Title: The Taste of Murder
Author: Rolletti
This story takes place during the Golden Age.
Sorry for the mistakes, something ate all the beta's.
Ages: Peter 18. Susan: 17, Edmund 15, Lucy 13
I saw this disclaimer on someone's story and thought it a good idea to put on my own: I've read so much that I hope I didn't steal something from someone's story. If I did please accept my apology.
No Slash What So Ever
Disclaimer: Yep, I do not own any part of C.S. Lewis' works, and I'm still regrettably poor.
The Taste of Murder Chapter 2
"Welcome back, Your Majesty," said the Gorilla who served as butler of Cair Paravel. He bowed respectfully when the High King stepped through the door.
"Thank you, Moem," said Peter, as he gave him his cloak. "I'm starved. Please tell the King and Queens I'll join them for dinner after I've cleaned up."
"They and their escorts have not returned from their picnic with the Darby Raccoon family as of yet, Your Majesty."
"In that case, I'll be ready when they arrive," smiled Peter.
Climbing the wide majestic stairs of Cair Paravel Peter Pevensie paused. He tilted his head as he thought about the hour and his family whereabouts.
"Ah, Your Majesty, you've returned quite early."
"Hello Mr. Tumnus," smiled Peter as he joined the Faun at the top of the landing. "It isn't early, it's dinner time."
"Yes, but Queen Lucy told me you were talking to the Elephants about creating new roads in the south. I've experienced the long sessions with the Elephants when they all gather. They like to voice their opinions, and drudge up past issues before they can solely concentrate on the matters at hand," said Tumnus with a tilt to his head.
Peter's brows went up in agreement. "Well then, you know what kind of day I've had," he clapped Tumnus on the shoulder. "I'm going to wash up before my family arrives."
"Your Majesty," bowed Tumnus to Peter's retreating form.
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The family's private dining room was filled with sunshine as the birds outside the castle took full advantage of it. They twittered and tweeted, hopped and flew from branch to branch during their song and dance. Happy songs always greeted a monarch who arrived safely, and was loved in return for the sentiment. Peter stood on the ornate balcony smiling as a Bee Humming Bird sat on his finger welcoming him home. With a leap it flew around his head a few times before it hovered in front of him with a bow. Within a blink of an eye, the little jeweled blur was gone.
"Where are they," said Peter cheerfully as he watched the maids set the table for dinner. "I can't wait to show Susan what I came home with. It's a gift I'm sure she'll love," he expressed to Tumnus. "You'll stay for dinner won't you?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. I only wish I could have joined your brother and sisters on their picnic."
"Yes, so do I. I almost gave in to Lucy's pleadings this afternoon. She knows exactly which heart strings to pull. Just one little pout reduces me to do her bidding. If it wasn't for Susan coming to my rescue, I would have been led by the prettiest baby sister to a nice and relaxing picnic."
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I wasn't aware that you knew of queen Lucy's tactics," Tumnus grinned.
Peter blushed, "Yes, I do indulge her a bit more than I should, but," he sighed, "she possessed my heart from the moment she first opened her newborn eyes."
"She does have that effect on everyone," said Tumnus.
"Mmm, I'm so hungry, and the food looks delicious. I wonder what's keeping them?" said Peter as he took a hot buttered roll from the bread basket. "Please, have one, Mr. Tumnus, and I promise not to tell Susan if you promise not to tell Susan," Peter said jokingly. Everyone knew of the queen's non-tolerance of picking at the food before it's served, and the High King's habit of doing just so.
"No thank you, Your Majesty, I'd like to stay on the queen's good side," laughed Tumnus.
"Alright, I'll have yours, and I still ask you not to tell," Peter said with a grin. "Have a seat, Mr. Tumnus and tell me what you have been up to. I haven't seen you in court lately."
"I was away visiting my cousin. There is a new addition in the family, and I wanted to give the baby a gift."
"Please tell her I said congratulation. Does she need anything?"
"Oh, you are most kind, but your sisters sent me baring wonderful gifts from your family already."
"I am not surprised, sir, not at all. My sisters are always a step ahead of me in that regard. Well, did she have a boy or girl?"
"A boy. His name is Haren, and the Queens sent an engraved silver rattle in your name as a gift for him," smiled Tumnus.
"Gentle and Valiant indeed," said Peter as his eyes sparkled.
Peter looked around the private room reserved for family and intimate friends. He saw signs of his siblings everywhere; Edmund's judicial robe, Susan's thimble, and Lucy's slippers donned with her favorite color ribbons.
"Mr. Tumnus, I think I shall have a cabin built. I'd like it to be someplace different, to take my family on a vacation of sorts. Because we live by the sea maybe the mountains would be a choice location. I only request that it be near a lake so Edmund and I can go fishing. Would you like to oversee that project?"
"It would be an honor, Your Majesty," beamed Tumnus.
"It would be good for them, don't you think?"
"I'm sure they will be well pleased, well pleased indeed."
Peter imagined the excited look on their faces when they heard the news. Edmund will whoop and holler, Lucy will squeal with delight while jumping up and down, and dear sweet Susan will smile brightly and give him a hug.
The room was beginning to look dimmer as the sun moved closer to its resting place. Peter listened for the sounds of his family footfalls, and Susan reprimanding Lucy for running, but it never came.
"I'm often accused for being overprotective by my family. And I am trying my best to remain calm, but it's getting late and they are not home."
Poor Tumnus began to twitch. That twitch quickly turned into a nervous outbreak with the king's sudden display of agitation. He'd rather be anyplace other than with the High King when he started to worry about one or all of his siblings. Secretly, he too believed the High King to be overly concerned about the three younger royals on a regular basis.
"You know how charming the queens are, maybe they were delayed by extra visitors in the surrounding area," said Tumnus as he watched Peter's foot start to tapping.
"Perhaps," but Peter rose and began pacing with his hands held behind his back. Back and forth he went treading across the beautiful rugs Susan had chosen for the room. He walked to the door, to the balcony, and back to his seat. He tapped his fingers on his knees before starting the whole trek over again.
Tumnus started to tremble when he saw Peter pinch the bridge of his nose. "Would you like some water to drink,Your Majesty?" he asked as he tried to still his trembling hands.
Just then doors burst open with Oreius carrying a badly bleeding Squirrel.
"What is it, what happened?" demanded Peter as he ran to the injured.
"Your Majesty," the Squirrel could barely talk, "I was with Your Majesties at the picnic, southwest of here," the usually high energetic creature began speaking slower, softer, losing consciousness as he continued to bleed on the rugs, "at Raccoon village."
"What happened Good Squirrel, where are my brother and sisters?" asked Peter on the edge.
"Gone, kidnapped, everyone else…is…dead," said the Squirrel as he breathed his last, the light forever gone from his eyes.
Those who stood in the High Kings presence feared for their king. Never had they seen the blood rush out of his face to that degree. Oreius had. He witnessed it each time his brother, or once before, when all the younger monarchs were taken. The shock overwhelmed him as he saw his king stumble back, overturning chairs as his legs were too weak to hold him from the blow.
One of the guards rushed to help Peter, but he refused as hyperventilation began to set in. Oreius quickly grabbed a linen napkin and dunked it in the pitcher of water. Just as he expected, the king was so overwhelmed he couldn't breathe. Coughing out of control, Peter received a shocking cold cloth caressing his face.
"ASLAN Noooooooo!" Peter screamed wretchedly from his knees. The chords strained from his neck as he gnashed his teeth, his fingers drew blood from the palm of his hands.
"Everybody out!" commanded Oreius.
"Your Majesty," said everyone as they bowed before retreating, taking the dead body of their faithful friend with them.
"Oreius, my subjects, my family," cried Peter as Oreius caught the struggling king. Although he had a reputation for being iron-handed, he was affectionately gentle as he held his grieving sovereign.
Tumnus slowly closed the door with angry tears trailing as he and Oreius made eye contact.
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"A Hare, a Hare approaches!" cried the sentry on duty.
"Open the gates let him through! You, get some water, he looks in bad shape," shouted the captain of the guards.
Everyone surrounded the bloody Hare who leaned against a supporting guard. His eyes crazed as he struggled to catch his breath. A tin of water was pushed at him, and he drank long and deep, much to everyone's agitated anticipation.
"Brother Hare, please tell us the news. The Good Squirrel has just come and told us of the killing and kidnappings. Sadly he just died," said the captain.
"Pray for deliverance for our king and queens. And may Aslan receive our brothers and sisters of Narnia into his country. Dead, they're all dead. I barely escaped with my life, but not before I scratched the eyes out of one of them. Our Valiant Queen silenced him with her knife to his throat as he stood there screaming." The loyal cheered for their fearless queen, not to be taken without a fight.
"I know the way back. Just give me a minute to catch my breath, and I will show the king," said the brave Hare who risked his life for his sovereigns.
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Oreius knew the precise moment the iron entered the High King's soul. He felt it, and when he looked into his eyes he saw it. Not many will be joining him on this hunt, for a hunt it is. His subjects who he loved dear to his heart were dead. His family, who are the most precious in his life, were stolen from him. A demon born from malice and pain rose from the grave of despair. His eyes roamed the room, but stopped at the cloak, thimble and slippers. With a slight nod of his head, Oreius acknowledged that the demon will bathe in the blood of those responsible for his birth.
The Hare led the king and a few of his soldiers to the carnage. Bodies of Animals and men alike were strewn amongst broken porcelain ware and picnic blankets; a cruel interruption of a pleasurable excursion. The Hare stood next to the king as he described what had happened.
"We were having a wonderful time, Your Majesty. Praise Aslan King Edmund sent the Raccoon Kits home with the elder siblings to get a head start. I am forever grateful they were not killed."
Peter shook his head, "Go on Good Hare, tell me the rest," said Peter, his jaw was constantly working as his hand gripped Rhindon. He relaxed his grip, and then gripped it again. Released, tightened, released, tightened as he noticed the nervous twitch of the Hare's ears and whiskers. "There is something you are not telling me," he said, void of expression.
The Hare switched nervously from one foot to the other. Like a victim trapped in the hypnotic gaze of a snake, so was the Hare unable to remove his eyes from the king's.
"King Edmund and Queen Susan and Lucy did not go without a fight. They fought well as if in battle against the White Witch, but the men where big and brutal. One barbarian, disgusting as he was, dared to…touch Queen Susan. He pinned her arms, and pulled her close as he tried to kiss her. He's that one over there. King Edmund thoroughly crushed his Adam's apple for taking such liberties."
Released, tightened, released, tightened, released, tightened.
"Another grabbed and pulled Queen Lucy up by her hair, laughing as if someone told a good joke. I blinded him as I scratched and bit his eyes out, and Queen Lucy imbedded her knife in his throat. She also killed three others; one, she stabbed in the throat and heart, and the other was quite surprised as he tried to stop his entrails from spilling through his fingers; she sliced him from end to end in one fluid motion. The Valiant dropped another as she threw her knife into the man's chest. That's him at your feet."
Peter looked curiously at the dead man. "I wonder…How did the queen obtain such skills?" inquired Peter as he looked at Oreius and his captains. Each one immediately looked at something far off, or something very interesting. "I see. Don't tell Susan," he said with a dark smile as he pulled the knife out of the cad's body.
"The leader grabbed Queen Lucy, and held a knife to her throat. It was the only way he could get King Edmund and Queen Susan to stop killing his men," finished the rabbit as his ears drooped.
"Bury our friends…burn the rest," commanded Peter.
"Some of the men are still alive. Barely, but alive," said a cougar.
"Burn them anyway."
Released, tightened, released, tightened, released, tightened.
"Your Majesty," said Oreius cautiously.
"They will die slowly. Slow enough to feel hell come to them.
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In the treacherous lair strategically covered in vines, tension grew amongst those who committed an abominable act against Narnia. Half of Galenor's men grew increasingly afraid of the rumors of the High King. Although no one mentioned it, each wondered at the attitudes of the children. They were not nervous or afraid. They stood there bound as if they were free with no worries. One who stood among the concerned men was Galenor's very own brother.
Galenor himself grew nervous, but greed held a greater power over him. Sweating profusely, whether it was from the forest or fear, Galenor wiped his face with his dirty sleeve.
"What should we do with them?" asked Galenor to no one in particular. "Maybe we should split them up, you know, make it harder for him if he catch up. Which do you think is his favorite?"
"Galenor, I can't, I can't do this anymore. I'm leaving."
"What, you would betray me too? My own brother? Traitor! "
"I've heard the rumors myself too. He becomes something evil when harm comes to these three. We don't know these lands, these people. Look at their skin, look at his! Who can be so pale yet live? Maybe they are not children, but ghost like mythical creatures who belong to him. Maybe that is why he becomes evil."
Edmund rolled his eyes in exasperation as he looked at the girls. If anything he caused Lucy to grin in their dank, grey environment. Their eldest brother's dark reputation among thieves was quite entertaining. Edmund didn't know how, but he needed to get himself and the girls out of situation they were in. He was bound tight which made it difficult to get at his hidden knife.
"You sound like an idiot Layen," said Galenor.
"Well I know this my brother. We took them from their own home, right from under the High King's nose, surely he's looking for them by now. When he find you and see that you are responsible… that one right there I believe is called, the Gentle..."
"The Gentle? Did you see what she did to me!" Galenor growled as he thrust his poorly bandaged finger at his brother.
"Obviously she's a warrior in her own right. You saw her out there. Listen, I want no part in this. As of now, I'll be looking over my shoulders for the rest of my life. They are not worth it."
"I agree with your brother, Galenor. I don't know about the others, but I'm leaving too. I met a man once, the lone survivor of their kidnapping years ago. His face is disfigured, void of skin. He said that the High King's eyes are so cold, they reach deep into your soul and devour what little life is left once he is through with you. His life was spared to serve as a warning.
"I heard he's a man that can change forms, and that's how he kills his enemies," said a man with a bad smelling eye patch.
"Well, I heard he captured a man, and splayed him…alive," said another. Mumbling between the men erupted.
"I heard he's not a man at all, but a protector of these very three come back from the dead," said a man wearing a raccoon's tail attached to his hat.
"Will you just listen to yourselves? You sound ridiculous! I'm beginning to think there is no threat after all. It's probably a bunch of stories your gran made up for ya while sewing ya skirts!"
"Please Galenor, abandon this, leave them," said, Layen.
"Don't you understand, if we sell them, we'll be rich beyond our wildest dreams. The wench alone will fetch a high price. We'll desire everything, and lack nothing," Galenor elbowed his brother while raising his brows in succession. "Come brother, I promise this will be our last."
Layen nodded his head in agreement and sorrow. "You're right, it will be your last.
"You imbecile, listen to your brother!" said Edmund. "Did I just say that?" whispered Edmund to his sisters in surprise.
"That's enough cheek from you," shouted Galenor.
"You, sir, are a fool!" exclaimed Edmund through clenched teeth.
"I'm a fool am I? Well I guess I should foolishly take little missy here…"
Susan bravely stood between Galenor and Lucy. "If you touch her, I promise you the High King isn't the only one you'll have to fear," said Susan, which caused him to draw back instantly from the gentle bound queen.
"Easy brother, I caution you they are not worth it."
Galenor raised his chin keeping eye contact with Susan a moment longer. Wisely, he retreated from Susan with pure filth dripping from his lips. Walking past Edmund was a mistake. Although having his hands and feet bound, Edmund's head butt caused Galenor to see stars as he wobbled away screaming.
"You will take heed of your language, sir, in the presence of my queens," growled Edmund.
Galenor started to run towards Edmund for retribution, but was seized by his brother.
"Listen to me," he said, as Galenor fought against him. "listen! This madness must end.
"You disgust me. You want to leave, then leave! But don't come running to me when you're half starved!" screamed Galenor to his brother's retreating back with half his men.
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Melin thought he'd increase his chances of getting home alive if he separated from the group. Breathless, he thought he had made the wrong decision. His skin crawled as he had the uneasy feeling of someone following him. There were many tales about the High King of Narnia back at the hiding place. Some sounded farfetched, others sounded true, but they all came to one conclusion; he was deranged, cold, and deadly when it came to those three obsessions.
So were the thoughts of Melin as he ran through the woods, hid behind bushes, and jumped over bubbling brooks. His chest rose and fell heavily as he came to a stop and stood behind a tree. Temporarily blinded by the sweat in his eyes, Melin listened for approaching footsteps. To his terror he couldn't hear anything due to the demands of his lungs, and the powerful thumping of his heart.
Melin hesitated before he leaned around the tree, scoping the woods. It was sufficient to say that something was out there, or someone. He refused to move, he would wait until he could confirm there was a threat. Closing his eyes he leaned his forehead against the tree, willing his heart to slow down. Calming himself to think reasonably, Melin once again peeked around the tree to confirm he was alone. He listened intently for anything unusual; a snapping twig, the sudden flight of birds; on and off the ground. Nothing. Satisfied that he may have been running from the results of paranoia, Melin took a deep breath to steady himself. The paragon in the form of a High King may not exist as Galenor suggested, it may all be only a ruse like many tales of the trade. Melin began to doubt his decision to leave. He forfeited his share of selling those brats to the highest bidder.
His thoughts were interrupted by an expected sound beyond his tree. Ever so slowly, he peeked around the tree. He heard the sound again, and found himself relieved as he saw another branch fall from a distant tree, the results of two squirrels chasing each other. There were some thick bushes twenty paces off, and to hide there for the night would be most welcoming. He couldn't run any longer, and began to feel deep in his gut he had made a mistake by leaving Galenor. Leaning his head against the tree again, Melin turned around and came face to face with a boy on the very doorstep of manhood. Facing those cold blue eyes immediately caused Melin's bladder to lose control. If Melin was acquainted with Narnia, he would have noticed the larger squirrels were Narnian Squirrels…a decoy.
"I didn't touch them, I didn't touch them, I didn't touch them," said the man shaking on his way down to kneel in his own urine. "Please have mercy," he said right before he foolishly lunged with his sword in hand.
Sparks flew as steel immediately met steel. Melin fought hard with years of skill to his credit against the mere child, yet, he felt as if he was merely being toyed with. With a sudden move he was incapable of explaining, Melin found himself on his back with the air knocked out of his lungs.
With Peter's sword at his throat the kidnapper braced himself for the farfetched stories to come true. After a moment of silence he slowly opened eyes to find his opponent kneeling next to him, his sword in position to cut his throat from ear to ear.
"I will make you a promise." Melin heard from the boy with the odd color hair, ready to hear the gruesome sentencing.
"I am the High King of Narnia, and you have something of mine. If you tell me where my brother and sisters are, and who is responsible for their kidnapping, I promise you, you will not die by my sword this day."
"Www, www, what about tomorrow or the next?"
"You will never die by my sword, my hands, nor will my people seek revenge. All I ask is for you to cooperate. My brother and sisters, are they well?"
"Yes, your majesty. That is, they were when I saw them last. They are not allowed to sit, but they are well."
"Good, you are doing well. Who took them and why?"
All was explained by Melin, names were given, the location of where his siblings where kept, and the route to the slave market. Every detail spilled from his lips as he lay staring into dead eyes.
"Thank you."
"Thank you for sparing my life," said Melin relieved as he tried to follow Peter up, but the point of Rhindon's sharpened end prevented that. "No, no you promised!"
"I said you will not die by my sword, my hands, nor my people."
Confusion was written on the kidnappers face, but he soon gasped in fright.
What appeared to be a thick, meaty black spider, crawled across the contorted face of Melin. His face twitched uncontrollably as his body lay frozen.
Melin watched as the spider crawled over his face as if it was seeking for something. He saw his reflection in the eyes of the hideous creature, venom dripping from its fangs. Quick as a lightening strike, the spider struck as it sunk it's fangs into the fleshiest part of Melin's cheek. The pain was excruciating, if the high pitch of his voice was any indication.
"This area is known for the Kelma spiders. Their bite is extremely painful, which you already know," said Peter after the scream turned into a whimper and tears. "And no doubt you have already experienced the effect of the venom. It leaves you paralyzed for two hours, your muscles are no doubt painfully locked in place," he informed as he removed his sword from Melin's neck, and casually used it to flick a Kelma off his boot.
"This type of spider is interesting. They lay their eggs once a year into the flesh of a host," said Peter, void of expression. The man screamed as the spider started the process of injecting its eggs into his cheek. "You'll know when the eggs hatch. The spiderlings eat their way out. You have twenty days."
The leaves rustled as three additional spiders crawled from underneath and across Melin's face. Peter walked away as fresh screams pierced the air, and closed his eyes as he faltered with sorrow. Behind his lids he saw his siblings bound and dead. When he opened his eyes they were cold once more.
The hunt continues.
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Is the content too dark? I would like to know if it is, or if it is feasible to continue the story.
Rolletti