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 5

Galenor's men had seen the sun and moon rise and fall many times between rotations. They were feeling more and more anxious as they continued to stay in one spot. Some, those more loyal to Galenor, were confident in their leader's decision to stay at the hide out. Considering who their prisoners are, one does not rush into making hasty decisions. The majority of the men, what few were left, decided he was scared; that didn't sit well with them.

Brows lifted and eyes widened when Carson was spotted leaving the hideout with his gear. Word quickly spread that Galenor decided to make a move, silencing the word revolt on the minds of those who stayed behind…for now.

Carson stepped out the hideout with caution, adjusted his bag of rations and personal belongings, and headed south. Without as much as a farewell, he walked away from the most dangerous kidnapping any of them had ever been involved.

If anyone had chosen to have a closer look, they would have seen how heavy Carson's bag hung. Nervous, Carson's fingers turned white as he gripped his well-used sack. He acknowledged a man who stood guard with a nod as he walked by and on into the forest. The guards were strategically placed in the forest around the old, vine-covered hideout. They remained motionless while animals, such as crows came dangerously close. Inside Carson's bag were most of the booty from their last heist, and all of his clothes. He knew his throat was good as cut with the sharpest dagger if anyone guessed what he was doing. However, he had a plan; sell what he had and get far, far away from the "demonic" king and those that belonged to him.

If anyone noticed Carson's bag it was Edmund. His experience had taught him to travel light, he knew the man would not return.

"Galenor, you are not very good at this are you? This kidnapping and selling choice goods," said Edmund.

"Why are you talking to me menace?" said Galenor from his makeshift desk, his men scattered about the empty room save for a few tree stumps that served as chairs.

"We should look our best for your potential buyers, I should say. You can't continue to feed us on stale bread and moldy cheese. We need food."

"Oh? Where would Your Majesty wish to dine today? I believe I have some choice wine in the royal wine cellar just for your pleasure." His men roared with laughter as some poked their neighbor.

Edmund's eyes squinted dangerously as he was mocked. "I want my sister's fed a decent meal."

"Our rations are now limited and old, foolish boy. They eat what we eat," growled Galenor as he walked toward Edmund.

Edmund took a deep breath and spoke as one giving instruction to a small child. "There is a whole forest out there full of food. Take what weapons you have and go hunting." The room quieted.

"We're thieves not hunters," said Galenor as he lost his hurumph and avoided Edmund's eyes.

Edmund looked around in disbelief and saw some of the men scowl; others looked away as they shook their heads. Edmund looked at the ceiling and said, "Unbelievable."

"What are you so uppity about, child! No doubt your meals are prepared in gold pots, and served to you on silver platters. You think you're any better? Think ya could get out there and hunt for food?" again, Galenor mocked with sarcasm.

"Yes!" all three royals said with obvious disgust.

Edmund hopped closer to Galenor who stepped back without realizing it. Some of Galenor's men stepped closer, others didn't move, but kept their eyes on the boy. The girls stepped closer to Edmund as they kept their eyes on the men. All that was heard was the heavy breathing of one large man.

Dark amber eyes pinned every man where they stood. They were utterly helpless when Edmund finally spoke. "Thick, tender venison slow roasting on a spit. Sizzling juices dribbling down the sides of meat you can sink your teeth into. Succulent, mouthwatering fruit that will make you crave the next bite. Hot tender roots in a stew so thick you'll swear you'll never be hungry again. Would you like that?" Edmund asked as he saw some of the men mouths gaped and some went as far to lick their lips. One look at Galenor and Edmund knew he had the upper hand.

"I will have my sisters properly fed. I don't care how many of your band you need to watch us, just cut me loose and let us go out to find something decent to eat."

"Do you take me for a fool?" Galenor threw back his head and roared with laughter.

"Yes, I do, but that is beside the point. Fresh food must be gathered and you have proven yourself most incompetent."

The silence stretched between Galenor and Edmund as their eyes bore into each other. Edmund, poised with confidence, ever the king of Narnia, grated on Galenor's nerve. The older man glared at Edmund as his nostrils flared in disgust, pure hatred is what he felt. Before he could utter a word someone shouted…"I'll keep a sharp eye on 'em." It was a short fellow not much older than Peter. Edmund had his eye on him because he had his eye on Susan. The fellow blushed profusely every time he brought her water. Once he nearly jumped out of his skin when she accidently touched his hand receiving the ladle. Hope showed desperately as he waited for Galenor's decision. "I'll do it, Galenor."

When everyone could think clearly, there was a frenzy of instant volunteers as Galenor tried to bring order.

"Who's in charge here!" shouted Galenor, quieting everyone. "Why is it when this boy speaks everyone listens? You hang on his every word like snot nose brats!"

"Are you saying, no?" asked Edmund, as he exaggeratedly looked at Galenor's men then back to Galenor.

The leader squinted his eyes as he saw exactly what Edmund was doing. He knew his own hands were tied by the cunning little king.

"Fine, I keep the little one until you return."

Within a heartbeat Edmund answered, "No."

"If you want food for your sisters she'll stay!" snarled Galenor as he stood toe to toe with Edmund.

"I would rather watch them rot where they stand before I leave either of them alone with you!" said Edmund dangerously as he leaned in closer.

Galenor studied Edmund's eyes. He was seized by their depth and saw a darkness no man should ever see. He was sure the fury he saw in the dark depths mirrored the very image of his brother. It was a disturbing sight.

Galenor, as a show of force, threatened Edmund of how painfully he and his sister would die if even one tried to escape.

NnNnNnN

Edmund and Lucy were inspecting bags to gather what food they could find, while Susan perfected an arrow she made under close guard.

"Here's more for ya," taunted a gruff looking man as he dumped five more sturdy sticks in front of Susan.

"Thank you, but I'll only need the one," she said as she gracefully stood from her seated position. The man stood gaping as he watched Susan make her way over to her siblings. "Ready? Oh Ed," she sighed with concern as she inspected the rope burn on Edmund's wrist.

"I will never forgive you if you kiss it in front of these men," whispered Edmund.

"I'll leave that to Peter when he arrives," grinned Susan.

"Aslan help us all from those month long kisses," giggled Lucy.

All three grinned, the humor crinkled at the corner of their eyes. Slowly, they sobered with mutual understanding of how much they longed for it.

The men, even Galenor, were speechless as they saw the children at work in the forest. They found edible roots, instructed the men which berries to pick and were shocked that the youngest queen reached under a thorny bush only to withdraw a luscious, soft pink fruit.

"How did you know that was under there?" asked a giant of a man.

"Clearly you don't converse with Badgers."

"Keep your secrets then!" he answered harshly. Lucy only smiled and continued with her harvesting.

When the big strong men saw a little girl bring down a deer in mid leap with one shot, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads. Edmund stood proud with his arms crossed and a grin on his face. His smile fell as he looked at the men. "Well, pick it up! You don't expect her to carry it too, do you?" So mesmerized were they, they almost forgot to follow the children back to the shelter.

NnNnNnN

Galenor sat and watched the three children, who had not only proven their skills in the forest, but also had single handedly gained the respect of his men. The men's bellies were full as they sat in content sucking and licking juices off their fingers. This unsettled him.

/Sumthin don't sit right about these children, maybe sumthin evil. How can that beautiful wench be an expert archer? Foolish child, wantin' red feathers only. Spoiled tart! There aren't many red birds around! That's a girl for ya. They commanded my men, who did everything they were told; fools! Out there gathering lookin like a bunch of workers durin' harvest time, AND no one were watchin the brats! But I had my eye on them. The boy, who does he think he is, calling us "incompetent," not able to cook! Ole Tarin can cook rat just as good as anybody! / Galenor never took his eyes off the children. He watched as the king made sure his queens had the best parts and first pick of the best dinner they've had in days. He watched as the eldest queen coerce the king to eat more, which he willingly obeyed. Galenor, while listening to his men joke and laugh as if they were at some picnic, sat seething with his hot meal mocking him.

/ I'm just as bad sittin' here with a cool mint drink in my hand. How did they know that strange leaf would sweeten it? It's gotta be the work of somethin' evil. It is good in this wicked hot weather. Herbs in place of salt…hmm, they are proving themselves more valuable every day. I am going to be rich, and I can't wait to get them off my hands. /

Galenor's right hand sat next to him holding his plate filled with venison and delicious mushrooms with herbs. His eyes rolled back when he took a mouthful and moaned in pleasure. "This isn't right. The prisoners feeding us like this. You know, I could get use to..."

"Well don't," growled Galenor.

Ever since the confrontation with Edmund Galenor had been in a foul mood, and it did not go unnoticed.

"We should not have allowed this you know, no matter how desperate we all were for fresh food. For all we know they could have poisoned us and walked out of here. Too late now," said Manwen before he took another bite and moaned. "Ahh, so tender."

Manwen followed Galenor's line of sight and witnessed the interaction between the children. "He takes care of them, they take care of him…such devotion they have for one another," he whispered around another mouthful. He wiped his well greased mouth with his sleeve before he continued, "If their brother's love is a smidgen of what they have for each other, then I fear he will come and consume us all like a firestorm. We should move. Get away from this place."

"No, Carson should be back soon with news of potential buyers. We'll stay a few days more. We're well hidden and I'll increase the patrol," said Galenor as he continued to snarl at the royals.

"Increase the patrol! I don't know if you saw what they did out there, but I have a feeling their brother is just as good, maybe better. He'll probably slit the throat of those on patrol before they even know he's there."

"Get away from me," Galenor growled through his teeth as he whipped his head around at Manwen.

"Hmm," Manwen said as he sucked the food out of his teeth. "Come to think of it, I haven't had dessert. Enjoy your drink, I hope it isn't poisoned," he mocked with sarcasm and walked to the table heavy with fruit.

Irate, Galenor returned his attention to his prisoners. He did not like them, especially the boy. He couldn't stand the sight of them, yet he continued to look.

One by one, Edmund watched his captors, whose bellies were disgustingly full, drift off as they became complacent. He looked at the girls with a slight grin, which he quickly covered. It did not go unnoticed as the girls sighed, dismissing Galenor's piercing eyes.

Soon, they would be able to make their move.

tbc :)