Chapter 11
The Wolf Pack Arrives
Susan and Paravatia couldn't had felt anymore uncomfortable as they did while passing through the veil. They had been in a dark space, which seemed to had been hours. It was very tight and they were smushed together. They could barely breath as they continue their stride through the dark space of nothingness.
"How long shall this torture continue?" came Paravatia's voice.
"I haven't a clue." answered Susan. "Just stay calm and cool and everything should be fine."
In reality, nothing was fine. The horrible torture of passing through the gates continued. They didn't when or where it would end but it continued. For a few seconds, then several minutes, up to at least an hour. Then, when Susan felt she couldn't breath another minute, she felt her body drop. She fell and fell through the darkness. She could hear the screams of the terrified Elf.
In a split second, Susan found herself lying a forest floor surrounded by large trees and dying grass. The Elf was lying next to her, taking in the surroundings. The trees weren't the beautiful beech trees of Narnia. They were tall and hallow, with gray green leaves. There were several weeping willows around. Susan walked over to the nearest one.
"Hello?" she asked. "Are you awake?"
At that moment, the hair of the willow wrapped itself around Susan and held her up. The face of a mean old woman came out of the center of the tree.
"How dare you wake me, wrench?!" said the willow, angrily.
"What ever shall we do with this one?" said another willow, who had Paravatia entangled in its hair.
"Will give 'em too Wolgen." said the first willow.
"Send word to Wolgen at the castle at once!" said the second willow to a regular tree, who had now become a man. He sprinted off in the direction of a tower, which was very far away from this evil enchanted forest.
"Where do you believe this creatures dwell, Casticia?" asked the first willow.
"I don't know, Wilhemina." said Casticia.
"Well, Wolgen and his friends will make great work of them." said Wilhemina, sourly.
"Please, madam, release myself and my company at once!" said Susan.
"Who are you to give me orders?" asked Wilhemina, sinisterly.
"Because," said Susan, gaining courage, "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."
The two willows burst into laughter. Not a delicate kind laugh, but a mean and cold laugh (which one does after they make fun of someone and drives them to tears.) Their laughter echoed throughout the dark forest.
"That was very funny, girl. Queen Susan of Narnia." said Casticia.
"Yeah!" said Wilhemina, still giggling. "Your in Devast may dear and we have but one master and that is the Wizard, Darkaan."
"A Calormene," said Susan.
The willows burst into laughter again.
"Yes, yes," said Casticia, "I do believe that is where he fashioned the name. But he has always been known as the Wizard, who created Devast."
"You've never heard of Narnia or Calormene?" asked Susan.
The willow, Wilhemina, shook with laughter at the sound of the two names.
"What are they?" asked Wilhemina, after she finished her laugh.
"Countries," said Susan.
They laughed again.
"What is so funny?" asked Susan, strongly.
"Countries, she saids." said Casticia, laughing harder then ever and shaking Paravatia, violently.
"There aren't any such countries. There is only Devast." said Wilhemina.
"Your wrong!" said Susan, quickly. "There is a Narnia, Calormene, Tashbaan, and Archenland!"
The willows shrieked with laughter a second time.
"This girl is laughable!" said Casticia, who had laughed so hard, she had released Paravatia.
The Elf was now signalling to Susan to do the same.
"Yeah," said Susan, taking the hint, "and there's also the Castle of Cair Paravel and Anvard of Narnia and Archenland."
It worked. Wilhemina laughed so hard, she released Susan. She was now on her feet while the two willows laughed their vines off.
Susan and the Elf sprinted into the forest toward the castle, knowing that is where she find the others.
At that moment, five wolves flew out of the trees and stood in front of them. They were larger then the average Narnian wolf, and had silver fur, and yellow eyes. Their fangs were revealed and ready to tear the flesh away from Susan and Paravatia.
"Halt, human." said the wolf in the center. "I am Wolgen, leader of the Wolf Pack, and servant to the Wizard, Darkaan."