Chapter Eighteen
Over the course of the next few months, I adjusted to castle life. After a few awkward conversations and encounters, Peter went back to his normal self, joking with me just like before. But I still caught him looking at me sometimes, and knew that his feelings hadn't changed. Edmund forgave me for my rudeness, and I tried my best to catch his attention. The five of us went on many hunts (not for Talking Animals, of course) and had many feasts. We rode to Anvard, the castle where the royal family of Archenland lives, and I sailed on my first ship to Galma and Terebinthia and the Seven Isles and all the way to the Lone Islands. At first the rolling motion of the waves made me violently seasick, but I quickly adapted to it and became skilled on a ship. I learned all of the sailors' talk and could scurry through the ropes with ease.
As the years passed, I grew taller, my hair grew longer, my hips grew wider and my chest less flat. I had many suitors from Archenland and the Islands and even Calormen. Many were fat and old, and I turned them away, and the others were young and arrogant. None were to my liking, and I remained husbandless. Besides, there was only one man I wanted, and since I couldn't have him, I wouldn't have anyone.
Summers passed into autumns, and winters into springs. The seasons came and went peacefully, and the five of us grew up together. We hunted together and rode all over Narnia. We had many great feasts and balls, and many small adventures. I commanded armies and fought in battles with Peter and Edmund. I could be both a fine, graceful lady and a tough soldier who drank and fought with the worst of them.
Peter grew taller and stronger, and more kinglike. He was still as sweet and noble as ever. He led many crusades against the troublesome giants of the north, and was loved by everyone. He courted several pretty girls from the islands and Archenland, but, despite my hopes, he never chose a bride.
Susan grew more and more beautiful, and was much more graceful and gentle than I ever was. She didn't fight in many battles, but no one could match her in archery. She was adored by all for her kindness and loving nature. She had many more suitors than I, but wasn't satisfied with them. She wanted to marry, but none of the young men who wanted to court her had what she wanted.
Lucy grew into a pretty girl with long chocolate hair. She was playful and loved a good joke, and was much more outdoorsy than Susan. She was energetic and being in the castle for too long bored her. She had a few brave men who asked for her hand in marriage, but most could not keep up with her. But she never wanted to marry.
And Edmund. Edmund grew into a handsome young man. He and I grew very close, but never more than friends. It broke my heart to see him with the silly girls who courted him. I had seen him kissing several of them, without him knowing, and it ripped me apart. I spent a lot of time talking to Anduril about him, but it didn't help much. Even over many years my feelings for him didn't grow any less strong.
Overall, life was good, and I loved Narnia. Life was peaceful and I was never hungry, and I was surrounded by people I loved. England was a far off memory, one that I chose to push to the back of my mind. But the peace had to end sooner or later. Nothing truly wonderful can last forever.
After thirteen years had passed and I was 28, Lucy was 24, Edmund was 28, Susan was 30, and Peter was 32, the prince of Calormen, Rabadash, requested the Queen Susan's presence for a feast. He wanted to court her. Although we all knew that there was absolutely no chance that she would be interested in marrying him, it would be undiplomatic for her to decline. So we set sail from Cair Paravel on the Splendor Hyaline for Calormen. On the voyage, I leaned over the edge like I enjoy doing, watching the turquoise waters rush by. I thought about Calormen, and its strange ways. The Calormenes were darker skinned, with dark, pointed beards. They wore turbans and other odd clothes, and fought with curved scimitars. The country was mostly desert and dry, scrubby hills. Not at all like green, cool Narnia.
When reached the river's mouth which poured into the sea, we left the ship and rode upstream for fifteen miles before reaching the city's gates. I rode Anduril of course, with Edmund upon Phillip and Susan and Lucy on gentle mares, and the young Prince Corin of Archenland on his shaggy mountain pony. Peter was off fighting in the North. We reached the sparkling gates and gazed at the many levels of the city of Tashbaan. Loud, earsplitting trumpets resounded, and the gates opened. An escort of Calormene soldiers flanked us as we were led up the narrow, bustling streets. Slaves were driven along the streets and as we rode, the soldiers cried, "Make way! Make way for the King and Queens of Narnia!" and everyone in our path scurried to the sides to avoid being trampled. This was the standard for all of the rich Tarkans and Tarkinas. There were so many bright colors and noises. Fruit trees flanked the roads wherever there was bare ground, and the pungent aroma of ripe oranges filled the air. We finally reached the great many-leveled palace of the Tisroc where the sun glinted off of the silver domes, leaving me seeing spots.
We passed through more ornate gates, and into a small courtyard. I smelled stables nearby, and the grooms came to get our mounts. "He's a unicorn, and his name is Anduril. He is to be treated with respect, not like one of your dumb beasts," I instructed sharply. Edmund did the same for Phillip. Then we were escorted into a long hall. It was a great relief to be out of the heat and sun, and it was much cooler in the palace. It took my sun-dazzled eyes a moment to adjust to the dimmer light. When they did, I could see the ornate, almost overdone décor of the Tisroc's palace. It was only then that we realized that Prince Cor had slipped away while we had made our way through one of the crowded market streets. We immediately sent out a search for him, and I was afraid of what we would do if he wasn't found. He was the heir to the Archenlandian throne! But the others assured our party that the boy would be found, and had probably only slipped off to roam through the market.
We were led to our rooms, and asked to change into Calormene clothing. I wrinkled my nose. I didn't feel like donning any of the ridiculous garments they had selected, but I did anyway. I felt like a genie, and my face was flushed with embarrassment when I rejoined Edmund. I struggled not to burst out laughing at him, but I did release an unladylike snort at the sight of my king in Calormene dress. "Oh, stop laughing! I don't look that bad, do I?" He said, grinning. "Oh, no, quite the opposite," I said, letting out my laughter, "You look quite dashing! But where are Lucy and Susan?" I asked. "I'm not sure. I think they are meeting the prince." I frowned slightly. "Then where are we going?" Edmund dropped his voice to a whisper. "They are showing us the temple of Tash, their demon of a god," he said, a stormy look on his handsome face.
The slaves led us into a great, golden domed room. Elaborate carvings covered every inch, and the entire temple was built of gold and marble. Directly in front of us, steep steps led up to an altar, where human sacrifices were made every summer for the god. And above the altar was a huge golden carving of a terrible bird-like thing. It had the head of a vulture, and eight or so arms with long curved claws at the ends of its human-like hands. The evil thing had rubies for eyes, and they glittered ominously in the firelight.
Raised voices behind me made me turn around. Several slaves were carrying a struggling goat kid, the poor creature bleating and kicking wildly, trying to escape. I gasped and clutched Edmund's arm, knowing what the goat was for. The slaves, followed by an arrogant looking man who I took to be a priest, climbed up to the altar, bent over double, bowing and muttering praises to the vulture headed demon. They forced the kid down, still bleating and kicking for its mother. One of them drew a long, silver dagger. I squeezed my eyes shut tight as he slit the goat's throat. It made a horrible, pain-filled squeal, and then the life drained from it as its scarlet blood flowed out onto the altar. Edmund clenched and unclenched his fist, and then he turned to go. I followed quickly after him, not wanting to be left behind with the savage Calormenes and the dead baby goat. I didn't know how I could stand to be here for the Midsummer Festival, when they sacrificed a man on the altar.
Edmund didn't speak until we were in the throne room, where the prince and Lucy and Susan (and Mr. Tumnus and several other Narnian escorts) were. Rabadash was behaving very arrogantly, ordering slaves around and showing Susan his fine palace. He gave her lavish compliments but Susan did not reply with any more feeling than was polite. She was very cool and betrayed no true emotions. I however, had a very hard time not sticking my tongue out at him childishly or laughing. So I crossed my arms in front of my chest and bit my lip.
After a long day of palace tours and introductions and lavish meals, I finally retired to my chamber. I didn't sleep well that night, or the next three weeks, because it was so hot and stuffy in that room. And it wasn't home. I would wake expecting to see the ocean out of my window, but all I could see was the crowded city down below and beyond that, the Great Desert and the odd termite mound-like tombs. I hadn't had time to visit Andy, and I felt guilty, but it was almost impossible to leave the palace. I hadn't seen much of my king and queens or the other Narnians either, because I had to spend my day with the daughters of nobles and ladies in waiting all day. The Tarkeenas' idle chatter drove me almost out of my wits. They giggled over the silliest things and talked all about dresses and gowns and wealth and makeup and such.
But finally, after three weeks of such torture, something happened. I was summoned to Susan's chamber, which was the finest and largest of all of ours. Edmund, Susan, Lucy, Tumnus, the Beavers, a Raven, and many other Narnians that had come with us were gathered. And also in our midst was one of the most ragged, dirty boys I had ever seen. He wore a filthy, torn tunic and sandals, and his skin was dusty and he smelled like sweat and horse. But he was not a Calormene. He had fair skin under all of that dirt and grime, though it was tanned from the sun. And his hair was the color of sand, and he had blue eyes. I knew him at once. It was Corin, prince of Archenland, who had disappeared the day we had arrived. Susan had been worried sick about him, but he was nowhere to be found in the palace or nearby streets. "Where have you been, Corin?" I cried. I rushed forward and gave him a tight hug, and then shook him to discipline him. The boy just stood, very bewildered looking. Edmund spoke. "We found our runaway hiding in the crowds! He was holding a pack horse, looking like a Calormene slave!" Shaking his head, he turned to Susan. "What do you think, Susan? We have been in this city for three full weeks now. Have you made up your mind about whether you will marry this dark-faced lover of yours, the Prince Rabadash?" He raised his dark eyebrows. Susan vigorously shook her shiny hair and said, "No, not for all the gold in Tashbaan!" Edmund visibly relaxed. "Good. I don't think I could have stood him as my brother-in-law. He certainly acts differently here than in Narnia, doesn't he?" Susan sighed and nodded. "I should like to leave Tashbaan this very day." At this Edmund shook his head and turned to me. "Rosie, look outside to see that there are no spies," I peeked through the cracked door, making sure no one was around, and then closed it securely behind me. I shook my head. Edmund went on. "I don't think we shall find it easy to leave Tashbaan. While the prince had hope that you would marry him, we were honored guests. But by the Lion's Mane, I think that as soon as he has your flat denial we shall be no better than prisoners." Everyone was silent. We all realized what that meant. Edmund went on to say that Rabadash would make Susan his wife by force, and then Tumnus said that the Vizier had hinted something similar. The Dwarf said that in order for them to attack, they would have to cross the desert. Then the Raven spoke up about how he would have to take a different route, not going by the great oasis. We debated about it for several more minutes. But Edmund said that it was of no matter, the real problem was how to get out of here without them knowing. And Susan burst into tears at this, saying it was all her fault. I went to her, sitting next to her to comfort her. Mr. Tumnus was thinking very hard. Then he jumped up and said, "What if we say that we will have a great banquet on the Splendor Hyaline tomorrow night? Then we can have a reason for carrying supplies down to the ship. And then, tonight after dark, we will set sail for Cair Paravel and Narnia!"
And so it was decided. All day, I ran about the markets, acting as if I were ordering things for the great banquet. We hauled our supplies down the river to the harbor by wagon, and then brought it aboard. I oversaw everything, shouting orders. The whole time though, I was watching the few Calormene guards that had been assigned to "help us."
The sun began to sink in the west, and the last provisions had been stored on the ship. I had secretly packed my things, and they were already on board in my cabin. Dark fell, and it was time for us to go. But there were the soldiers to deal with.
"Thank you, men, but I think we can manage the last few preparations without you. Go on home to your families and your beds," I said sweetly, silently begging them to leave. But one said, "Sorry, madam, but we have been given orders not to leave without you. We wouldn't want you to come to harm on the way back. There are lions in these parts." Edmund answered, "We will be fine without you. Please go on back, and we will follow when we are done." The guard spoke again. "Really? Because I don't think you're planning on coming back at all. Why is it so important that we leave, and why can't you finish in the morning, eh?" He reached for his sword, but I already had mine out and ready. Edmund also. I struck at the soldier, but he blocked my blow with the stick of his spear. He stabbed at me, but I whipped out of the way. My sword flashed again, and he fell with a muffled thud. The others were just now reacting, and I slammed the hilt of my sword down onto one's head. He crumpled into an unconscious heap. Edmund was slashing behind me, with just as deadly strikes. There was barely any time for them to cry out, so we fought in silence, with just the sound of our breathing and our hearts pounding. I thrust my sword into another, who fell with a grunt. But then I saw a flash out of the corner of my eye, and my right arm stung. I nearly dropped my sword, but switched to my left hand just as easily. My right arm hung useless at my side, but I had trained with both arms.
A few moments later, five men lay at our feet. "Come on," I breathed, and we ran up the gangplank. I kicked it down, and yelled to the captain. The sailors scurried about, and we gradually pulled away from the harbor, down the river towards freedom.
My attention was brought back to my arm as I touched it and felt lots of warm, sticky blood. My sleeve was soaked. I held it gingerly, but didn't say anything. I walked below, leaving Edmund up on deck with the captain. I went into my cabin, and found an old shirt. I tore it into shreds, wincing when I had to use my arm. I felt slightly dizzy, and my arm was throbbing and burning fiercely. The floor pitched up and down beneath me, but we weren't at sea yet. My vision swam, and I felt myself falling, falling. But I fell into strong arms, and everything slowly faded to black.