Chapter Nine

Patience walked in a fast pace to the end of the room. She didn't feel like dancing with the fauns or anyone else for that matter for her mind was set on Kataline's eyes. She remembered the familiarity in them. The Faulkners used the same over powered and spoiled stare. She felt sick to her stomach for even in Narnia she couldn't escape them.

--

Alex followed his sister until he reached the fauns. He had lost her in the crowed and hoped to find her where she said she would be but found she was not there. He began to worry because the look on Kataline's face told him she was up to something. He turned around to find Caspian, but saw Caspian behind him.

"Where is she?" Caspian asked seriousness in his eyes overpowered his playfulness.

Alex, who didn't like the sound of his voice, shrugged and asked, "Why? What is the matter?"

Caspian nervously looked into Alex's eyes, "She may run into some trouble. We need to find her. Do you know where to look?"

Alex was angry. This person, who was Caspian's friend, threatened his sister. Maybe they had overstayed their visit, he thought, he needed to protect his sister and if that meant getting her away from that place then so be it.

"I'll talk to Targus and check her room. She may have gone back there to cool off. You check around here and ask if anyone has seen her. I don't think she could have gotten too far." Alex told Caspian and Caspian turned to ask the fauns if they had seen her. Alex found Targus and informed him of the situation. He was more than willing to help.

--

Patience walked along an outdoor hallway that was connected to a tower. Even though she didn't like being alone, she liked high places because the scenery always had a beautiful peace to it. She had always thought about Grandfather Allen when she looked into the scenes of nature. She missed him deeply but never regretted thinking about him, because when she did, she always saw his soothing smile.

She opened the door to the tower to find that she wasn't alone; a centaur on guard.

"No one is allowed up the tower my lady." He said politely.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know. Do you know of any other high tower that would be accessible?" she asked with hopeful eyes.

"I'm sorry my lady. At night it is far too dangerous for anyone to be upon a tower." He watched as disappointment hit her eyes, "I'll tell you what. Tomorrow morning, how about I show you this tower? 

I'll retrieve you before the dawn so you may watch the sun rise. This tower is the best place in the entire castle to see the sky." He winked at her and she smiled.

"That would be most pleasant thank you." She bowed and turned to walk back to the throne room.

A small walk and a promise of a treasure lifted her spirits and she was ready to dance with the fauns again, though her thoughts were cut short when a gryphon landed in front of her.

"Hello." She greeted kindly. He was positively gorgeous; lions body, eagle head and wings. She was amazed at the size of him, about eight feel tall and his backs length was about the same; eight feet.

"Daughter of Eve, "he smiled, "Why is a young woman, like yourself, walking alone on this celebration night?" The gryphon asked as he smirked. Patience didn't like the sound of his voice.

"Why does one, such as yourself, care about what a young woman, like myself, does?" She asked in defense.

He simply laughed, "Touchy aren't we? Well then, I shall make this simple. I wish to take you for a ride and I'm not asking."

Patience showed fear in her eyes, "Well it is in my rights to decline." She had to force herself from shuttering.

"Your rights mean nothing to me. I don't like forcing but if I have to, so be it." He said as he walked closer to her.

She spotted a small opening under his huge legs and went for it. He was too quick. He grabbed her with his tail and placed her on his back. "See no big deal, now just try to be a good girl and don't fall." Her arms were tied by the gryphon's tail and she couldn't move.

"Let her go!" Caspian yelled as he drew his sword and ran towards them.

"Well, if it isn't the King of Narnia himself," The gryphon laughed, "What are you going to do pretty boy? Can you fly?" the gryphon laughed as he spread his wings. When Caspian was about to strike, the gryphon took off and laughed at Patience's screams.

"Damn it! Guard!" Caspian yelled and the centaur that was inside the tower came out at Caspian's call.

"Yes my lord?" He asked oblivious to what had happened moments before.

"Shadow has taken the Daughter of Eve. Gather a small army, no more than twenty, and meet me at the front gates. Be swift, Kataline is behind this." Caspian said and the centaur glared. The centaur nodded and passed Caspian to gather a few soldiers.

Caspian sighed as he came to Patience's door. He had been going over the words in his head, the words to tell Alex, and there was no easy way. Caspian knocked on the door and it was swung open with a stressed boy on the other side.

"Oh, Caspian, I thought it might've been Patience. Then again, why would Patience knock on her own door?" He asked to himself obviously upset. Caspian took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Son of Adam," Caspian started, but corrected himself when he saw the disapproval in Alex's eyes, "Alex, there is no easy way to tell you…"

Caspian was cut off when Alex yelled, "What happened to her?"

"She was taken captive by a gryphon known as Shadow. He is an accomplice of Kataline."

"I knew she was up to no good! What are we waiting for? Let's go find her!"

"No, Alex. I will go find her. You are to stay here under the protection of Targus and Lefie." Caspian said sternly.

"She is my sister!" He retorted

"I understand, but do you have any fighting skills?" Alex shook his head, "Then you are not permitted to leave this castle. Believe it or not there is still evil in Narnia. Aslan specifically asked me to keep you both safe and even if I failed with your sister, I will keep you safe. Leave it to me, I will get her back."

Caspian turned to leave and Alex called to him, "Caspian, promise, when you come back with my sister, you will teach us."

"You have my word." Caspian smiled knowing full well his request was to learn of fighting. He had the same request at his age.

Targus and a Minotaur walked into the room as Caspian walked towards the door.

"Ah, Targus, Lefie, I have a task for the both of you. Keep Alex safe." Caspian's eyes had the shine of a king giving important orders in them and both Targus and Lefie did not question nor disapprove the assignment.

--

"Let me go!" Came a shout that echoed from the enormousness of the cave. The gryphon still held onto Patience by means of his tail and laughed as he finally released her. She fell into a puddle of water and glared at the smirking gryphon.

Patience gathered her surroundings when the gryphon turned and waited for something which Patience did not know. She began to call herself stupid for going out alone, but then reassured herself that what had happened wasn't supposed to happen. She and her brother were supposed to be safe inside the castle of Cair Paravel, at least which is what they were told. Not that it was Caspian's fault either.

The cave they were in was decent in size. Rocked walls surrounding them and she could hear a faint sound of running water. She lay in dirt that seemed to ruin her dress not that she cared at the moment, but it was still in a way sad.

"Why am I here?" she finally asked the silent gryphon.

He did not reply or even acknowledge her question. He simply sat in a gracious matter awaiting, what Patience feared, her doom. A bit overboard really, but what else could it be?

She tried to get up but the hold the gryphon's tail on her tightened and she was barely able to move let alone breathe. She thought in her mind of thoughts how she was going to die. Would the gryphon eat her? Would she be tied up and put over a fire? Oh, what if she was set free and not knowing were she was trying to find her way back, but being hunted as a sick joke to the person in charge? She couldn't help but laugh at her stupidity. Maybe those things were true, but thinking about them as if they were to happen gave her thoughts something to laugh at.

Finally a wolf appeared in the cave entrance making Patience rid herself of her idiotic thoughts. It stood proud and it was quite magnificent, for a wolf; pure white with brilliant blue eyes. It seemed strong, but gentle and that confused Patience.

"Shadow, I see you've had some fun tonight." He said looking straight at Patience, "Tell me, what her request was this time?"

"Just a bit of fun panic is all. I am to return her in the morning." The gryphon, Shadow, looked at Patience and smirked again. He wasn't dangerous at all, just a prankster who enjoyed torments of others. She glared again at him, but soon eased up her stare and smiled. She didn't mind a bit of fun and as long as she was no longer in danger she decided to enjoy her time with the magnificent creatures.

"I am getting very tired of these games she plays. The master will not tolerate her foolishness for much longer." The wolf said in distress. Patience soon began to worry. There was someone else in charge, and the foolish requests have happened before.

"Um, if I may ask, who is behind this?" the wolf stared at her and the gryphon snickered.

"My you are a curious one. My orders came from the lady Kataline. Apparently she doesn't like you much." The gryphon mentioned.

"Yes, that was the impression that came to mind. Why would she go so far as to kidnap me though?" Patience asked still curious about the events.

"I haven't the slightest clue, but those were my orders and I would do better to not ask questions." Shadow said.

"Well, I understand your loyalty to the lady, but you would do better to get her out of here, now." The wolf said alarmingly.

"I do not think it wise, young Cylar, to advise such wisdom to a fool's choice." Came a voice behind the wolf.

"Master, I do beg your pardon. I did not mean to offend." The wolf bowed his gorgeous head to a hooded creature.

"Master! The lady sends her apologies." Shadow said hurriedly.

"I have no intention to learn of the lady's excuses, though I am interested in her latest pray. Bring her forth." The hooded creature said firmly.

Shadow raised his tail and brought Patience to stand on her feet in front of his master. The hooded creature then lowered his hood and reveled a young, but handsome man. He had blonde hair and blue eyes, much like Patience. Yet there was a dark presence that surrounded him. It was different and slightly frightening, but in the man's eyes there seemed to be a conscience of two separate beings.

"Yes, very intriguing. So Aslan has taken it upon himself to call for help. That's mighty proud of him. Though, there is something different about this one." He looked at the wolf who questioned his stare, "She has a power residing in her." He answered and the wolf gasped.

"You don't suppose…" the wolf started, but refused to say anything further.

"Yes, I do believe so Cylar." He smiled, "Young maiden, what pray is your name?"

"Patience, and may I so boldly ask, what is it you want with me?" She questioned forcefully. The man laughed.

"Dear Patience, that is far too bold, but manners may always be taught. Cylar, I want you to look after this dear young woman. She may prove to be useful yet." He said with a sinister laugh and walked out of the cave.

Patience, who was still confused at what happened, looked into the intense blue eyes of the white wolf called Cylar with a fear she did not know she held. Shadow moved from behind her and walked out of the cave and said, "She is not going to be too pleased with me."

After he left Cylar and Patience were alone. She fell to her knees and tried to sooth herself, but found two things: one, she was afraid of the look she saw in the hooded man's eyes. They were vaguely familiar and the thought scared her; two, it was a cold night and she was dressed in the same sleeveless blue dress that was covered in dirt and mud.

"I am sorry about this, daughter of Eve. I was supposed to protect you."Cylar said after Patience started to drift off to sleep.

"What do you mean? I've never met you." She said.

"Aslan asked me to look after you. I am on a secret mission for him and you were not supposed to come here, at least not yet. I failed and I apologize." His eyes were full of regret and Patience had the feeling of sympathy for him.

"It's not your fault. Please don't worry, my brother will find me. I know it." She smiled. He didn't feel very reassured, but he smiled weakly back and walked over to her.

"You may use me for warmth. I dare not move you from this cave for I have sent a message to my kin to protect it. You will be safe as long as I am protecting you so please get some rest. She inwardly thanked him as he lay next to her. She felt safeness in his eyes and soon felt the need for sleep. She cuddled as close to Cylar as she could manage and when she felt content she fell into darkness.

Hey, I apologize for it taking me so long to post this chapter. I had the CPT on my mind and I couldn't write anything, so I apologize again and I hope you enjoy!

Constructive criticism is nice, flaming is laughed at, and comments are love!