Chapter Six

Mephis

The sound of approaching hooves was the first thing that Susan noticed when her vision cleared after jumping into her final pool. Instinct made her duck into the nearest shelter—a large boulder by the side of what appeared to be a dirt road. This world, so far as she could assess in the few seconds that she had been here, looked more comforting to Susan. It had a healthy abundance of trees and plants and she noticed a few squirrels scamper along to get away from the disturbance on the road. There was a sound of a reigning horse and a clear male voice called:

"Come out! I saw you hide. I'm not going to hurt you."

Susan hesitated. She didn't know whether to trust him or not. There only seemed to be one rider and if he was a fiend, perhaps she could take him down. She picked up a few stones and placed them in her pocket. She slowly came out of her hiding place but with one hand in her pocket, clutching a hard stone.

What she saw surprised her and made her drop the stone back into her pocket. Sitting atop a grand white horse was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was clad in a gold chain mail and a white cloak embroidered in gold with symbols she couldn't understand. He had a sword on his scabbard and a gold crown on his head.

"My word," said the man who Susan knew must be a king or a prince. He looked as astonished as she. "You're not from this place, are you?"

Susan couldn't take her eyes off him but managed to nod her head.

He seemed to have recovered earlier than she. He got off his horse. He towered her by over a foot. Susan was no dwarf, so he had to be at least six foot nine. He bowed gracefully to her. "Forgive me, I have forgotten my manners. Lady, I am King Mephis, ruler of this kingdom of Lonan. I am at your service."

Susan curtsied politely though she could not get herself to speak yet.

"If I may be so bold as to ask my lady's name…?"

"Oh… S-Susan Pevensie, Sir."

The man took her hand and deftly kissed it. "Charmed, Lady Susan."

Susan blushed. She had been used to men who flattered her this way, but there was something about his air that completely arrested her.

"May I also ask what a lady such as yourself is doing in the middle of my wood unescorted?"

Susan didn't know what to say but fortunately, it was the Mephis who broke the awkward silence.

"I may have an idea. You're not from this world. I can see it in your clothes as in your features."

Fear gripped Susan's heart.

"You need not be afraid, I shall probe you no further questions. But I must insist that you return with me to my Palace. You look tired and famished and my hospitality forbids me to leave you here alone where you are exposed to many dangers."

Susan thought fast. She didn't know if she could trust this man, but on the other hand, she was already tired and hungry. Her last adventure had offered her no rest or nourishment. And she knew nothing of the possible dangers in this foreign world. Cautiously, she accepted the hand he offered and climbed into his horse behind him. His horse was twice as big as the biggest horse she had ever seen. It could easily carry two riders with room to spare. It ran like the wind with its powerful legs. It was so fast it felt like they were flying.

The ride took about an hour and during the trip, the king had tried his best to assure her by talking about himself. He told her his kingdom was vast and far, covering so many mountains and plains, forests and lakes. From the way he described it, it was a very beautiful and peaceful place to live in. Finally they reached their destination. Susan marveled at the sight before her. The Palace was even more impressive than he had portrayed it. It was even bigger and grander than Cair Paravel. It had so many golden towers with flying banners, she couldn't count them all. Outside it, were lush sprawling gardens, fountains and beautiful statues.

The ladies and lords that greeted them at his door all looked so handsome like him, though none of them men equaled Mephis' own features. They seemed to be of a tall race, for even the smallest lady was six inches taller than Susan. Their clothes and jewels looked so expensive and finely crafted that Susan felt quite self-conscious in her own simple garments.

Mephis introduced her as his personal guest and bid his subjects to treat her with as much hospitality and respect. The ladies quickly ushered her into a suite of elegantly decorated rooms. There, she was bathed and dressed into fine silks and given a selection of jewels to wear while the ladies talked incessantly and admiringly about their king. When she was ready, she was sent to join Mephis for supper with his courtiers. She was rather apprehensive about the impressive display in the dining room but all the noble men and women were friendly and she was soon comfortable with them.

When the dinner bell rang, Susan noticed servants promptly appear. But these servants were unlike Mephis' people. They were shorter, the tallest of them only reached about the same height as Susan. They had sunken eyes and wide mouths that made them appear so much inferior with the courtiers. They wore no splendid clothes but simple garbs that fell ill-fittingly on their small bodies. They did not speak but they looked upon Mephis with revered gazes that were almost worshipful. No one among the courtiers however, seemed to have noticed them at all.

"Your servants," began Susan to Mephis who sat on her left. "They look…" she paused searching for the right word. "Different."

"No more different than each person in this room is from each other," replied Mephis. "We are all different, in some ways."

"But they appear to be so much smaller. Are they of a different race?"

Mephis eyed her thoughtfully. "Yes, they come from one tribe. There are several here in Lonan. We are a diverse culture."

Susan would have asked him further about the various tribes and cultures which Lonan had but she was drawn by the lady on her right on the topic of some new fabric design that was all the rage in court recently. The conversation went on with Mephis playing the perfect host. Finally

After dinner, Susan went back to her rooms and promptly fell asleep.

When she woke up the next day, she made a resolve to figure out what her last trial would be. She tried to assess all that had happened to her in her previous trials. So far, she had met Lucy and Edmund in two different worlds. It was only fitting she would find Peter in this one. But she reckoned that like in the two previous trials, he would not look like himself so she wouldn't recognize him. So far, this world didn't appear to look troubled at all. What could Aslan have sent her here for? Perhaps if she explored the kingdom she would find it.

I'll need a horse, she said to herself. So she dressed in a riding habit and went to find the stables. She found another one of king's servants there. She figured he was the stable boy for he was tending to a fine grey mare. He bowed politely when he saw her approach.

"I'd like to go riding for the day," she said to the boy.

The boy nodded silently and began immediately to saddle the mare. Her previous night's curiosity returned to her as she watched him at work.

"Could you tell me something about Lonan and its people?" she asked.

"Madam?" replied the boy in a rather gravely voice as if he didn't understand clearly.

"The King mentioned something about different tribes. You're from one of them?"

"There are four tribes in all," he replied with a look of pride in his eyes. The Eastern Seafarers—an adventurous lot who tended to the jeweled fish and crown creatures of the deep with much care as their own children; the Southern Gardeners—caretakers of the wild woods and all its gentle beasts; the Cave Dwellers—protector of the desserts sands of the West; and finally the Northern Masters of Rocky Mountains."

"Are they a peaceful people?" she asked.

"Why yes. And gentle and just. They treat each other like brothers and sisters and are ready to aid each other's call." He paused and looked away. "But the foreigners…" he began.

Susan was about to bid him to continue when a call came behind her.

"My lady?" one of the noble ladies came up to her.

Susan turned and bowed to her in acknowledgement.

The courtier looked about her surroundings distastefully. "My lady Susan should not be here. It is unfit for the king's special guest."

"I was only hoping to see the horses," Susan replied. She didn't want to give away too much that she was aiming to go riding, just in case Mephis didn't approve of her wandering about his kingdom. "And I was having a pleasant chat with the groom."

The noble woman flashed the stable boy a look of disdain. "Oh do come away my lady, to some better company. The King wishes a word with you immediately in his throne room."

Susan was a little disappointed but nevertheless complied with the request. Mephis greeted her when she approached.

"I trust my Lady has had a pleasant rest."

"Yes, I did, your majesty, thank you so much."

"I'd like to inform you that I am giving a ball for you tonight here in the Palace, in honor of your welcome."

Susan was surprised. A ball? For her?

"I always treat my guests with such tribute," he said. "So please, if you could stay in your apartments, I will have the ladies prepare you tonight as fitting the guest of honor."

Susan muttered her thanks and returned to her rooms where a group of hair dressers, dress makers, make up stylists and jewelers seemed to have been sent up just for the occasion. Susan happily settled with them and had such a fun time picking out clothes and jewels that she had forgotten about the time. The next thing she knew, it was time for the ball.

They made a grand entrance for her and all the lords and ladies of the court awed and ahhed at her appearance. Susan had never felt so pampered in a long time. And when Mephis stepped up to dance with her, she graciously accepted. The night wore on and Susan had the most dance partners that evening. All the men seemed to be fascinated with her, while the women, she noticed all gave her envious looks, especially when she had Mephis' attention, which was quite often. But it was the dances with Mephis (she had five of them) that she enjoyed the most for he was an excellent dancer and his manners were perfectly pleasing. There was never an awkward moment with him for he could always find the right topic to make her feel at ease. After the last dance, he escorted her back to the top of the stairs leading to her private wing. He bowed low to bid her goodnight and she couldn't help but admire how magnificent he looked.

Wait…Magnificent… Peter! She thought excitedly. Of course, who better to be Peter than this handsome ruler who seemed to be loved so faithfully by his followers?

"Goodnight, my Lady Susan. I hope you have enjoyed the evening."

"Of course I did… Peter," she said with a knowing smile. But he frowned as if he didn't understand her.

"I'm sorry, what did you call me?"

"Oh nothing… nothing at all. Goodnight your majesty." She turned away. Well of course he won't acknowledge it. Maybe he's not supposed to until I'm done with the trial. But what a relief to know he's here, though I shouldn't mention it again. She yawned. I suppose I'll just have to wait until tomorrow to ride and figure out what the trial is. There will be time enough tomorrow.

But the next day, Mephis again had different plans for her. And the next day and the next day after that was the same. A week had passed and Susan had no opportunity of going out at all or talking to anyone aside from the people in court. But she was enjoying herself so much with all the parties, all the games they played, the new clothes and jewels, and the attention of her numerous suitors that she could hardly worry so much. She comforted herself with the fact that Peter/Mephis was always by her side. She couldn't possibly be drifting away from her trial if he was with her, could she?

On her seventh evening in Lonan, she came away from the dancing to rest her feet on a comfortable bench in the garden. The moon was out and it gave the place such a romantic setting, it set Susan's heart a flutter. A shadow passed behind her and she turned to see Mephis approach.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" he said.

"Why yes," she replied with a gesture to welcome him to sit beside her.

"I thought we might have a little talk alone," he said as he took her offered seat.

Susan was mildly surprised. Did Peter finally come to help her do her trial?

"I'd like that," she replied.

"I have a confession to make and I hope by the end of it, you'd want to tell me something about yourself too."

"Alright," said Susan teasingly.

"I'm not from this world. I wasn't born here."

Susan let out a giggle. "I know that."

"You do?"

Oh what a stupid game he's playing! He's always been a bad liar around me. When will he ever learn that I could always see right through him? But fine, I'll play along. "Of course, I do, silly. I'm not from this world either, remember?"

"Of course I do, you came here by some sort of magic, just as I did."

"Well of course, the magic rings."

"Ahh!" he said. "So you are a magician too like me."

"Magician?" laughed Susan. Then she remembered one summer when she eight years old and Peter was nine when their father brought a bag of tricks for them play with. They had such a laugh when they performed childish magical tricks to the fascinated Edmund and Lucy. "Oh yes, we were quite a pair of magicians aren't we?"

"Good," he smiled. "That makes you perfect."

"Perfect for what?" she asked, another giggle bubbling up her throat at the memory.

"To be my wife."

Susan's mirth died and she jumped away from him. "Peter, that's not funny."

"Who is this Peter and I find nothing funny in this at all." His eyes flashed dangerously at her. "I've watched you Susan. I know you desire me as much as I do you." And before she could stir, he had grasped her arms and pressed his lips upon hers.

Susan's blood ran cold and she could not move a muscle. His lips were like ice and when he released her she could stare directly into his frost-encrusted eyes that were not at all human.

"Let me reintroduce myself," he said. "My full name is Mephistopheles, High Prince of the Charn."

Susan shuddered at his declaration. But she didn't have to remember the stories told by Professor Kirke to know what that meant. She remembered where she had seen those eyes before: on Jadis, the White Witch.

A/N: Thanks to all those who reviewed and those who follow through this story. Originally, I intended to have just one chapter for each trial Susan undertakes. However, I keep getting so many ideas for the last trial, I couldn't help but prolong it for another chapter. To those who are anticipating the next installment, don't fret. I'll be updating as soon as I finish editing the next chapter.

Oh and a note on the previous chapter, "Princepa" comes from "princeps" or captain. It's Latin.