Phillip

He is going to fall off again if he keeps that up, I thought as Edmund bounced and twisted around as he struck down an Ogre threatening my left flank. I was tempted to kick it for good measure, but keeping the king seated and well out of the way of swinging clubs was more important than adding to an Ogre's bruises. Besides, I knew that when Edmund struck a creature down, it almost invariably stayed that way.

I didn't see the High King fall, but I heard my rider's gasp, followed by a scream of fear and fury the likes of which I have never heard pass his lips before. I whirled just in time to see King Peter being smashed into the rocky cliff face, hurled there by Methalain's huge hand. I couldn't help but flinch at the sound of metal and bone breaking as he hit the wall, then crashed to the ground.

He didn't move.

I cast a glance at the Ogre king and to my shock I saw he was collapsing to the ground, King Peter's sword driven deeply in his belly. I supposed now he'd believe the Giants' warning not to challenge Narnia's High King. Even wicked Giants were good for something on occasion. The Ogre soldiers hesitated, some of them turning to fight their way to their king, others turning towards mine.

I felt Edmund shift forward as he stood up in the saddle without warning and I adjusted my weight to keep him balanced. I could tell by his movements he was brandishing his sword as he shouted for all to hear:

"Narnia! Narnia, to me!"

We all knew what that meant. King Edmund was now in command of the battle and everyone that heard automatically moved towards him to form a defensive line. They did not know what had happened yet, but they knew there was no time to question this shift in command.

"Celer! Form them up before the cliff! Orieus! Orieus!"

Flisk, riderless now, broke away from the scene to fetch the general. I mentally commanded the Unicorn to run faster, though he can far outstrip me at my best.

Methalain was completely hidden by his troops as the positions on the battle field shifted. Their distraction gave Narnia a chance to form a defensive line. Never let it be said Ogres fought with discipline or sense or anything approaching tactics. The movement of both armies left me in the clear for a moment and Edmund leaped off my back at a dead run, swift as a yearling. I've always admired how quickly Humans can move with only two legs, but now was hardly the time for him to run off. That reckless colt was going to make me a lame, gray nag out to pasture before my time.

"Edmund! No!" I cried, but his only purpose right then was his brother. I followed him up the rock-strewn field, my hooves slipping on the slick,uneven slope. I made sure to kick and trample several wounded Ogres in my path that tried to snatch at Edmund as he raced towards King Peter. I saw him kneel and gently turn his brother, leaning down to touch his cheek. I could tell by his stance and expression that it was very bad. Out there against the cliff, Narnia's two kings were exposed and one was helpless.

Edmund whirled as a smallish Ogre leaped down from the outcropping above. Brave king, he stood over his brother, defending him with sword and shield, blocking the strikes the Ogre aimed at him and at the figure lying between his feet.

He smashed the Ogre aside for a moment and bellowed, "Narnia!"

The soldiers responded, understanding now what happened and rushing to protect their kings. Edmund was holding off the Ogre as it tried to draw him away from King Peter. It was watching the strange, fierce little Human, not its own back, and just as it raised its club to send another blow down on my king, I sank my teeth into the Ogre's arm and trampled it with my speed and greater size. It let out a howl of pain and dropped to the ground, a look of shock frozen on its face as Edmund ran it through.

"How fares the High King?" I demanded, spitting out the taste of Ogre. King Peter's palomino hair was matted with blood.

Edmund shook his head, his dark eyes wide, looking like a frightened foal. "We have to get him out of here, Phillip!"

A flash of snowy white flanks, and Flisk returned with Oreius a few lengths behind him. The general was horrified at the scene.

"Oreius," commanded Edmund in a voice he rarely used, "get Peter to Lucy right now!"

"Sire, your safety - "

I could not stop my furious whinny that he would dare question the ability of my king to lead the army. It was unfair of me because I know Oreius was as concerned for Edmund as he was for King Peter, but I would not listen to any criticism real or imagined.

Edmund stepped up to the Centaur, not even looking my way as he motioned me to be silent. He was a fraction of Oreius' size, but, by the Lion, he was the mightiest thing on the field. "I lead the battle, General. I am trusting you with my brother's life."

Sheathing his swords, Oreius said not another word, but leaned far over, kneeling on his front legs. Edmund helped shift King Peter's broken body from the ground to the Centaur's arms. The rock was stained red wherethe High Kinghad fallen and Oreius grimaced as the wounded boy let out a horrible, pain-filled groan.

"The right flank holds steady under Taval," Oreius said as Edmund tucked King Peter's shattered arm against the Centaur's chest.

"Run," ordered Edmund needlessly, because Oreius was already gone.

"On my back," I ordered, determined to spare the younger king his brother's fate. Edmund mounted up and from his vantage point atop my back took stock of the battle.

"Flisk!"

"Majesty?" The Unicorn's voice shook, so distressed was he to see King Peter removed from the field.

"Tell Queen Susan to be ready on my signal."

"A retreat?"

I could not see him, but I knew he was smiling that wicked little smile he wears when he's being clever as he said, "No. Thanks to Peter, we're about to rout them."