A/N: My apologies for the lateness of this chapter, but a one week sabbatical became a two-week due to circumstances beyond my control. I am back, and shall upload the next two chapters tonight as a reconciliation present. Friends?

BTW, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the story so far. Questions? Comments? Criticism?

-AoR

Chapter Six

I opened my eyes and looked around. I was lying in a cave, next to small driftwood fire. I reached up and touched my aching head, only to find a ragged bandage soaked in what I assumed to be my blood. With some effort, I managed to sit up, and get a better look at my surroundings. The cave was dry, and presumably quite large, as I couldn't see the entrance. I tried to stand, only to have an awful pain rip through the my right side.

I fell onto my back with a cry. I felt down my chest, and found another bandage, again soaked in a sticky substance with an odd resemblance to blood. Apparently those rocks had torn a good deal of holes in more than just Swanwhite. I sat up again, and looked around. No one else was present in the cave, but I knew I must have a benefactor, for the small fire burnt brightly, and over it there hung a pot of what I assumed to be coffee.

I managed to scoot myself over to the fire, and pour some of the steaming liquid into one of a few tin cups lying nearby. "No sugar or cream I suppose," I thought. Still, it would warm me, and the caffeine would be welcome. I'm still not very sure what caffeine is, but their Majesties always refer to the rather disastrous effect it used to have on Queen Lucy when she was a child, in particular regard to her "bouncing off the walls". I'd have been glad if it would even help me stand up.

"I see you're awake."

I turned rather too hastily, sending another ripping pain through my side, only to see a man standing over me. He had long blonde hair, and a stubbly, unkempt beard to match. The fellow was tall, about my own height, or only slightly shorter. His clothes were torn, and his feet were bare.

"Aye. My thanks sir." I nodded towards my wounds.

"You have nothing to thank me for. I only wish I could have done more."

"My companions? The others aboard..."

My voice trailed off, and his eyes fell.

"Some of them survived."

My face must have shown joy, for he soon shook his head.

"But I could not get to them. The pirates had already reached them."

"The pirates?"

"They control this island. It is their base. This is where they come for repairs and hide their loot. When I found you, the sky was pouring rain, and you were further down the beach than they were, hidden behind some rocks. Your friends were not so lucky. Many of them were bleeding, and all of them were soaked to the bone. I was just down on the beach collecting whatever the pirates hadn't found along the beach. I assume this is yours?"

He held out my sword.

"Aye."

He eyed me curiously.

"Do you not recognise me Martin?"

"How do you know my name?"

"I ought to lad. I am your brother after all."

"Matthias?"

I attempted to jump to my feet, but I only managed to get halfway before I slammed backwards onto the cavern floor.

"Easy big brother! You always were a clumsy fellow. Thank Aslan you've such a hard head."

I managed a weak smile before I fell back to sleep.

Over the next few days, I recovered my strength, while Matthias told me about Pirate Island. He had been taken captive by the pirates when they attacked one of my father's trading ships, and had manned an oar on one of the Calormene galleys for four months before he had managed to escape a couple of weeks before.

"How is our father?"

He grinned.

"Matthias the Elder was quite well when I left Terebinthia. I can only hope that he remains so."

"Dear old fellow, he's a tough one. I shall have to visit him when this is all over."

"Indeed, you'd better. It's been well over a year since you left to become a knight, and we've had hardly any word, what with these Calormene dogs raiding the mail courieurs. I assume you've succeeded?"

"I am Head Knight of Her Majesty Queen Lucy's Most Noble Order of the Vial."

Matthias whistled.

"I always knew you'd make it big brother. You always were a dreamer."

I laughed.

"I'm glad someone never lost faith in my success!"

"Are the Queens really as beautiful as we're told?"

"Indeed they are! You shall have to visit the Cair one day. Queen Susan's beauty is stunning, and Queen Lucy's made all the more lovely by her brightness and energy. Jewel and Song they are indeed."

His smile faded.

"How are we to get off this bloody island?"

"King Edmund is assembling a fleet. He and Duke Rand of Galma are going to join with Lord Maturin. I highly doubt the pirates can stand against the entire Royal Navy, particularly when supplemented by angry Islanders."

"But they dont know about the island Martin. What if the fleet meets the same fate as your Swanwhite, eh? Answer me that!"

"Can you still swing a sword as well as you used to?"

"Of course I can old son. None better, excepting yourself."

I grinned.

"Then we're going to need a plan."

A/N: I rather picture Matthias the Younger as looking like Sean Bean did in Sharpe's Peril. Long and scraggly hair; stubbly, unkempt beard, that sort of thing.