A/N: I am sorry to have kept you all waiting, I truly am. I don't mean this to be a slowmoving story, but sadly, I have little time for writing, as I work up to 10 hours a day. And after that, well, doing everything else that needs doing. But I promise, I will NEVER give up on this story, it's simply too stuck in my head to abandon or adopt it away. I love writing, but I do wish I had better time to write.
Nevertheless, do read on, and although it's a short one, I hope you like it.
Soundtracks:
"Tale of Siltharea" – Adrian von Ziegler
"Frostpunk Theme" – Piotr Musial
Archenland was a mountainous land by far, Castle Anvard being the capital residence in the central dales.
The company of royals and their guard were currently riding along a mossy path across the unspoilt uplands on the northern border of Archenland, and they could see the point of Stormness Head vanishing behind them as they rode on along the rolling, gentle high hills.
It was windy and the skies loomed low and grey. The Pevensies had slept little the night before, and their horses were tired from the long journey the day before. Adranos and his men rode silently behind Rhea and Caine, their red capes fluttering in the sharp whips of wind.
Caspian rode in the lead along with Edmund, the marked map before him. He trusted Destrier to walk on without his hands on the reins and felt the horse step with long strides over rocks and past tall bushes of heather as he studied the map.
"We should be getting close…" he said to Edmund, who looked forward in expectation.
"Perhaps it's the next hill-" Peter stated at the Telmarine King's right, his Arabian gelding strutting along with ease, its nostrils wide in anticipation.
"Wait – look down there," Edmund interrupted them, pointing onwards.
Caspian was right; they were close to their destination. Down below the rolling hills and mountain ranges, was a round lake surrounded by a forest of ancient pines. In the middle of the lake was an island, the exact place they needed to be.
The company halted as they observed the view from atop the high hill, everything down below so small and puny. Even the lake looked like a drop of ink on a piece of paper from where they stood.
After sharing glances of approval with his companions, Caspian rode ahead the rocky path that led them down from the highlands and into the forest. It was an arduous ride, making Peter's thighs cramp halfway down the path.
Once down on lower ground and in between the trees, the wind subsided much to Susan's relief.
The forest was silent, and it made the Pevensie siblings note the lack of magical spirits, dryads and naiads in these woods. It was… strange and made them feel abandoned and unwelcome in these parts. The only thing that whispered in these parts was the wind and creaking leather saddles.
After what seemed like an endless ride through the silent forest, they finally spotted the bend of the lake, the island hidden in the mist that had now veiled itself over the dark water.
As they dismounted the horses, untacked and bound them a safe, secluded place, Caspian, Peter and Edmund along with Adranos discussed how they would cross the water to get to the island. It wasn't awfully far out to the island, but, too far, and too cold at that, to swim over, and there was no boat to be seen.
So, they decided to make a fleet.
"But, there is no way of making a fleet big enough for all of us," Edmund protested as they gathered branches and hauled logs of wood to the bend of the lake.
"Simple solution to that, really, if we make two-three trips across," Susan replied as she returned from retrieving a sturdy rope from her saddlebag.
Fair enough, they decided in agreement, and continued to work together on the makeshift fleet of wood. It would kill precious time, but they made quick work of it as they all cooperated, and they would have a couple of hours of sunlight left after they made it across the water.
Once the fleet was ready and safe to hold four people, Caspian, Edmund, Rhea and Adranos went over the water, paddling gently with makeshift oars. Once across, Adranos rowed back to gather Peter, Caine, Susan, and one of Adranos' men. Whilst the guard rowed back to retrieve the last man, The Pevensies climbed along the boulders nesting in the water and past tall reed to get to land.
The island was bigger than they first imagined it. A small village could fit right on it, had it not been for the formation of rocks and boulders scattered about. Tall trees of pine grew about, providing shade from the sun and shelter from the harsh wind. Blueberry shrubs, ferns and heather grew on the ground.
Looking about, Caspian did not see anything that remotely resembled any sign that the artefact would be on the very island. Maybe they had overlooked something?
"Alright. If we have indeed found the location, then… the artefact must be around here somewhere," Caspian spoke to his company as they assembled around him.
"What exactly are we looking for?" one of Adranos' men asked. Caspian wasn't sure himself, to tell the truth. It could have been any piece of Jadis' wand. He looked to Edmund for declaration, as he had seen the staff up close on many occasions during his captivity at the White Witch's castle. Edmund reminisced for a moment to be able to explain to the guard what the staff looked like.
"Something along the likes of … a long, slender crystal, I suppose. Something you definitely have not seen before; I can assure you." Edmund told him. The grim-looking guard nodded in confirmation and shifted his plated armour as he turned towards Caspian once more.
"Spread out and look out for anything that looks unusual or… out of place. We have to start somewhere, and now, before we lose daylight." Caspian ordered, and watched as his company spread out to search the area.
Peter disappeared with Rhea along the lakeside, Adranos nodded towards his men before he strode into the woods, and his two guards to the right into a patch of heather and tall ferns.
The sound of rattling leaves caught Caspian's attention, and he turned towards the sound behind him and watched as Susan lithely and swiftly climbed the side of a large boulder to get to higher ground.
"Shall we?" Edmund asked in an expectant voice, bringing his attention down to him.
Nodding, Caspian motioned towards a small clearing surrounded by tall oak trees.
. . .
Looking far and wide, investigating this and that, the company was on the verge of giving up. Darkness would fall soon, and neither had found anything remotely unusual looking. A fat squirrel startled Caine for only a second, but other than that… Nothing.
"My lord, do you think we should head back?" Rhea asked Peter as she walked behind him, her hand resting upon her sword, her other arm swaying leisurely at her side. Peter halted in his tracks, sighed, and looked before him into a small clearing.
Exhaling through his nose, he said:
"Glenstorm pointed us in this location…". He couldn't fathom why they hadn't found anything of importance yet. Had they been misled? Were they so mistaken?
Turning around to face Rhea with an expression of defeat, he was about to walk back the way they came, when the voice of his sister called from afar.
"Peter! Ed! Over here!" Susan's voice called from his right, deeper into the woods on the island.
Sharing a quick glance with Rhea, he began to run towards her voice, noticing shadows of gleaming armour and leather cloaks between the trees making their way towards her call.
Sure enough, Peter and Rhea stumbled into Caspian and Edmund who were both panting slightly at the exertion.
"Susan?" Edmund called into the air, as they had lost orientation of her calls.
"Up here!" Susan's voice echoed, and they were on their way once more.
When they had finally located her, she was standing on a boulder's ledge up above their heads, a look of satisfaction upon her face as she waited for them to make their way up as well.
Adranos and his men had already found their way over when Edmund heaved himself up, a groan escaping his throat as he helped Peter up as well.
"Clever idea to find higher ground, Your Majesty!" Caine's voice called from below, and he too, began his climb by reaching after the roots of a birch tree.
"I found a cave. It looks to be deep, but I cannot be entirely sure, it's too dark to tell for certain," Susan told them as she led them to a passage of boulders, and finally, an opening between two large rocks which went deep into the ground.
"Good job, Su." Peter praised and gave her shoulder a pat as he crouched beside her to look into the cave as Edmund retrieved his torch and lit the opening. The mouth of the cave ventured on and on, and it seemed to be a long passageway downwards, spiralling into utter darkness.
. . .
Edmund led the way with his torch as they stumbled and slid past the rocky terrain. The pathway was very narrow, slippery and dark, and would make less adventurous hearts uneasy.
They had to halt once the path led them to an edge, a drop straight downwards ahead. Edmund untied the rope he had tied as a sash over his torso and held it out to Caspian as a silent request. Taking it, Caspian tied it to a rotten stump by their left, securing it so it would hold.
"I'll go first," Caine offered, and carefully pushed past his companions to take the rope. Lowering himself down onto the pebbles below, he withdrew his sword and scanned the area. Rhea went after him, concluding with him that the area was safe.
"Area is clear!" Caine called up to the monarchs, who lowered themselves down the rope, one by one. Adranos and his two guards were the last to touch the ground below with their feet.
The cavern was enormous, and the tall roof was dripping with moisture from above. Pebbles and smaller rocks covered the ground, along with pools of muddy waters.
The company looked about in awe at the greatness of the cavern. Edmund's "whoa" of surprise echoed far into the depths and off the water's surface. Where would they even begin to look?
"It can be anywhere…" Caspian stated pessimistically, still looking about in grandeur.
"Well, we have to start somewhere," Peter added as he attempted to light his torch.
"Indeed. Split up and look around. Hopefully it's in here… somewhere." Caspian ordered, and watched as his company spread out to search.
This, Caspian thought, could be an endless game of hide-and-seek.
A/N: So, that's part I of "Crystal Clear". I will try to be back with part II sometime this month!
What do you think so far?
Until next time,
Dragon
