A/N So here I am, back with another [short] chapter after another painfully long break (sorry guys, but that's how my life rolls since I'm so damn busy). I just want to thank all of my new readers and reviewers- you guys are pretty much the life of this sinking ship I'm on lol Unfortunately, I will NOT be updating anytime soon due to more conflicting life issues that include the end of a school year and many graduations of people I'm close with.
But until then, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 6
Strangers From The North
The Pevensies didn't often pride themselves on the security of Cair Paravel. After all, it was a castle, but they also never just allowed random creatures to roam the halls unaccounted for- no, that would be ridiculous. Honestly, the only problem they had ever encountered before was the time they'd discovered a family of porcupines living in the closet of one of the spare guest rooms. However, as they stood in one of the most private rooms of their home, staring at two figures they didn't at all recognize, they all couldn't help but wonder just how much work they had actually put into training their door guards.
"You are in the presence of the rulers of Narnia," Peter said darkly, raising Rhindon towards the shadows standing against the sun. "Tell us who you are or prepare to meet your doom."
The second figure- one that had yet not spoken- let out a low snicker.
"Now, now, there's no need to be melodramatic." Unlike the first voice to have spoken, this one was feminine.
"Say that to me again when you are rotting in the dungeon." Peter deadpanned, not moving.
"You're trespassing the castle of Cair Paravel," Edmund picked up where his brother had truculently left off. "I don't suggest you play games."
The first figure stepped forward, down the steps that led into the meeting room, and into the light. From what Edmund could see; he took the appearance of a human, but that didn't always mean that's what their true form was. The sunlight reflected off of the man's fair hair, outlining his rather box-shaped face in a slight glow. He was assertive enough to make eye contact with everyone in the room, his grey eyes studying the body language of the council members.
Although it was early summer, he wore tight, heavy clothes. His tattered brown coat seemed to be made out of a crude type of leather, lined with mink fur. As Edmund let his gaze wander further, he noticed the buttons that pulled the coat together at the front were made of animal teeth. The only difference between the man's shoes and his own, he saw, was that the boots were bulky; meant to withstand much hiking and wear. The stranger's beard was scruffy and his body covered in dirt, an indication that he had been traveling far.
A single glance between Edmund and Nyra shared the knowledge they had absorbed from this outlander's appearance; he was from the wild lands in the north.
"Forgive us for the informal introductions." The man spoke. "They call me Zebulon, and this is my sister, Vivian."
As her name was spoken, the woman stepped forward, a suspicious glare plastered on her face. She was like her brother in many ways; with light hair and murky eyes, but she had an even darker presence about her. Something about the woman made the fur on the wolf guard's back stand on end. Edmund could feel Nyra's mistrust almost as easily as he could feel the smooth metal of his sword in his hand, and he wasn't about to disagree with her.
"We are from the lands of Noctis." Zebulon gave a small bow, his sister reluctantly following only a moment later.
"Northerners." Mr. Beaver whispered, mostly to himself.
"Well, that's wonderful and all, but what are you doing here?" Carperwel grunted from where he had remained seated at the table, as though nothing had happened.
"We aren't here to murder you all, if that's what you're asking." Vivian resorted, tilting her head ever so slightly and making eye contact with Peter. The woman openly let her stare roam down his body, the corner of her lip tilting upwards.
"Perhaps we should sit down and discuss our presence." Zebulon suggested as he caught sight of the High King tightening his grip of the sword that was still aggressively pointed towards them.
"Or perhaps you could tell us now." Peter wasn't about to be told what to do- not now, not ever.
The silence in the room steadily grew alongside the tension. As the High King and the stranger held gazes, Nyra dared to take a few steps forward, angling her body towards where the light wind blew at her. Through the silence, the wolf inspected the two outsiders.
Something was undoubtedly wrong with them, but Nyra couldn't put her paw on it. Throughout her life, she'd met plenty of creatures from the north, and humans weren't any of them. The north was a land filled with dangerous, wild creatures that killed whenever they could. There was no way that these two humans were from Noctis- the darkest part of the north. Evil itself could not live there.
Finally, Edmund broke the silence.
"What are you?" He didn't lower his sword as he spoke the words, not believing for a moment that they were only what they appeared to be. Vivian smirked.
"Ah- now you're asking the real questions." As her smile grew, sharp fangs became visible behind her lips, poking out from her teeth.
"You have no name for our kind here, past the line of iniquity." Vivian purred, stalking forward to face the blade of Rhindon. "But back at home, they call us Encantado."
"They are demon shifters." Orious said, not comforted at all by the knowledge of the strangers' species.
"Oh don't be so racist." Vivian rolled her eyes and brought her hand up to run her finger along the blade as Peter clenched his jaw. "Not all of us can shift out of the form in daylight."
"Then you two must be very special indeed." Carperwel rumbled with an equal amount of sarcasm. The woman raised an eyebrow with a smug smile and let her hand drop from where it hovered above Rhindon.
"Well, you aren't wrong."
"Please, don't let our appearance govern your judgment on us." Zebulon quickly followed up with. "We wish only to hold council with you."
Susan quietly stood and laid her hand lightly upon Battalion's soft head as she passed him to reach her older brother. The Queen wrapped her fingers around Peter's upper arm in an attempt to get him to lower his sword.
"Peter," Susan said quietly, "Maybe we should listen to them with open ears."
The High King was silent for a moment, his eyes moving between the strange siblings and his court members. Edmund and Nyra made no move, waiting for Peter to decide on what to do. Through the silence, Lucy made eye contact with the strange man, Zebulon. His gray eyes held no emotion, arising uneasy feelings within the young Queen. Not even the smallest of smiles he sent her way could wipe away the discomfort.
Finally, Peter lowered his sword.
"Speak fast." The High King said.
Edmund let out a small breath, but not one of relief, as he lowered his own sword. Beside him, the wolf ran her claws along the stone floor in unease. Vivian sighed and turned around to make her way back to the stairs they had descended, sitting on the second lowest brick and allowing her brother to speak for the both of them. Zebulon pressed his lips together and nodded, clasping his hands in front of his body.
"As I mentioned before, my sister and I are from Noctis- we were born there." Zebulon started, "In the darkness, we raised ourselves, and we have lived like that for many decades. That is, until our land was invaded." At this, Carperwel looked up.
"Invaded?" The gryphon hissed. "Who in their right minds would wantto claim such a place?"
"A new kind of devilry." The woman said gravely, leaning back on the stairs and resting her elbows on the stone.
"Something far more powerful than the likes of which we have ever seen." Zebulon continued, "It descended upon us like an ungodly flood-
"It?" Susan interrupted.
"We did not see its face." Zebulon said, "With black tentacles it came and destroyed all that was already demolished. Vivian and I were forced to flee from the darkness, our home."
"How exactly does this concern us?" Peter asked, not at all moved.
"I do believe that you'll want to hear the rest of the story." Vivian chuckled.
"Before we left," Zebulon said, "strange creatures followed the devil into the forest." He paused and looked at Edmund. "I take it you remember the White Witch Jadis's servants." Several sharp inhalations were audible in the room.
"The Witch's followers have taken over your land?" Edmund tried his best to keep his teeth from clenching together.
"Not just ours." said Zebulon, "And considering the information you have been discussing at this here meeting, I would be exceedingly concerned."
"How can we be sure that you both aren't her followers as well?" Peter asked, tightening his grip on Rhindon.
"You can't." Vivian responded with a dark smirk.
"Their kind have no masters." Orious said brusquely. "They live only to serve themselves."
"You make us sound so vain," Vivian dramatically glared at the centaur. "Although, he has a point, don't you think, dear brother?"
"Trust us not, if that is what you wish." Zebulon said, desperately trying to figure out how to sew his sister's mouth shut. "But the words we speak are the truth."
"Give us time to discuss this new knowledge." Lucy said from behind Orious. Her siblings nodded and Peter motioned for Nyra to escort the strangers from the north to a waiting room.
"I'm sure you are both weary from your travels." Peter said, finally sheathing his sword. "I will have someone bring you food and water."
As Nyra passed Edmund to stand in front of the Encantados, the King barely hovered his fingers over her back- a silent warning for her to be careful. The wolf flicked an ear and lightly wrapped the tip of her tail around his left ankle in acknowledgment.
"Nyra will guide you to temporary arrangements." Edmund said, following his brother's example and putting away his sword.
Zebulon motioned for his sister to stand up as the wolf guard approached them.
"Follow me." Nyra said rather tensely before leading Vivian and Zebulon past the table main table and towards the door.
The guards opened the doors without a word and Nyra looked back to make sure the Encantados were behind her. She wasn't all too enthusiastic about the two walking behind her, and she slowed down her pace slightly so that she walked next to the male. The wolf traveled down the main passages, doing her best to keep away from any important rooms or staircases that she didn't want the strangers to gain knowledge of- especially the royal quarters.
"So, whose guard are you?" Vivian asked as they walked. Zebulon's jaw jutted out to the side and he cast an exasperated look towards his sister. The fur on Nyra's neck bristled slightly at the question, but she quickly flattened them.
"Your question implies that I am a body guard." The wolf huffed, avoiding the answer- which she wasn't prepared to release to the strangers.
"Are you not?"
Nyra's eyes narrowed as she contemplated telling the truth.
"I am." She bit out tensely.
"Then whom do you protect?" The wolf came to an abrupt stop and stared up at the female, her amber eyes flaming in unease.
"All of them." Nyra rumbled, holding the Encantado's gaze. The woman raised an eyebrow and jutted her jaw out slightly. Her gray eyes narrowed, a sliver of amber peeking out from behind the darker color, threatening to show their true form. The fur on the back of Nyra's neck instinctively rose slightly again, but this time, she wasn't as polite about it. The wolf allowed her hostility to show and dug her claws as far into the brick flooring as her pain tolerance would allow.
"We have arrived."
Nyra led the siblings into a small, enclosed room. The cold, stone bricks offered no warmth nor did the dull colors of the simple furniture. There were no windows and only one door. Located on the lowest level of Cair Paravel and at the farthest corner of the western wing, the room only had one purpose; to hold deceitful creatures. Many inhabitants in the castle considered the room to be as close as the dungeon that they would ever be placed in.
"Cozy," Vivian mumbled, walking around the room casually as though the uncomfortable moment of tension had never occurred. "Although, it's a bit chilly."
"I'll have someone bring you a blanket." Nyra said dryly, before turning to exit the dreary room.
"Vi," Zebulon said, plopping down on a small stool. "Shut up."
Nyra met the two guards Peter had sent to watch the strangers just outside of the doorway. The entrance remained wide open, so they could constantly supervise the two until the Kings and Queens decided what would be done with them.
"Keep a close eye on them." The wolf ordered as she passed, "They aren't to be trusted."
Meanwhile, back in the Meeting Hall, things had finally simmered down. After thoroughly searching the room for any other unexpected visitors, the council sat down to discuss their newest additions to Cair Paravel. Peter sat erect in his chair, one hand on Rhindon, in full alert. It would be an understatement to say that he was embarrassed at the lack of security in the castle- especially when there was a classified conference in progress. Never-the-less, he was determined that it would not happen again.
"Carperwel, what can you tell us about these strangers?" Peter asked. The gryphon let out a low rumble, searching his aging memory for information on the archaic creatures.
"They did not originate from this world." Carperwel said slowly, as though he was translating a story from another language.
"Then how did they come to be here?" Lucy asked, her facial features scrunching up as she tried to remember some distant life.
"The same way humans did," He said, "Magic."
"Then Aslan didn't create them?" Susan spoke, running her fingers together underneath the table.
"Not all things are created on purpose."
"Where do they come from?" Edmund asked, keeping one eye on the door for the return of his guard.
"Even I do not know everything." Carperwel said, his voice becoming agitated from all of the questions.
"Can we trust them?" Peter asked, already knowing the answer to the question.
"Of course not!" The gryphon snapped, "But their foremost purpose here is not to destroy us, that much I can tell."
"They speak the truth then." The High King's eyes narrowed at their most trusted ally's jumping of positions.
"I would not be so quick to assume it is the whole truth." Orious said.
"They are born of darkness and deceit." Carperwel huffed, "They claim to be Encantados, but they are nothing of what I recall- some far off cousin of the creature. Encantados are form-shifters; from reptile to human, but only in the night. Never have I seen one in its human form in the bright of day."
"What is suggested that we do then?" Peter asked, finally addressing the entire table. Many of the members exchanged wary looks, unsure of the best decision.
"No path leads to the light." Orious murmured.
"Must we decide now?" Lucy finally offered, "Let us eat dinner and give ourselves time to think." Everyone at the table nodded in agreement, looking outside to find the sun making its way past the top of the hemisphere.
"Do not contemplate long, though." Carperwel advised. "I get the feeling that our guests will not be idle for long."
I will be [hopefully] uploading pictures of our new characters on my profile sometime in the near future, and I'm also going to work on a new cover for the story. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and choose to stick with me until I finish with the next one!
Any questions, comments, or life threatening concerns don't hesitate to pm me!
Good luck with all of your finals!
~*~ Charlii ~*~