I don't own any characters other than Delaney and a few of her crew. All other characters, plot, and fictitious lands are property of their respective owners.

"Your mentor's become your tormentor."

Relient K : The Rest Is Up to You

34

Edmund rode next to Peter on the way back to the castle. They had left Delaney and Grace with plenty of supplies and set them up among the rocks at the battlefield. Delaney had been adamant about staying out of the woods for some reason, though she wouldn't tell Edmund why. Grim and two other Wolves stayed behind, as well as Pine and Quinto. Neither Ocelot wanted to go to the Cair and they didn't seem enthusiastic about returning home either. They were content to occupy the two girls for the time being.

"I don't like this," Edmund said for the millionth time. "What if something happens in the meantime? What if Grace is setting Delaney up for a trap? I don't like it."

Peter sighed. "I don't like the plan, either Ed, but mainly it's because Grace is the one that came up with it. If it had been Delaney's idea, I would have to admit that it's fairly genius."

"But making them think that she's betrayed us? It's a bit of a stretch."

Lucy heard Edmund and shook her head. "Actually, it's not. By now everyone's heard about your spat in the hall and there were plenty of witnesses to her accepting Donnon's challenge against your wishes. This might actually make things easier for Delaney when the time comes."

"It still sounds a lot like cheating," Susan interjected.

"Do you remember Lane's match with Edmund? It's the same thing. She didn't cheat. Ed just didn't bother to ask the right questions."

Edmund grumbled. "But do you think that Ethan will be so easily tricked?"

A small smile appeared on Peter's face. "Delaney seemed to think so. She won't win otherwise, Ed. We don't want to lose her, either. Do not make the mistake of thinking you are the only one that cares about Delaney. I didn't ask for another sister, but Aslan knows I've gotten one anyway."

Edmund grinned at his brother and looked back over his shoulder. The campfire and Delaney were already out of sight.

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Delaney pulled an apple out of the small sack of supplies Peter had brought and stared at the fire. She ran over everything in her head with a fine tooth comb, looking for weaknesses in Grace's plot…sorry, plan. She knew from experience that nothing ever went off without a hitch, but if she planned for everything, there was a chance that things would go more smoothly.

"Don't think about it," Grace said. "Donnon's no fool. If it looks forced you'll be dead, your kings and queens will be dead. Lots of dead all around."

"You'll be dead, too," Delaney pointed out.

Grace patted her hair daintily. "All the more reason for you to not mess it up. Keep things as improvisational as possible. The more options you have the better."

"You do realize that these are people, not pawns?" Delaney's voice was dangerous and Grim immediately took notice. He lifted his furry head and growled.

"Shall I eat her, Lane?"

Delaney smiled at the Wolf. Grim had agreed to act as her pillow and she was tucked against his furry back. "I don't think you should, Grim. She looks a bit spoiled. You'd probably get sick." She rubbed his head, careful of his wound and frowned. "Do you think that maybe Donnon's inside agent is the one that lured Grim away? He can't remember ever leaving my room, let alone how he wound up with Ethan." With all of the drugs in his system, it was a miracle Grim knew his own name.

"I didn't know there was a spy until I overheard your brother and Rose. Don't you have any ideas?"

"I have one, but I am praying to God that I'm wrong. It's just too…awful." Delaney shook her head. She looked into Owl wood and shuddered. She didn't even want to think about it.

Grace curled up on her side of the fire. "So what's your story, Delaney Carter? Why would your own brother want to kill you?"

Pine unsheathed his claws in annoyance and draped himself against Delaney's side. There was another Wolf on her other side, already asleep. A third Wolf was a short distance off, keeping watch. Quinto alone stayed near Grace, offering her a bit of comfort.

"Maybe for the same reason your sister wants to kill you." Delaney looked up at the starry sky and clenched her teeth.

"Because you are a threat?"

Delaney sat up and adjusted Pine into her lap. The Ocelot bristled at being held, but Delaney's hands were like magic and he quieted down as she rubbed his ears. "No, I couldn't beat Ethan in a fair fight. He's always been able to thrash me. Most of what I know, he taught me. He's brilliant really."

"But why would he agree to fight you? Donnon doesn't take prisoners, Delaney. If Carter fights you under Donnon's banner, you can bet that he has orders to kill." Grace sat up as well and regarded the younger girl coldly. Honestly, Delaney Carter wasn't remarkable looking. She was pretty enough, but it wasn't an obvious beauty like Queen Susan, or a sweet, light beauty like Queen Lucy. Delaney's look required adjustment. The longer you looked at her, the more you saw. Grace looked away, begrudgingly admitting that perhaps Delaney wasn't completely unfortunate looking with her chaotic curls and her smoldering, dark eyes.

"I think Ethan is feeling a bit betrayed," Delaney tried to sound offhanded but just sounded sick.

"Betrayed?"

Honestly, Grace was the last person in the world Delaney wanted to have this conversation with. Since the day she had arrived in Narnia, Delaney had tried to figure out how she had gotten there. Lucy made it very clear that there was no way out, but the way in was still something of a mystery.

"Grace, do you believe in other worlds?" Delaney asked.

Grace examined Delaney's face, but there was a severity in her eyes. Not mocking, not joking. "I don't suppose so. But, if you had asked me if I believed in Talking Animals before I came to Narnia, I would have told you no."

Delaney nodded. "What if I told you that I'm from another world?"

"I would not be surprised in the least. I've said you were a freak from the beginning." Grace could not help but be petty. Here was a girl that had literally stumbled into Narnia apparently, and won a king. Of course, now it was crumbling around her. Grace knew her uncle would have found a reason to go after the High King no matter what, but Delaney had given him the perfect excuse. By sparring with Edmund, Delaney unleashed a chain of events that left Donnon salivating with anticipation of the meal Narnia would become.

It was in his grasp, too, since Delaney could not beat her brother.

"What did you do?" Grace regretted asking the second the words were out of her mouth. Delaney glared at her with such loathing that for a moment Grace was scared of the savage barbarian.

Delaney tried to ease the painful throb that was still present in her head. She felt like this place, this dream world was coming undone and it was all because of her. She glared, but she wasn't looking at Grace, she was looking past Grace. All of the loathing and hatred that radiated from Delaney was internalized.

Why couldn't she do anything right?

"Last year I got this letter…"

Reviews are love...

50 points to the many many of you who guessed correctly. The Ocelots are named for Zachary Quinto (Sylar who is WAY hotter than Spock -icky icky bowl cut) and Chris Pine (Captain Kirk ST09). They are so SO pretty and I felt need to give a lil shout out to them Narnia style.

Once again Delaney is under attack of Sue hunters. I was under the impression that Sues were annoying perfect, do no wrong, creepy characters that are eventually resented by the reader...seriously if that's how you all view Delaney, than I have failed miserably. I tried to keep Delaney realistic. She's a hot tempered, boarderline obnoxious, AVERAGE teenaged girl. I don't think she deserves your contempt though. She doesn't really deserve it. -Ace