When Kathleen and Edmund caught up to the others, the two noticed the crew had stopped by a bridge. As they made their way to the front of the gathering, the sight before them made Kathleen's breath hitch.

Larger-than-life statues guarded the entryway that went to explore further into the island. They appeared to some type of bird-like creatures, and they seemed to be other than friendly. Twigs and moss scattered the unwelcoming décor. Trees loomed over the crew, being black, brittle, and not allowing any of the sun's final hour to shine through.

Edmund gave Kathleen a look that she was able to read even in the shadowed landscape. The only way to see if we made it, is to keep going forward. Kathleen nodded as Edmund reached for his torch and the two teenagers took the lead.

More statues stood at each side of the bridge. Each one looking more menacing than the last. Kathleen, like the rest of the crew, rested her hand on the hilt of her sword, prepared if anything were to take advantage of the lack of light.

At the end of the bridge stood two thick tree trunks. The higher their eyes went, the closer the branches became until the crew found them twisting together, creating an archway. Vines hung from the top of the arch. As still as they were, Kathleen's mind went to a horrible image. The vines moving, coming to life on their own. She cursed at herself mentally, knowing for a fact that this is not helping her anxious surroundings.

Going under the arch and with their sword in hand, the Just King and the ballerina took in the sight before them. They stood in a stone clearing with trees that took over the perimeter of the area. The roots blended into the stone courtyard as if taking into consideration that guests would appear at any moment. Branches lunged downward just above everyone's head. The reaching level of some branches had perfect green leaves growing on top of them. Although that by itself could raise questions in Kathleen's mind, something else had her attention.

In the center of the courtyard stood a long stone table. It looked as if it could sit most, if not all, members of the Dawn Trader. When shined with the torch, details of cranes and floral engravings could be viewed on the tabletop as well as the side edges and stone benches to match. Trees, branches, and animals took over every inch. Except maybe the center of the table. Kathleen wasn't able to tell if there was engraving because there placed at the table was a feast. Fruit and bread were placed delicately next to unlit candles. Pastries and water were placed every two feet. The sight made Kathleen's mouth water, and it wasn't just her. As the crew stepped in, they slowly made their way towards the table, no one had noticed the light from the blue star glow brighter.

As Tavros, the minotaur took a few steps closer, Drinian told him to hold his place. He was probably thinking that same thing as Kathleen.

How could all this food just be sitting there ready to eat? It looks as though it was placed here just moments ago. Kathleen tore her eyes away from the table. It's a trap. It has to be. Right?

She walked away from the pastries and stood next to Edmund. All logic and reasonable explanations point out that the food was a trap. A temptation just as Corikian told to them back on his island. The only thing was it didn't feel like a trap to her gut.

Her brother told her something similar after he left. A gut feeling could be what makes or break a decision. All signs may point to one choice but your gut could be pointing to the opposite. At first, she didn't fully understand what he meant. In a letter, he describes it as a sixth sense. Sometimes it might be too hard to ignore. Kathleen has yet to have a feeling that was too hard to ignore. Until now, in an eerie clearing on a forgotten island with food that looks and smells like it was just placed there a minute ago, her gut says the food was safe. Still, she chooses to ignore it.

The end of the table was more shadowy than the rest of the courtyard. A gazebo made out of trees huddled closely together. Vines dropped beneath the top making it harder to see. As Edmund shined his light to the opening, gasps, and swords being released filled the open area.

At the end of the table sat three figures. Each one old with long grey beards and even longer grey hair. Even though they were covered with vines and leaves they sat unmoving, eyes fixed on whatever was at the center of their table. As Edmund slowly took a few steps closer, Kathleen could see the tan color of their skins. Rose cheeks pecked from their facial hair.

"Lord Revillian," Caspian said as he used his sword to point to one of the man's rings who sat closest to Edmund and Kathleen. Edmund shined his light on each of the men's faces individually. "Lord Mavramorn," Caspian titled the man who sat closest to him.

As Lucy walked behind the unmoving Lords, Kathleen put her sword back in her sheath and took a few steps right beside Lord Revillian. In a curious state, she placed her hand right under his nose. The second she felt the air was the same second Lucy gasped. Kathleen jump, quickly retreating her hand.

Her heart pounded as Caspian spoke, "He's breathing."

Edmund took a quick look at Kathleen. She took a deep breath and dropped her hand. She turned to him and nodded once to tell him she was fine. Then she turned back to the still Lord, "So is he."

Edmund shined his torch to Lord Revillian than to the center one, Lord Argoz. "They all are." His voice was amazed yet still sounded cautious. "They're under a spell."

Kathleen's eyes widen as Caspian shouts, "It's the food!"

Murmurs and light drops of food echo the space.

Kathleen's mind races as they wait for something to happen.

Nothing does.

"Hey," Edmund said, breaking the silence, "it's the stone knife."

It took a moment for Kathleen to realize why a stone knife would be important in a situation like this. Then it hits her. The knowledge she gained from the books she's read. Stone Knife. As in the Stone Table's Stone Knife.

Aslan's Stone Table.

As she turned to the crew, she allowed Coriakin's words to fill her mind. There the seven swords must be laid at Aslan's table.

Edmund confirmed her thoughts and King Caspian sprung into action. Quickly, he went to Lord Mavramorn to took for his sword as Kathleen did the same with Lord Revillian. Upon pushing vines away, she found it. Pulling it out of its sheath, Kathleen put the sword on top of Aslan's Table as Caspain, and Lucy followed quickly after. Edmund unsheathed his own and placed it on top of the pile.

Each blade crossed another, creating a shape that resembled a star. As rewarding as the sight was and how lovely to think of how far everyone on the Dawn Treader has come, a frown was on Kathleen's face. Counting the hilts made her shoulders drop.

Edmund noticed it too, "That's six." Kathleen pierced her lips together.

Caspian's voice went low in sadness. "Still missing one."

Oh, how close they were. Was there something they missed or forgotten? Coriakin wanted to get rid of the mist just as much as they did. He wouldn't miss-lead them. Would he? No, Kathleen thought to herself, the direction he leads the Lords have proven right so far. So maybe there's something they overlooked... Right?

As if someone had heard her anxious thoughts, a blue glow had begun to emanate from each of the swords.

As Kathleen searched for how this was possible, Lucy called everyone's attention to the sky. The Blue Star that once lit their way from above their heads had seemed as if it was glowing brighter than before. The longer they looked, the more they realized it was moving gracefully, as if there was a tune that only the star could hear.

They didn't have to wait long until it was above the trees.

Above their heads.

Right in front of them.

As the star reached the courtyard, the crew ever slowly made their way towards it. When the glow of the star was dimed, a figure appeared taking Kathleen's breath away.

The figure from the star was a woman. She stood tall and regal and held it well. Her hair was white and there was not a single strand out of place. Her dress had an ethereal glow as it flowed to her feet. Her face seemed young, possibly younger than Caspian, but the way she held herself made it seemed that she walked on the earth longer than Kathleen or anyone else on the Dawn Treader could count.

"Travelers of Narnia," the Star said as everyone kneeled before her, "welcome."

Less than a moment went by when she told them to rise. As Kathleen stood up, she noticed Edmund hadn't moved from when he first noticed the star. He had an uneasy look towards the woman.

"Are you not hungry?" she asked kindly.

"Who are you?" Edmund asked, not adverting his eyes.

The woman walked closer to the other end of the table. "I'm Liliandil, daughter of Ramandu. I am your guide."

Edmund turned to face Caspian with his lips pressed together, waiting for his say.

The King slowly walked up to Liliandil while Lucy following behind him. Edmund and Kathleen followed his pace as they walked from the other side of the stone table. "You're a star?" Caspian asked in awe.

The glowing woman in front of them nodded to him with a shy smile. A smile that Kathleen remembered seeing on a nurse on a train.

In the books lent to Kathleen, the mention of Star People was only seen once and that was at the very beginning. Aslan himself created the Star People by a song. He had asked them to position themselves as constellations in the night, and sometimes morning, sky. To see one in their human form is extremely rare.

Kathleen turned to see Edmund's face relaxed. She took a deep breath and tried to take in the rare sight, in any world, in front of her. She did not want to forget this.

Caspian kept walking until he was only a few feet away from the ethereal glowing woman. It was plain to see that he was entranced in the most respective of ways. "You are most beautiful," his voice trailed off.

Liliandil dropped her smile in concern, "I-If it is a distraction for you, I-I can change form."

"Please don't," Kathleen said as Edmund and Caspian both said no. The teenager couldn't help blushed as she realized while she was thinking the worst thing the star can transform into, while Edmund and Caspian probably had different reasons for saying no. She pressed her lips tightly together while closed her eyes, immediately regretting hyper-focusing on her surroundings.

As she opened her eyes, she could see the final millisecond of Edmund turning away from her, not noticing his ears turning pink.

All eyes were back to the star. "Please," she said, looking to the food and sailors. When no one moved, she gave a warm smile that rang true to her nature. "The food is for you." With a small raise of her hands, the candles lit up and across the table. "There is enough for all who are welcome at Aslan's Table. Always. H-Help yourselves."

The light went beyond the candlelight. It seemed as though the food itself glowed them. It was much easier to see and to tell what everything was. There were perfectly steamed vegetables and golden-baked biscuits. Goblets of clean water and leveled plates of fruit were carved into eccentric designs. From where Kathleen was standing, she could see what was hopefully a plate of roasted chicken peaking from behind the tower of carrots and peas. She hadn't noticed she was walking towards the table with her mouth-watering until Edmund stopped her.

"Wait!" He interrupted as the crew began to reach for the food. Edmund then pointed to the three frozen Lords at the end of Aslan's Table. "What happened to them?"

"These poor men were half-mad by the time they reached our shores," Liliandil explained. "They were threatening violence upon each other. Violence is forbidden at the Table of Aslan, so they were sent to sleep."

The growing concern in Kathleen's stomach grew as Lucy ask if the Lords will ever wake. The star's response?

"When all is put right."

The weight of the situation felt heavier than it did before. So many lives were in their hands. Not only that but the future of Narnia and all countries far and wide rest in this crew's hand. The crew that Kathleen was a part of. Her mouth went dry yet her stomach growled to the food. She wanted to shove a biscuit in her mouth to make it quiet but she knew better.

The star had asked Caspian to follow her away from the table, which he motioned Lucy and Edmund to follow. When Edmund turned to her, Kathleen already knew what she was going to ask. "You go on ahead with Caspain and your sister. I need to stay here with Drinian and Bernard to figure out if we can ration the food somehow for later days."

She could see Edmund take it slow breath. It was not one of disappointment, it was one a person gets when someone has taken the weight off their hands and has agreed to share it. It was a relief of some kind, and Kathleen can feel it too.

Edmund turned to the direction Liliandil was leading Lucy and Caspain, then back to Kathleen. The luminance from Aslan's Table reflected his face in a way the showed his best genuine self. "Alright, "He said with a small and real smile. "We'll come back after. Talk about what we find."

Kathleen responded with the same, small, genuine smile, "Of course."

Edmund finished, "Of course." His smile grew ever slow slightly as he walked to catch up with the others. He turned back one last time, nodding before disappearing behind tangled trees.

"That was disgustin' yet admirable. Way ta keep ya duties in the balance, sweet- I mean, little one." Kathleen tried not to roll her eyes at Olmec's comment. "I still don't like ya."

Kathleen tilted her head and pressed her lips together, "Understandable."

"And way to keep your head on your shoulder, Olmec," Drinian said as he reached for something on the table. "Here you go, lass," he handed a good to Kathleen. "Have a biscuit."

Kathleen contained herself by slowly reaching to the sweet treat, "Are you waiting for the others to have something first, Captain?" After she asked this, she took a bit into the food, and her mouth burst with flavor. The chocolate chips were the richest she has ever had. It was as though the biscuit had been perfectly cooled so it wasn't too hot, nor too brittle in the bite she took. It was eating the perfect treat on its own, no tea was needed. It was something she wished she could recreate in the bakery back home. She did not let one crumble go uneaten.

Kathleen did not take notice of Drinian's smirk expression as she and the rest of the crew slowly ate. "That's right. It is in my title that I am the last one to be fed on all occasions."

She slowly nodded, slightly upset that she finished her biscuit. "Liliandil said that there is enough food for those who are welcome to Aslan's Table. 'Always'. But I can't help but wonder if it is allowed to take provisions out of the table. I am aware that this is a holy relic for Narnians and the last thing anyone would want to do is be disrespectful." The thought left Kathleen's mind wander. What was the appropriate way to go about this situation? The food situation was somewhat solved, barely, and with the mission of finding the Seven Lords coming close to the end, there is no telling how far exactly the journey will take them.

"Makes you wish brought a Historian, don't ya Captian?" The playful voice came from the other end of the table. Wilter was coming towards them with Bernard soon following behind him.

"You know full well that Lord Chancellor Cornelius is close to his full age. The King had asked him to stay, for he, like all of us, knew this journey had no exact end date." At this point, the rest of the crew had something in their hand as was listening to what their Captain had to say. "Nonetheless," he sighed, "someone with a vast knowledge of Narnia from the early years would be most appreciated at this moment."

Kathleen could hear a pin drop if it happened. The idea of not knowing how long the good food will last was overwhelming. One of the other crewmen had given her a pear but she had been too much in thought to take a bite. No matter how hungry she was, Kathleen's mind won over her. And yet, as the anxious thoughts filled her head, each one came with an idea. For every other question, there was a word that stood out. A word that made her mind go back to a passage in one of the books she read. A passage that could maybe help her find a solution.

"The table is supposed to be a sign of some kind." Kathleen thought out loud as she weighted the pear in her hand. "A sign saying that it is close to the end."

"Yeah? Close to the end of what?" Olmec remarked sharply, taking a bite of an apple.

"That's the thing, no one knows for sure." Kathleen gripped the pear tighter. "It was set by Aslan himself since before the Age of Winter, but there was no record of travelers reaching the island, other than ourselves and the Lords."

"This is a new discovery," realized one of the men.

"Exactly," Kathleen said, taking a bite of her pear.

"So the only one with answers to the Stone Table would be Miss Liliandil," Bernard said, then looking over the platter of vegetables.

The crewmates stood silent for a moment, as for that was as long as it could last. One of the men pointed to the direction their Majesties had walked to and noticed an ethereal glow coming from above the trees. Soon enough, the glow grew bright and a ball of white light rose above the trees. It hovered above them for a second, enough to realize what was happening before shooting up to the night sky.

As everyone's heads turned upward, the courtyard dimmed ever so lightly. The candles remained lit as Liliandil became one with the stars once again. Kathleen could feel something wash over the crew. It wasn't worrying, per se. It was more of anticipation for the unknown. The only one with all the answers had left before they even had a chance to ask, but for sure their Majesties must have gotten some questions answered on their end.

As Kathleen turned to the men, they had a look of uncertainty. Yet it did not look like hopelessness. She turned to the Captain who was already ahead of her.

"Today, we are in a Holy place that no one besides the souls who are already here has the honor of stepping foot on," Drinian stated to his crew in front of them, "We shall hold ourselves more than lucky to even do so." Everyone nodded, "Good. We shall wait until their Majesties return. Then we shall see what they have learned and how we can go forward. Until then, pace yourself, men," he turned to Kathleen, "and Lady. Use this time wisely."

The ballerina did as she was told. She slowly ate fruit and vegetables as she and the rest of the crew waited for the others to return. Her mind kept returning to what Liliandil had said. There is enough for all who are welcome at Aslan's Table. Always. Since the food had been meant for them and there is just enough for those who arrived, the amount of food available should be a clue if they were allowed to replenish for later. She took this thought to Bernard who was thinking the same thing.

"The amount of food with the ration size we are going would mean there is enough for another two weeks," the head chef whispered, not wanting the others to hear, "but if having 'enough' to eat rings true, then there shouldn't be food in front of us in the first place. With the new meal plan in mind, plus the food we have in front of us, it seems as though there is more ahead of us. Less if we eat more than our size plan."

Kathleen nodded, "Do you think we have a further journey ahead of us?"

Bernard scratched the scruff on his cheek. "It's a possibility we should a count for." Kathleen could see his eyes widen as he looked over her head. "The Kings and Queen have returned. Kathleen's eyes widen as she turned around. Sure enough, Caspain, Edmund, and Lucy have made their way from the dense trees and back into the courtyard. She couldn't read their faces but something did not sit well with her stomach. They looked at each other as if knowing what they need to say before they say it. And whatever it was, it was not easy. "Maybe they can shine some light on the subject."

Caspian stood in front of Edmund and Lucy as the rest of the crew stood before them. Their posture has changed over the last few hours. Now, fed with fresh food, they stood patiently in front of their King.

"The Star Liliandil has returned to the night sky," Caspain began, "and she has told us what we need to do to complete our mission. I wish to show you as she did to us. I will tell you everything we know. Please, follow me." He motioned the crew to follow his lead. When they took the first few steps towards him, Kathleen could see his shoulders raise slightly.

Kathleen walked on the side of the crew, eventually meeting with Edmund upfront. Although his posture was calm, she could make up his jaw is clenched. This did not scare the young girl, but it did worry her. Whatever Caspain was going to show to them, Kathleen figured the risk was more than she or any of the crew has bargained for. And she was right.

The current King had led everyone to what may have been a balcony but now stood in ruin. The view overlooked the starry night and the ocean, which could be viewed for miles wide, but that was not what the Royals wanted to show them. Overlooking the edge of the ruin, marking at most a day of travel, were thick smoke-like clouds of black tendrils circling one portion of the sea. Lightning flashed in the smoke clouds as tendrils swept around the ocean's surface. A misty fog pulsed in and out within the clouds. A fog the same color as the mist that has been plaguing the Dawn treader's travels.

"That," Caspian said as Kathleen could see Edmund stiffen, "is Dark Island".