Thank you all for the lovely reviews, and if you are reading and haven't left a review yet, please do. Just once. I would really like to know what everyone thinks and if you guy like where it's going ect.
Anyways, here is chapter 10. I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 10
A Little Bit of Thievery
Cara sat upon the top of the How. Her legs were pulled up close to her chin, and her hair blew softly in the wind behind her. The air was warm and filled with the sweet smells of wildflowers and rain. In the distance, lighting lit the slowly darkening sky and the rumble of thunder echoed across the valley.
Below her, walking in the tall grass that stretched before the How, were Peter and Lucy. Peter's powerful voice rang out as he laughed and ran with his younger sibling, both holding hands and enjoying the precursor to the approaching weather. Susan soon joined them, the lavender dress she had found in Cara's wardrobe whipping behind her in the quickly hastening wind. As the skies continued to churn above them, Narnians slowly emerged from the woods and rocks, all making their way into the belly of the How and absorbing the comfort that was offered there.
The plans for the raid were finalized; Peter's orders were clear and precise. Each member of the group was given a specific task, and even though Cara still felt slight resentment towards the High King, his plan was flawless, and if carried out correctly, would end in complete success.
"Cara," Caspian said as his head popped out from a trap door that looked like nothing more than a rock.
"Bloody hell," Cara responded as she jumped slightly, her mind too focused on the three Pevensies to pay any attention to the door.
"Sorry," Caspian said with a bashful smile, "we are nearly ready." Cara cast one last glance at Peter and his siblings before following Caspian through the small door. Both were cloaked it all black with their weapons secured at their sides, for they along with Trumpkin and the troop of mice would be entering the camp and needed to make themselves as inconspicuous as possible.
Cara walked quietly beside Caspian until they came to the middle chamber of the How. There they found the rest of the company, and together they walked forth from the How and out into the thundering night.
Peter stood at the entrance with Lucy and Susan, all three watching the moving sky with wonder, their hair and clothes pushed sideways by the wind. As Cara and Caspian left the How and entered the valley, the rain began to fall in chaotic shifts, the heaven's waters pushed by the gusting wind. Lucy and Susan turned and ran into the How as the waters began to fall, while Peter remained at the head of the opening, his tunic and hair quickly becoming soaked.
"The rain could be a blessing," he shouted over the thunderous roar of the rain as the company came to stand beside him. "This weather will shield you from sight even further."
Edmund came up from the How only moments later, a horse in each of his hands. "Cara will carry Reepicheep and his troop, while Trumpkin can ride behind Caspian," Peter explained as Edmund handed the horses off. "Stick to the plan and nothing will go wrong, but if a problem should arise, those of you that escape shall travel until you come to where we first met today. Edmund and Susan will meet you there if we have no sight of you by morning. Do not return to How if you are seen. We cannot risk being discovered. Is that understood?"
Everyone nodded at Peter's words and began to prepare for their departure. Cara strapped a small bag across her shoulders and allowed Reepicheep and his men to climb into it.
"Please be careful," Peter said as he held her steed while she mounted. "If you return victorious, I promise to have a healer look at my wound." Cara looked down at Peter with a small smile, the wind whipping her wet hair into her face.
"Your plan is foolproof, Peter. I'm afraid that not even I can muck it up," she replied.
"Did you just give me a compliment?" he asked, his hands still secure on her horse's bridle. Cara merely cast him another smile, before pulling her steed out of his hands and galloping after Glenstorm and the minotaurs, who had already set off for the woods.
Beside Peter, Caspian and Trumpkin were just getting settled, for the dwarf was not keen on riding the horse. "Boulders and blunders," he whispered to himself as he latched on to Caspian's cape.
"Caspian," Peter said as he looked to the Prince. "You must cross the river down from the Telmarine camp, for above it the journey is too dangerous on horseback, and near it you risk being discovered. If the banks are slick and the water high, end the mission. It's not worth losing any of you, and for Alsan's sake, what ever you do, make sure that Cara returns unscathed. Make sure they all return unscathed," Peter pleaded.
"You have my word," Caspian shouted as he spurred his horse forward and disappeared into the wall of water.
Edmund and Peter stood side by side staring off into the field before them. The grass lay on its side from the power of the wind, and the forest across the valley was nothing more than a dark blur. "Trust in them, Pete," Edmund said before turning and walking back into the How. Peter remained in his place for a few moments longer, his eyes still staring at the spot where Cara disappeared.
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Caspian pushed his horse forward, mud and water splashing onto its belly and his legs. Cara galloped only a few strides ahead of him, with Glenstorm and the minotaurs leading the way. The trees were dense and the ground was soft, making the trip treacherous and tiring. Rain continued to pelt the riders as they weaved between the trees and jumped over logs.
Soon the company was forced to slow, for streams of water began to rush between the trees, and rocks began to hinder the path as they steadily made their way closer to the river. Caspian quickly took the lead, and within an hour they had reached the edge of Beruna. Just as Peter had warned, the river was rising quickly under the onslaught of rain, which had caused its banks to become slick and soft.
"We have to cross now," Caspian shouted over the cracking of thunder. Above them the sky glowed with electricity, erupting in brilliant flashes of orange and gold.
"The water is rising too quickly, Caspian," Cara responded from beside him, her dark hair plastered down her back and her lashes thick with water.
He ignored her comment and urged his horse down the steadily depleting bank. Cara looked to Glenstorm, his face was grave, but he followed after Caspian with little hesitation. Fine Cara whispered under her breath and fell into line beside Glenstorm's eldest son.
After sinking deeply into the mud, Cara's horse lurched forward into the water, her legs and dress immediately becoming submerged. Before her, Caspian and the three centaurs were already swimming, the rushing current pushing them steadily further down stream.
Caspian was as flooded with emotion as he was with water. Determination fueled him as he continued to urge his horse forward, the water and rain only a passing thought in his mind. He had to do this. Had to prove that he could, but as the swelling river continued to beat his side, fear began to work its way through his mind. Behind him, Trumpkin's grip was steadily slipping, for the water rushed with fury over the horse's back and forcefully pushed against the dwarf.
Cara watched was the dwarf slipped into the water, his hands still secure on Caspian's cape. The pull of both Trumpkin and the water caused Caspian and his horse to faltered, nearly pulling them under.
"Glenstorm!" Cara yelled to the centaur swimming before her. "Get the dwarf!"
Instantly the centaur pushed himself forward, his body using all of its strength and fortitude to propel him through the water. Just as Trumpkin's hands slipped from the cape, Glenstorm's reached forward and latched on to the top of his shirt. The dwarf came up gurgling and choking, his face contorted in fear.
Free from the pull of Trumpkin, Caspian's horse scrambled to its feet and stumbled up the distant back. Its breathing was labored and steam seeped off its body. Caspian dismounted and collapsed upon the muddied ground, his chest beating erratically.
Glenstorm stumbled out of the river next, Trumpkin held securely in his arms, followed closely by his two sons. Weak with fatigue, Cara's horse attempted to wade through the muck of the bank, but slipped backwards into the water. Luckily, both minotaurs were directly behind her, and with one steady push, both horse and rider were secure on Beruna's shore.
Cara scampered off the horse, its sides convulsing with as much power as Caspian's. Her dress was heavy and cumbersome as she pulled her cloak from her body and looked into the bag across her shoulder. Reepicheep and his troop were wet, but completely unscathed. After setting the bag upon the ground next to her cloak, she walked over to Caspian who was now leaning against a tree with his breathing nearly under control.
Once she reached the Prince, Cara drew her hand back and smacked him harshly across the face. "Peter will not be impressed if we all return dead," she said with gritted teeth. Caspian simply stared up at her with failure in his eyes.
"Reepicheep," Cara said as she turned towards the small bag. "We walk from here." The mouse nodded quickly and ordered his men from the bag.
"Walk?" Caspian said incredulously as he pushed himself from the ground.
"Yes, we walk. The horses are too weak to carry us to the camp and cross the river again," Cara explained as she pulled the tack from her tired horse and rested it against a tree.
Nodding in understanding, Caspian went to his horse and did the same. Soon both horses were free of their tack and resting peacefully. "Lead the way," Cara said softly to Caspian. The Prince looked at her with slight shock, for he truly believed that she would take control after his mistake, but the challenge in her eyes caused him to turn and walk deeper into the woods.
The rain continued to fall as Caspian trailed the winding river to the outskirts of the Telmarine camp. Nearly an hour and a half passed before they reached the point when the centaurs and minotaurs could no longer follow them.
"Good luck, Sire," Glenstorm said as Cara, Caspian, Trumpkin, and the mice disappeared into the darkness, their presence shielded by the trees and the continuous rain.
The camp was quiet once they reached it. Not even light flickered in any of the tints. A few guards stood around its borders, but their sight was blurred by the rain, and the constant rolling of thunder made hearing anything difficult.
Reepicheep led his troop into the camp, his little eyes searching for the stash of weapons. Quietly they passed tints and jumped puddles, all moving in the shadows completely unnoticed.
"There," Reepicheep said softly when his eyes spotted four wagons lined up with their backs facing the woods and their fronts facing the river. Two guards stood beside them, both drenched and shaking slightly from the wind.
"Peepicheep, go and fetch the other three while we deal with the locks," Reepicheep ordered his second before scampering off towards the wagons. Doing as told, the mouse quickly retraced his steps until he found Caspian, Cara, and Trumpkin waiting patiently on the other side of the camp.
"The wagons are across the way," he explained. "I think it best to avoid the camp and travel through the woods, for they are backed against a wall of trees."
Following the mouse's advice, Caspian moved deeper into the woods and walked along the edge of the camp with Cara and Trumpkin moving steadily behind. The rain was waning now, while the lighting and thunder embellished the sky from miles away. Their cover would pass soon, making the cleverness of their work beyond important.
"Take this guard," Caspian whispered to Cara when they reached the wagons. "Trumpkin, go to Glenstorm and tell him of our location, we will need to hand the weapons and armor off quickly." Both Cara and the dwarf nodded at their orders and fell into position. When both royals were behind their designated guards, they looked to each other before moving in at precisely the same time.
The guard stood before Cara slightly hunkered and bouncing from one foot to the other. Silently, she pulled a dagger from her dress and slinked behind him. With one swift movement she moved her hand back and whacked the guard on the back of the neck with the hilt. He collapsed before her instantly.
"Nicely done, your Majesty," Reepicheep said as Cara stepped over the body of the guard and walked to the front of the wagon. Having accomplished their job, all four of the wagons were unlocked and ready to unload. Seeing that both guards were down, Caspian walked back into the woods, and finding Trumpkin having done his duty, brought the three centaurs and the two minotaurs to the front of the wagons.
Within minutes nearly all four wagons were empty of their contents, and with full arms and backs, the company made their way back into the woods.
"Wait," Caspian said softly to Cara as he set the swords in his arms down and walked back into the camp.
"Caspian!" she whispered harshly before following after him.
"We need to leave," Cara said as she crouched beside the Prince at the head of one of the wagons. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Let me see your dagger," he whispered back. With a look of confusion Cara passed over her dagger to the boy beside her. Caspian sent her a small wink before carving words into the wood of the wagon.
"You were right to fear the woods," Cara read silently to herself. "Funny," she responded before taking her dagger away from Caspian and walking back to the others.
Caspian soon followed after her, and after gathering up his things, the company disappeared into the woods without a sound. Although the rain still fell, the wind and lighting were long gone. Slowly, the sounds of night began to echo around them, and a cool chill blew through the air.
With tired feet and drenched clothes, they made it back to the horses in nearly two hours. Even though it was still high, the river's waters were much calmer and the horses seemed rested and prepared for the journey home. Caspian and Cara loaded up their steeds with swords and armor, while Reepicheep and his troop climbed back into their bag. Soon everyone was prepared to battle the river once again, although Trumpkin looked rather weary and was mumbling under his breath.
Glenstorm and his sons led the way, while the two minotaurs walked behind Cara and Caspian. The trip across was slow and cold, but with little difficulty everyone made it safely to the opposite bank. Far too tired and weighed down for any running or galloping, the company slowly trudged back to the How.
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"For Aslan's sake, sit down, Peter," Susan said as she watched her brother cross in front of her for the hundredth time.
"For the sake of us all," added Edmund with a sigh.
It was nearing three in the morning and still the company had not returned. Peter, who found himself completely unable to sit still since they left, had already ordered Edmund and Susan to begin looking for them on a few occasions. Being the most level headed of the bunch, Edmund explained each time that there was no need to panic until the sun began to show her face, while Susan, being the more frustrated and tired of the bunch, simply told Peter to bugger off.
The youngest had fallen asleep hours ago, and was resting peacefully in Cara's chambers with the Bulgy Bear watching the door.
"Perhaps I should go after them," Peter said as he ignored his siblings and continued to pace. "I simply know something has happened. It was stupid of me to think that Caspian was ready to handle something such as this. I truly should have done it my—" Peter's rant was cut short when the sound of a horn blew through the How and out into the night sky.
Without looking at his siblings, Peter ran from the room and down the corridor that led out of the How. When he reached the entrance, a small group was already gathered, and the night glowed above them in an array of stars. With the passing of the storm came a clear, cool wind that swayed the grass of the valley and swished the leaves of the trees around them.
Making their way steadily across the field were Cara and Caspian, with the remainder of the company following close behind. Upon seeing Peter, Cara urged her horse into a canter and made her way towards him.
Appeased by seeing her face, Peter finally let a smile spread across his, and as Cara slid off of her horse he ran to her and wrapped his arms firmly around her torso.
"Everyone safe?" he asked as she slid her arms from his shoulders and stepped back.
"Perfectly," she responded.
"Successful then?" Peter asked as the rest of the company finally approached. Caspian dismounted his horse before turning to the King and responding.
"Completely," he answered, which caused the small group gathered outside to erupt into applause.
"So you had absolutely no issues?"
"Well I wou—" Trumpkin started when Cara began to speak over him.
"None at all. Apart from getting completely soaked, I would say that the raid was flawless," she said to Peter with a smile. Caspian released the breath he was holding, and promised himself that he would have to thank the High Queen later for not exposing his mistake.
At Cara's words, Peter turned to the Prince and placed his hand firmly on his shoulder. "Well done," he said with a look of approval. Cara smiled softly at Caspian from beside Peter before turning away from the two boys and assisting in the unloading of the armor and swords.
After Peter ended his talk with Caspian, he grabbed a blanket from Susan, who being the only motherly woman around, had come prepared with warm blankets and hot tea for those that had been in the rain the entire night.
"Let them handle this," Peter whispered to Cara as he draped the blanket over her shoulders. Consumed by fatigue and enjoying the warmth of the blanket, Cara nodded to Peter and began to walk into the How.
"Are you not coming?" she asked Peter when he did not follow her.
"I'll stay and help. Go get warm and eat something. I promise I'll be finished in time to tuck you in," Peter responded with a smile. Cara laughed at his words before shaking her head and following Susan inside.
"Caspian," Peter said as the Prince continued to help as well. "Go with Cara and dry yourself. You have done enough for one night." Caspian looked to the King, unsure of what to do.
"All of you," Peter said as he indicated to the rest of the company. "Go inside, we can finish this."
With happy sighs those that journeyed into the Telmarine camp made their way into the warmth of the How. All except for Caspian, who opted instead to stay beside Peter until everything was unloaded and carried in doors.
Peter found Cara dry and warm watching both Susan and Lucy sleep. A cup of warm tea was clutched in her hands, and a soft blanket was wrapped securely across her shoulders. She smiled softly when she saw Peter, the light of a distant torch causing shadows to dance across her face.
"All done?" she asked as he sat down softly beside her. His hair was slightly damp with sweat, and his tunic was rumpled and undone, the upper part of his chest peeking through the thin material.
"All done," he responded, his eyes scanning over the sleeping forms of his siblings.
Cara watched Peter as he leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on Lucy's forehead causing the small Queen to smile in her sleep. Peter's lips lingered before he sat up slowly and turned to Cara, his bright eyes dancing in the flickering light. She could feel him look at her, his gaze slowly flowing over her body. Delirious with fatigue, Cara allowed her fingers to slowly creep towards his hand, her eyes still not meeting his.
Peter relished in the feel of Cara's fingers as they gently ran over his. He closed his eyes as she rubbed the back of his hand, before turning his palm over and allowing his fingers to rub against her wrist.
Suddenly feeling empowered, Cara finally cast her gaze towards Peter's face, which was soft and peaceful, his eyes still closed and his mouth slightly upturned. Cara's eyes returned to Peter's hand when she felt his fingers intertwine themselves with hers. With a heavy breath, Cara looked back at Peter, whose eyes were now open and absorbing her reaction.
Her heartbeat quickened as Peter's other hand softly made its way up her arm and towards her face. Barely touching her skin, Peter's thumb rubbed over her lips before brushing along her cheek and running through her hair.
"Come with me," he said with a slight huskiness in his voice. "I wish to show you something." Peter pushed himself from the bed, and still clutching Cara's hand in his, pulled her up carefully. With the blanket wrapped around her and her feet bare on the cold stone, Cara followed quietly after Peter as he led her through the sleeping How and up through the trap door at the very top.
In silence, the two sat upon a large boulder, that had already dried after the rain. Directly above them the sky was still scattered with stars, but before them the horizon began to glow with the faintest of pinks. Feeling Peter shiver slightly beside her, Cara unraveled herself from the blanket and draped in across both of them. With an unsteady breath, Cara moved closer to Peter and carefully laid her head against his shoulder. Below her head, Peter's heart beat wildly in his chest, and with just as much uncertainty, he wrapped his arm around the Queen beside him and rested his head upon hers.
As the sun began to rise, both pairs of eyes slowly closed, and feeling more content and safe than ever before, the High King and Queen fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
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