Chapter Five
Miseria
Susan changed back into the clothes she first came in and disregarded the ones she had gotten from Urbicus. It would do well to be inauspicious as possible when she entered another world and these bright new clothes were simply too brilliant to miss. She did however, keep one item: a silver-colored handkerchief that could fit easily in her pocket.
She picked a pool close to her own original world. She got the second green ring out and put it on just as she jumped in. The wood disappeared to be replaced by the view of another settlement. But this was not a busy metropolis like Urbicus. There were no high buildings or flying cars. In fact there were no cars at all and no clear roads. The only testament that it was a settlement were the ugly weatherworn houses made of wood and thatch and the people around going about their domestic duties of carrying food, doing laundry, cooking meals in large pots or repairing fences. Susan thought everything looked rather primitive, though the presence of trees and plants gave her comfort.
Susan huddled in a concealed corner in the shadow of one of the houses to observe more. She suddenly noticed how quiet this place was compared to the booming noise of Urbicus. There was none of the noisy chatter from people. No one was greeting anyone else while they passed by each other. They all seemed to go about their business in quiet solitude. The only sounds were not made by humans: the cackling of roaming chickens and the bleating of sheep from their enclosed fence, the sizzling of a fire from an open pot, and the occasional rumble of a cart wheel as it gets lodged into the rocky and grassy ground.
The people who lived here looked similarly to humans in her own original world. But it was their clothes that made them look so different. They were of some plain rough fabric but the state they were in was what she would call in her old world 'rags'. Indeed, everyone looked so poor, she was the best dressed person around.
An old woman bent over and carrying bundles of vegetables in a basket passed near her and gave her notice. Susan saw fear in her eyes. She attempted to bow to Susan as much as she could and dropped her basket in the process.
"Forgive me, noble lady," she begged. She tried to kneel, but her knees weren't strong enough.
"No please, don't," said Susan. She helped the woman up and picked up the basket. It was very heavy. A woman her age shouldn't be lifting things like this, thought Susan.
"May I ask where you are going, Madam?" Susan asked politely.
The old woman still had that fearful look. "T-to the Grand House. I must get those to the royal household."
Susan couldn't imagine abandoning the old woman and offered to help. But she shook her head, saying she could do it herself.
"Nonsense, please lead the way and I will carry the basket for you."
The old woman hesitated but perhaps was too fearful to contradict her. She slowly walked ahead. They came to a cluster of houses, all built more solidly of fine wood and looking far better than the thatched ones she had seen previously. They came to an open square bordered in the north by a large building. It was also made out of wood with big windows to let in sunlight and air. It wasn't in any way impressive to Susan, she had seen far better houses. This appeared to be like a humble but slightly larger cottage than the ones Susan had been to in England. Nevertheless, it was the best looking structure around, considering the others appeared so poor.
A horrible stench assailed Susan's nose. It smelled of rotting flesh. And then she saw them: tied to a large tree growing on the side of the house were three mangled bodies of men, all hanging by the neck. She noticed one of them had only two fingers left on his hand, another was missing both feet. The rags of the third one had fallen and Susan could see the cruel marks of a whip that had been administered to his back before he died.
"Who are they?" she asked the old woman. "Who's done this to them?"
"Criminals, lady," said the old woman. "Punished last week for defying King Belua."
"What have they done?"
"They refused to work. Said that King Belua was evil and wrong to let them work so hard. Not that I think that my lady. No, no, I'm a loyal subject," she quickly added. "King Belua is a great man, a great, great man…" she muttered though Susan knew that was just for her benefit.
What a beast this King Belua must be. Why, he has frightened all these people into submission by making a horrid example to those that defy him.
They had reached the tallest building, which Susan reckoned was the Grand House. They came through a side door that appeared to be the entrance to the kitchens.
"My lady, if you please, I can go on from here. A lady like you has no place in the humble servants' area."
But Susan shook her head and strode into the kitchen with the basket. There were women chattering inside while they went about their tasks. They abruptly stopped as they saw Susan enter and they all looked at her with terrified gazes similar to that of the old woman.
"Where would you have these placed?" Susan asked one of them. The servant woman nervously pointed out to the nearest table. Susan put the basket down there.
"My lady, please…" cried the desperate old woman. Susan didn't want to get her into trouble and so she decided to leave.
"My lady… the grand hall is this way." One of the servants pointed to a door at one end of the kitchen.
Susan was planning to just go out and wander back into the streets. She was thinking how she would be caught as an imposter once she was in the company of the King's court. But when she left the corridor of the kitchen she found, she need not have worried. All the high people in this land were dressed in attire which, though wasn't exactly the same as her own clothes, was nevertheless similar to her own world. And there were so many ladies here, no one could notice her at all. She blended in quite easily.
She found her way into a large hall where a party seemed to be in full swing. Servants bustled about carrying an abundant amount of fruit, cheese, bread, wine and meats in bronze trays and copper goblets. So far, copper and bronze appeared to be the only metallic elements she had seen used in this world.
There were musicians playing while the ladies and high men of the court danced and laughed. She noticed a short and fat little man with a bronze crown on his head surrounded by admiring courtiers. Susan knew this must be King Belua.
A servant offered Susan a goblet of wine. Susan accepted it and drank. It was good wine.
"Tell me," she asked the servant boy. "What occasion is it today?"
"Why nothing, my lady. Just a regular luncheon," replied the servant.
"But why all this food and gaiety?"
The servant boy gave a puzzled look. "The King always has good food and gaiety."
"You mean, this is done everyday. This much, everyday?"
"Why yes, lady. If you're in the king's court they always have the best." The servant excused himself to serve others and left Susan alone with her thoughts.
They could afford all these everyday yet the people outside look like they're in so much need. This King is nothing more but a selfish brute! And his courtiers are no better!
A pair of large doors suddenly opened and several armed men entered the grand hall dragging with them several ragged prisoners tied tightly. The music stopped and the men paced about importantly towards Belua. The prisoners were thrown unceremoniously at the King's feet.
"Sire, we found them! Here's more of those little band of thieves stealing from your personal stores," said one of the armed men who appeared to be the captain. He grabbed one of the prisoners roughly by the hair to raise his head. "Here's their leader."
Susan eyed the prisoner. He had long dark untidy hair that fell almost to his shoulders, covering his entire face. He seemed to have acquired several gashes on his elbows and knees. The captain lifted his head higher to reveal part of his face.
Why, he is only a boy, thought Susan. She looked around at the other prisoners. She noticed a small girl almost as young as Lucy when they first entered the wardrobe. Their other six companions looked no older than Susan herself.
"Well done, well done" said the king. "These thieves won't get away this time."
"I stole nothing," cried the boy. "It is you who steals from the people! You spend your days on lavish food and clothes for yourself and your courtiers in your endless parties while your people starve at your gates!"
The king merely kicked him viciously in the stomach. "Treacherous slanderer!" He motioned to his men. "Take them all outside! We'll have them suffer for their crimes. We'll start with their leader. Come everyone, we shall have a jolly good show today!"
The courtiers around Susan all murmured in approval and began to follow their king. Susan was horrified. She tried to get to the prisoners, but the crowd of people in front of her was too thick to get through. By the time she had found a view to the outside courtyard through one of the large windows, there was already a large crowd of people gathered. The prisoners were placed on a dais and the boy-leader's hands were forced in a kneeling position while his hands were tied to a wooden post. His ragged shirt was pulled roughly away to reveal his bare back and the king shouted for a whip. The courtiers cheered.
"Let me through, please! Let me through!" cried Susan. But the crowd in front of her refused to budge.
The kitchen door! Susan suddenly remembered. She doubled back into the grand hall and out into the kitchen entrance, not even pausing on the strange looks from the servants she passed by. She rounded back into the square where a crowd of peasants had gathered. They watched silently at the poor boy who was now being whipped. Some turned away with tears in their eyes. Yet no one raised a word of protest.
Crack! Crack! The whip went but the boy barely uttered a cry. Susan admired him for his pure nerve to withstand such pain.
Crack! The crowd near the grand house cheered even louder. Susan could bear it no longer. She pushed past the crowd of peasants and rushed to the dais. She forcefully placed her body between the boy and the King who was holding the whip.
"STOP!" she cried.
Belua was startled and lowered his whip for a second. Susan took the opportunity to unbind the boy.
"What are you doing?" said the King when he had recovered from his shock.
Susan paid no attention to him and untangled the last of the ropes. The boy collapsed into the ground. His face was covered with blood, where he was hit previously. Susan reached into her pocket for a handkerchief but before she could, the king had roughly pulled at her left arm.
"Who are you!" he demanded. He looked straight into her face. His black eyes were blazing that Susan almost thought they were red. "I do not recognize you as any of the ladies of the court."
He let go of her arm, but his strong hands moved quickly to her throat. Susan gasped for breath and knew she would lose air in a few seconds. Her right hand quickly groped at her pocket and found the silver colored handkerchief from Urbicus that she kept there. She raised it high so the sunlight could fall directly into it then shut her eyes.
Belua let go as he was blinded by the sudden flash. Susan saw a small short sword at the King's side, she pulled it and placed it under his throat.
"Stay your men!" she ordered him.
His guards didn't need orders, they stepped back.
"What… do you want… from me…" Belua gasped.
"I want justice for these people!" declared Susan. "You have abused them far too long."
"O-of course," Belua said, but as he did, his hand violently pushed at Susan. She let go of the sword where it clattered to the ground. She expected to be seized but nothing of that sort happened. Instead, there was an agonized cry and she looked up to see that the boy had grabbed the fallen sword and had plunged it directly into Belua's heart. He fell down immediately dead and there was a long moment of shocked silence. Then from above her she could see the captain of Belua's guards, his sword drawn and aimed at her and the boy. But he hadn't taken more than three strides when an arrow came out of nowhere and pierced his neck. Suddenly arrows were flying and hitting the royal guards and a great battle cry rang from the crowd.
"The tyrant is dead!" Susan made out one shout that appeared to be louder than the rest. "People of Miseria, take what is rightfully yours!"
Susan realized that it was the boy beside her who was shouting. Even with his wounds he was able to raise himself. He used the bloodied sword to cut the bonds of his companions. There were people from the crowd that had pushed their way to the dais, all bearing an assortment of daggers, wooden pikes, and bows and arrows. They came upon the charging guards while tossing weapons to the previously bound prisoners.
"Princepa, we have come as soon as we can," a woman armed with a wooden shield and a wooden staff called to the boy.
He nodded a grateful thank you. "Take any who tries to charge but spare those who surrender," ordered the boy in a commandeering voice that was startling for his appearance. Then he charged on two attackers, hacking one straight at the neck before delivering a swift blow on the second one's knees with the skill of a trained warrior.
Susan was astonished. This was no mere peasant. He was fighting like an excellent swordsman, like… Edmund!
"Susan!" the boy called at her. He tossed her a bow and a quiver of arrows. It confirmed her suspicions. All her instincts in battle returned when she caught the bow. She quickly strung it and immediately fired arrows to their oncoming attackers. She cleared the way for Edmund and his band of combatants by shooting the last four remaining guards by the door of the Grand House. The courtiers inside didn't even put up a fight. When they saw that their guards were down, they raised their arms in surrender and Edmund ordered them thrown together in a cell.
It was all over in less than fifteen minutes and Edmund's followers were giving out victorious shouts while distributing the bountiful food from Belua's feast to eager hands outside.
"Hail! Hail the Princepa!" cried the same woman who called out to Edmund earlier. She raised a copper goblet at him. Everyone cheered. Edmund saluted back in acknowledgement then collapsed with exhaustion.
"Edmund!" Susan cried in alarm and was immediately by his side. His faithful followers carried him to a nearby chamber and laid him in bed. Susan immediately called for fresh water, some clean cloths and herbs, She tended to his wounds and changed his rags to cleaner clothes. She was just rubbing his face clean with a towel when he opened his eyes.
"Congratulations Susan," he said. "You just passed your third trial."
"Oh Edmund!" She kissed him on the forehead. "Will you be alright?"
"Did you hear me, Su? I said you just passed your third trial," he insisted.
"I know that, silly! But I'm more concerned about you. You're going to get horrible scars on your back after what that beast had done to you."
"I don't mind the scars. In Narnia I had far worse ones. I'll live, long enough to rule these people until they're ready to rule it themselves."
"Then you'll come home and join me?"
"Of course, Susan. I'll be there when you come home."
"Thank you Edmund."
"Princepa?" two middle-aged men peered into the room with worried looks on their faces.
"I am fine," Edmund replied kindly. "Just tired. Tell the rest not to worry. I'll deal with the prisoners later."
The two men saluted him as if he was royalty and went off. But they weren't the last of his visitors. People kept peering in Edmund's room. Little boys came to steal admiring glances at him. Teenage girls would come by in twos and threes pretending to be looking for something then giggle when Edmund looked their way. Even a few grown men would drop in occasionally to "check on the Princepa's health." Finally, one of Edmund's followers shut the door to his room to give him some peace. But after that somebody had strum a guitar outside and Susan could make out an impromptu ballad detailing the brave deeds of her younger brother.
"You seem to be popular with these people," Susan observed.
Edmund had an amused grin but shook his head. "It's no holiday Su. I've been playing Robin Hood for the past seven months without the merry men. They're a depressed lot, these people. It took me a while to convince them to get organized with an army. They're downright scared to defy Belua. Now that the beast is dead, I've got to get this kingdom in shape and running. I almost envy you Su."
"Don't," said Susan. Then she remembered something. "But what will happen to the other nobles who aren't dead. You aren't going to…" Her own gentle nature had made her worry.
"Oh no, I'm not going to have them killed. Maybe banished so they won't make trouble. Give them a good lesson on how to work for their own living for once. Susan, have a little faith in me. I wasn't called Edmund the Just for nothing. But you did re-learn justice and here's your reward."
He got something out of his pocket. It was another white handkerchief with another yellow ring.
Susan accepted it, careful not to touch the ring. "I'll see you soon," she said as she ruffled his hair for good measure. "And wash your hair."
Edmund jerked his head from her interfering hands and scowled mightily at her.
Susan took the ring from its protective fabric. Before she disappeared from his sight completely, she returned her younger brother's glare with a patronizing smile, which was her way of showing him affection. Edmund was never one for sweetness.