"So that's how she was cursed by her own mother..." Edmund told Peter, Caspian, and Lucy one afternoon in Caspian's chamber.

"That's horrible," Lucy said, comforting herself by running her hands on her hair, sitting by the bed.

"But still," Caspian spoke at the balcony, watching the blue sky, worrying about Liliandil. "It's still a mother's sacrifice. The mother did it out of love. She didn't want her to die."

"We should keep an eye on her. Keep her around more. We don't know what'll happen," said Peter.

"You make it sound like her case is as bad as the shadows," Edmund protested. "She's a normal person. Nothing weird is going on as far as I know."

"A curse is a curse, Ed. We don't know if it's still affecting. I'll get someone to call in Barnaby. He can stay here and keep watch on her."

"Wh- spy on her like a lab rat? Peter..."

Peter rolled his eyes. "Your affection is gaining you blindly. You're once my military commander. Focus and be one."

Edmund was offended.

"Peter," Lucy spoke. "Even if Annabelle's condition is questionable, you have to be considerate. Annabelle is our guest, not our prisoner. We have to honour her as one."

Peter paced for a bit until he found the conclusion. "Okay, fine. I will talk to Annabelle about this situation, civilly, but she has to understand, Barnaby has to study her condition."

"But she will not be forced. If she refuses, you can't put forth upon her," Edmund said.

"I'm with Edmund. I value hospitality," Lucy added.

"Of course, but a word from a King should be weighted. Caspian?" Peter asked.

"I want Barnaby to study her, but of course Edmund and Lucy wants her to feel welcomed and I too want that as well."

"Spoken like a true diplomat, Caspian... Okay then... now about the shadows."

It was a plan. Not a great plan and might just flop, but it was worth a try. Edmund gathered the soldiers who guarded each cardinal points of the Cair Paravel. He told them what to do, though he didn't expect to succeed and he made sure they knew that. Safety was still a priority.

When it was time to dawn, Edmund was already on top of the North Wall. Fire had been burned. Soldiers had their flashlights. It didn't take long until rustlings heard in the darkness. They listened attentively to determine which creature was closest. "Ready aim... over there," Edmund said. "Go."

They point their flashlights to encircle the creature, but it fled on the last darkness to wriggle out. They had to turn it on in unison in order to get it captured. They did it again. It was a game of guessing as they couldn't see them properly. They rely on the rustle of sounds. Tonight was not their night.

Dusk arrived and the creatures hid out somewhere no one could understand. The soldiers gathered in the training grounds and the rest of the points did not succeed as well. The trouble added that a child of a centaur was gone in the night, assumed that the child was devoured by these shadows. But they still had to try and find this child, hoping it was just a naughty wandering.

In annoyance, after Edmund let the soldiers carry on working the day, he went to train his sword skills alone on a dummy, letting all of his anger out on it until it was full of his slashes. Tired and drenching in sweat, he went back to the castle. He requested a hot bath in his chamber and a servant followed through. Before he went there, he had to report to the Kings and Queen, and of course, they were as disheartened as he was.

"When is Liliandil and Susan get back?" Peter asked Caspian. "They should find something by now."

"Liliandil visited me last night... She expects another three days or so."

They disbanded and Edmund found the bath in his chamber. Stripping off all fabrics he had, he eagerly got in. The warm water sip all over his body. He dunked his head into the warm water, letting himself be submerged in the warmth of ethereal bliss. The annoyance of unknown shadows was forgotten for awhile. He went to focus on things that found him joy and the first thing that came to mind was Annabelle, smiling at him, while sitting at the gazebo. He emerged and thought about it more, staring up at the ceiling.

What would happen if the shadows are gone? Would he have to leave her? Some part of him was glad that those shadows could not be banished. if it kept as so, maybe he could stay with Annabelle. He could stay here and be with her with the price of those beings. But that wish was not a favour to compare with those missing people. The world isn't safe, these creatures roam the land at night and kidnap them somewhere no one knew where. No one had gotten back. He had read letters from overseas of other kingdoms and they were facing the same problem as here. But still... This problem was the one thing that kept him here to see Annabelle. After contemplating that way, he damned himself to feel at ease knowing he failed his mission today. No progress meant longer time in Narnia, more time to spend with her by his side.

To be continued