Chapter 10

Her Trusty Arrow

The White Crystal glowed much more brighter as the trio descended the cliffs leading down into the dark valley. The moon was out overhead and the bright stars were happier then Susan had ever remembered. The sky looked so peaceful and heavenly.

"New Narnia is now ruined." said Paravatia, suddenly.

"What do you mean, Para?" asked Susan.

"Conflict and disaster has risen. This was suppose to be a peaceful era for true Narnians. I can't even imagine how dear Aslan is taking this."

"I suspect he knows everything." said Rose. "He always has and always will. He knew long before now that Queen Susan would return to Narnia."

Susan smiled slightly.

"I should had returned when everyone else did, but I had to be so stubborn and ignorant." she said.

"All in the past, your Grace." said Rose, as they neared the end of the trail going into the valley.

They stepped onto the dark smooth dewy grass of the valley. The dais was only a mile across the valley from where they stood. The trip through the valley toward the dais took no time. But as they neared two things came into greater focus. One was the White Crystal, which was now brighter then the stars above. And second was one of the stars from the sky had began to fall. It was coming at great speed toward the base of the dais. On impact there was a bright explosion. And a man with long white hair and matching mustache and beard, wearing a long white glowing robe, appeared.

They stopped a yard away from the Star, for its light was too bright for them to take.

"Who are you?!" said the Star. "And why have you come to this Ancient Place?"

"I am Rose, Captain of the Rosetta Stone and her crew, I am here searching for my lost family relic, the Spear of my Sacred Ancestors. I have great reason to believe (due to the glow of my White Crystal) that the said relic is here." said Rose, holding up the White Crystal.

"And I'm your Majesty Queen Susan the Gentle of Narnia, Empress of the Lone Islands, Lady of Cair Paravel, and Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Lion. And this Elf is my Royal Company named Paravatia." said Susan. "We are on a mission to recover the lost Ancient Kings and Queen of Narnia, along with our cousin, his friend, and the Lord Digory and Lady Polly. I demand you tell me who you are and what is your business here?"

The Star stepped toward them. As he walked the grass seemed to light up.

"I am Tarisdane." said the Star. "An old Star of Old Narnia, who was reborn in New Narnia. My task is guard over the horrible veil from New Narnian inhabitants."

"Dear Star, is there a Spear located anywhere in this area?" asked Rose.

"Yes, dear Captain," said Tarisdane the Star. "Right there." He held a glowing finger to the dais.

This was their first time having a proper look at the dais. It was very old and its steps were cracked in several places. There were two stone pillars on each side of it. In the center was a small stone table, where a spear sat. It was glowing the same as the Crystal. Behind the table were the black gates which lead to nowhere.

"The Spear," said Rose.

"You can't touch it my dear or sudden death shall befall this world." said the Star.

"What?" said Susan. "Sudden death?"

"Yes," said Tarisdane the Star, "for a deadly curse has been placed upon the area. If the Spear was removed death would soon follow."

"How did this curse come to be?" asked Rose.

"A year ago, those black gates opened and a man appeared in its arch," began the Star, "I watched from the sky as he left the gates, closed them and left this place. The stars rang through the world, trying to alert all to this horrible being. But no one ever heard our call and he escaped into Narnia. I don't even think Aslan (Paravatia made a sharp cough) heard our call. Anyway, weeks and weeks pasted by until he returned with the Spear. He said some very ancient words of evil Magic on it, then left again back into Narnia. It was is third trip back to the dais when he returned with High King Peter, King Edmund, Queen Susan, Sir Eustace and Madam Jill, Lord Digory and Lady Polly. They each past through the black gates into nothingness. Then, the man entered the gates and closed them behind him. He left the Spear behind as a curse to all who try to enter the gates."

"My brother and sister are through those gates." said Susan, sharply.

"Yes, your Majesty." said the Star. "I am ashamed of myself to had let a dark thing as that carry on for such a long time."

"Don't worry about it, Tarisdane." said Rose.

"We have to break the curse." said Paravatia. "Then we shall have passage into the black gates."

"NOOOOOOOOO!" the Star's voice echoed. It wasn't a loud mean echo. It was soft and calm. "You mustn't dare enter the arch into that horrible realm! I am here to protect it and that is what I shall do."

Susan was already preparing her arrow into her bow.

"What are you doing?" asked Rose.

"I'm gonna strike the curse." said Susan.

"What?!" said the Star. "Your Grace may cause a chain reaction which could disrupt all peace of Narnia!"

"I don't care." said Susan. "A dark Wizard has entered this peaceful world already. He shall never come again. I will make sure of that. Me, and my trusty arrow."

"Do it, Queen!" said the Elf, cheerfully.

Susan aimed her arrow at the Spear. And with a thang, the arrow whipped through the air and struck the Spear. Black lightnining errupted from all sides of the Spear. It rattled and shook violently, until it fell off the stone table onto the floor of the dais and rolled off the side, down the steps until it lay still at Rose's feet. She leaned over and picked it up. She pulled the arrow out and nothing happened.

"Why your Majesty has broken the curse with her trusty arrow. Amazing!" said Rose, stunned.

Something happened. The moment Rose had finished her sentence the black gates on the dais opened revealing nothing behind it but the back of the dais.

"Now, its time for us to travel through the veil." said Susan, heading toward the base of the steps. She turned to look at Rose. She rushed over to her, hugged her, and kissed her on each cheek, as Queen's do.

"Bye, Captain!" said Paravatia, rushing past the Star toward Susan.

"Good luck your Ancient Majesty." said the Star. He glew rather brightly and returned to the sky.

"Be safe Rose." said Susan.

"You too." said Rose, holding the Spear tightly.

Susan and the Elf walked up the stone steps onto the dais. They stepped over to the opened black gates and pasted through them. They closed behind them with a snap.

Rose waited nearly an hour for the Rosetta Stone to come across Claire Dome. She boarded and the ship set out toward the Western Sea to find more treasure.