AN Hey hey hey everybody… I have a lot of free time on my hands because half my friends are away at camp and I got swimmer's ear, so I'm out of practice for the next week. So, I've heard from Sky-Pirate325 that Prince Domeres sound like a "right piece of work". Well, my sweet ducklings, Sky-Pirate325 is absolutely correct! Yay! And there is more plot-ness and evil-osity in this chapter! YAY! By the way, I've magically decided that there are humans that live in Narnia. Happiness.
Tess sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes. It was morning, nearly time for breakfast. She recalled a strange but wonderful dream, a dream that Edmund and the Pevensies had returned to Narnia. If only it had been true…
As she rolled out of bed, her foot hit something soft, smooth and warm. She turned around and saw a lump on the other side of her bed. She gently pulled back the covers.
"Ed?"
"Unhhh… too early."
A wide grin spread across Tess's face. It had been true.
"Get up, Ed!"
"Fine."
"Hah."
"Why, though? Why, Tess, why?"
"Why what?
"Why are you a morning person?"
"Edmund Pevensie, you know full well that I have the capability to sleep until one-thirty in the afternoon. And I'm a night owl. Therefore, I am the furthest thing from a morning person."
"And, Tesaklara Beyitanna, you know full well that I'm not a morning person. So how dare you wake me up."
Tess playfully made a face like a small child.
"Well, come on then. Better get ready for breakfast now that you've so rudely woken me up," said Edmund with a grin.
Soon enough, Edmund and Tess had reached the breakfast table in the great hall. Caspian, Peter, Susan, and Lucy sat around the table, looking grave as they pecked at their food.
"Why are you lot looking so glum?' asked Edmund.
"Because, Ed, there's been a massacre in the town of Faun's Hollow, in southern Narnia last night. It's a small town, but nearly half of the residents were killed. Homes were destroyed. Nearby in Lionsclaw, there were more killings. Not as severe, but a family was killed and others had livestock stolen and their houses ransacked. This happened on the same night, Ed. It can't possibly be a coincidence. We're getting a jump on this now. We don't want any more innocent people dead."
Edmund nodded solemnly, and sat down at the table. Tess, who was fighting back tears for the innocent people who were brutally murdered, struggled to sit down, as she was shaking uncontrollably. As she sank into her chair, Edmund pulled her close, kissing her forehead, comforting her as she cried softly into his chest.
Nobody noticed a raven fly away from the terrace, which adjoined to the great hall. After all, who would notice a silly little bird fly away? Unfortunately, this was more than just you average bird.
In midair, the raven disappeared, once it was out of the sight of any birdwatchers.
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The raven appeared on the ledge of the balcony of Domeres's study in Castle Ayercha. The evil prince stood up and walked over to the ledge, allowing the bird to perch itself on his finger. He set it down on the floor.
"Hello, Zoraia."
Suddenly, a frighteningly beautiful woman with sharp features, fierce, cold, fiery eyes and long, sleek black hair stood before him. She was pale, and as white as snow.
"Your Highness," she said, bowing before him.
"Has there been anything new?"
"They're all excessively worried about the little game your delightful troops played last night," she replied, with ice-cold delight in her razor voice.
"Technically, they are your troops, General Spearwing. They are, after all, your kind."
"In that case, should I command them to repeat themselves tonight?"
"No, no. I believe we've stirred up enough trouble to keep those dolts occupied."
"Yes, my liege. When shall I set phase three in motion?"
"Of course."
Zoraia nodded, and gracefully walked to the balcony. Quick as a wink, she was nothing but a black dot shooting off through the sky.
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Zoraia landed gracefully in a tree, just as Edmund and Tess were walking by. She watched them closely, listening to every word of the conversation. She needed everything that she could get if she were to complete her mission.
"Because of the massacre," she heard Edmund say, "I will be in the Faun's Hollow and Lionsclaw area for the next week."
"That's far away," Tess said. "The best of luck to you, anyway."
Edmund swept Tess off her feet, kissing her on the mouth. They left the courtyard.
And little did they know that the raven sitting in the tree had become their worst enemy.
Because Zoraia and Domeres had gotten exactly what they wanted.
A/N Like it? I hope so. Anyway, so sorry about the long wait! Major writer's burnout! Reviewers get imaginary Turkish Delight! Yayness! Oh yeah, I gave Tess a last name. Happy day.