"Who was that Ed?" Lucy's sleepy voice murmured.
"I'm not sure exactly. A future friend, I hope."
"That's nice," she murmured, snuggling again into the warmth of their older siblings.
He knelt beside her and gently shook her shoulder. "Wake up, dear sister. Our breakfast awaits, and we don't want it to get cold." She blinked blearily at him before sitting up, stretching widely, and yawning.
He moved next to Peter. The eldest Monarch was sleeping, though not peacefully. His brow was knitted together, and a sheen of sweat lay on his forehead. "Peter," he said, setting the back of his hand against his brother's cheek. He was warm, but not hot, to the touch. His sleep must not have been deep as his eyes fluttered open, initially crowded with disorientation but clearing quickly.
"Morning," he murmured.
Edmund, though still nervous, brushed aside the fear. Peter had been in far worse straights before, as had he. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Aslan would not abandon them. He never had and He never would.
Susan was already awake by this point and began divvying up the food. Edmund watched Peter carefully but was pleased to see that, though he remained leaned against the stone wall, he seemed to have most of his faculties about him.
When the food was finished, the girls checked and redressed the bandages on Peter's head and torso. They washed and rebandaged the wounds as best they could, then turned to Edmund. Most everything was just bruised, with his shoulder and back bearing some lovely purple patches, but a few larger cuts along his arms, torso, and back, were cleaned.
They were quietly discussing everything they'd learned so far when quiet chirp sounded from the windowsill. The siblings largely ignored it, glancing over absentmindedly then back to their own discussion. When the bird chirped again, Peter studied it in more detail. The bird did seem a bit larger than a normal finch, but that could be owing to their unfamiliar environment. Edmund glanced over as it chirped a third time, though it sounded something more like a 'psst' than a chirp. "Peteā¦" he muttered, rising to approach the bird. The bird shifted lightly, glancing back and forth at the two kings before leaning forward into a Talking Bird's bow.
"Sires," the Bird twittered quietly.
Peter rose, swaying briefly before steadying and approaching the bird. Both kings crouched before the window, at eye level with the Bird while Susan and Lucy hovered behind.
"What news, noble Bird?"
"Sires, the lord Oreius received the word of the attack yesterday. He knows that, should a ransom demand arrive, your royal highnesses would not have him pay the amount, but wishes to hear from you. The army is mustered and prepared to lay siege to this castle should it come to that. My lord Oreius bids you tell him how you are faring and your evaluation of your captors. Shall we pay the ransom or fight a noble war for your freedom?"
Edmund glanced over at Peter, who nodded. He turned back to the Bird. "Tell General Oreius this: seek first the wisdom of Aslan with this understanding. The lord here has no fear of harming his captives and ransom will not be asked. Tell Oreius that the clearing of this blight from the land of Narnia is of foremost importance and the saving of our lives comes after. Give quarter only to those who call upon the name of our Lord Aslan. He will watch us and keep us if it is His will. Even now, one of the savage lord's own men aides us."
The Bird hopped nervously but gave each sovereign a little bow. "It will be as you say, my King."
At that moment, footsteps began to be heard coming up the spiral stairs. "Fly, noble Bird, and carry our message! For Narnia and for Aslan!" Lucy whispered, gently shooing him out into the open sky. Just as the Bird took to flight, the sound of a key in the lock sounded and the Pevensie men stepped to the forefront. The door swung open and Teravus entered, followed by Lord Favelo and his two brutes, Jaret and Eretash.
"The girls, this time," Favelo gestured to Susan and Lucy. None of the monarchs missed the hungry look in his eyes.
Peter and Edmund both stiffened, then fell into a fighting stance as the men approached.
"You will not touch them," the High King stated firmly. They growled in response.
For a precious moment, a foolish hope that Favelo would show even an ounce of decency and call off his men tickled Edmund's mind, but the false lord's rough, "What are you waiting for?" dashed it. His men fell upon the Kings of Narnia with swords drawn and for a few minutes everything was all flashing blades and furious yells, blood and sweat. When the mess of bodies broke apart at the sound of a scream, two lay still. Too still.
The scream had been Lucy's, but all eyes were on Edmund and Favelo. The razor-sharp tip of a blade rested lightly on the fat man's jugular, Edmund's steady hand holding the hilt. Favelo trembled with fear and rage but did not dare move. Teravus stared in horror from a few feet aways, hands held high to show no threat on his master's captor. Jaret did the same in the center of the chamber. Eretash, the owner of the blade, lay splayed on the ground. On the far end of the cell, Susan and Lucy pressed against the wall, each holding the other in an effort to keep from either collapsing in fear or rushing their captors in rage. The room's final occupant lay crumpled near their feet, unmoving.
The room was deathly quiet.
"You'll lose, you know." Everyone heard Favelo's low growl. "Your weakness is that you really care for these fools. I could call in more men in an instant. Are you prepared to die so needlessly?"
Edmund scoffed. "You don't understand. You could never understand. I would die a thousand times over before I ever let you touch them. If you so much as breath in the direction of any of my siblings, I will make sure you never know peace again. I will give every drop of blood in my body before you touch them. And know that if I fall, all of Narnia and even Aslan himself will avenge anything you do tenfold. You can beat me and try to break me all you want but I swear on everything good in this world that you will not harm them."
"We shall see about that." What could only be described as pure evil broke through and overtook Favelo's gaze. "Teravus!"
There was a moment's hesitation as the young man glanced between his master and the captured King. Then the slow rasping of steel sliding from scabbard was followed by a blade resting at Edmund's throat. As much as he wanted to be angry at the man, he couldn't. He knew too well what it was to feel trapped by past poor decisions. He let the blade clatter to the ground and instantly felt Jaret wretch his arms behind his back. His legs were swept from under him and the collision with the stone floor knocked Edmund's breath away. His hands were tied and, just for good measure, a boot settled on his spine. For just a moment, despair flooded his heart and he cried out to Aslan.
Where are You?
As if sensing his thoughts, Lucy edged as close as she dared, just in his peripheral vision. "Don't fear, brother, Aslan is with us." The guard yanked Edmund to his feet and began shoving him toward the door. Nausea roiled in his gut, yet Lucy's bold statements of faith followed him as he was led out, a pinprick of light in a sea of darkness. "Do not fear!" she said again. "Do not give in, Edmund Pevensie, son of Aslan! Your Savior walks with you and protects us in your absence. Only one Lord holds power here!"
The cell door slammed shut, cutting her off, but her words soaked into and soothed his soul. Edmund held his head high as he was led into the deepest darkness.
Thank you for all the kind reviews, I've been down with the flu for the last week and it has been a joy getting to hear your excitement for this story. I'm very excited to share the rest of it with you!
