Hey everyone! Here is Chapter 18, I hope you enjoy!
"What did you do to her?!"
Roan dropped his candle as his head bounced against the wall at Peter's force, his windpipe feeling the heavy weight of the Kings arm.
"I didn't do anything to her! I was trying to protect her! I swear, it was the bandits!"
"Then why would they have taken you, too? How could you have gotten away? How would they have even known she was here if someone hadn't told them?!" Peter's eyes narrowed as his voice heightened.
"I-I don't know!"
"How convenient."
"A walk! We took a late night walk near the tree line, after everyone else had gone to bed. I heard rustling in the woods, but I thought it was just the wind. They must have been out there and seen her! It wouldn't be the first time they were known to travel those paths." Roan squeaked out, his fist grappling to find a hold on Peter to push him away. It was to no avail.
Nevertheless, Peter lightened his pressure on Roan's throat just the slightest and said, "That still doesn't explain why they would bother taking you too, or how you escaped."
"I can explain that. But I would appreciate you letting me go first."
Peter pressed harder. "I don't think you are in the position to be bargaining."
"Okay, okay..." Roan struggled and his voice faded in a dramatic attempt at making Peter lessen the pressure. He did just to speed things up. Roan continued. "I had stayed up late, going over some papers for court. I had just gotten ready for bed when I heard a scuffle. It sounded like something had been turned over. I ignored it but then I heard something else. When I went to investigate, I found the bandits dragging Queen Susan out the back door. I ran after them and I did what I could to stop them but there were just too many – a wolf, a minitour, a werewolf! How do you think I got these bruises?"
Roan paused and Peter squinted. In the dim lighting he hadn't noticed, but now that he was looking for it, he could see the dark bruises blooming on the right side of Roan's face. There were a few rips the sleeves of his pajamas too. At the small look of surprise on Peter's face, Roan went on.
"They knocked me out. I don't know for how long. When I came to, I ran back up here and found her room a mess, along with the note."
Edmund came into view and held up a sheet of paper. "He's right, Pete. I've read it already. They're ransoming her."
Peter eyed Edmund and the note before suddenly releasing Roan completely and snatching the letter to read it over. His shoulders stiffened. Roan caught his breath and then added, "I woke a butler to go retrieve your soldiers. They should be over here any minute. What would you have us do?"
"We go get her back safely. Then we capture these criminals or have them meet their deaths."
…...
Anna was cold and shaken but she was no longer tired. The night air and the terror seemed to have simply thrust it out of her. Her head still ached and now her mouth hurt because of the gag, but she was alive. And for that she was very thankful. Especially when she saw her company. Around her were three satyrs, two wolves, an ape and a werewolf, the minotaur, and four dwarves.
She had kept her breathing slow and took in her surroundings. Clearly they were deep in the wood somewhere, but not too far from the water. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness being pierced by the fire, she thought she was certain there were only two archers in the trees. There were small piles of loot and belongs dotted along the small makeshift campsite, one was strewn next to the satyr looking after her. Anna looked it over to see if a knife or anything for defense was there, though it was too dark to tell. She looked over the satyr then. He was a vile little creature with a sharp pointed nose that didn't seem to fit his face. He watched her with hard eyes but he seemed to keep his distance a few feet from her as much as he could without getting in trouble with the rest of his gang. Anna did her best to ignore him and strained her ears to try to overhear what the one's around the camp fire were saying. She only caught bits and pieces about how 'the King won't be happy' and 'it'd serve us best to send out some early' and something about 'Queen Susan'. At that name Anna listened harder, but it was to no avail, she was too far away.
But it did get her thinking. Why did they think she was Susan? Was it they who hurt Anna in the first place, leaving her with amnesia? And where was Susan if she wasn't with them?
All of this left Anna with one thought that she refused to believe. There was no way she could. How presumptuous of her to think it at all! Certainly, it was impossible. She was not the missing Queen Susan.
Anna scarcely thought it before feeling a wave come over her and her vision sway for a moment. Images of her dreams flashed through her mind. The blond boy whose face she couldn't quite make out, but knew was familiar. The dark headed boy at the window and the explosion...then Lucy popped into the mind, smiling into the looking glass as she braided the young girl's hair...
No. This is silly. Of course I'm not Susan. If I was, they would have told me. Peter would have said something the day I met him when hanging laundry. And he looked so sad when he saw me, it was because I wasn't who he was looking for. Because I wasn't Susan.
Anna grabbed the side of her head as best she could with her hands tied as she began doubling over. It all was too much. It hurt. Why was this so hard? Why did thinking of these things bother her so? If she could only just remember her own life...
"Filleus, what's going on back there?" A deep voice rumbled.
"I-I don't know, Taron. She's hurt or something." The satyr beside Anna was speaking. Anna glanced up and saw the minotaur, along with the other's from the campfire, walking over. It was then that she realized she was mumbling something against the gag tied around her mouth.
They stopped before her and she became angry, just watching them watch her. She yelled at them behind the gag, mumbling incoherently until one dwarf said, "Alright now, stop your fussing. What is it?" and yanked the gag down.
Anna sputtered at the force for only a second before yelling, "Let me go! I don't know what you want with me, but I assure you I am of no worth to you."
They blinked at her and then laughed.
"Of course you're not worth anything. What's the price of a Queen snatch these days, boys? Certainly not more than a few shillings." The minotaur said sarcastically, and they all continued snickering.
"I am not the Queen! There is no one that will pay you any sum for me. I am a maid in the house of Lord Roan Niar. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Sure, whatever you say. Meanwhile, I'm sure Lord Niar is readying the Narnian troops to come and get you. Queen or no Queen, you're worth a hefty payment to him."
Anna ignore their statements and decided to ask one of her burning questions. Though the evidence was piling up, she still struggled with believing anything against Roan. Surely he had made an unwitting mistake. He couldn't have made a deal with them for bad reasons. "What is your business with him anyway? Lord Roan is an upstanding member of Tiran society. He is an official in their courts! He welcomed me-"
"He welcomed you because you were a pretty face and a bounty!" growled the wolf.
"That isn't true! I don't know what your dealings were with him, but I cannot believe that he had anything but good intentions. He is my friend and he has been helping the Narnians."
"And how do you think we come to find out about the Narnian's and their coming to Tir in the first place? Your friend, Lord Roan is, as you say, a member of their court. Queen Susan was meeting with court officials. Or, she was planning on it, anyways. Roan knew her route from Archenland because he was a part of the delegates meant to meet her." The minotaur said and they all continued to snicker. "He's a liar. You really shouldn't be surprised."
Anna sat still for a moment, willing her face to stay firm and hard as stone while she felt utterly betrayed. She didn't want to believe what they were saying. They're bandits and liars and thieves and Roan – well she had heard him speak to them about their deal. It had come straight from his mouth and now their words fit the puzzle together.
"Well then he is playing you too. He knows I am not the Queen, he is merely tricking you." Anna said.
"Think what you want. For all I know, you're only saying that to get us to release you. Regardless, I have a sneaking suspicion that the King won't be leaving you out here." Said Taron, the minotaur.
Anna's heart ached at the thought of Peter, though she wasn't quite sure why. "I am of no concern to him. I am a maid."
"Racor didn't seem to think so, and he was dealing with the younger king. I can only imagine what the High King will do when he finds his little sister is missing again."
"Racor?"
"Oh, yes. You remember him, don't you? Racor, get down here!" The minotaur called to the trees. And that's when she saw the dwarf she recognized from before. He had been too far up and it was too dark to tell by his figure alone who he was. But as he slipped down from the tree, there was no mistaking it. That was the dwarf who almost killed Edmund.
Anna felt her anger from that day re-manifest suddenly at seeing him now.
"Oi, what is it?" He snarled.
"What did you say about the King? You think he'll be wanting this one back?"
Racor glared at Anna with cold eyes. "Yeah, they'll be coming. I don't doubt it for a minute."
They had put the gag back in her mouth shortly after that and left Anna alone for a while. She watched as half of her captors, six in total, left camp before it was even beginning to get light. She had an inkling they may be going to scope out the exchange site, as she heard earlier them speaking of 'sending out some early'. Another hour passed and the dark sky started growing ever so slowly lighter, though the fire was still needed to fully see. Anna kept her guard up and was constantly looking for an out, but she'd need to get the rope off her wrist and ankles first. The satyr a few feet from her eyed her on and off, clearly unhappy with the role he'd been given to watch her. Anna noticed he fumbled with the bundle of belongings beside him. It was just light enough now for her to make out what was there. It included a blanket, a pack of food, and a bow and arrows.
Anna immediately knew if she could get a hold of just one arrow out of his quiver, she could attempt to remove her shackles. But the faun was unbudging. He sat rigid on top of a small stone. So she decided to try something. Once again she began mumbling, though much quieter than before, so only to get his attention. She motioned to the gag when he looked at her. He glanced at the others around the fire and then back at her. She put on the most helpless, innocent look she could conjure. He sighed harshly and then yanked the gag out.
"What'd ya want?"
"I need water. Surely, you all can spare that. I mean you did kidnap me, the least you could do is offer me something to drink."
He squinted untrustingly at her.
"Where do you think I'm going to go? I'm surrounded by you all and tied up." She said exasperatedly.
"Fine. But sit still." The satyr got up and went about five yards away towards a bucket with a ladle in it. Anna shot a look over to the campfire to make sure no one was looking, and then scooted closer to the bundle. She got about a foot before the satyr turned around. He walked over and put the ladle up to her mouth and she sipped slowly.
When she finished, she said, "Your name is Filleus, right? I heard them say it earlier." He gave her a hard look but said nothing, so she went on. "Do you think I'm the Queen?" She whispered to him.
The satyr's eyes went a little wider, clearly getting annoyed with her, but still he gave no answer.
"Because your friends seem to think so. Well, if I were, what do you think will happen once I'm ransomed? The High King Peter no doubt will ride in to get me away from such deviants as you, and then what? You think you'll get away, that you'll be able to escape? You won't. You've heard stories of him, haven't you? Peter the Magnificent? Of all his glories won in battles? Don't you think he can handle a little group of bandits?" Anna paused and watched as the satyr began to look questionable. His shoulders tensed and he forced his face into a hard demeanor.
Anna went on, praying he didn't see through her and realize she was making it all up. "He won't take you all as prisoners – he'll kill you. You know that. After all, you stole his little sister, you hurt her."
"We haven't touched you," He hissed. "Not anything more than tying those ropes, at least."
"Do you think that'll matter if I tell him otherwise? Besides, there are more Narnian soldiers than there are of you. Twice as many. You don't stand a chance and you know it. But if you help me now, I promise, I'll make sure that the King spares you." Anna knew this sounded conniving and she had no founding to say Peter would do anything like that for her, let alone come to get her after how she's been treating him lately, but she knew he would for Susan. And if Filleus believed it and she was able to get away, that's all that mattered. She nudged closer to the satyr to have him look her in the eye.
He stared, mulling her over, and then looked back to the campfire.
"May I have some more?" Anna nodded to the ladle.
"I know what you're doing." Said Filleus.
"I am merely giving you an out. Now, if you please, I am very thirsty. And even if you don't help me, I will remember the kind satyr that treated me with decency while locked up here. I may even mention that to the King, if things don't go your way."
Filleus eyed her again for a moment and then looked to the ground. Finally, he stood and went to retrieve more water. Anna leaned and scooted over, trying hard to not make noise and being very thankful it was still dark. A silent prayer to Aslan was said almost unconsciously as she reached across the rock the satyr had been sitting on, both hands still tied. She felt the bundle of things and then softness of a feather when Fillius started talking and turned towards her. Anna shot back up and tried to look unbothered. Fillius was looking at the ladle, trying not to spill it.
"You have a lot of gall, I'll give you that, Queen. And it would serve you well to remember me kindly, for I am doubtless the nicest one you'll find among this lot." Anna sipped what he brought her as he went on. "But your silly mind games won't work on me. Save those for your Lord Roan. That's his favorite game."
Anna eyed him over the ladle and felt a pang run through her again at the thought of Roan and how easily these bandits talked of him. How many mind games had she fallen for? She forced the thought out of her mind as Filleus stood.
"No more, you've had enough for now." He turned to replace the ladle and Anna knew this was her only chance. She reached her upper half across the stone Filleus had been sitting on once again and felt the feathers. She grasped it with a death grip with both hands and then forced herself to a sitting position, stuffing the single arrow under the skirt of her night dress. Filleus turned just at that moment and moved to sit back down on the stone.
"Now, Queenie, you'll get no more traitorous talk out of me." And he forced the gag back around her mouth.
So Anna sat for much longer, and pulled her feet under her dress, running the tip of the arrow over her bindings when getting the chance and when thinking she could do it quiet enough. The whole time she found herself praying. She didn't know why, but Aslan was the name she was calling on. The Pevensie's had talked of him so much, and it just felt right. And she was scared and confused. About her current predicament and this Susan business and Roan. She asked for wisdom and clarity and a way out. Anna started to feel a hope rise in her, though her headache persisted.
Before long, there came quiet noises all around the camp. The sound of padding and twigs snapping could be heard here and there. The sky was dimming and Anna noticed that the others heard the noises too. They were on guard, looking around. Taron snapped at them to start collecting their things, that it was about time to leave to go to the clearing for the exchange. Anna thought back to the clearing she was sure they passed in the night. But her thoughts were distracted as the noises persisted, getting louder.
The wolf, Racor, and Taron glanced at each other and spoke in hushed tones before quietly moving out into the woods to scope. Filleus was on guard too, his head whipping around in each direction when a new sound came. Everyone was thinking the same thing – someone was out there and they may be there to avoid the ransom. Though Anna was unsure. Something felt off to her.
Suddenly a yell was heard and then a dragging. Then another yell. Everyone snapped to attention. Filleus shot up, grabbing his bow, and walked a few paces ahead. Anna felt a cord of fear run through her and worked as fast and quietly as she could to cut the ropes at her feet, though it took longer with both hands tied.
Relief flooded her when she felt them give way. But then another yell pierced through the woods. The werewolf growled harsh and loud and ordered the two dwarves and an ape that was still there to fan out and kill whatever it was.
"Filleus - guard the girl!" The werewolf snapped. Filleus glanced back at Anna before leveling his bow and scanning what lay before them. The only other one in sight was the werewolf. More yells came and the fur on his back bristled as his growl lowered. Anna sat on her knees, knowing she might have to jump up and run at any moment, unsure of what was out there.
For a moment all was quiet. Too quiet. The sky was a deep shade of blue, leaving the earth and air feeling eerie. Anna looked at her captors. There were only two in sight and their backs were toward her. Something told her this was the best time to pull out the arrow. She put it in between her knees and used the point to once again saw at the ropes, this time around her wrists. She was almost out of them when a roar ripped through the air. The werewolf growled in response and leaped at whatever he saw ahead in the brush. Filleus ran forward, listening to the battle and unsure of what to do. There was thrashing and snarls. Anna felt sheer panic run through her, making her saw all the more viciously at the ropes, cutting her own wrist in the process. But she didn't care. She needed to run.
And run she did. Another roar ripped through the air and the bindings fell, having been successfully cut through. She shot off to the side and gone before Filleus turned around. Her bare feet felt the sting of fallen limbs and rocks but she didn't notice. She yanked the gag from around her and ran and ran and twisted between trees, willing herself to not stop. That is, until she turned a bend in the tree line and was forced to, having tripped over something heavy and solid. Pain shuddered through her as she landed hard on her knees but it was nothing compared to the shock that jolted her when turning to see what tripped her.
A dead body lay before her.
Note: There will only be 1 or 2 more chapters. Thanks for reading!
