The rain let up just as the troop reached Aslan's How. The camp had been in a tizzy since it was discovered that the heir was missing. The fastest creatures were dispatched to the searching parties so that Caspian's full force could be on display for the Kings and Queens. The Old Narnians welcomed Prince Caspian joyfully as he introduced his fellow travelers to them. While they waited, Lucy was urged to see to the most severely injured of the Old Narnians with her magic cordial, Peter tagged along to see if any of his medical training would be of use.
Trumpkin, Trufflehunter, and Nikabrick took Edmund and Susan on a tour of the underground headquarters. Showing them the armoury, kitchens and the outer reaches of the infirmary. Caspian joined the group after making his own rounds, the group were marveling at the carvings that lined the stone walls leading to the inner sanctum of Aslan's How.
Edmund had noticed the etchings first, stretching the length of the cool tunnel and had brought his torch closer to study them in its flickering light. "Hey, Su! It's us." The walls were covered with carvings depicting times past. The four thrones of Cair Paravel, the Pevensies standing in front. A separate carving showed the four thrones empty with another throne above clearly for the woman, a queen who stood in front of it.
Edmund reached out to touch the pictograph, he knew immediately that it was Rhea. Beside the throne was another small figure, a boy by his clothing. Edmund was about to ask Caspian about this when Lucy and Peter showed up. The new comers exclaimed at the carvings.
Edmund asked, "These pictures, who carved them?"
Caspian answered, "Your loyal subjects through the years, as the How was built higher, the builders made sure to keep the stories alive as a reminder of better times. The Old Narnians have not had an easy time under Telmar rule, I plan to change that. When I was brought here I was jolly excited when I saw them. They perfectly illustrate all the stories that my nurse and later, my tutor told me over the years. My nurse told me ever so many stories about the golden age of Narnia." Caspian's voice turned wistful. "High King Peter galloping in to battle. Beautiful Queen Susan, always with a kind word and sensible reaction. Queen Lucy, I liked her stories very much, filled with creatures and talking beasts because they loved her so. Edmund and his Cursed Queen of Narnia." Caspian had gone so far in to his memories that he seemed to forget he was speaking to the very people from those stories.
Edmund bristled about going through history connected to Jadis, the White Witch, before he realized that Caspian meant Rhea. Then he got really mad. Thankfully Susan came to the same realization and was able to place herself between the boys before Edmund did something they might all regret, like punch the Prince.
A stern look from Susan made Edmund ask a question rather than start a fight, "My Cursed Queen? Who exactly are you talking about?" Just for confirmation.
His words were almost flippant, "Why Queen Rheatline, the last queen before Caspian the Conqueror came to power." It took a moment for Edmund's tone to catch up in Caspian's mind. He stopped talking with a look of fright. They could see the young leader's wheels turning as he tried to come up with a politically tactful tract for the conversation. "My ancestor treated her with the respect due her station. Caspian the Conqueror did what was necessary for his people to survive."
Trufflehunter waddled forward begging for a chance to explain, Edmund knelt to look the badger in the eye, willing to hear the full story as only creatures of Narnia can remember them. It was true that the Telmarines called Queen Rheatline the 'Cursed Queen' but the Old Narnians only ever refered to her with her full title of 'Rheatline the Steadfast'. Her bravery before the coming legions of Telmarine soldiers was the stuff of legends and still told around the hearth when times seem most dire. She held the country with poise and courage until it was unsafe for her and young Ned, then she fled for an unknown safe haven.
The Telmarines would have wanted to discredit her so she would be unable to regain the throne, so the new title was forged to work on the minds of superstitious soldiers. But among the Old Narnians, things were different. Stories circulated for years, nursery tales of young Ned's adventures mixed with morality lessons from Queen Rhea. The foxes kept the tales alive passing them from generation to generation, believing it their given duty handed down from the original Mr Fox.
"Young Ned?"
"Yes, your majesty." Doctor Cornelius' voice came from the torch light's edge. Caspian's tutor and friend, the half-dwarf was well-educated and was constantly searching for more knowledge. "Edmund, known as little Ned, was born shortly after you and your esteemed siblings left our shores."
"Oh, Edmund." Susan couldn't think of anything else to say. She and the others felt wretched for their brother's loss. Edmund gave himself a mere minute to lean against Susan, eyes closed as he absorbed the idea that he had missed out on the life of his second child.
Pulling together, the boy was getting used to the hits to his heart, Edmund sniffed back a tear. "Is there anyone here who knows all the stories. I would like to hear as many as I can."
"Of course, sire, there is a she-fox. Very well versed in the tales of old, I dare say that she and her kits will be terribly excited to meet you." Trufflehunter offered up. "She is out scouting right now but will return in a day or two to report."
Dr Cornelius added, "I know a number of the stories as well, your majesty. I have spent a large part of my life collecting the tales of the Golden Age. I have a small volume I believe is written by your lady's hand, or at least it seems so, but alas the book is still within Miraz's castle and quite out of reach until Caspian is on the throne. I will tell you all I remember, the writings detailed the fall of our country, how the Telmarines came to control Narnia even against our best efforts."
"I want it. I will have that book." Edmund vowed.
"Ed, we don't have the strength to take the battle to Miraz. I've seen a map of his castle and I don't see a way for our army to be successful." Peter tried to appeal to Edmund's mind, it was the best way to override his heart. It was true, Miraz's castle was nearly perfect from a defense standpoint. Located on a thin spine of rock, there was only one main road into the stone fortress. Everything about the castle was geared for military superiority.
"Pete. Caspian was my friend. Rhea was nothing but kind to him, you taught Micha how to sail, I spent a year with him in Ettinsmoor looking for that Green Witch who killed Osti. Narnia fed his people for years. Caspian and the Telmarines turned against us and I want to know why. Dr Cornelius' book can hold the answers I'm looking for and I need to have it."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"I'm brown as a nut from our time on the beach and I still remember the Telmar language, not that anyone's going to talk to a servant." Edmund made his pitch for going to Miraz's Castle by himself. One person had an easier time of slipping past guards, especially since Peter had admitted that the castle was nearly impregnable. "No will recognize me, especially since no one will be looking for me. It's perfect."
Caspian had gathered his generals to hear Edmund's plan and now the room erupted with concerns, most about Edmund's safety but others pointed out that if he was caught Edmund could lead the Telmarines directly back to Aslan's How. Reepicheep, a warrior mouse, spoke up at that idea saying that obviously Edmund would rather kill himself than lead the Telmarines back to Aslan's How. The valiant mouse volunteered himself and eleven of his brothers to accompany Edmund on his mission, mice are adept at sneaking in to buildings and besides his majesty might need a sword guarding his back.
Peter called a halt to the discussion, as High King his words still held a lot of power. Edmund silently pleaded with his brother, he knew that ultimately his ability to go hinged on Pete's decision.
"Dr Cornelius, Caspian. You're sure that Edmund looks like a Telmarine?" Not wanting to make a decisions without all the facts, Peter turned to people in the know.
Caspian looked closely at Edmund. "He looks like Knuthy, one of the stable boys."
"It's true. If he doesn't talk and keeps moving, Edmund could pass for a servant. With luck and some cunning, you should be able to carry out your mission." Dr Cornelius gave his blessing.
"Then teach us the route to your study, doctor, we'll need to get it right before morning." Susan came forward, her jaw set and determined. Edmund realized she was planning to go with him and smiled as the rest of the group caught up.
"My lady, it would not be safe for you to go with Edmund." Caspian, shocked, was first to voice his doubt.
Susan snapped, "Don't believe I asked for your opinion Prince Caspian. If Edmund can pass for Telmarine I can as well and I refuse to let him go alone." Susan took Edmund's hand and gave it a squeeze. "He gets distracted when his heart's involved and I want him to return in one piece."
Lucy hid a smile behind her hand, it was not the time to laugh, but she still enjoyed seeing Susan pull rank while surrounded by all the tough military men.
Susan, confident as a Queen, began to make plans. "Edmund, I'll need a refresher in Telmar. Dr Cornelius, please begin the map for us to learn. Oh, and a list of people we may run into, please include the head of the kitchen, gate guards, cleaners and stable people along with Miraz and his men. Descriptions of what they look like would be helpful."
Thinking of details that men just wouldn't, Susan pointed out that Edmund's clothes were nothing like Caspian's. The garb of Old Narnia wouldn't pass for modern Telmarine, so Susan and Edmund would need to borrow or steal clothing even before they got inside the castle. Once inside they would need to get livery from the washrooms. She asked Caspian what his servants wore but he was barely useful on the subject, she sighed that 'boys never notice the important things' and had to console herself with Dr Cornelius' account of servant fashion.
It was decided that Reepicheep and his mice would journey to the castle, it wasn't said out loud but, their small size would be a benefit if Edmund or Susan needed a rescue. At least the mice would have a good chance at entering the castle unseen. And Reepicheep was quite blood-thirsty for his size.
As a way of thanking Susan for her gentle treatment of Borius so many years ago, two centaurs volunteered to carry the children to the edge of the forest. It was a great honor to ride a centaur and Susan sincerely thanked them for their grand gift.
Once the maps were ready, Lucy and Peter quizzed their siblings, irritatingly correcting them at the smallest error. The two wouldn't have the maps on them once they entered the castle, it was deemed too big a risk to be found with a map when they should know their way around as servants.
With a round of hugs and well wishes, Edmund and Susan set out in the wee hours of the morning. They were aiming to enter the castle with the morning rush of farmers and trades people coming in to market. The crush of people would make it easier to blend in. After a long ride, the centaurs left the Pevensies at the edge of the forest, blending back in to the foliage to wait for their return.
In the hour before dawn, Edmund snuck through a small village until he found clothing hanging out on a line. He felt bad about taking the clothes but left his Narnian tunic and breeches as payment along with a basket of berries and roots. If he could, he would return the clothes, but it was the best he could do at the moment.
Changed into their first disguise, Edmund and Susan joined the long line of merchants entering Miraz's castle. They knew that Reepicheep and his brothers-in-arms were watching out for them, but were unable to see the mice, it was a strange sensation, knowing you were being watched and hoping it was only friendly eyes noticing you. Though it was a risk, Edmund took Susan's hand as they passed under the porticulus, it's pointy teeth looming high above the walkway. Edmund would rather fear people notice them for holding hands than risk loosing Susan in the hustle and bustle of the marketplace.
The first step was complete. They were in the castle.