Author's Note: Alas, I was delayed. Many times. But, after a bit, here is the next chapter. A little shorter then usual, but I wanted to get it out quick.
The small fleet of Lorsolum ships sailed into the Narnian harbor at Cair Paravel. The six large cargo ships were spread out in a v shape, with the smaller ship bearing the Queen of Narnia and Prince of Lorsolum at the point.
Hassin sniffed the air, then spat at the salty taste. While he enjoyed water, he preferred the cool, sweet kind that would parch his thirst to the bitter, salty liquid that filled the sea.
The courier ship bearing the royals rowed up to the well-made dock jutting out. Hassin waved a hand, and a certain flag was raised on his secondary mast. The other cargo ships pulled up, arranging themselves in a six pointed star, and dropping anchor. Hassin's plans depended on the Narnians not checking the cargo until Susan talked with her brother.
Hassin strode over to a small, one sail ship hanging alongside the cargo vessel and stepped into it. A few minutes later, he was riding over to meet the Queen and Prince departing their ship. To make sure everything went smoothly.
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Hassin walked at the Prince's right side, while Queen Susan strode on his left. They were walking through a long hallway, which apparently led to the throne room. The flippant queen was talking as they walked, pointing various things out. She went on and on about the paintings and statues that lined the corridor. Hassin wanted to yawn.
Going around a slight curve, they arrived at a pair of ornate marble doors. At a word from Susan, the doors were thrown open.
The throne room was a long room. At the far side were a quartet of thrones. Two of them were occupied, one by a young, stern looking man, the other by a girl of about 14 or 15.
The girl, when her eyes spotted Susan, lit up and started to jump out of her seat. A sharp look, and a word from the King put her back into her seat. The King then stood up.
"Welcome to Narnia. I am King Edmund, and this is Queen Lucy, my sister. We appreciate your visit, and look forward to news about my brother and sister's doing in your land."
The Prince spewed some nonsense back at Edmund. Hassin wasn't listening anymore. He was bored by this sort of thing. He would rather be exploring the castle, thinking about what he would take out and where he would put things when this was his castle.
Susan now had walked over and greeted her brother and sister. Edmund spoke a few words with her, and then nodded.
"Lucy, if you would show these men to their rooms, I would speak with Susan and the Prince."
Hassin wished to stay, but didn't speak. He was sure the Prince would do his job, and unknowingly help out Hassin as well. He left with the honor guard, musing over what would come next.
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Peter sat on the balcony outside of Jaselle's room. He had eaten lunch out here with his fiancé, and then they had curled up on the couch. Jaselle was now sleeping soundly, curled against him.
Over the last two weeks their relationship had blossomed, the two of them spending almost every waking moment together. They still slept in separate rooms, which was one of the things he remembered about Christianity back on Earth. In Narnia and Lorsolum there were no rules on that sort of thing. But Peter felt it was best.
So every morning he got up, got dressed, then went across the hall to escort her to breakfast. After breakfast, they would go for a walk on the beach, or in the garden, or through the palace. Then lunch, and their afternoons would be spent talking about each other. That was some of their best time, when they talked. Although, right now she was sleeping, but that was alright with him.
It gave him time to think. About their future together. About what he would show her when he brought her home to Narnia. The wooded hills of the Lantern Wastes. The marvelous dam Mr. Beaver had made over the years. The smooth sandy beaches on the shores of the Great Sea. The pessimistic marsh-wiggles up north. The halls of Cair Paravel. The smooth grass, leading up to the mountains of Western Narnia. Everything about his land, that he loved so much, he wanted to show to this woman that he now loved so much.
Jaselle stirred beside him, and slowly lifted her head. Peter smiled softly at her.
"Sleep well?"
Jaselle grinned, and opened her eyes fully.
"I did. You make a very good pillow."
She yawned once, then sat up and stretched. Peter enjoyed just watching her. She caught his glance, and blushed at his scrutiny.
"Your eyes are too blue."
Peter raised an eyebrow.
"I beg your pardon?"
She laughed.
"Your eyes are too blue. It's like I'm staring into the sky, and I can't look away. I just want to get as close as possible to them, and look at them all day…"
Jaselle sidled up close to him, and tenderly reached a hand up to stroke his face. Then she turned slightly, laying her head down against his chest.
"So, what were we talking about at lunch?"
Peter smiled gently.
"I believe you were talking about that friend of yours, Clarea?"
Jaselle looked up at him.
"Oh, yes. Clarea. Well, like I said, her father was one of the cooks here at the castle. She had two older sisters, who helped their mother do laundry, but she was young enough that she didn't have to help. So the two of us did everything together. Sort of like you and me."
She grinned at him, then sobered.
"One day my father got sick. The healers determined it was food poisoning, and so he had all of the cooks killed. Clarea, her mother and her sisters were forced to leave. I never heard from her again."
Peter frowned. He tenderly reached out and touched her cheek.
"Don't worry. We can try to find her when we go back to Narnia."
Jaselle smiled at him.
"Thank you. For that, for listening to me, for everything."
She wrapped her hands around him. Peter returned the hug.
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Hassin stood near the door to Clorin's room. The young royal had yet to return to his room, still being in the meeting with Susan and Edmund. Normally Hassin would stand in a dark alcove or corner of the hall, but this castle was cleverly lit to eliminate shadows.
Finally, footsteps rang in the hall and Clorin rounded the corner. He raised an eyebrow when he spotted Hassin.
"You waited this long for me?"
Hassin laughed.
"No. I waited outside of the room for you, then got here before you did."
It was a lie, but Hassin had no qualms about lying.
Clorin looked a bit unsettled, but shrugged and walked into his room. Hassin followed him in.
"I suppose you want to know what we discussed?"
Hassin inclined his head.
"If you wish to tell me, sir."
Clorin snorted.
"Sir. That's a joke."
He plopped down on the bed.
"The snobby King, Edmund, is leaving tomorrow to head down to Archenland. He will take the castle guard with him, and send out messengers to gather more once he is down there. He'll leave his half-breed General to watch the castle, with a garrison of twenty soldiers. But none of those are human. All beasts. I hope this army of his is good enough to wipe out the Calormenes."
Hassin wanted to laugh at what Clorin thought would happen. Instead, he nodded.
"I hope they will be wiped out as well."
He didn't specify who he wanted wiped out.
Author's Note: Alright, hope you enjoyed. Please review! There should be some action in about two chapters, I believe. And soon Hassin's plots will be revealed...
