"...and so as we lifted the cups to our lips, they grabbed us from behind and tied our hands behind our backs and marched us off to Narrowhaven to sell us. They were slavers. You remember Doorn in the Lone Islands right, Su? On the way there we met one of the seven lords Caspian was searching for through we didn't know who he was then. He bought Caspian and led him off.
"What they did I don't know, but we had to spend a whole night alone with Eustace in the slave ship. He hadn't changed yet and he kept asking for the British Consul," Edmund grumbled as he retold the tale of his and Lucy's last trip to Narnia.
"I would have guessed he'd ask a stupid thing like that. How did you escape?" Susan asked, disgusted at Eustace and trying to humor Edmund, but clearly interested in his story. She hadn't had this much fun with her siblings in what seemed like years.
"Once we got to the market they sold off Reepicheep to a performer for the Tisroc and a few of the other captives, natives of the Islands, I think, went to sour-faced men. Then Lucy, Eustace and I were shoved forward. A high-born lady with a kind face bought Lucy instantly. I thank Aslan that she stayed to buy another girl or only Aslan knows what would have happened next."
Here, a smirk appeared on the younger teen's face as he attempted to control his amusement. "He tried to sell Eustace and me together, and he even put him at a bargain price. Nobody would have him. As the bidding continued, I saw four wealthy girls huddled a harsh-looking man, whispering, giggling and pointing at me. I can tell you truthfully, I felt terrified."
"Ed, you were terrified of girls?" Susan teased, unable to hold back her giggles. Peter maintained a straight face, though from the twinkle in his eyes Edmund could tell he was amused.
"As I was saying," he continued with a pretence of annoyance. "Thankfully before I was lead off, Caspian arrived in full armor with his men, and the lord whom he had made a duke instead of a governor. He declared all the slaves free and gave the people back their money. I was so relived; I thought I was going to become a slave like that other time…." A shiver raced down all their spines and a hush blanketed the car at the thought of their previous time in captivity.
"Ed, sorry to interrupt, but we're here. Why don't you finish it on the way home, I'm sure Lucy will want to add something," Peter said, getting out of the car. The depot was a small Victorian-style city station made of red brick and had ivy across one wall.
As they walked behind Susan to the train station, the younger boy whispered, "You have the rings, brother?" Peter nodded, softly patting his coat pocket.
"I say Ed, where's Susan gone off to now?"
"Oh she's probably already gotten to the platform. She'll be the only one meeting them if we don't hurry," Edmund exclaimed as they hastened through the building to reach the open air platform beyond to catch up with their sister. A few groups of people stood scattered about here and there, yet there was nothing remarkable about the old station aside from a few fashionably dressed patrons amidst the plainly clothed people waiting on the platform.
Have you met Jill yet?" Peter asked his sister five minutes later to fill the silence between them.
"No, I haven't. What's she like?" Susan asked with mild interest as the sound of an approaching train was heard faintly.
"A nice, clever, friendly sort of girl with long brown curls. She's much like our Lu was at that age, yet not as bold."
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"Jill, look! We'll be approaching the station soon!" Lucy exclaimed as she pointed excitedly out the window. "Won't it be wonderful to go back again?"
"Do you think they're there?" the young girl asked nervously. "Suppose…"
"Don't worry, I'm sure they are. Peter's very prompt about meeting people, but Ed more so. Say Eustace, aren't we going a little fast to make the station?"
"Jill, Lucy, Cover your eyes!" breathed the dismayed boy as he stared out the window. But as they words left his mouth, there came a squeal of brakes and a horrible jolt and the smell of smoke as darkness engulfed her.
"Ed, trains don't usually come into the station laying on their horn and ringing the bell for they're worth, do they?" Susan observed. Edmund's eyes widened and he watched in horror as the metal monster charged forward, never slowing even as it began to round a curve in the tracks.
"Peter, it's coming around the bend too fast. It'll never have time to slow..." he shouted, his voice nearly drowned out by the roar of the approaching engine. The same thought must have gone through Peter's mind, for he instantly sprang into action.
"Susan, Edmund get back!" he yelled, pushing Edmund through the panicking crowd and farther away from the danger as the train approached.
Then it hit. A shockwave rippled through the crowd as the train struck the wooden stage they were standing upon with horrifying force. There was total mayhem as the sound of ripping and twisting metal filled the air.
The last dying shrieks of the madly sounding horn were also heard, only to be drowned out by cries of pain, fear and horror. Splinters and shards from the smashed cars and the platform flew through the air, along with dirt plowed up by some of the still intact railway cars. Everywhere people were screaming and the air was heavy with smoke and the smell of blood.
Suddenly something slammed into Peter, sending pain shooting through his back as it knocked him senseless. One lone thought came to him as he blacked out: Lucy! Dear Aslan, please no!