A/N: Update three in one week, oh my x I hope you enjoy this chapter, and for once, I have nothing to proclaim!
Soundtracks:
"Breaker of Chains" – Ramin Djawadi
"Two Swords" – Ramin Djawadi
Warning ahead: character death!
As snow had started to fall in Narnia, by the end of July no less, townfolk, farmers and other Narnian inhabitants came to court for guidance during audiences.
"My Lord, what are we going to do now? Our stock will not survive this cold! The nip in the air won't do good for our crops, and then what?" An aging farmer proclaimed, fear furrowed into his glossy eyes.
Caspian, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy were present during this audience, and they all felt weary after this never-ending line of people, all huddled together against the cold.
Drinian stood by the end of the line of thrones, his hands behind his back. Trumpkin stood by the other end, his face hard. Audiences were tedious, but a very necessary ordeal of ruling a monarchy. Essential, in fact.
It had snowed frequently that week, but now, heavy rain splattered against the windows, a thunderstorm well on its way by the sound of it over the mountains.
Caspian was sat leant back against his throne, rubbing his temples at this oncoming problem.
The farmer was right; if this oncoming frost would go on much longer, the crops would die, and they would then have a big problem if import from the other provinces turned unsuccessful. The alliance with Galma proved helpful, but they too had now been stricken by frostfall, and would fail to have a good harvest in the end.
Caspian stood up from his seat to address his distraught people. He held out his hands.
"Good people and citizens; I understand your fear, we all do. This change of climate has taken us aback, but we will prepare the best we can. Should this frost continue, and the harvest die, then we will make sure to benefit from our alliances and organize a trade. Should import be a necessary solution, then you all will have grain and provisions to make sure you will get through this frost, as will we - none of us will starve! I ask of you not to worry, and instead, be solution oriented. Take care of each other and stay warm." Caspian met the eyes of his people, some young, others old, but most of all; they were all hardworking citizens, providing the land with food and grain, and the strongest resource the nation had. He would not let them down in times of hardship.
The murmurs in the hall escalated in volume, making the monarchs share glances. Peter nodded towards Caspian in approval. They knew exactly what this frost meant, but addressing this to the people was not an option at this time; they had enough to worry about.
As the murmurs echoed through the hall, a man from the audiences stepped forward. He had a long, dark green woollen cape, middle-aged, with a scar over his lip. He was weather-beaten by the least. Once he stepped forth to face the monarchs, his voice carried far in the hall, enough to silence the people.
"If…! If I may, I want to thank our King for his generous offer, and I think I speak for all of us, when I say his majesty is the fairest ruler this era has known," the man spoke in a great voice. Caspian looked at the man with a raised brow, not expecting anyone to convey such praise during audiences.
"Thank you, good sir, I-" Caspian began, but was quickly interrupted by the green-cloaked man.
"As a token of my gratitude, my family has brought this to His Majesty. Please," the man said, stepping forth in a rushed and inappropriate manner. He reached into his cloak as he took a step in the marble stairs and neared Caspian.
It was then everything passed in the blink of an eye, or at least, felt like it.
The guards had withdrawn their weapons to stop the man – no one approached the High King in such a fashion.
Drinian was quick to react, and his rapid movement was certainly the one that saved Caspian's life. But at a horrific price…
By the gleam of the silver dagger underneath the man's cloak, who clutched it tight, Drinian stepped in front of the monarchs to face the man, his sword halfway out of its sheath.
"No!" he shouted through gritted teeth as the man revealed the dagger, ready to attack. Sounds of weapons unsheathing, boots stepping forth, and barking orders from the guards distracted the monarchs enough to realise something was utterly wrong.
Drinian had fallen to the ground, a bloodied dagger beside him. He lay on his back, blood pouring out of his mouth and nose, coughing and twitching on the cold marble floor.
"NO!" Caspian shouted as he rushed to the Captain's side. The guards had already arrested the man, three now hauling him down towards the grand doors past the screaming people who huddled closer to the walls of the hall.
It all happened very quick, but not a single eye of the hall had missed it; Drinian had taken the blow of the murderous assault that was meant for Caspian.
"Get the healing cordial!" Lucy shouted urgently towards a leopard guard, standing by the doors leading to the chamber wing as she rushed up from her seat. The animal went at the speed of light. Caspian and Susan, along with Edmund lingering behind them, were already knelt at Drinian's side. Susan were compressing the gaping wound with her hands over the Captain's heart, telling him to stay with them, keeping his eyes open.
Caspian held Drinian's head in his hand, the other at his friend's shoulder.
"Drinian, you will not die from me, do you hear me? Stay right here with us," Caspian said, his voice urgent. The old Captain coughed, and the waters of life poured out of him. The gurgling sound of Drinian choking on his own blood etched itself into their heads.
Despite that, Drinian found the strength to grasp Caspian's bicep, his eyes coated with a look of determination and fear.
"My K-King… I would do it again… And ah-again. For his Majesty… Is worthy… And a friend… A friend who m-must… Go on…" The old Captain, lord and advisor said with great effort. Caspian shook his head in denial as the man in his arms weakened.
Susan, knowing he would pass despite their efforts to save the man, had stopped putting pressure on the gaping wound, and instead held his hand to bring as much comfort as she could offer during his last moments. Lucy fell to her knees beside Caspian, tears falling silently down her cheeks.
Drinian locked gaze with his King for a single moment, until his strength faded, his hold on Caspian's arm loosened before falling down to the floor, and his eyes turned blank and emotionless.
With a shaky sigh, the Captain faded away, and laid limp on the tiles.
Caspian felt a hand touch his shoulder and Edmund's voice behind him.
"I am truly sorry…"
Blood pooled around Drinian's lifeless body, and Caspian placed his murdered friend's head on gently on the floor, before sitting back in shock. The quiet atmosphere unveiled the fact that the room had been emptied of citizens, apart from a handful of guards, who approached the scene carefully.
Susan sat back on her knees, blood up to her elbows and scattered across her chest. Her eyes heavy with tears and shock. Peter held Lucy against his side as the youngest Queen wept silently.
The cordial could not help dearest Drinan now…
For the first time, in a very long time, Caspian felt fear.
Fear for his people.
Fear for his family.
A/N: I am truly sorry about that, I always liked Drinian in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Despite not dying in the chronicles, I felt this character-death was necessary in this story for reasons I will not tell yet x
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and it will not be long until I come back for more.
Until then, take care,
Dragon
