Enjoy another chapter. I'm on a roll tonight, so you may get another chapter or two before I make myself actually go to bed.
Disclaimer: see chapter 1
Remember, if you have any questions or see anything that needs correcting, feel free to PM me or review.
Peter woke me up at six the next morning, and I grumpily got dressed in the black pants and boots from the day before, but with a plain dark blue tunic and black belt. I slipped my gloves on, braided my hair, grabbed my sunglasses and daggers, and headed out to get breakfast. I found Peter and Edmund eating already, and as I joined them, Peter handed me a fruit that was shaped like a small squash, but was red in color. I took a bite, and was pleasantly surprised to find that not only did it taste like a tangy green apple, but it also woke me up and gave me a small burst of energy. I finished it, and grabbed a couple pieces of buttered toast to eat on the way to the training fields, along with three more of those peculiar fruits.
Oreius trained us hard for three hours before he allowed a break. I thanked Aslan that I'd grabbed more of those energy fruits, as I desperately needed it. I gave one each to Peter and Edmund, who both looked like they needed the energy just as much as I did. We only got a ten minute break before Oreius called us back. I'm fairly sure our groans could be heard all across the camp, but the Centaur just chuckled.
Oreius finally let us go at noon, and gave us three hours for lunch. The boys and I scarfed some food down as fast as we could without choking ourselves, and then went to rub ointment into our aching muscles and take a nap. Susan and Lucy laughed at us, but I knew that they were up for a lesson with the fierce General next, and I doubted they'd be laughing tonight.
Peter woke me up that afternoon, with an energy fruit in his hand. I scarfed it down before getting ready for more of Oreius' torturous lessons. When we reached the training field, we found the Centaur looking impatient. The moment we stopped in front of him, he set off. We followed him as quickly as we could, and he led us to a large field filled with Centaurs, Talking and not-talking horses, and even a few unicorns. We spent an hour wandering among them, and eventually, we were each chosen by an equine to be their riders. A proud, brilliantly white and silver unicorn named Elgar chose Peter. Edmund was chosen by one of the Talking Horses, a chestnut stallion named Philip. I was chosen by a beautiful all black mare named Amata, who was also a Talking Horse. She had a high, musical voice and a white star on her forehead. We spent the afternoon getting used to riding our new mounts. Peter and Edmund had never been on a horse, and so it took them a couple hours just to get used to the balance of riding. My aunt had taught me how to ride years ago, and every time I visited, she taught me something new, and so it didn't take me very long at all to get used to the balance of riding Amata. Soon, I was cantering and galloping around. Amata showed me what it felt like when she reared and bucked, and coached me on how to stay on her back when it happened. It was an enjoyable afternoon for me, although the boys sure didn't think so. Oreius finally let us go for supper, and the boys complained about riding all the way back to the tents. I laughed at them, which they didn't really appreciate.
We found Susan and Lucy at the supper table again, and as we all loaded up our plates, they told us how their lesson with the General had gone. He'd coached them on archery and knife throwing. According to them, Oreius had actually praised them and said they were doing well. Peter, Edmund, and I shared a look at that and simultaneously rolled our eyes. The General wasn't nearly so nice to us.
Once supper was finished, the five of us all headed to bed. The next morning, Peter woke me at six again. This time, he had an energy fruit with him, which he handed to me as soon as I was awake enough to get out of bed. I devoured it quickly, and then focused on getting dressed. Today's outfit consisted of a new pair of black pants, dark gray boots, and a dark red tunic with a silver belt. I put on my gloves and sunglasses, strapped on my daggers, and headed out.
Breakfast consisted of some water, some toast, and another energy fruit. I grabbed two more of the fruits and a flask of water before I headed out to train with Oreius. I noticed Peter and Edmund also grabbed some energy fruit to take with them.
The day's lesson started on horseback. Once the horses (and unicorn) were warmed up, we began practicing with weapons while riding. Oreius had me try a few moves with my daggers, but he mainly had me concentrate on using a bow while moving while Peter and Edmund were set to sparring on horseback. It was very entertaining to watch them. It became rather obvious fairly quickly that my skill with the bow was worse while I was on a horse than it was while I was standing on my own two feet. Oreius quickly set me to throwing daggers from Amata's back, but that went worse than the bow. I had absolutely no talent with projectile weapons. Finally, the Centaur gave me a sword and set me to practicing with it while riding Amata. I managed not to hurt myself or anyone else, but it quickly became abundantly clear that giving me a sword while I was riding was not a good idea. Maybe after this war was won, I could convince Oreius to teach me how to use a sword properly, but right now, I was more of a danger to my allies than I was to my enemies, especially on horseback. In the end, Oreius gave me two short swords that were close enough to daggers for me to use.
We practiced various things while riding for several hours, pausing only twice for a few minutes for a break. Oreius let us go for lunch at around noon, with orders that we be back by 2. With that time limit in mind, our mounts agreed to carry us to lunch before they headed off to eat their own lunch. We arrived at the lunch table just as Susan and Lucy walked up. We sat down and loaded our plates, and then the boys and I proceeded to eat as fast as we could. Once we were done, we went to take a nap, knowing we'd need the energy.
Peter woke me up later and informed me that we had 20 minutes to be back at the training grounds. I got up and quickly consumed another energy fruit, and then spent a while just praying. Amata was waiting for me when I stepped outside, and gladly offered to give me a ride to the training grounds. We galloped toward Oreius and the boys, jumping over some obstacles and dodging others. We made it just in time, and Oreius began the lesson by setting us to practicing with weapons on horseback again. I practiced with my daggers for an hour, and then the short swords. Peter and Edmund were sparring again. Susan and Lucy were at the archery range, practicing with bows and daggers. Suddenly, Mr. Beaver came running up to us with a message. He was out of breath, but the message was clear. Jadis was coming. Quickly, Peter and I raced over to Susan and Lucy. I pulled Lucy up behind me, and Peter pulled Susan up behind him. With Edmund and Oreius right behind us, we raced for the main part of the camp.
The main path into camp was already lined with soldiers. We managed to find a spot near Aslan's tent where we could stand. Unfortunately, the horses were too big to fit, so we dismounted, and the equines went off with Oreius to find a better spot.
The five of us huddled together, waiting for the false queen. She came within moments of us getting settled, and it was all I could do to resist drawing one of my daggers and throwing it at her, despite knowing the with my aim, I was more likely to hit an ally. The Witch was seated on a throne, which was on a platform being carried by four servants. A Dwarf walked ahead of this group, announcing the arrival of the "Queen" of Narnia. Jadis saw our little group within a few moments of her entering camp, and glared at us, although she seemed to target Edmund in particular. I took a small step forward so that I was slightly in front of the others. My back was straight, and I managed to hide my fear. I glared right back at the Witch, silently telling her that she wasn't getting to Edmund or his siblings without going through me. She sneered at me, and I intensified my glare. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Peter and Susan step up beside me. I crossed my arms and smirked at Jadis. She smiled a creepy smile and then looked away as Aslan came out and greeted her. I kept my eyes on her as she talked to the Lion, only taking them off of her for a quick glance back at Edmund when the Witch mentioned a traitor. He was pale and trembling slightly, but he was also standing tall. I gave him an encouraging smile, and then returned to glaring at Jadis, refusing to look away even as she followed Aslan into his tent. Once she was out of sight, however, I turned back to the others. I met Edmund's eyes, silently asking if he was alright. He nodded slightly, and I smiled at him before sitting on the grass. The others looked at me in slight confusion.
"What?" I asked. "It's likely that they're going to be in there for a bit, and I don't want to stand the entire time."
They stood there in silence for a moment, and then Edmund sat down, quickly followed by the rest of his family. Around us, the army started muttering. Some of the soldiers sat down, and some walked away to go do something else for a bit. I leaned toward Edmund.
"You alright?" I asked in a quiet voice.
"I'm fine," he said sarcastically.
"Edmund," I said firmly. "Calm down."
He looked at me with incomprehension and opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off.
"You'll be fine. She's never going to get her hands on you ever again. I will die before I let her near you again."
Peter and Edmund looked at me in surprise and gratitude, while Susan smiled at me and Lucy grinned brilliantly. I smiled back at them. The rest of the wait was filled with chitchatting and laughter. I kept one eye on the tent where the Witch was the entire time, and when she emerged an hour later, with the Lion right behind her, I was one of the first to notice her. I stood, and as I did so, the others noticed her. Their smiles faded as they stood as well. I stood slightly in front of them, but this time Peter was at my side. I knew Lucy was behind the two of us, where she could see what was happening, but wasn't easily seen. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Susan and Edmund. Ed was right next to and slightly behind me, with Susan right next to him. Jadis sneered at the five of us, and I glared at her. Aslan announced that the Witch had renounced her claim on Edmund, and I smiled at her. It was the kind of smile that promised bad things would happen if she ever came near Edmund again. For a brief millisecond, I thought I could see a flash of fear in her eyes before she glared at me, although it was probably my imagination. I glared right back at her as she walked back to her throne and climbed on, not ceasing until she and her party were out of sight. As soon as she was gone, I turned to the others.
"Come on. Let's get back to training."
I got four nods in response as I whistled. Seconds later, Amata, Philip, Oreius, and Elgar were making their way toward us. As soon as they arrived, Peter, Edmund, and I mounted our respective rides. Peter pulled Lucy up behind him, and Edmund offered Susan a ride, which she gladly took. Together, we raced off. Amata galloped ahead of Elgar and Philip easily. Oreius kept pace with us as my beautiful mount leaped over obstacles and dodged soldiers. We reached the training yard first and immediately made our way over to the water station. As soon as we'd quenched our thirst, Oreius started ordering us about. Once the others arrived, they were directed to the water station, and then we were split up to practice different things. Peter, Edmund, and I practiced sparring against each other, both on horseback, and on foot. Susan and Lucy went to practice their archery and knife throwing.
We trained for two hours, and by the time Oreius let us go, it was dark, and the five of us were incredibly hungry. We quickly got some dinner and ate, and then headed to our tents. I made sure to rub the sore muscles cream into my sore muscles, and then I headed to bed.