Coriakin lead the main group through the mansion back towards his library, Lucy walking alongside him. Their footsteps echoed in the large hall as everyone remained relatively silent, aware of the heavy mood.
"What did you mean when you said you made them invisible for their own good?" Lucy questioned, glancing up at the older man as they continued down the dimly lit hallways.
"It seemed the easiest way to protect them. From the evil." He answered. Caspian and Edmund shared a wary glance.
"You mean the mist." Raelyn spoke up, her hand tightening onto Edmund's nervously. Coriakin stood to the side as he gestured for his guests to enter the study.
"I mean what lies behind the mist." He clarified, walking in behind Captain Drinian who had taken up the rear. The group looked around the room in awe. On the upper level of the room blue magic swirled around the bookshelves, allowing select book to float around the ceiling. The ceiling itself was speckled with starlight. Coriakin returned with a large map in his hand. With a flourish he unwound it and the paper spread itself out along the floor between everyone in the room. As soon as the map hit the floor blue water began shimmering in the center while clouds appeared just above it. The map came alive before them.
"It's quite beautiful." Eustace muttered in awe. Along the edges of the circle where live Narnian painting from the Golden days of Edmund and Lucy. The battle for Narnia, the campsites, Cair Paravel. The siblings looked up at their cousin with knowing grins. Eustace noticed and immediately tensed back up.
"I mean for a make believe map of a make believe world." He quickly retorted. Edmund shook his head, hiding his amusement at how long Eustace was holding onto that thought. Raelyn knelt down next to the borders, watching intently as the pictures began to move.
"It's so different than what I had imagined after all you told me." She mused quietly, turning to look up at Edmund with a grin. Ed returned it fondly. At the head of the map, Coriakin spoke up.
"Here is the source of the trouble." With a wave of his hand the map zipped across the oceans and past islands until it landed what looked like large gnarled branches encasing dark green smoke and an eerie glow. Raelyn swallowed thickly and shifted closer to Edmund. He swung and arm around the red head's shoulders, giving her a source of comfort. Coriakin glanced up at her reaction.
"Dark island. The place where evil lurks." Edmund stared at the man.
"It can take any form, it can make your darkest dreams come true." Coriakin informed, staring straight at the couple. Edmund's jaw hardened and he looked back down at the menacing island.
"It seeks to corrupt all goodness." Coriakin continued, this time glancing around at the rest of the group.
"It seeks to steal the light from this world." Raelyn looked up as she could feel eyes on her.
"How do we stop it?" Lucy inquired; her eyes hard with determination.
"You must break its spell." Coriakin explained. He whipped back around to face Edmund.
"That sword you carry, there are six others."
"Have you seen them?" Edmund inquired eagerly.
"Yes." Caspian looked up at the man with new interest.
"The six lords? They passed through here?" he reiterated.
"Yes, indeed."
"Where were they headed?" Caspian prodded.
"Where I sent them." Coriakin explained before shifting the map towards the east of the dark island. A large, more tropical and majestic looking island appeared.
"To break the spell, you must follow the blue star to Romandu's island." The magician further explained. As he did, he placed a floating blue ball just above the island. He looked around the room once more.
"There the seven swords must be laid at Aslan's table. Only then can their true magical power be released." Caspian glanced back at Captain Drinian to make sure there was no protest about sailing that direction.
"But beware, you are all about to be tested." The magician continued, causing everyone to shift nervously.
"Tested?" Raelyn softly questioned. Coriakin turned towards her, meeting her gaze sternly.
"Until you lay down the seventh sword, evil has the upper hand." He told her. Raelyn bit her lip, mulling that concept over.
"It will do everything in its power to tempt you." the man turned towards Lucy and stepped closer, staring her down intently.
"Be strong, don't fall for temptation." Coriakin continued. Lucy couldn't hold his gaze.
"To defeat the darkness out there, you must first defeat the darkness inside yourself." He told them, letting the words hang in the air.
"You my dear with your gift are exceptionally sensitive to the darkness. Trust your instincts." Coriakin added, turning towards Raelyn.
"Trust my instincts to do what?" she whispered with a frown.
"To sense when darkness is near. You are sensitive to its presence. With that gift you can help determine what is real and what the darkness is drawing out. The darkness will try to plant doubt within you to dull your senses." Coriakin explained seriously. Raelyn bit her lip unsurely. How would she know when she was corrupted? What use would she be if she was wrong about sensing the darkness? As if knowing her thought process Edmund held her tighter and pressed his lips against her temple.
"You'll do just fine. Don't worry." He whispered, hoping to reassure her. Raelyn nodded jerkily, even more intimidated by her task than before.
...
Once the crew had set out in the direction Coriakin had sent them, the storms started. Eustace nearly fell off his perch by one of the windows below deck when a large wave rocked the boat violently.
For reasons beyond my comprehension, we have taken the advice of a senile old coot who doesn't possess a razor and dawdles around in a dressing gown. So, we're back in this tub and lost in a tempest. Brilliant.
The crew was all hands-on deck as the storm grew more violent. Many men had to help captain Drinian while others were below deck, working to keep the water out of the ship. Men rushed around as best they could to keep the sails in working condition.
Fourteen days of being tossed around like a pancake and not the slightest sight of land. The only consolation is, everyone is finally as miserable as I am. Except for that annoying talking rat. He's one of those glass is always half full types.
...
Taking a break down below, Caspian sat in the window seat of his study staring out at the rolling waters beyond the windows. Captain Drinian placed a small stone on the map.
"So we're stuck here. With half rations we have food and water for two more weeks maximum." He explained, having to put his hand up to brace against the ceiling beam as the ship tossed about.
"This is your last chance to turn back your majesty." Drinian told Caspian pointedly. The prince glanced over at Edmund, looking for some input on the situation. Before Caspian could respond the door flew open and a soaking wet Raelyn came through the door, her eyes widening in alarm when she noticed who all was inside.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't realize that you were having a meeting, I'll just go." She quickly backtracked but Edmund made his way across the room towards her. Taking her by the arm he tugged her back inside.
"It's still dangerous out there, what were you doing on deck. Ray you're soaked." He rushed out, looking to Caspian for assistance. The man quickly retrieved some towels from a cabinet and handed them over to the girl. Raelyn took them gratefully and wrapped them around herself. Everyone in the room stumbled as a wave shook the boat more forcefully.
"What were ya doing outside girl?" Captain Drinian questioned, eyeing her wet appearance. Raelyn shrugged, suddenly embarrassed.
"I….I was looking for the star." She murmured, staring down at her fingers. The other three in the room stared at her questioningly.
"I just thought that maybe I could sense it…or see it even through the storm. I don't know, it sounds kinda stupid now." Raelyn bit her lip, not daring to look up. Edmund wrapped his arm tightly around her shoulders.
"It's not stupid." Caspian assured, catching her eye. Raelyn shot him a grateful smile.
"There's no guarantee that we'll find the blue star anytime soon. Not in this storm. A needle in a haystack trying to find this Romandu place. We could sail right past it and right off the edge of the world." Drinian explained pointedly. He also shot he girl a grin, letting her know that it wasn't her fault they couldn't find anything.
"Or get eaten by a sea serpent." Edmund joked.
"Ed." Raelyn admonished while both Caspian and Drinian shot him an unamused look.
"I'm just saying the men are getting nervous. These are strange seas we're sailing, the likes of which I've never seen before." Drinian continued as he rounded the desk wobblily. Caspian stood and made his way towards the others by the desk.
"Then perhaps Captain, you would like to be the one to explain to Mr. Rinse that we are abandoning the search for his family." Caspian countered. Drinian frowned, reminded of what else was at stake with this trip. He nodded.
"I'll get back to it." He relented, reaching over to grab his large cloak before pausing at the door.
"Just a word of warning. The sea can play nasty tricks on a crew's mind. Very nasty." Drinian warned before slipping out back into the storm. Caspian and Edmund looked at one another worriedly, taking in what Drinian had told them.
"So, are we continuing onward?" Raelyn questioned, looking up at Caspian.
"I don't see any other choice other than giving up and turning back." He admitted, still unsure about the decision.
"There's no way this storm is a coincidence. I'm sure you made the right decision. After all, this weather can't last forever." Raelyn commented. Caspian grinned.
"A recognition of evil work at play?" Ray shrugged.
"Not really, just more gut feeling." she admitted. Caspian nodded.
"You two better get some sleep. And Ray, you need to get dried off." He chided. Edmund stiffened up around her.
"I'll take care of it. Goodnight Caspian." Ed assured. The prince bit the couple goodnight before leaving the study. The ship rocked violently again, tossing the two left over towards the ledge by the windows. After some stumbling, Edmund situated the two of them on the cushions comfortably.
"Ray what possessed you to go out into this storm?" he questioned.
"I just wanted to help. I hate feeling so useless! Even Coriakin said I was supposed to be some key factor in sensing the darkness but what good am I if we are stuck in this storm and we can't even see the dumb star." She grumbled honestly, wrapping the towel tighter around herself. Edmund sighed and shifted closer to her.
"It's not all on you to find the island Ray. It's a group effort. And you really won't be able to help if you catch a cold or even fall overboard while out on deck." He pointed out. Raelyn grinned wryly.
"That is a good point." She admitted with a chuckle. Edmund grinned and pressed a kiss to her temple.
"Now off to bed with you and get out of those wet clothes." He pulled her up with him, and guided her to the door. Raelyn rolled her eyes in amusement.
"Yes, mother." She teased.
"Hey! None of that from you." Ed chuckled. At the door Raelyn turned to press a kiss to his lips gently before heading back towards the room that she, Lucy, and Gael shared. As she walked along the halls Raelyn shuddered. With a frown she glanced around but found nothing indicating that something was amiss. But regardless she instantly felt on edge…something wasn't quite right on the ship.