Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Narnia; C. S. Lewis does. I especially do not own certain parts of Gumpas's speech that are the same or similar to VDT.


Chapter Two - The Lone Islands

An obliging wind had sprung up, and the lords' ship was heading southeast. The people of Galma had been none too pleased when seven Narnian lords had appeared demanding ships and a crew, and had done so only when firmly reminded that they were still under the overlordship of the Narnian crown. They had grudgingly provided a small, rather ramshackle ship and a crew composed largely of people they hoped to be rid of. The first mate was a very old man with a patch over one eye and a wooden leg; he looked rather like the pirate caricatures found in children's storybooks. His name was Proteus, and his words were few.

"I cannot help but think," Bern observed to his companions, who were gathered on the forecastle, "that we are doing exactly what Miraz hoped we would do."

"I expect so," said Rhoop, "but my heart tells me that our decision was correct. Did you not feel it?"

"I felt it," said Argoz, frowning.

"I, too," said Bern. The other lords made sounds of agreement.

"But I cannot think," Bern continued, "that there can be any lands far to the east, whatever Miraz may say. We ourselves have explored Terebinthia and the Seven Isles. We are now headed in the direction we suppose leads to the Lone Islands, which have not been visited for many years – they may be just an Old Narnian legend, like the lion Aslan, nothing more than uneducated superstition. But beyond? There can be little beyond, surely. Do not our own tales tell of the perilous country at the world's end?"

"Nevertheless," said Argoz, "I am resolved to complete our task, which was assigned to us in the name of the true King, Caspian the Tenth. That is one thing of which we can be glad, my friend – we must no longer guard our tongues against uttering truths!"

"Indeed!" exclaimed Revilian, shifting his considerable bulk. "There is nothing here to stop us cursing the name of Miraz, tyrant and usurper! Why, I should not be surprised if, when we return, the coward has crowned himself king!"

"I wonder," said Rhoop, "whether it was safe leaving Miraz with only Glozelle and Sopespian as his support. We may have put King Caspian in danger. I would put nothing past Miraz."

"Trust your instinct!" scolded Revilian. "Instinct is unerring and constant as the course of the Sun." He grinned. "And now, my instinct is telling me that the time for a meal approaches. Come! I am glad we brought provisions of our own, for they gave us little at Galma!"

He lifted himself from the weather-beaten stool on which he had been sitting, but before he could move further there was a cry from the crow's nest.

"Land!" breathed Argoz, turning. "The Lone Islands are before us! They were not a myth!"

"Caution, Argoz," said Bern, coming to stand beside his friend at the tip of the forecastle. "We do not know the state of affairs in these islands. Remember that the sands of Calormen stretch to the west, and it is possible that they have long since taken the islands for their own."

"No," said Octesian, "see! They fly the standard of Narnia. How wondrous! They cannot have had word from Narnia for hundreds of years, and yet they still acknowledge our overlordship!"

"Wondrous indeed," murmured Bern. He turned to the mate, who had come silently behind them. "Proteus. We will land on Felimath first and explore that island before rounding that island and coming to Doorn. All of the old records suggest that it is the chief of the islands."

"My lord," said Proteus in his quiet, surprisingly melodious voice, and turned to move back towards the centre of the ship. Bern wondered how he could move so quietly, with his wooden leg.

"The Lone Islands!" murmured Argoz, his eyes alight with adventure, "gateway to the east!"


To their disappointment, the lords found little but sheep on the green slopes of Felimath, and their wanderings there were uneventful. They spent only an afternoon on the island, before returning to their ship and sailing around the southern tip towards Doorn. The sun was setting as they arrived at the jetty of Narrowhaven, chief town of the Lone Islands.

Narrowhaven was a modest but prosperous settlement, and it - like the Lone Islands themselves - had been little affected by the cessation of contact with Narnia. The Narnian standard still flew above the Governor's residence, and he still acknowledged the King of Narnia as his lord, but beyond this the distant kingdom was little in the thoughts of the islanders. They supported themselves by farming sheep on Felimath, growing crops on Avra, and maintaining a flourishing trade in slaves with Calormen.

"For shame!" murmured Bern, as they passed a market square, where a slave trader stood on a raised platform under the light of several oddly-fashioned lanterns. A dozen miserable-looking souls were crowded behind him. "How is this permitted? Not even Miraz would dare commit this kind of atrocity!"

"A matter, perhaps, to raise with the Governor," said Rhoop.

The Governor of the Lone Islands resided in a castle, the only castle in the Lone Islands. It had been built long, long ago, when first the Lone Islands came under the dominion of Narnia. The gate was old but impressive, but the door-keeper who came to meet them through the postern was certainly not.

"What do you want?" he demanded, swaying slightly on the spot. It was clear that he had been drinking.

"We would be brought to the Governor at once," said Argoz in ringing tones. "We are emissaries from the King of Narnia, come to enquire about the state of the Lone Islands, over which His Majesty is Emperor. Take us to him at once!"

The door-keeper staggered again. "His Sufficiency is occupied," he said. Then, glancing at their swords, "Would you like to make an appointment?"

Argoz's eyes flashed. "Tell me, who is the present Governor?" he demanded.

"His name is G-Gumpas, sir," stammered the door-keeper. "He is newly appointed after the death of the previous holder of the office. He is free on Wednesday afternoon," he finished hopefully.

"In the name of the King, you will take us to him now!" said Argoz, his hand on his sword-hilt.

The door-keeper gulped, and sank his head in a reluctant bow. "Perhaps His Sufficiency can be diverted from his present occupation," he mumbled.

"Perhaps he can," said Octesian, with a grim smile at his companions.

The door-keeper led them into the courtyard and through a pair of strong oak doors. The entrance chamber was very large, with a polished marble floor and high windows. The door-keeper led them through another door on their left and into a long hall, with a table at the far end. A red-haired man sat behind it, with an enormous pile of papers on his left and a scarcely smaller one on his right. He glanced up with an annoyed frown.

"No interviews without appointments except between nine and ten p.m. on second Saturdays," he said, and looked back down at his notes. The door-keeper gestured half-heartedly towards the door, and when they did not follow he hurried out himself.

"My lord," said Argoz, striding up to the table, "we are emissaries from the King of Narnia, your liege, and we demand an audience."

The Governor looked up again. "I have heard nothing about it," he said irritably. "We have not been notified of any such thing. I am happy to consider applications, of course. You might come to the Council ..."

"My lord!" said Argoz again. "We will not be denied! We are come to enquire into the condition of the Lone Islands."

Gumpas stood up. He eyed all seven of the lords, and seemed to come to a decision. "The condition of the Lone Islands is good. Please convey my regards to the King." He sat down again, and took up his quill.

"Your Sufficiency," said Bern, coming forward. "Perhaps you can suggest a lodging place for us, until such time as we have conducted our business."

Gumpas waved an impatient hand. "Speak to one of my men. You'll find most of them down at the marketplace for the auction. Thank you, goodbye!" He made a great show of lifting another sheaf of papers from the pile on his left and leafing through them.

Most of the lords turned to go, exhausted and thinking that perhaps the Governor would be more receptive between nine and ten p.m. on second Saturdays, but Bern remained behind.

"Your Sufficiency, I must protest about the abominable trade in slaves that you maintain," he said feelingly. "It is monstrous! How can you allow it?"

"Necessary. An essential part of the health of the economy of these islands," said Gumpas, still staring at his papers. "Regrettable, perhaps, but unavoidable."

"Far from unavoidable, surely," said Bern. "What need have you of slaves?"

"Export, my Lord. Mostly we trade with the Tisroc of Calormen (may he live forever). We are a great trade centre."

Bern's face darkened at these words. "You show more deference to a foreign tyrant than your own king!" he said loudly, pounding the table so that drops of ink rained on the paper Gumpas was reading. "For shame, Gumpas!"

His Sufficiency paled, but his voice was admirably controlled. "Merely a courtesy, my lord," he said, looking up at last. "Merely a courtesy."

"A courtesy of which I doubt your liege lord would approve!" said Bern loudly.

"Then I accede to the wishes of the King of Narnia," said Gumpas, with an air of victory. "Now please. I am occupied."

Mavramorn seized Bern's arm. "Come, Bern. We can return at a more convenient time for his Sufficiency, perhaps."

"Thank you," grumbled Gumpas. "Between nine and ten p.m. on second Saturdays."

Reluctantly, Bern allowed himself to be led from the hall. They were led by the smirking door-keeper out through the front gate, which closed behind them with a firm clang.


A/N: Many thanks to my one and only reviewer, LazyChestnut, for the encouragement needed to write this chapter. As some of you may have noticed, much of Gumpas's speech is taken from VDT. This is because I think that he would not have changed at all in the years between this story and Caspian's visit, and he probably used the same words as well. I have tried to alter it slightly. Please review!