Chapter Three

Betrayal

Life went on for the Royalties of castle Cair Paravel- uneventful and dull. Edmund still was unable to leave the memory of last week behind. He sensed foul play was afoot. His sisters remained clueless of the possible threat surrounding their beloved home. Peter remained shut up in his study poring over bills and decrees of various kinds. Normally, that was Edmund's job, but this time Peter asked for no assistance. As Edmund strode through the large hallway of the castle, he could hear his two sisters whispering in conspiratorial tones. When he rounded the next turn, he passed by Susan's room; the door was wide open and he could see Susan and Lucy sitting side by side on the bed smiling and laughing. He grinned and knocked on the outside wall as he peeped his head in. "Mind if I join you?"

"Of course not, Ed." Susan answered, her clear blue eyes twinkling with laughter.

Lucy nodded in reply, a large smile framing her freckled face.

Susan patted on an empty place on the bed. "Do sit down."

Edmund made his way over to where his sisters' sat and plopped down with a sigh.

"That was a very hopeless sigh, Edmund." Lucy noted.

Lucy never missed a thing.

"There is just so much troubling me. I feel like I don't even know Peter anymore. He stays holed up in his stuffy old study all day and all night only coming out for meals and even then he doesn't say a single word. I just can't place my finger on what's troubling him."

The minute Edmund finished speaking, he regretted every word. There was no reason to burden his sisters with more problems. They already knew something was bothering Peter; he did not need to remind them.

"I'm sorry." Edmund apologized. "It's not my place to tell you those sorts of things. You don't need to hear of all my worries and woes."

Susan placed her slender arm around her brother's shoulder. "It's quite understandable, Ed. You're worried and have no one else to confide in. Lucy and I are always here to listen.'

Edmund smiled at them gratefully.

"Thanks."

An hour later, Edmund headed to the stables to visit Philip, his trustworthy horse. He found him munching on oats. Edmund walked into Philip's stall and began petting him. "How are you, Philip?" He asked, expecting an answer, for Philip was a talking horse. A talking animal was not rare at all in Narnia.

"I am well, my king." The horse answered in his dignified voice, unexpected of an animal.

Edmund rolled his eyes. "Philip, you know that there is no need for formality with me. You have been in my services long enough to refer to me by my given name."

Philip snorted, tossing his chestnut mane, "I see how it is. Now, I am merely another horse in your service."

"And my friend." Edmund added with a grin.

Their conversation was halted by the stable doors opening, though 'opening' was not the correct word to describe it. It looked more like the doors were being slammed open. Suddenly, in walked Peter, looking serious and livid with rage.

"Edmund!" He shouted. "I need to speak to you, this instant!"

"Sorry, old boy." Edmund gave Philip one last pat. "Duty calls."

Edmund reluctantly walked out of the stall and towards his seething older brother.

"What is it, Pete?" He asked, wondering what happened to make his brother so angry.

"By the Lion, I will get to the bottom of this if that is the last thing I do!" Peter replied.

"Get to the bottom of what?" Edmund questioned, confused beyond belief.

"This!" Peter yelled as he held out a bright red ruby gleaming from the rays of sunlight coming from the opened stable doors and windows on both sides.

"This, too." He stated more calmly with gritted teeth as this time he held out a piece of unfolded parchment paper.

More trouble. Edmund said to himself as he inwardly groaned.

He was not looking forward to reading the contents of that letter.

Edmund snatched the letter hanging from Peter's fist and took a deep breath before reading:

King Edmund the Just:

Sire, the Tisroc, may he live forever, and his son, Prince Rabadash, express their immense appreciation at the information you gave us. I hope that the payment was sufficient, Your Majesty. If not, we can arrange a delivery for more of those wonderful red delicacies we find in the mines. The Tisroc, may he live forever, has further plans to discuss with you. How will you manage sending the High King to him without assistance? Should I send for a party of soldiers to aide in the kidnapping or are you better off handling it on your own? Once again, I express my sincere thanks for the information on behalf of myself and the Calormenes and hope for more to come. I will be anxiously awaiting your reply, My King.

Your Loyal Subject,

Baragorn

Edmund was seething with rage. "This is preposterous! Where did you receive this- this treacherous document? Please tell me that you don't believe these lies!"

Peter's angry look told him otherwise.

"Edmund, this is the second time pamphlets of a treacherous intent were found in your chambers."

Edmund vented his frustration and anger with his words, "What have the maids been doing? Going through my desk and chest of drawers searching for more evidence to be used against me? How do you know that it wasn't planted there?"

"Edmund, the soldiers have captured Baragorn. He says that he can testify against you and that everything that we found was true."

Peter watched his brother's face turn from outrage to disbelief.

"You're joking." He stated.

Peter shook his head slowly. "I'm afraid I'm not. If Baragorn calls in any more witnesses who can testify against you, then you must face the consequences."

"Consequences for what?" Edmund gasped out.

"Treachery, betrayal, planning to kidnap the High King and send him to enemies."

"You really believe that dim-wit? He is most likely making it all up to taint my reputation because he doesn't like me. We already know that he doesn't like any of us!"

Peter continued, unheeding what Edmund had just said, "The dwarf claims that he has other witnesses, those that saw the exchanges in the forest between you and Baragorn."

"What! How is that possible? I promise you, brother, that I have never met with the dwarf, Baragorn, and I have never committed the crimes of which I am accused!" Edmund shouted in defense.

Peter still was unconvinced.

"We are to appear in council tomorrow morning at 10 o' clock. The dwarf's witnesses will be gathered there, ready to testify, and as custom in the meetings of the counsels, the elders will decide if you are guilty of the crimes so listed."

"What of the consequences?" Edmund questioned.

Peter did not answer but instead turned around and walked away.

Edmund did not need an answer. He already knew.

The High King always appointed sentences to criminals. Edmund also knew another thing- the only punishment for the crimes he was accused of was death.