The sea monster took it's pain out on the mast above, chewing on the arm and tilting the ship down along with it.
"We have to get it closer." Edmund pointed out, watching the creature.
"All hands to the main deck!" Drinian barked, getting things prepared.
"Ready the harpoons!" Caspian added. The serpent pulled on the mast even more, propelling everyone towards the dipping side of the vessel. Edmund ran for an overhanging rope, using the ships tilt to propel himself around the netting. Grabbing onto the lattice made of rope he quickly began scaling upwards.
...
On deck Caspian and the others had their handheld harpoons at the ready, standing in a line along the opposite end of the ship. Raelyn hovered by the rigging where she had helped to secure the ropes attached.
"Ready!...Now!" he ordered. The metal weapons flew through the air and sunk into the monster's flesh. It flailed around wildly, removing itself from the mast and allowing the ship to right itself.
"Pull its head down!" Caspian shouted, prompting the men to pull tighter on the ropes attached to their harpoons. The beast fought back, trying to dislodge their footing as it was pulled in closer to the ship. While it was preoccupied, Edmund continued scaling the lattice up towards the top of the mast.
...
Finally making it to the crow's nest at the top he hauled himself up, clinging to the railing for support. The serpent continued to thrash and knocked into the mast, sending him sprawling across the small platform. As he righted himself a green figure floated towards him. He stared at it warily, his attention now taken away from the fight around him.
"Edmund." The woman's voice gently echoed.
"What are you trying to prove Edmund? That you're a man?" the mist witch cooed. Edmund's jaw clenched. Down below he could faintly hear the voices of Caspian and Raelyn shouting to get his attention. However he was still transfixed on the misty figure.
"I can make you that….I can make you my king." She offered, watching him intently. She reached her hand out towards him.
"Just take my hand." Down below some of the rigging broke off, slamming into the men holding the sea monster down. The beast raised itself up a little more as it shook off part of its captors.
"Just give in…" she whispered with a sinister grin. Edmund didn't move. Instead his attention was drawn to the vibrant glowing blue sword in his hand. Down on deck, Raelyn pulled herself up from where she had been thrown to the floor and stared at her hands intently. They matched the blue glow coming from Edmund's sword. The magic was working. With renewed vigor she thrust a hand up, sending a shot of light towards the misty figure surrounding Edmund. He watched in awe as the witch's face scrunched up in terror just before she was blown away by the light. Ed looked down at the deck and grinned at her.
"Edmund, do it now!" Caspian shouted, now that he Edmund had a clear head. Ed turned to look at the serpent that was now eye level with him.
"Come on!" he shouted, waving the glowing sword to gain its attention. The monster lunged. Edmund ducked enough to have room inside the mouth and stabbed his sword upward into the roof. Time seemed to pause as the beast froze, the light shooting throughout it. Lighting crackled from the sword and Edmund gave one last shove, pushing the beast backwards. The sea serpent stood upright as it twitched with sparks and beams of light wriggling through it's body. Slowly it fell backwards and suck down into the depths of the sea.
...
...
A silence sat on the ship until the smoke above shifted and a beam of daylight broke through. Raelyn let out a sigh of relief at the sight, finally feeling like she could breath in this place. Slowly the dark clouds began to dissolve away all around them.
"The spell….its lifting." Lucy grinned, watching the sight in awe.
"Edmund, Caspian, Raelyn. Look!" she called in delight. The three of them look at her in exhaustion. Raelyn walked over to help Caspian up from the ground, glancing up to make sure Edmund was fine as he scaled back down the lattice. Everyone on the ship watched as the pillars of the island began to dissolve away like the clouds above them. Edmund quickly made his way down to the main deck, walking over and catching Raelyn as she launched herself at him.
"You're ok?" she asked, glancing over him as she smoothed back his wet hair. Edmund nodded with a grin.
"I'm fine. You?" he inquired. Raelyn took in a deep breath and smiled.
"A lot better now." She admitted. Edmund grinned, watching her eyes soften the more the darkness of the island cleared away.
"Look Narnians!" a crew member cheered from the side of the boat. Everyone turned to see small lifeboats filled with people slowly floating towards the ship. Those on deck rushed to the side to watch and cheer as the people taken by the mist returned. Raelyn spotted Gael standing anxiously at the front with her father, watching the boats get closer. She reached over and squeezed the little girl's hand.
"She'll be there." Gael smiled up at her thankfully before returning to her scan of the boats. Suddenly her eyes lit up.
"Mummy!"
"Helene!" father and daughter shouted as a familiar figure was spotted on the bow of one of the boats. Without hesitation the duo lept into the water, via the large hole in the railing, and began swimming to meet the boat. Edmund wrapped and arm around the girls pulling them tightly to him. The overall feeling of relief and giddiness at their success was palpable all across the ship. They watched with grins as the small family was reunited in the water. Raelyn looked over and frowned curiously at Lucy's wobbling chin.
"Happy tears?" she inquired. Lucy answered with a watery chuckle.
"Definitely happy tears." She assured. Raelyn reached over and squeezed her arm.
"Let help get them on board." Caspian ordered, sending the crew members scurrying off. He made his way over to the younger trio.
"We did it. I knew we would." Lucy beamed, looking up at the man.
"I don't think it was just us though." Raelyn pointed out. They all looked at her curiously, different variations of realization on their faces.
"You mean.." Caspian trailed off. She shrugged.
"Do you have another explanation for how the swords were activated?" she pointed out. Caspian grinned.
"Hey down here! Lucy! Raelyn!" a voice called from the other side of the ship.
"Is that?..." Raelyn questioned before jogging that direction.
"I'm in the water!" he called again. They all looked over the railing, grinning in delight at the sight of Eustace back in his original form.
"Eustace!" the girls cheered.
"I'm a boy again! I'm a boy!" he shouted.
"Yes, we can see that." Raelyn chuckled. Reepicheep swiftly bolted to the front of the group.
"Eustace! I see your wings have been clipped!" he declared with a laugh, jumping into the water to join his young friend.
"Where the sky and water meet, where the waves grow ever sweet…" Reepicheep sang gleefully, however he paused with he realized something. He quickly raised a mouthful of water to his lips.
"It is sweet….its sweet." He muttered in wonder. Swiftly glancing around he searched for the other part of the song. Finding it he scurried over and perched on Eustace's shoulder.
"Look!" he pointed fervently in the distance. The group looked out and saw a white cloud line that seemed to mesh with the water, blurring it into one.
"Where sky and water meet…." Raelyn whispered in realization.
"Aslan's country."