To everyone who has read this, and especially to those of you who have sent me reviews, thank you so much for your enthusiastic response and support. Your kind words mean the world to me and I'm so glad you're enjoying this story. It will probably be a few days before I can post another chapter as my family is coming to visit and I'll be quite busy for about a week. I'll update if I can get near the computer!
Chapter Thirteen: Into the West
There is a trail, steep but obvious and wide, that cuts into and around the cliffs that mark Narnia's Westwen March. Oreius lead us there and with a final, rough hug for me and a slap on Phillip's flank, he sent us on our way. At the crest of the hill I paused, panting a bit and gazing at the land beyond. For now it looked just like Narnia, but I suspected that would soon change. I glanced back at the camp, a small speck of light further down the Great River. I fancied I could see Oreius far below and I knew he'd be watching until I was well out of sight. I waved a final time, took a deep breath, and strode into the Western Wild.
Perhaps it was my imagination, but the air didn't seem as nice and even by the light of the moon the colors seemed less vibrant. I knew I was biased, but I have ruled and lived in and loved Narnia for over a year now and I knew I would never find another place as beautiful. I looked at the trees and knew they were just trees. No loving, tending Dryads gave them life and spirit. No Naiads played in the river. The moon shone brightly but no Fauns and Satyrs danced by the light for no other reason than it was a full moon. This land was alive, but it was not filled with Aslan's grace.
Since it was night I walked and we picked a careful path. I suppose part of me didn't want to endure the change from Narnia by the light of day. I was very glad for Phillip's presence. I wasn't afraid of being out like this in the darkness, but I wasn't used to it and having a companion made it easier. We didn't talk for now, both of alert for possible animals or other threats as we walked.
We paused for a rest at dawn and I ate a little of the food Oreius had put in my pack. Field rations in Narnia were actually quite good and there were blueberry bushes about that were loaded with fruit. Phillip set to the grass beside me and we watched the sun rise over Narnia. I thought about the Cair stirring to life, Animals and Magical Creatures setting about their tasks. In an hour or so Edmund would be in full armor, standing before Kanell as the relentless Centaur captain drilled him in swordsmanship. I knew he would miss me trying not to laugh at all his wise-cracking comments. He would join the girls for breakfast afterwards. Lucy would just be waking up and Susan would be prepared for the day already. Breakfast, then classes of all kinds in the morning, each monarch with their individual teachers except for the times that Cheroom, Edmund's tutor, would assemble them for some special instruction. We were learning history, astronomy, etiquette, dance, singing, statecraft, rhetoric, diplomacy, riding, shooting, and beyond that, Edmund and I were being taught how to track, military strategy and drills, weapons, and Oreius had been about to introduce us to jousting. After noon they would attend to royal duties and later play on the beach or go riding before relaxing through the evening.
Except the horrible anticipation of waiting for midnight, it was a wonderful life for us all.
I was a little lonely as I sat on the ground, thinking of them. Still, I was aware of a certain relief that I was able to do this and restore balance to Narnia. Aslan was right. The country needed Edmund whole and healthy, and so did we all, especially me.
I glanced over to see Phillip watching me intently. I smiled, realizing I had been thinking very hard and had been frowning. I picked him a handful of berries and he munched them thoughtfully.
"Not as good as apples," was his assessment, and I had to agree.
We pressed on for the rest of the day. By evening the lack of sleep was catching up with me and I was glad to make camp. I awoke the next morning so stiff and sore I didn't think I'd ever be able to move again, and the reality of being on a quest hit home.
We quickly settled into a routine. Every morning before dawn I broke camp after finishing off whatever had served as my dinner. I learned quickly how to pack efficiently and to balance the load as much as possible for Phillip. I was glad Oreius had packed for me because he included a lot of small things it would not have occurred to me to bring until I needed them, like flint and steel and a small cooking pan and salt. I would ride for several hours, pausing only if I recognized edible plants and berries and gathering what I could as we went. Any time I spotted game I tried a shot, careful of where I loosed an arrow since I had to retrieve them all. I hit game - squirrels and rabbits and birds - as often as I missed, but hunger gradually improved my skill and eventually I ate meat almost every other night. Phillip made it a point to eat every chance he got during these pauses. His only complaint was that the grass didn't taste nearly as good as the stuff in Narnia, but I had the same complaint about everything from the meat to the water to the air beyond Narnia's borders.
I walked most of the afternoon to spare Phillip, wearing Rhindon on my back to make walking easier and to lessen the strain on my lower back, always carrying the bow in case of game. We followed the trail along the river. At first it cut through a rocky gorge. There was evidence of many rockslides - scars on the rocks and large piles of rubble - but we encountered no troubles. A few days later our route wound interminably through the green valleys, wandering through the foothills, inching westwards all the while. We usually didn't stop until sunset or just after, depending on if I had shot something for my dinner or not. I'd start a fire, rub Phillip down, and then cook dinner if necessary. Normally I'd go for a swim or soak my feet in the river to clean up. It was still warm enough that I could swim, though we both knew autumn was not far away. If I had any energy in reserve I practiced with my sword, loath to think of what Oreius would say if my skills faded. I tried to sleep soon after, hoping I was so worn out I'd sleep through the night if the weather and my running thoughts permitted.
That would constitute a perfect day on this quest. They were actually few and far between.
The trail was at best faint, not to be seen at the worst. We kept the river and the Spear Head to our right, forever traveling upstream. Sometimes the river was calm, sometimes the banks squeezed it into cataracs. For now the ground was fairly level and lush, but after four days we could see spot the peaks of mountains looming on the horizon that grew larger and more intimidating with every step.
The weather at first was pleasant, but after a week or so (I had difficulty keeping track of the days) the clouds seemed to just settle above us and never went away. After the first day of naught but rain, I got wet and stayed damp for days on end. I could appreciate the lengths Susan always went to keep her bowstring dry and I swore never to make that particular mistake again, because as soon as I couldn't shoot, game seemed to abound in this lonely land.
I couldn't tell you how many miles we covered each day. Phillip was a much better judge of such things. Sometimes we made excellent time, other times, like when we came to waterfalls or lost sight of the trail and just had to follow the river itself, we slowed to a crawl. The elevation gradually increased and I noticed the vegetation was changing and becomming less familiar. It was still relatively warm, but the signs of approaching autumn were showing themselves, especially at the higher elevations. I did not relish the notion of winter out here, but we moved as quicly as the terrain and caution would allow.
And finally, I was having a terrible time sleeping. I simply could not fall asleep for worry about Edmund. Logic told me he was far better off than I, what with Aslan beside him and a roof and a bed and much nicer food, but the way he had said Jadis was in him, part of him, came back to haunt me as I tried to sleep.
He had better hold on.
And I knew I had better hurry or our dead enemy might overwhelm him and triumph after all.