A son, a son…

Adalina sat up, awoken from her peaceful slumber. There were booms and bright lights coming in through her window. It was confusing at first, but once her mind awoke a bit more her heart began to race, she knew exactly what was going on. She jumped out of bed and raced to her window. Far in the distance she could see a cluster of black moving over the hills, scanning ahead her eyes landed upon what – or who- she was really looking for. Caspian.

God, what kind of an uncle would chase his own flesh and blood out of their home!

Fear and panic struck Adalina. Caspian was leaving. When would she see him again? Where would he go? How was she supposed to live in this awful place without him?

Adalina raced for the door. She wanted to find Miraz and let him know just how cruel she thought he was! Her eyes had murder in them.

As her hand pulled, the door swung open with unexpected weightlessness. Before she could say anything a clocked figure was covering her mouth with their hand, pushing her back into her room and latching the door shut. Adalina struggled until she heard the low, husky voice of the professor.

Relaxing, Adalina was finally released. "What are you doing?! Caspian is being chased out of his own castle and you are bothering with ME!"

"Adalina, shhh, you don't want to draw attention to yourself, trust me." Even though he knew that would be a challenge for her.

Adalina lowered her voice to "yelled whisper", "Draw attention to myself?! That is the last thing on my mind! What I want to do is draw attention to the fact that the crowned prince has just been run out of his own kingdom, at his uncle's hands!" Adalina was finding it hard to control her temper, resisting the urge to push the professor out of her way and go straight to Miraz himself.

"He wasn't chased, Adalina. He is running away."

OK, now she was confused, why would he runaway from here, from her? "Runaway? Why would he do that?"

"Miraz's plan was not to run him off once he had an heir, it was to kill him. Running is his only chance."

Adalina could feel the blood drain from her face. Miraz was more cruel and heartless than she thought.

"Oh my God, how could he do that?" Adalina's words were slow and quiet; she spoke more to herself than to the professor.

"Adalina, I fear you have underestimated Miraz's greed. He will do anything for the throne, including assassinate his nephew, I was only grateful I could get to Caspian in time. He should be able to make it into the woods safely, from there though, I don't know what will happen." Adalina and the professor shared a grim look; they knew this was only the beginning of the trouble that will lie ahead.

The professor leaned forward, gently placing a hand on Adalina's shoulder to show his empathy and comfort. "It is imperative that you stay out of Miraz's way now. He had never approved of you living here in the castle and he despises your close relationship with Caspian. If you cross his path, he may throw you out, or worse."

Adalina's head fell, she knew it was true. The thought scared her more than she would ever show. And right then she made a decision. She knew exactly what she had to do.

Lifting her head only slightly, Adalina spoke softly, "I think I need to rest professor. I will heed your warning and stay away from Miraz, but I urge you to do the same. Now, please, there is nothing else you or I can do tonight, just rest until morning."

"Thank you for being reasonable." The professor turned towards the door, "Goodnight Baroness, keep your prayers with the Prince tonight."

"You too." As the professor shut the door, Adalina immediately began raiding her wardrobe. She pulled out all of her riding cloths, putting together an outfit that would be useful in dangerous circumstances, for she knew this wouldn't be easy or safe. Then she gathered her canteen and her sword and daggers, which were hidden behind the large wardrobe.

Once thoroughly satisfied with all of the gear, she slipped back into bed, waiting till morning to find her escape.

At the first light of morning Adalina crawled from her bed. Dressing quickly, and then slid her sharp blades into their places on her belt. Before leaving the privacy of her own room she filled her canteen from the small water basin across from the wardrobe.

Fastening the canteen on her waist, she fiddled with the strings fixing her thick leather cuffs together around her dainty wrists. There is no time to be nervous now; you have to get out of here before the rest of the castle gets up. Building up some confidence, she reached for the handle on the door.

Adalina stepped silently out into the hall, she could hear a few servants bustling around, but this hall was clear. She cautiously stepped further away from the safety of her own room.

Adalina made it to the stables unseen, although she had been startled to hear a bit of noise coming from the council room, which was unusual at this time of morning. Miraz must be up to something already.

Saddling her steed, Adalina thought of what Miraz was trying to do now. What more could he be planning, now that Caspian is gone he could easily persuade the council to give him full power, which is just one more reason I have to get out of here and find Caspian. She finished with the bridle and stroked the dark brown mane of the horse before her. She had never named him; she could never find one she thought was suitable.

Letting out a long sigh, Adalina climbed on. Trotting out of the stables, she saw a few stable boys spot her, they were no threat, she went for morning rides often, so they wouldn't suspect anything.

As she made her way out of the castle grounds she spotted two soldiers carrying a large package of some sort. A breathe hitched in her throat at the sight initially, but then eased. It wasn't until she noticed how the soldiers were struggling with the package that she became intrigued. For some reason they seemed very frustrated, and had begun hitting the package with force, then Adalina realized something…the package was moving. This raised suspicion, so as the two soldiers made their way down to the docks she couldn't help but follow.

Adalina made sure to say a good distance behind the men, but they probably wouldn't see her anyway, they were focused very intently on this curious package of theirs.

When the two soldiers got to the docks, they dropped the package on the ground; Adalina could hear the thud from where she was hidden behind the trees. One of the men readied a boat while the other stood guard of the package. Once the boat was ready they lowered the package in. Adalina started to hear muffled shouts that seemed to come from under the covering of the package, but the soldiers pushed off before they became clear.

Adalina was now thoroughly interested in what was going on. She followed the slowly rowing boat from the edge of the river. Focusing on staying a good distance and carefully weaving through the trees, trying to stay quiet, Adalina almost didn't see the soldier reach for the covering.

Adalina watched intently, she had to squint her eyes to make out what it was. Even then she couldn't be sure. As the blur of red and orange focused she inhaled sharply. It couldn't be…they don't exist. Adalina would know a Narnian when she saw one, it was the professor's favorite topic, she had seen infinite pictures and been told countless stories. But they are extinct?

Adalina had made up her mind. This couldn't be just a coincidence, Miraz was planning something. And Adalina was going to find out. So she would follow the boat until it led her to more answers.