After the group had been dried and redressed, Caspian led them into the study below the ship deck. Opening the double doors, he led the way into the elaborately decorated room. The trio grinned, glancing around at the Narnian artifacts and symbols that littered the walls.
"Aslan." Lucy mused, eyeing a giant golden mold of the great lion. Edmund wandered toward some of the murals, looking over the scenes.
"Look Susan's bow and arrows." Lucy pointed out, spotting the familiar weapon handing on the wall.
"Lucy." Caspian caught her attention. She turned and smiled as he presented her with a box, containing her valuables.
"My healing cordial and dagger." She reached for them but paused looking to Caspian.
"Oh, may I?" she inquired.
"Of course, they're yours." Caspian insisted. Lucy smiled as she eagerly reached for the items and strapped them to her belt.
"Peter's sword." Raelyn commented, spotting it on the opposing wall. She tugged Edmund over to look at it with her.
"Looked after as promised." Caspian informed them. The king lifted it up and held it out to Ed.
"Hold it if you wish." Edmund instantly protested.
"No,no its yours. Peter gave it to you." Edmund insisted. Though his voice was nonchalant, his expression hardened ever so slightly. Raelyn frowned, eyeing him quietly but Caspian didn't notice as he flitted over to open a drawer.
"I did save this for you though." he mused. Caspian turned and held up Edmund's lost torch, tossing it to the boy. Edmund grinned in amusement.
"Thanks." He muttered, turning the light on and blinding himself for a moment, causing Raelyn to giggle at him.
...
Caspian led them over to a map of Narnia, explaining to them all that had happened in the past three years.
"Since you left, the giants in the north surrendered unconditionally. Then we defeated the Calaman armies of the great desert. There is peace across all of Narnia." he informed them proudly.
"Peace?" Edmund reiterated in surprise.
"In just three years." Caspian confirmed.
"And have you found yourself a queen in those three years?" Lucy asked with a smirk. Caspian smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"No. Not one to compare with your sister." He sighed.
"Don't' worry I'm sure you'll find someone soon." Raelyn told him sincerely. Caspian nodded at her thankfully.
"Hang on. If there are no wars to fight, and no ones in trouble….then why are we here?" Edmund inquired, redirecting the conversation.
"That's a good question, I've been asking myself the same thing." Caspian mused.
"So where are we sailing to?" Edmund asked, looking over the map with intrigue.
"Before I took back the throne from my uncle, he tried to kill my father's closest friends and most loyal supporters." Caspian began him, turning to face the face sketches on wall behind him.
"The Seven Lords of Telmar." He gestured to them, allowing the others to walk around the table for a better look.
"They fled to the lone islands. No ones heard from them since." Caspian added, pointing out a single set of islands in the middle of the map.
"So, you think somethings happened to them?" Edmund assumed, looking over the sketches.
"Well if it has, it's my duty to find out." Caspian sighed.
"What's east of the lone islands?" Raelyn asked looking down at a very blank section to the right of the islands.
"Uncharted waters, full of things you could barely imagine. Tales of sea serpents and worse." Captain Drinian piped up, looking to them smugly. Lucy smiled, not sure if he was being serious or not. However, Raelyn's face paled.
"Sea serpents?" Edmund chuckled in disbelief, looking to the man.
"Alright Captain, that's enough of your tall tales." Caspian grinned. Drinian nodded and dismissed himself to return to the helm. Raelyn turned to Edmund, grabbing his arm to get his attention. He frowned worriedly at her pale and frightened expression.
"Are there really sea serpents?" she inquired quietly. Edmund tugged her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her.
"I highly doubt it." He assured her. Raelyn whipped her head up in alarm.
"But what if there are?" she continued. Edmund smiled, leaning in to kiss her forehead tenderly.
"Then I'll protect you." He told her seriously. Raelyn smiled, hugging him tightly once more.