Note: Here is chapter 12! We are getting closer and closer to the end. When I finish this, I'll reveal my next story coming. Thank you so much Southern Belle for your kind review. I love writing, and I am very glad you enjoy my work. And special thanks to Queen Su, who has been my beta. She'll no longer be doing this service, and I just want her to know I appreciate everything. Thanks again.
Curse of Beaver's Dam Chapter 12 - Blood Thirst
Lucy cringed as the axe hit the stone a few inches from her neck. She heard a grunt behind her, then a loud thump. A hand clamped onto her shoulder, pulling her up. She looked into the kindly face of Sir Bindarine. She looked at him in shock. Lucy was about to voice her question, when he shook his head.
"Later," he said, "Right now we have to get out of here." Lucy was surprised to see the camp in great confusion; an arrow was sticking out of the executioners back. Sir Bindarine grabbed Corin from his startled guards, and hurried the two children to shelter in the cave.
"It was the Narnians!" Lucy heard someone yell. "They're going to kill us all!" The three sat down on the floor of the cave. Lucy and Corin looked at the noble with confused eyes.
"What's going on?" Corin demanded as the sound of clashing swords began outside.
"Let me start from the beginning," Sir Bindarine said at last.
"Go on," Lucy urged. The man took a deep breath.
"As you know, my king made me an ambassador to Narnia. At first, I did not know my secret mission. When King Trevelle told me, I was taken aback. By that time, I had begun to feel quite fond of you and your siblings. Still I felt a loyalty to my king, and as a lord in Telmar, I was supposed to do all that the king commands. That is when I started to look for weaknesses in the Narnian royalty."
"Everything was top notch in the palace, but I noticed one thing: you. I noticed how all the four monarchs had such a love for one another, and how greatly it would hurt Narnia if you disappeared, especially you being the youngest. I took this information to the king with a sinking feeling in my heart. I found out my mistake when the king stretched what I told him to his own tastes. He decided that executing you would weaken the Narnians, making them unable to fight, or else make them so angry that they would rush down without thinking, so that our soldiers could slaughter them."
"What about me?" Corin cut in. Sir Bindarine smiled grimly at the boy.
"When King Trevelle finished arranging his plot concerning Queen Lucy, he decided it would be quite easy, and then fancied he'd like Archenland as well."
"So what about Beaver's Dam? He was convinced it was cursed." Sir Bindarine shook his head.
"Mr. Beaver was so frightened; he was convinced there was a curse. Really it was just smoke, which he mistook in his fear for mist."
"And the strange noise?" Corin asked.
"A wolf disguising his voice to make it sound more ghostlike."
"What about the trees disappearing?" Lucy questioned.
"Those were trees that had been turned to our side. I'm afraid Beaver took the bait, and told his story to you. You decided to figure it out." Lucy was quiet for a moment, pondering her foolishness.
"Yes, I suppose it was quite unwise," she said regretfully. Corin said nothing. "Ah, well, continue your story."
Sir Bindarine obliged. "King Trevelle told me everything I was to do, even dressing in the hooded cloak. I am much ashamed of it really."
"Do go on," Lucy said softly.
"Well, as you know everything else I suppose I may end there." Here he looked into the children's eyes with much sorrow. "And now, I ask for your forgiveness. I am much ashamed," he said again. Compassion filled Lucy's heart as the man bowed his grey head.
"Of course we forgive you," she said, laying her hand on his arm in a comforting manner. Corin stood.
"There are some things you missed. What happened? Why did you save us? How did it all work?"
Sir Bindarine sat, looking quite thoughtful. Then he answered. "I spoke before of having fondness for the Queen and her siblings. I felt the guilt over me all last night, and I wanted a way out. I wanted to help but I was too frightened. That's when it happened. A great beast –a lion– with bright golden fur, and a wonderful gold mane appeared in my tent."
Lucy inhaled sharply. "Aslan," she breathed.
"Yes. He talked to me a great while, and gave me the courage to help you both. I have several good men who would follow me to the death, so I planned. When the executioner's axe came down, one of my men sent an arrow into him. While there was confusion, I got you two out of there, and my men held off the soldiers for a while. By now, the Narnians have arrived and there is a battle going on."
Lucy nodded. "Yes, I hear the sound of steel hitting steel."
Corin shuffled his feet. "Sir Bindarine, I did not tell you yet, but I do forgive you, and because of you we won't have to die." The prince said, giving the man a small smile.
"Oh, you will die," a menacing voice, said. Lucy looked up to see the wolf from earlier standing before them. "And I will have my revenge." As the creature began to advance, Lucy noticed one thing over everything else…the blood thirst in his fearsome eyes.