Peter marched purposefully through the camp, mission set in mind. Those who hurt his little brother would pay for the pain they caused. Judas was dead - Edmund had killed that vile man, himself - but Ziddim was still alive, somewhere.
Edmund's old captain had been injured and it was unlikely that he got very far; that is, if he got anywhere at all. When Peter left the battle field, the soldiers were helping to carry their wounded to the healing tents. With Ziddim being as injured as he was, Peter figured that he was close to finding the traitor.
Edmund had wanted to come along - Peter could easily understand why - but it wasn't in anybody's best interest. As far as Narnia knew, the Just King was dead; if people saw him wandering around the camp, it would cause more confusion than Peter was ready to handle.
Once they got back to Cair Paravel, they would make an announcement and recrown their lost king. But, for now, Edmund would have to lay low and stay in the tent with Susan and Lucy.
"My King!" Greeted the master healer as Peter neared the main healing tent.
"Iason." Peter nodded, keeping his face stern and serious, much unlike the face of a king who had just won a battle.
Iason furrowed his brow. "Is something the matter, Your Majesty?"
"I'm looking for a soldier," Peter said. "Captain Ziddim. I was hoping to find him here."
The healer nodded. "Ah, yes. The captain was brought to me unconscious. We bandaged him up before he woke and tried to leave the tents."
Peter's eyes widened. "You stopped him, didn't you?"
"Yes, Sire, then we brought him to a separate tent to rest and be guarded so he wouldn't try another escape. I assure you, he will make a full recovery." Iason bowed his head as a reassurance of his statement.
"I can hardly care what kind of recovery he makes as long as he's fit to stand before the court." Peter spat.
Iason seemed shocked at Peter's sudden coldness, but he wisely gave no question to his king's words. "Of course, Sire. I'll show you to him, right away."
Without another word, the healer had set off past Peter. The High King followed after as he was lead to a smaller, less grand tent, sitting just yards away from the main healing tent.
The minotaur guard outside gave a deep bow as the two neared the entrance.
"His Majesty requests a counsel with the patient." Iason said, coming to a halt before the guard.
The minotaur huffed through his wide nostrils and opened the tent flap, granting Peter entrance into the tent. The High King gave no acknowledgment to his companions as he passed through the flap; Peter was set in a mission.
"Finally come, at last." Growled the voice of the wolf from his bed roll at the other side of the tent.
"It seems I have." Peter straightened his back, forcing himself up to his full height.
"I expected you sooner. I guess you were too busy mourning over the body of your brother." Ziddim's voice was like venom, but Peter had to restrain a smile as he recalled that he knew something that the ex-captain didn't.
"Don't congratulate yourself yet." Peter fixed his eyes in a hard stare. "You will pay for what you did; I will promise you that."
The wolf gave off a growling chuckle. "It will be worth it as long as I know that I participated in the demise of one of the kings of Narnia. I have succeeded in my goal, if only in part. I have made you suffer more than you could ever make me suffer."
Peter wanted to lop the head off the accursed beast right there. Ziddim was lucky that he had promised Edmund that he would not resort to violence unless it was absolutely necessary. This wolf had been the reason for all that pain- all that suffering - yet Edmund still had found the grace in his heart to provide the traitor with a proper trial before initiating punishment.
Peter wondered how - with Edmund gone - not even one insolent diplomat had lost his head to Rhindon. It was no little known fact that the High King got easily frustrated, and that Edmund had taken it upon himself to be the one to help Peter control that anger. Oh, Aslan, how Narnia was lucky that she had her just king back.
"Captain Ziddim, I hereby strip you of your title and place you under arrest on the charges of treason and attempted murder. Your trial will begin next week after we all settle in from this fortunate victory."
The wolf stared, clearly unsurprised with this development. Ziddim still had no idea that Edmund was alive; he didn't have much of anything to do with Edmund's death, so he couldn't be charged with it. No charges including Edmund's murder would ever hold up in court, anyhow; Edmund was, after all, alive, so there was no definitive proof that he was ever killed - all evidence would point to the opposite, really.
"The way I see it, I still win." Ziddim said, no emotion clear in his dark eyes.
Peter shook his head. "Before I bring you to my guards, I would like you to come with me. I have somebody who would very much like to see you."
So, one of my shorter chapters. Hopefully I can get one or two out over the next couple days.