The Beast Must Die: Chapter 8
"Peter, please do you think you could come to the woods with us today?" Lucy looked up at her favorite big brother, eyes wide, wearing her most pleading face.
"Sorry Lu, Aslan's holding a trial today for the prisoners captured from the White Witch's army. You can go with Susan though, I know she's not busy…"
"Okay, very well, I'll go with Susan…again." Lucy did her best to hide her frustration. Why was peter never around anymore? It seemed every day he became more grown up, more worried looking, more like Father…Lucy looked away darkly, muttering to herself, and peter too: "I wish Aslan would just let them all go…I mean they didn't really do anything, they were just…lied to or scared by the Witch, that's not so bad is it? To be afraid?"
"Sorry, it's not that easy LuLu." Edmund spoke up from the corner he'd been filling till now. "A lot of those…things are pure evil, now they're caught and have to answer to the Narnians they hurt. Think Lucy, all the good ones ran from the witch…or died; only the bad ones are left…besides, if Aslan let all the baddies go, what would happen to Narnia?"
I'd have my brother back…at least for a day or two Lucy thought to herself. She wanted to say something smart and cutting and whip it back in that Edmund's smirking face, but Peter cut in.
"Oh cammon Ed, leave her alone. Hey I'm not the only king expected to appear, go get ready!"
"Yes 'sir'." Edmund's voice dripped sarcasm, as usual.
"Lucy, I'll see you and Susan when this is done, okay? Go on, explore the woods or something, I'll catch up after tea today, alright?"
Lucy's face fell, she turned to go "Yes Sir." Her voice was honest, sincere, so unlike Edmund's…but her words stabbed Peter deep. He was losing her and he knew it. Narnia, Aslan's country, was stealing him from her, from everyone. Peter tried to forget it and made for the Throne Room.
The room was by far the largest room in the castle, and it was standing room only today. Peter hadn't seen such a huge crowd here since his crowning…a time that seemed like ages ago. Aslan stood front and center, in the middle of the four thrones, Edmund appeared from the opposite door, and together the two brothers came, sat, and the court was begun.
"Hear ye, hear ye! The Court of Narnia has now commenced! Long live Aslan and the Four Humans!"
"Long live the Kings! Long live the Queens! Long live Aslan!" Eventually the echoes of the ardent applause, and cheering died away. The Jaguar bailiff spoke again.
"The first case: Narnia vs. Varcus Racomine, second general and third in command of the White Witch's forces!" a few boos and hisses from the crowd were quickly silenced as the prisoner was brought forward. The fearsome general couldn't have been more than four feet tall, though he marched upright on his shackled back legs. Edmund whispered to Peter quietly
"It looks like a fox, a mole, a raccoon but…walking!" Aslan looked down solemnly on the prisoner. Peter looked over at the Great Cat with wonder. How could Aslan still manage to look at even a general, a convict, his killer maybe even!...and yet still look with those strong, piercing but loving eyes? Aslan's voice now filled the grand hall
"Varcus the Racomine, you stand accused of grievious crimes against Narnia and its creatures, including high treason, torture, and even the destruction of your own home village and the genocide leading to the extinction of your kind. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty, of course your majesty! I mean yes I was forced to fight for the Witch follow her orders, like thousands of other fellow Narnians, but I haven't set foot near my home since the day I was taken from it! But alas, my words are useless, I waste my breath for your mind is already made up about me! You can blame me for doing anything can't you Aslan, it really doesn't matter now does it? The axe will fall, and as long as your 'justice' is served it really doesn't matter whos neck lies under that axe! I am a Narnian, was born a Narnian, and when you execute me I will die a Narnian!" The once unruly crowd now stood silenced, stunned. Slowly they looked from the small racomine up to his judge standing over him. Aslan shut his eyes, slowly opening them. Finally he spoke.
"Your rhetoric is strong, General. But I am not the only force behind Narnia's justice: truth is as well. Hear now the testimony of a fellow Narnian, a Racomine, no less! Look closely, general Varcus, perhaps you'll recognize her. She grew up in your village, though she was just a child when it was razed. The court now calls for the testimony of Varina the Racomine!"
A door in the side of the hall swung open…and stayed gaping, empty, nothing. All eyes moved to the open door…except Peter's; his drifted off into space
Varina, Varina, where have I heard that name before? Do I even know a Varina? Peter slapped his forehead in frustration. Ugh! Peter why are you so stupid! Who is Varina? He was snapped out of his thoughts by the Bailiff's hurried proclamation.
"By order of the Great Lion Aslan himself, this court is in recess until further notice. Take the prisoner away!"
Varcus leapt forward, restrained by two guards "You call this 'Justice' Aslan? Where is your proof? Where is your little snitch! Why am I even still in chains? You can't hold me forever Aslan, the Truth will find you! His angry cries slowly died away as he was dragged from the great hall back to his holding cell. The courtroom was now a frenzied buzz as armed centaurs 'encouraged' the crowd to leave the great hall. Peter almost thought he heard a cry of "let the Narnian go!" as the people slowly shuffled out. Peter glanced over at Aslan, who now appeared much less serene, more agitated, almost…was it…worried? Rising to leave, both Edmund and Peter heard Aslan lean over to the jaguar bailiff and whisper harshly: "Find her…Now!"