Title: The Taste of Murder
Author: Rolletti
This story takes place during the Golden Age.
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 3
Lucy stood between her siblings and began to sniffle. The torch light revealed the glistened trail that ran down her saddened face. She gained the attention of more men as her sniffles became louder. There was a look of satisfaction among them to see at least one of the children break. It was said time and time again their attitudes were too much on the cocky side, and they should be taught a lesson. Edmund immediately hopped closer as did Susan.
Galenore watched in disgust. He hated the three, but did not restrain the older siblings as they tried to comfort their younger sister. With satisfaction, he too relished the presence of her tears as puffed out his chest victoriously.
"What's wrong, Lu? Are you alright? Are you tired?" asked Susan.
"No," she pouted. Both Susan and Edmund smirked. Lucy had something up her sleeves. Her cute little irresistible pouts were reserved for Peter or Edmund, or Peter and Edmund. She did not waste them.
"It's only…I feel sorry for these men. Peter will seek his vengeance and lay claim to their souls," she whispered just enough for listening ears to hear.
"There, there now Lu, don't allow yourself to become distressed over these men. They are vile, vulgar creatures," said Susan.
"I just can't bear the thought of seeing Peter as he was the last time someone kidnapped us. If you recall, he ripped out that man's heart with his bare hands and forced him to eat it. The poor man was barely alive when Peter forced the heart down his throat. He didn't die from a missing heart, he choked to death. And his poor soul, what he did to his soul I…I just can't bear to speak of it."
"True," said Susan with her bound hands to her chest as she played along.
"But that was a merciful death compared to what he did to that man who held me prisoner," said Edmund, exaggerating with his eyebrows. When he lowered his voice he saw the men lean in further. "He made sure not to kill my captor as he cut the top of his head off. When Peter put those flesh-eating worms on that man's exposed brain and smashed the top on as he replaced it, oh the horror! Worms exited that man's eyes while he laid there screaming and twitching."
Suddenly, the three entertainers jumped in surprise when they saw two men running to the door screaming, "I won't stay!" "He won't take me!" Lucy leaned further into Edmunds chest crying, her shoulders shook for all to see. In reality, she was actually laughing to the point of hysterics as she wailed. Edmund had to pretend to hold a sympathetic kiss on the top of her head as a show of support. He too tried to control the smile that threatened to break. Susan shoulders too shook as she covered her face with her bound hands.
Clearly shaken, Galenor told the royals to, "Shut up!" and ordered his men into another room.
Susan found it hard to regain control of herself. She wiped away the humorous tears as Edmund kissed Lucy's cheek.
"I say, Lu," he whispered softly, "You have my vote when you propose to form the first Narnian Theatrical Society.
"Mine too, and so will Peter when he hears about this," grinned Susan.
"Go you two, and sit in that corner. I don't care what that idiot says about standing here," said Edmund to his sisters. "It's getting late and you've been standing almost two days."
"What about you?" asked Susan.
"Don't worry about me. Now, do as I say, and take Lu over to that corner and get some rest."
The girls looked wearily at each other, "No, we won't go without you," said Lucy very convincing as she pulled out her secret weapon. Susan smirked as Edmund watched Lucy, knowing his resolve would soon crumble the harder he tried to resist.
"Oh, alright," he said as he rolled his eyes. Slowly, he allowed the girls to guide him.
"Lean against me, Ed, and we'll kneel down together," said Susan to her extra bound brother. With Edmund in the middle, the three leaned their backs against the wall with a sigh of relief. Edmund desperately wished his hands were free so he could wrap his arms around his sisters and pull them close. As time passed listening to the muffled sounds of Galenor, both girls laid their heads to rest on Edmund's shoulders.
After hearing the third worried sigh from her brother, Lucy looked up and said, "I miss him too."
"Having an overprotective big brother comes in handy at times, wouldn't you say?" said Edmund trying to lighten the mood for his sister.
"It's alright, Ed," said Lucy as she saw Edmund's shoulders fall.
"I hate to imagine what his soul went through when he heard the news," said Edmund. Lucy shivered at that, causing Edmund to look at her. "His…condition…will be most disturbing when he arrives."
"He'll be blood thirsty."
"Beyond blood thirsty, he'll be unrestrained," he whispered looking into her eyes. "I don't want you nor Susan watching, Lu, when he confronts Galenor," warned Edmund.
"Oh, Ed, our poor Peter. I'm most afraid for him when he posses such wild, brutal power. He'll need all of us with him the first few days back, but afterwards,"
"Don't worry, I'll take care of him," said Edmund. "Sshh don't cry, with Aslan's help we'll see him through. Now follow Susan's example, and try to get some sleep.
She sniffled as she laid her head down again and whispered, "Yes, Edmund."
After an hour had passed, Galenor kicked the man who had fallen asleep. It was his job to keep watch over the prisoners.
"Who said you could sit!" shouted Galenor when he returned from encouraging his remaining men.
"Shhh!" exclaimed Edmund with fire in his eyes.
"Don't you, shh me, you little swamp rat! I ain't one of your flea bittin subjects."
"Thank Aslan for that!" said Edmund quietly, seething as he continued to stare.
"You…wha', Aslan…I didn't tell ye to sit down!"
"They are asleep. I know it's hard for you to comprehend this, but have some respect for the ladies."
"After what they did to my men, AND me, they don't deserve respect. Pretty little girls fighting like a gang of cut throats!" growled Galenor.
"You will respect my queens now or later, but I promise you, before my brother introduce you to death, you will learn to respect them."
Although his hands and feet were bound, Edmund knew exactly how he would cave in Galenor's sinus cavities if he touched the girls, and Galenor saw it in Edmund's cold dark eyes.
Working his jaw to the point of pain, Galenor turned to walk away, not willing to engage himself into a fight with that "demon from the pit." Curiosity stopped him before he took a step further.
"Answer me this. How is it you have two queens? Why does a land require two kings and two queens?" asked Galenor with a sneer.
"Don't try to understand it, you'll only hurt yourself," said Edmund resting his head on Lucy's, dismissing Galenor.
"You and me, boy, you and me.
Hours later the three Narnians watched as two big ruffians approached them. The hour was late. They hoped they'd have more down time before having to deal with their prisoners.
You, come with us," they said before they dug their fingers in and grabbed Edmund by his arms.
"Where are you taking him?" demanded Susan.
"None of your business," the man said before he slapped her across the face. Unfortunately for him Susan retaliated immediately by kicking him hard, precisely to the knees. His scream echoed off the walls as he heard the audible crack. As he was rushing towards the ground in extreme agony, Edmund swung his combined fist with an amazing amount of force to the bandit's face. Of course his mate rushed to help, but Lucy took him out with a kick to the unmentionables, and finished with a powerful high kick to the jaw. Galenor came into the room roaring in anger as he watched his men squirming around on the floor.
What is going on! Why did you attack my men, you mangy mongrels?" Before they could answer he kicked the man who was screaming uncontrollably, "Quiet, you idiot, get up! The boy is bound and they are two little girls…in dresses. GET UP!" he screamed, taking his anger out on the man as he continued to kick him.
"I think the eldest girl broke his knees. I heard a loud crack."
"He should not have slapped her," said Edmund coiled, ready to strike. "Be careful, Galenor, remember my warning," he said as Galenor continued to look at Susan in anger.
"Who are you people? Even grown men fear Galenor!"
"We are children of Aslan, we fear no one," said Lucy with her chin raised proudly.
"Aslan, Aslan, who the bloody blazes is this ASLAN?" Galenor shouted.
Edmund swung his bound wrist once again with enough force to knock Galenor's head against the wall.
"Language!" shouted Edmund.
NnNnNnNnNnNn
Peter ran, ran as fast as he could to reach his siblings. His breathing was labored as everything seemed to slow down, down, down. Even the pace and sound of his heartbeat coincide with his struggle to move. His muscles strained against the thickness of his surroundings, causing the skin on his face to be stretched taught as he bared his teeth against the resistance. He was failing! They were within arm's reach, he could…almost…touch… They were mercilessly wrenched out of his grasp. The assailant mocked him as his voice became the voice of Jadis. "It's all your fault, big brother. Because of you they will die!" With a powerful thrust, he plunged his steel blade through Edmund's ever present scar, all the while smiling at Peter. Edmund looked at Peter disbelieving, blood bubbled through his silent moving lips.
A savage cry clawed its way out of Peter's throat as he sat up with knife in hand ready to strike. The girls were not screaming, Edmund was gone, and Oreius stood alone at the entrance of the tent. Shaking and completely soaked from head to toe, Peter franticly gasped for air as he realized he had a horrific nightmare. After what seemed a lifetime of trembling, Peter was finally able to deliver a quick nod to Oreius, reassuring him he was somewhat in control. Once alone, he turned over his sweat soaked pillow, and returned his knife before he laid down again. Crushed, Peter gripped the pillow void of his little brother's scent, feeling incomplete. It was Edmund who usually had the nightmares, and Edmund who always shared his bed to be reassured Jadis was dead. "Ed…" whispered Peter, caressing the intricate ring his brother commissioned to be made for him. He presented it on his birthday after the daylong celebration in the privacy of their room. Peter of course cried, which Edmund expected; hence the location of the gift giving. He could give his brother a blade of grass and he'd weep over it just because he gave it to him. Edmund found himself wrapped in two strong arms when he presented the golden band with the sun and the moon joined, inseparable, representing them both.
Peter tightened his fist and said, "I'm coming."
NnNnNnNnN
Rundull agreed with the others that their chances of survival might increase if they would split up. Getting home alive was the number one priority for them all, not money.
I'm tired, tired of people and all the get rich schemes that seems to follow me. I allowed that good-for-nothing Galenor to lead me into lands I'd never heard of, lands with its strange animals and insects. I'm sure I saw a good portion of the ground move as if something was swimming underneath the surface. It was far away, but I'm sure that's what I saw. Serve those idiots right if it came over and ate em. Pushin me about, mocking me like I'm some simpleton.
I want to be home. No amount of gold is worth all this. I'm not so poor that I'm willing and foolish enough to lose my life. My sister begged me not to go, why didn't I listen? When I see her again I'll never, never discredit her dreams. And I'll apologize for pushing her out of my way when I left. Now look at me. I'm running scared in woods I don't know, and far from home.
Galenor's plan for riches seems petty now that I've taken a good look at what suffering I caused. Kidnapping! I've never stooped so low as to kidnapping children, especially children surrounded by protective pets. Strange that there were so many raccoons. In truth, when Galenor handed that little girl over to me I…I liked having that power. That power cause fear in the older children's eyes when I drew a little blood from the little one's neck. They needed to be stopped, and our side was dropping like flies. First they were giggling children having a picnic in the woods, next knives and swords appeared out of thin air as they cut us down. I've never seen anything like it.
I shouldn't have done it. They're only children, despite their ability to kill at the drop of a hat. The brother, he may be a king, but he has the look of a dark warrior, a knight. I'm amazed how he could protect his sisters while bound, and impressed how he even protects what's said in front of them. He's quick and agile, like a cat…well more like a panther the way he looks at anyone who gets near "his queens" as he likes to call them. They look like good children. I'll never be able to look my family in the eye after what I've done, especially to the little one.
From what I understand of the High King of Narnia, my life is forfeited My only wish is to turn back time and turn down Galenor's offer.
Those were the thoughts that ran through Rundull's mind, kneeling over the small brook to refill the water skin. Half way through the process a presence was felt from behind. Rundull sighed.
"You're him," said Rundell without turning around.
"Yes."
"I knew this day would come, I just didn't expect it to be so soon. I only wanted to see my family once more."
"You denied me mine."
"Yes." There was silence as Rundull continued to stare at the brook. "I ask for your forgiveness," said Rundull, neck stretched over the brook. "One question. Would revealing that I'm a woman change my sentence?" asked Rundell as the removal of her hat revealed her dirty, yet beautiful hair.
Peter turned and walked away before the severed head and body hit the ground.