajar could be quite choleric and if necessary cunning, but in that moment he was not acting.

For a moment, the King evaluated whether to make Diorn the subject of their conversation, but then he decided against it. The margrave had already caused trouble, but, nevertheless, Caspian wanted to avoid accusing him of a conspiracy that would endanger his life. He had not even seen him in the palace yet, and, who knew, maybe he even avoided him. There was no real reason to mention him.

"I wonder… Is that traditional pastry?" Caspian deliberately changed the subject, pointing to the flat table displaying various sweets before them. He knew that Alhajar would go into great detail to answer his question, and that there would be plenty to talk about...

So while Caspian was trying to seem interested in the explanation of the differences between the biscuits spread out in front of them, a shy little boy was making his way to them through the crowd.

He carefully squeezed past the many people who were either dancing or chatting and it was obvious that he did not feel comfortable. He was apparently all alone and kept looking into the ground to avoid the people around him. The guards did not notice the thin child either as he passed them by. Although he was probably no older than ten, a strange melancholy glowed in his eyes. It inevitably suggested that he had already been through a lot - his clothes were kept neat, but one could easily tell they were old and worn, and even his poorly combed locks seemed to resist order.

When he finally came closer to the Tis'roc and his guests, he stopped in front of them, not saying a word. At first, Alhajar did not even notice him, but as he did, he interrupted his lecture. He gave the boy a puzzled glance, then he turned to Caspian in hopes that he would recognize the child. The King, however, was just as surprised. Still he smiled at the kid and leaned forward.

"You look a bit lost. What's your name?"

The child barley managed to look at him and made no effort to answer.

"He doesn't seem to be very talkative," Alhajar shrugged, but Caspian did not yet give up.

"Are you all alone?"

The boy did not answer that question either. He only looked up to the King, his expression tired and dull. Something about that was very familiar to Caspian. He knew the gloomy look all too well, it reminded him of his own troubled childhood.

Alhajar, on the other hand, seemed to become impatient - he did not really like children. But Caspian felt sorry for the boy, and so he friendly said, "You don't have to talk. But you can sit down if you want. Trumpkin and I move a bit."

Trumpkin, startled out of his reveries by hearing his name, briefly looked from Caspian to the child, then he smiled tiredly and made some space.

The boy seemed to hesitate and bit his lip, but Caspian was so patient that he finally worked up the courage to sit down next to the King.

"Where were we?" Alhajar seemed determined to resume their conversation, but then another issue crossed his mind. "You know, I keep thinking to myself, this world has so much to offer. Breathtaking places, undiscovered yet, and adventures wherever you go. But we only… rule… in our palaces. Dance and music is nothing but smoke and mirrors."

Caspian could not get rid of the impression that the Tis'roc poured his heart out because somebody actually listened, but that, at least, was once again proof of his good intentions to not stir up any conflict.

"Exotic places and adventures are excellent distractions," Caspian replied as honestly as he could. "And every journey is worth to be taken if the destination is interesting enough. But I sailed the seas at our world's end to find answers, yet I didn't return happier."

"You did not?" Alhajar raised a brow. "But you seem happy, what's the secret?"

Caspian smiled faintly, yet again searching for Ria's face in the crowd. The Tis'roc was a couple of years older than him, yet he asked him a question like that. "I've seen the world, I've seen miracles… But in the end, none of it makes you happy if there's no one you can share it with."

At first, Alhajar blew out his cheeks, but then he began to nod his head.

"Makes sense, I guess."

"But who knows, maybe you just share your life with too many", Caspian winked and knowingly contradicted Lorella's words about the harem.

The Tis'roc masterfully held the masquerade up as he patted Caspian on the back. "I get it, polygamy is really out of the question for you."

The King smirked and shrugged, just like he always did whenever Alhajar suggested promiscuity. Caspian was about to reply, when he suddenly felt a heavy blow in his side. Instinctively, he looked down at himself.

The blade that stuck in his waist made him hold his breath at once. It took a moment for him to realize what was happening.

The boy next to him trembled as he clung to the dagger, staring up at him at least as horrified as the King himself. The look they exchanged for a few heartbeats made it clear - they both knew that there was no direct risk of death as long as the blade stuck.

The child was in shock and held on to the silver handle, looking at Caspian as though he was unsure of what to do next. And the King just shook his head mechanically, as if he tried to say that still everything could be alright again.

But the only thing Caspian saw in the boy's eyes was fear and the silent plea for forgiveness. He was clearly certain that he had no choice, and so he yanked the dagger out, causing the King to choke.

Caspian tried to suppress his rising panic, but the cut in his stomach was too deep to push the fear aside. He had been wounded in battle many times before, but no injury had ever been life-threatening until that day.

"What's wrong?" he heard the Tis'roc ask, but he could not answer. All of a sudden, there was blood everywhere, all over his body, on his hands… And more of it every time his chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.

When Trumpkin screamed his name, it took a moment for everyone else around them to understand what was happening. There were several outcries and the first guests began to watch the scenario in horror.

To Alhajar the matter was clear. The boy held the weapon in his hand, so he was guilty and had to be punished.

"Call for a medic and seize him!" he all but shouted, "Execute him!" His rage made the guards grab the whimpering boy at once.

"Don't!" Caspian demanded, his voice sounding gruff. No one should die - the child had so obviously only been a means to an end. With his immediate protest, Caspian made the Tis'roc stop his servants through a gesture of his hand, while Trumpkin and Valerik bent over the King hastily.

There was blood everywhere, it all happened too fast. The color drained out of Caspian's face with every heartbeat and they could tell that his cognition began to become a blur.

He had often wondered how a wound like that might feel. He could never quite believe that it did not hurt, but it was true. A strange, warm feeling spread inside his body and he became more tired than ever before in his life. Any pain was immediately numbed by the overwhelming fear of dying.

"He's losing too much blood," he soon heard a stranger's voice say - finally a doctor. The man quickly checked his pupils, his pulse, then he said, "We haven't much time, take him over and make sure he stays awake!"

"Do you hear that?" Trumpkin pressed his hands to Caspian's cheeks hectically. "Come on, don't fall asleep!"

The King soon found himself in an adjoining room, not knowing how he got there, and the doctor was tampering with him. Trumpkin and Valerik kept shouting at him, even beat him, but he could barely feel it.

"You're too young to die, come on!" Trumpkin demanded, hardly able to hide the despair in his voice. Caspian's empty gaze frightened him much more than he liked to admit.

Even Valerik was desperate when he realized that the doctor could not get on top of the situation. Caspian was about to black out, but Valerik screamed, "Stay awake! Please, the peace of our countries depends on you!"

This reminder seemed to help the King fight against the fatigue, but it did not last long. He knew all too well that the fragile peace in Archenland was grounded on the alliance with Narnia. Even if the Tis'roc washed his hands of what just happened, Alhajar would soon seize the opportunity to take over the leaderless North after his death. But cold sweat ran down Caspian's face, his body was shaking, and he dully realized that he was getting weaker by the minute.

Suddenly hearing the shrill voices of Ria and Lorella awoke him a bit. They must have fought their way through the panicking crowd with the officers.

"I need quiet!" warned the doctor, and Cuartio and Driscol had trouble keeping the women away from them.

But quiet did not help the harried medic either, he tried his hardest, but that did not seem to be enough. He began to shake his head in resignation soon. "I can't stop the blood... He mustn't fall asleep now!"

The paralyzing tiredness made Caspian close his eyes again and again, until someone shook or punched him. It was surreal, he was already beside himself and all his senses were gradually failing. He heard Ria crying, but it sounded so far away. She was desperate and he wanted to console her - he wanted her to be with him before he lost his consciousness forever. He sighed her name, and Trumpkin heard him. If any of them could manage to keep him awake, it was the love of his life.

"Driscol, let Ria come here," Trumpkin ordered and immediately said, "Ria, easy, be careful!"

But she knew that there was not much time left and so she ran to her husband, covered in blood, like in a nightmare. She cried as she buried her nose in his neck, and he felt her warm hands like wind on his cheeks.

"Caspian, stay with me!" she begged him again and again.

He tried to fight the fainting to see her pretty smile one last time, but the despair in her eyes did not make it any easier for him.

In his delirium, memories rushed back to the day Prunaprismia learned of Miraz's death. Also to when he was told that his mother, and soon after that as well his father, would not come back. He saw himself, running away from Miraz, he saw the Pevensies returning to Narnia and fighting the Battle of Beruna by his side. He saw his coronation, how the people cheered, and as well the Silver Sea he once sailed. He saw Ria laughing as she ran from the rain on their way to the pavilion and her joy when she became his wife. But his breath got heavier as everything faded much too quickly into darkness.

The doctor moaned, "We're losing him."

"No," Ria shook her head and looked down at Caspian anxiously. "Don't leave me alone! Please don't leave us alone..." Her eyes swam with tears when he barely reacted anymore, and all she saw was blood.

"Say goodbye," the exhausted doctor whispered, and as a consequence, everyone stared at him in horror.

Especially Ria was hopelessly overwhelmed, everything happened much too fast. She tried to prioritize her thoughts, but her body pulsated with fear and only the odd feeling in her stomach made her realize what was most important.

It had been on her mind for weeks, so why had she not told him earlier? She had let many better moments pass, and now she was sure that this was her last chance.

She prayed that he could still hear her trembling voice as she confessed to him, "Caspian, I'm with child."

Trumpkin and Valerik were more than surprised to hear that, only Lorella had expected it.

And this revelation even brought the King to flash his eyes like in a daze again.

Ria nodded vigorously when she saw his mouth curve into a smile - her words poured the last life into him.

"We're expecting a child," she repeated as tears ran down her face. "That's why you need to stay with us. You're going to be a father!"

It cost him his last strength to speak, his voice was barely audible, yet his whole face lit up, "Give me a daughter who looks just like you. Or a son who reminds you of me."

"But I need more than a memory of you," she whispered, but he could no longer fight it - his smile faded as he closed his eyes.

Ria sank to her knees because her legs did not hold her up any longer, she cried and kept shaking her head in disbelief.

Alhajar was not there, so Cuartio hugged the sobbing Lorella tightly to him. Trumpkin and Valerik stared at the ground with shimmering eyes - their hearts broke at the sight of Ria clinging to the King.

"Please don't leave me," she whispered over and over again. "Don't do this to me, please don't leave me..."

To be continued soon, sorry for ending the chapter like that...

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the meantime.

xx