"Sight Unseen"
Ch. 2
(Narnia, Aslan's Camp)
It was very early in the morning when Audrey stood outside of Peter's tent. Oreius had just returned with Edmund.
"Your Majesty," she called out to.
"Yes," came a groggy answer.
"It is Audrey. I have news of your brother," she told him.
Sounding much more awake, he said, "Come in."
She obeyed. Peter had just finished putting on his shirt. The room was still dark. The sun had not begun to risen just yet. Audrey went over to an unlit torch. She waved her hand over it and it lit, casting a warm glow around the small tent.
"Edmund is safe. He has a few small cuts and bruises. But he should be fine," she told him.
"As you have Seen?" Peter asked.
"Indeed. Although, I wasn't aware of how you four would come together in the end. That was your journey to take yourselves," Audrey said, wisely. "I must admit, however, that I was a little scared when I got a new vision two nights ago. The one where only three made it here."
"You're very wise, for a sixteen year old," Peter commented.
Audrey smiled.
"When Aslan created me, centuries ago, I already had this knowledge," she told him. "But never mind about me know," she waved a hand irritably. "I have also come to give you a reminder."
"And what might that be?" he asked.
"Only that, not to be so hard on Edmund. For that is the reason why he betrayed all of us to begin with," she said.
When daybreak did come, the fire on the torch jumped from it and burst into a bird. It landed on Audrey's shoulder. Peter looked stunned for a moment. The sudden appearance of the fire bird had completely caught him off guard. Audrey stroked the birds fiery red and orange feathers.
"This is Daja, by the way. She's a phoenix," Audrey told him.
The camp had begun to wake up. Fires were being started for breakfast. When Audrey and Peter left the tent, Susan and Lucy had stepped out of their tent, as well. The girls saw the phoenix a small gasp. Lucy smiled brightly.
The group turned and noticed that Aslan was speaking with Edmund.
"Edmund!" Lucy shouted to him as a greeting and began to run to him.
But, Peter stopped her. When Aslan was finished speaking to Edmund, he nodded and hung his head. Edmund looked up, and then made his way to his family. While Audrey went with Aslan.
That afternoon . . .
The four Pevensies had just returned from the morning of sparring. When they did return, it was to the arrival of the White Witch.
"You have a traitor in your midst, Aslan," Jadis told the great lion.
The crown murmured and the Pevensies and Audrey exchanged nervous glances.
"His offense was not against you," Aslan told her calmly.
"Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia was built?" The White Witch asked.
Aslan gave a quiet growl and told her angrily, "Do not cite the Deep Magic to me, Witch. I was there when it was written."
Jadis gave a short and small smile. "Then you'll remember well that every traitor belongs to me," she said calmly. "His blood is my property."
All around them swords were unsheathing. Peter had drawn his sword.
"Try and take him then," he said.
Jadis turned to Peter, "Do you really think that mere force will deny me my right. . . ." she then added mockingly, " . . . . Little King?"
Peter looked down and withdrew his sword. The White Witch returned her attention to Aslan.
"Aslan knows that unless I have blood, as the law demands, all of Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water," She points directly to Edmund, "That boy will die on the Stone Table. . . . As is tradition." Jadis put her hand down. "You dare not refuse me."
"Enough," Aslan told the Witch firmly. "I shall talk with you alone."
Aslan made his way to the tent. He realized that Audrey had made her way to him.
"Stay here," he told her firmly.
Audrey sighed and then nodded.
They weren't sure how long it was when Jadis had exited the tent. When she did they all stood and watched her intently. As she left, Aslan reappeared once more and spoke to the crowd.
"She has renounced her claim on the Son of Adam's blood."
The White Witch turned to him.
"How do I know your promise will be kept?" she asked.
Aslan roared loudly, making Jadis shiver a little. There was lots of cheering around them and each of the Pevensies took turns hugging their brother happily.
Audrey had been grinning, giving Peter a hand on his shoulder. When she looked up at Aslan, their eyes met. Her smile vanished when she looked deeply into his sad eyes. Aslan turned and walked away. When Peter turned to face her, she returned his genuine smile with a fake smile.
To be continued . . .