Chasing Darkness

"Oh dear." said Lucy. "Have I spoiled everything? Do you mean we would have gone on being friends if it hadn't been for this-and been really great friends, all our lives perhaps. And now we never shall?"

"Child." said Aslan. "Did I not explain to you once before, no one is ever told of what would have happened?"

-From the book of Voyage of the Dawn Treader

"Did somebody ask for me?" A voice rang in through the halls, beautiful yet somewhat different. All heads turned towards direction where the source of the voice came. Somewhere in the halls, the faint rambling of the approaching sound stepped in the halls. Calla's eyes averted uneasily, wondering how mesmerized she'll be at the stunning aura of this famous Sabine.

A woman came in, with the lightest shade of brown that matched her beautiful tan skin. Her lips were curved exquisitely, and the smile that she beamed was very beautiful. The swirls in her bashful, green eyes were tinged in the outburst of the ray of the summer sun. Calla gazed at her, wishing she was as beautiful as Sabine. She wasn't ugly for all she knew, but none seemed to take any interest in her. Besides, her priority weren't men. The only two men that she has ever loved her whole life was particularly her only family; Reth and Bane.

"You must be Sabine." Calla said, glancing agitatedly when the woman's eyes fell on her. She laughed very cheekily before her chuckle simmered down to a stop.

"No, no, no. I'm not Sabine." She corrected, waving her hands in mistake for her identity. "I think you mean her." She pointed to the sound of pitter-pattering across from them.

Then, the figure came, in some sort of appearance Calla never expected; white plush fur, sapphire blue eyes, and a striking, beautiful muzzle that oozed softness and charm. Her tail wagged happily yet graced with finesse and absolute confidence. No one could have know, that in the Grand Hall of Cair Paravel, a little red fox suddenly found himself struck where he stood.

"Wait, Sabine…is a wolf?" Calla blurted, suddenly feeling ridiculous of her previous thoughts. Bane continued to stare, his tongue yapping out in sheer happiness. He could feel his tail raise high, and his ears perked up in complete interest.

"There should be an 'alpha' there somewhere." Sabine replied, treading low as she made her most graceful curtsey to the monarchs. "And I am a coyote, not a wolf." She pivoted and turned and stole a quick glance on Bane, who seemed to eye her rather charmingly. There was a noticeable difference between the two, and it was peculiar; that Bane seemed quite smaller compared to her. She was a tall coyote with firm hind legs tracing her fast paced running. It did not matter at all to Bane, because for him, she was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid his eyes upon.

"Sabine!" A voice emerged from the suddenly unsealed door.

"Edmund!" Sabine barked, coursing when Edmund knelt down where he called her. Sabine licked Edmund face happily, who toppled over when she pounced on him as he stroked her furry snout.

"By Jove, have I missed you as well!" Edmund laughed, regaining his kingly position when she finally got off of him, consistently chuckling and panting. Peter hovered over to where Edmund was, bickering things Edmund just hated to hear from him.

"I see you two have made up." Peter stole a quick glance at Calla, who seemed to fancy the coyote. Edmund groaned in frustration, impatiently convincing Peter he had gotten everything under his control. "Suggestions for hasty decisions, Ed. Women usually don't go after cowards."

"I'm not a coward, Peter. I'm just…anxious." Edmund muttered, running his fingers desperately through his rugged hair. Soon afterwards, the whole meeting in the Grand Hall was gradually dismissed, leaving all seven people, with the eyes of two watchful guards hanging perfectly hidden in the corners of the pillar, alone. He clenched his teeth, grinding them with the thought of being haggard with the situation. He tried resisting to Peter, but only concluded he'll taunt him as a scrawny coward.

"I am Princess Prudove of Archenland. Pleasure." The woman with the green eyes greeted, curtseying as she clutched the hem of her dress.

"I'm sorry...I didn't realise..." Calla said, blushing slightly.

"That's alright. Sabine really is very beautiful." Prudove answered, smiling as she glanced at the coyote playing with the Just King.

"What brings you here. Lady Prudove?" Peter asked, bowing graciously.

"Well, first of all. I came here to join you in your annual stag hunting. I heard it was very exciting." Prudove smiled, clapping her hands in excitement. The corners of Peter's mouth curved slightly, gazing at Prudove in admiration.

"The stag hunting's have always been a personal favorite activity of mine." Peter added.

"Stag Hunting?" Calla asked.

"It's an occasional event where all four of us choose our hunting partners to journey on to different forests and hunt the White Stag. We've been doing it for years and mostly the events have become futile, for the White Stag is such a difficulty in pursuit." Lucy explained.

"What is the purpose?" She questioned, wondering why they would have still continued the event, if results were mostly fruitless.

"There is a legend, that when one is able to hunt the White Stag, whomever that person will be shall have three of their wishes granted." There were whispers when the High King had mentioned it. Some sighed in awe for the thought of their joy when they have their most desirable yearning be brought to them as reward for their catch of the majestic stag. It was said that the stag grants three wishes every year when it is caught, but many years had it been, since it was last caught by a royalty in Archenland. Narnia and Archenland plan to celebrate the once successful pursuit, by organising the same tradition.

"We shall start perhaps in the morrow. Calla, it may be in your liking to join us here?" Lucy asked.

"It is." Calla replied. The chats of the three woman cam quickly, each discussing who will be on who's team. Edmund had stood a bit far away from them, with Sabine sitting near his ankle. He bit his lip, when Susan's hand reached up on his shoulder, for he had grown very tall already.

"Oh Susan, you're back, unfortunately." Edmund chuckled, procuring a kiss from his sister on his cheeks.

"I'm glad to see you too, Edmund." Susan laughed, hugging him tightly.

"How was the trip? The brownies here had never been the same without you."

"Archenland is still as beautiful as she is, Ed. King Tarquin is very pleased with the succeeding negotiations with Narnia, though they still are working to find his wife's murderer." Susan said depressingly. King Tarquin had been going about it for years, all possible evidences pointing straight at the Winter name, as Susan glanced uneasily at Calla.

"We can't arrest her until evidences are verified. It is stated in our law, but she's kept warily under watched. Gruben and Hark are the best at what they do."

"I hope so. But what if King Tarquin attempts a visit here? He might be infuriated we shall have kept this from him." Susan asked worriedly.

"Its not 'keeping' if he has not asked." Edmund stated logically. Surprised he was now accepting the fact at Calla's welcomed presence to the monarchs. "We'll have her in our territory until we've made the right verdict. Until then, the decisions are as flexible as time." He glanced once more at the chatting visitors, a confused look was now plastered on his face.

Susan glanced one more look at Calla. "Edmund, does Prudove know who that is?"

Edmund shrugged. "She won't have to. It'll make less burdens, I hope. Anyway, what is the princess's business here?" He asked, forehead resting on his arm. Susan sighed in surrender, indicating maybe the news weren't pleasant to him. Edmund suddenly wished he didn't ask, but was brave enough to know the truth.

"Edmund, I think this conversation better be discussed in a more…less compromised place."

"Susan can't we be civil about this decision." Edmund relentlessly kept nagging at Susan, who tried to keep her attention to the lovely flowers she had piled in an ornamental vase. She asserted in calmness and kept her gentle pace as she filled the vase with serene water from a basin. "You can't expect me to marry already. Haven't the negotiations gone well enough?"

"Edmund, please. I am not asking you to marry already. I am merely asking you to cooperate in getting to know Prudove better. She seems to be the most courteous lady I have met so far to be a fitting wife. She's patient, kind, willful and intelligent-"

"But Susan—"

"Do not cut me off, Edmund. I might have to make you dress up for the Annual Winter Ball if I see fit." Susan said, ironically calm. Edmund simmered himself down, sitting on the chair next to their painting as a family, on the day of their Coronation. They were children in those times, and they had learned fairly well over the years. There was Lucy, who learned that people should not be immobilized by the gravity of loss in pain, but exult that they experienced it, and survived through Aslan. There was Susan, who learned the art of patience, precision and goals with the aid of her bow and arrow, and to always believe that the impossible targets can be reached with a string of faith, a limb of trust and an arrow of belief.

Then there was Peter, who learned humility in every victory. He knew the unnecessary wars, the countless deaths, and the innocent victims of evil. He knew life, how to respect it, and how to cope with it. Through Aslan, they charged, through Aslan they gained, and through Aslan they raised. Then there came himself, an initial boy with mischief in his mind, who mended his ways and declared Prince of Narnia. He learned the value of family, the value of faith, and the value of love. He had grown intimate bonds with his siblings, the kind he never had before, and he wished for them back; to get far away from being caught in the web of duty. Only then was he declared by the Lion's Mane; King of Narnia.

"Edmund, do you accept in accompanying her to the Hunt of the White Stag?" Susan interrupted him from his trailing thought. It never would have occurred to her he was thinking about them, whether this decision will have their profits.

"I guess." Edmund said, with eyes locked in surrender.

The next day, in the day of the Stag hunting, one early riser woke up one morning, powering himself up for the hunt. Bane promenaded into the large field of Narnia, and he could smell a favorable prey not far from him. The wind sighed heavily in the dawn colored sky; tendrils of leaves flew in circles as the peaceful gust willed them. He stretched his hind legs, and then crouched low when he saw a little black and white animal, perfect for an early morning meal. Bane crawled very steadily; with the vibrant colors of red flowers sprouting from the overgrown bushes hid him perfectly well. The skunk might not have been his usual, but there is meat in them, and he was growing quite hungry already.

The skunk perked its ears up and sniffed the air, detecting an unfamiliar scent. But it saw none and went back chewing the grass filled with dewdrops. Bane began to stalk his prey quietly, positioning himself into a pouncing stance. Bane launched with a roar, and the skunk made a quick reaction, running desperately towards the shelter of the lofty trees. It scampered in different changing directions, making the larger predator occasionally slip with each turn.

Bane finally trapped his prey in one corner. The skunk had fear in its eyes and Bane saw its tail was frozen and it looked paralyzed. He growled in triumph and was about to lunge when a blur of white countered his launch. Bane snapped back, snarling at the dust that rose with the quick action of the blur. When the field cleared, he saw it was Sabine, growling all the fiercer. Although she was a bit taller than Bane, he didn't show surrender. He was angry he was interrupted.

"Keep. Away. From Sagi." Sabine gnarled, her sharp nails digging intimidatingly in the soil. The skunk hid behind Sabine's right hind leg, peeping innocently at the animal that tried to eat him.

"He's my meal." Bane answered, circling them.

"He's my friend." Sabine growled. Bane's eyes were wide in bewilderment, wondering how the both of them could have been friends.

"A coyote befriending skunks?"

"A typical Narnian Fox befriending criminals?" Sabine snapped.

"To each his own." Bane angrily stomped on the ground, hungrier than ever. "What else am I going to feast on?"

"You can hunt while there's the search for the White Stag." She said, still protecting the little skunk behind her.

"I'm hungry now!" Bane barked impatiently, his mouth watering as he stared at Sagi, the skunk.

"Well then be hungry later. I like to start my morning without something trying to eat me." Sagi answered, using Sabine as his threat.

"Stop your badgering and keep yourself out of my sight. You had only gotten lucky." Bane sprinted off in another direction, growling to find others he can eat. He decided he had to just wait until the event starts.

"Sagi, what have you been doing outside? Lucy will have gone bonkers if I wasn't there and that fox would have eaten you." Sabine reprimanded.

"I was merely looking around. It's not everyday I get some fresh air. How in the world do you cope with this rather domestic life? It's infuriating!" Sagi pouted, walking fast to keep up with the slow paced walking of Sabine.

"Alright, Sagi. Stay out here in the wild, and let some other animals eat you while I'm in the cozy castle, minding my own business instead of babysitting you every minute."

"Don't leave me." Sagi pleaded, looking at the sprinting fox with mischief in its eyes.

"I won't."

In the same day, Calla woke up with a huge yawn, turning to see the sun not yet in time for the Stag Hunting. She sank back lazily in her bed, trying to fall back asleep, but can't seem to anymore. She got up, dressed herself, and opened the door, ready to explore the castle. She peeped guardedly outside, checking if Gruben and Hark was there. No, they weren't. They must have thought she was still asleep. Quietly, her foot stepped out of the door and her hands twisted the knob slowly, trying to make any creaks unheard.

It was still dark outside, evidently because the torches and candles were still lit. She began her way towards a distant hall, finding herself in a secure room. She opened the door and the room led to a prolonged hall. The walls were not cemented, and the floors weren't marbled and the ceiling wasn't shining. She could barely see her reflection in any side, as compared to the grand halls back there.

"Looking for something, miss?" A voice hanging in the left side of the barrage called out to her. Calla's head shifted quickly, seeing it was a stranger she didn't know.

"I was just—Who are you?" She cut herself in mid-sentence, when the man who called out to her remained in his shadow, making it a great difficulty for her to see.

"Floyd." The man answered, stepping into the light the torch gave off. He had emerald green eyes, and his hair was quite fair headed, only there were darker swirls on the top of his head. "It is forbidden to go wandering the castles when there is a curfew set."

"And exactly what business are you doing?" She asked.

"I am merely inspecting the castle…" Floyd inched closer. "...to see if there is anyone who is not practicing obedience."

"And you are going to think that I'm an outlaw now, for my curiosity?"

"I'll let this pass, but for now, you should not be in here." Floyd lead her out, grabbing the torch and dipping in inside a basin right beside the door. The torch fizzled, and the room became completely dark. There was something Calla had seen, the very moment the fire had gone out; there was a dark figure moving about distantly, but she couldn't see it now. Calla was forced out of the room that drove her curiosity insane. She looked at Floyd, who closed the door behind him shut tight, with a key dangling right on his hip.

"You look like an awful lot like Flynn, if you had different eyes and hair."

"We are twins. What is there that you expect?" He said, "But we never get along well. I don't trust him any more."

"Any…more?" Calla asked. There was more to her curiosity than she thought, but it was getting the best of her. She did not mind. She wanted to know.

"Ever since he started acting strange. He doesn't talk much any more, and he disappears in many nights." Floyd sighed, his hands dug in his pockets.

"But he's you're brother."

"Even brothers can kill brothers, like the first sons of Adam and Eve, they turned against each other, leading death to one so dearly loved." Floyd explained. "Be careful who you trust. The enemy is never more unnerving, than when he's invisible." Calla bowed her head, letting whatever he had mentioned sink in her mind.

"I'll try to remember that."

"Do not try. Remember it, understood?" Calla sniffled, mumbling an 'alright.' Floyd started heading towards the Great Hall, flipping over a hood that cloaked his belted tunic and leather trousers he wore beneath.

"Where are you going?" Floyd's head turned, brushing his sword with his hand when his feet pivoted as well.

"I am to attend to the stables to prepare the horses for the annual Stag Hunting, my lady." Calla looked around, searching his face with concern.

"Might I come with you? I've nothing to do." Floyd's eyes were doubtful, yet he acknowledge her concern with utmost sincerity.

"Very well." Opening the gates of the Great Hall shone the pillars like diamonds under the fiery blaze of the sun. Even at till dawn, the staff of the castle was already up and busy. They were hanging decorations and polishing the riot coloured gardens. Floyd led her past the barracks and through the practice fields. Calla's reaction to the immense stone structure she had seen lurched inside of her, brimming with curiosity when her heart was drawn to joy of fighting in wars.

"Floyd!" A boy, no older than eleven had waved his hand towards the pair, his auburn hair greased in sweat and dirt.

"Ho, Kael!" Floyd replied, bending down level his gaze with the boy. "What had gotten you up so early?" Kael gave him a crooked grin, revealing parts of his teeth that haven't sprouted yet.

"The winter rides the flicker of my spirit in 'em like knights on horses! I haven't gotten any sleepin' under them trees! The coming winter is just too heavenly!" He replied with enthusiasm, bouncing as he waved his hands up in the hair to let them picture what he had been feeling. "Who's that lady?"

Floyd edged her closer. "Kael, this is Calla. She's just gotten here. Now take it easy on her as I lead her onto the stables and I-"

"The stables! Oh horses and flippin' hooves, what are we waiting for?" Kael pulled onto Calla's arm, who laughed at his over activeness as he led Calla to the stables. The stables were spacious and airy. Sweet, stale scents lingered in each breath when the hays have been forked into a pile of straws. The stables had stretched into a long hall, and on each side, heads poked out of stall doors with snorting sounds of tentative whickers.

"Just wait here while I get the bridles for their Majesties." The stable was soon left with the sound of her quiet breathing, as soon as Floyd had stepped out. Torches were lit on each standing stone, since it had been really dark outside. She didn't wonder at all, for the winter solstice was nearing.

She walked around each side of the room to explore the well groomed horses. None had looked alike, she was sure of that. Each mare or stallion possessed a distinct mark on the different parts of their body.

Then, a sudden high pitched neigh rang in her ears. It sounded so close that when she whirled around to look, she gasped and tripped on her feet. A puff of air blew onto her back, and she craned her neck to find liquid black eyes fixed on her. It's ears flicked back and forth as it bent forward when Calla stood up to take a hand over its muzzle.

The horse had a finely shaped head, and it greatly resembled a living shadow. The dim of the succumbing dusk had revealed of the horse's shining mane when it was tossed. It looked at her with a remarkably intelligent gaze as it looked over at her over the barrier.

But Calla could have sworn earlier that the horse had been laughing at her when she had tripped.

"You think it's funny that I fell?" She asked the horses with her hands on her hips. The horse whinnied, and blew into her angry face, making her erupt into laughter as well. It stared at her once more with a pleading look on its face. Slowly, she reached her hand out, and was surprised when a velvet-soft muzzle brushed against her palms, making her shiver in delight. She gently held its head, and began stroking its chaste mane.

"Alright then, you are forgiven." Calla was surprised when she heard it neigh, in some sort of a sing song. She laughed once more, and the thought of her actually talking to an animal made it look like she was out of her mind indeed. "Do you have a name?"

"Luminosity." She turned around to find Edmund, leaning against his back on the stall of another horse. Calla was overcome with both relief and anger. He hasn't had the nerve to apologise yet. She kept her vision on the horse, ignoring his comments. "We call her Lumine for short."

She froze, standing motionless and did not look at him once. Edmund realized this and grumbled. "Look, if you are still upset with me the other day-"

"I am still upset with you." Calla cut him off, finally throwing him dagger eyes. "It's still early your Majesty, I believe you should return to your slumber."

"Fine then." Calla could hear him swear under his breath, cursing at how she had been so bitter with him.

"Edmund, get up!" Edmund opened his eyes, the other one half couldn't see clearly when the morning sun reached his eyes, but he knew it was definitely Susan nagging him to wake up. He quickly rolled the coverlet over his head, still drowsy.

"Five more minutes." Edmund groaned.

"We are going to be late, Edmund. Punctuality is a must, especially for Archenalanders. Or do you want to miss the Stag Hunting?" At once, Edmund rose up to his feet, remembering the highlight of the day. Susan spun on her heels, watching Edmund quickly dress himself up as he draped his arm over to the hole on his shirt, scrutinizing the worn out details.

"You aren't going to shower?" Susan said, holding up a new, and clean attire of a deep ocean blue tunic. "I don't want you to ruin this perfect piece of clothing."

"Thanks, Sue." Edmund kissed her cheeks and dashed out of the room, dressing himself up on the way. Susan sighed as she watched his head resurface on the new tunic he carelessly placed on.

The day was finally here, and Peter, Lucy, Prudove and Calla were already outside, mounting their horses. It was all still bright and early, and the sun barely came out whole, as it was still peeking in the horizon. Edmund ran out quickly, with Phillip waiting just outside the castle.

"You're late." Phillip said coldly at the sight of his rider.

"Better late than never." Edmund replied, mounting himself on Phillip in one lift. He sat satisfied, realizing his leg hadn't hurt anymore. Phillip trotted down to the lower parts of the castle, looking to find Susan already down there along with the four others. Bane arrived just very recently. Sabine came up behind him, but Sagi was still wary as ever, keeping his distance from the fox.

"Oh, Sagi, there you are!" Lucy exclaimed, bending down and lifting the skunk as high as ever.

"Lucy, be careful. He might spray you." Peter warned.

"You won't spray me, now. Would you Sagi Buggy?" Lucy cooed, staring at it with bright eyes.

"Not if my name is called perpetually in that manner." Sagi said.

"Sorry." Lucy said, tucking him in her arms. Peter lifted Prudove onto her horse, and soon mounted himself on his.

"Edmund, you're late. We should have started earlier." Peter said.

"I'm here now, aren't I?" Edmund groaned, rolling his eyes. A faun approached the High King, bowing first before he made any mutters.

"My Lord, Gruben and Hark are out of duty for today. They have urgent matters to attend to in the premises of the castle." The faun explained.

"Any soldiers available for watching Calla?" Peter questioned. Somehow, Calla felt angered by this, as if they didn't trust her at all. She made a vow to Queen Lucy, but they must have thought words were merely what one blurted out of their mouths. She pursed her lip, and glanced at Lucy. Lucy came over to her and whispered.

"Peter's just doing what he thinks is best, Calla. Don't take it too seriously." She rationalized, influencing Calla to understand and therefore agree with her. Calla mounted up on her horse, provided by Lucy. It was a beautiful black quarter horse, and its mane was majestic and smooth when she brushed her fingers at it, feeling the soft hair the curved underneath her palms. Its name was Luminosity, despite its obscure color. They called it Lumine, for short, and it was a beautiful name.

"None, my King. Many seemed to be preparing fo-"

"I, my king." Peter looked behind the faun who turned his head, seeing it was Flynn. Calla shifted uneasily, remembering what Floyd told her earlier that day.

"Alright, it is settled then. Susan shall be with me. Lucy, you'll be with Oreius, and Edmund…" Peter glanced at him…and then looked at Susan, who seemed to be mouthing at him on what to do. "You'll be with Prudove. Flynn here will accompany our guest. And you two…" He stared at the fox and coyote. "You may tag along with whomever you like." The two animals cocked their head, knowing already what to do.

They all seemed to be ready, and with one kick of their horse, they all galloped fiercely with a huge neigh. They ran over the bridge that was situated in front of the castle itself, and the whole village they passed greeted them with flowers flying on the pavement where their horses trotted. Soon, they had gotten inside the forest, and one by one, Peter started commanding the teams to split up in altered directions. All of them had split up, and Bane remained with Calla, as he saw Sabine run off with Edmund. He shook his fur, and said in a shrill voice.

"Good riddance." Calla merely heard him rambling, and continued to trot with Flynn on her side.

Flynn was trotting ahead, leading Calla deeper into the forest. Calla did not but merely followed, since she had no other option. Lumine was quite the ideal Narnian horse, loyal to Cair Paravel and would think twice of running away or escaping. But something did make Calla stop in her tracks. It was that figure again, that murky, gloomy shadow lingering in the very room where Flynn had forbidden her to go. She could see it, from the faded cluster of trees, slowly, it soon began to disappear.

She peeped at Bane who did not notice anything and was waiting for her to motion forward. SHe looked back at the area she had seen the figure, but it had gone. When she turned her head to follow Flynn, he was out of sight!

"Flynn?" Calla called, turning around. The amount of trees scattered made it all the more difficult for her to see. Lumine neighed, stomping her hoof to the right direction. Calla stroked her mane, hushing it down. Bane sniffed the ground, and detected a scent not far away from him. He ran ahead, as Calla followed him from behind. It didn't occur to her she collided with another horseman, and Bane stopped fully on his tracks, when he collided with Sabine. The horses hit each other with a loud thud, and the two riders fell on the grass, each infuriated by the hit as they got themselves up.

"What in the blazes were you doing?" Edmund shouted, pushing Phillip upwards. Phillip kicked his hooves in mid-air, trying to prop himself up. Lumine did the same thing, and both horses nearly stumbled on their weight.

"What in Archenland were you doing?!" Calla shouted, with the equal amount of anger boiling inside of her. This man had the nerve to ask her this so rude, so insolent. And he was not at all sorry about everything that had happened, including this! Lumine couldn't stand up. She just lay in the ground, whimpering slightly. Calla hovered over to her hooves, seeing it was injured from the drastic collision.

"Blimey! Now Lumine's injured, thanks to you." Calla picked up two branches and hit Edmund on the shoulder. She growled and began to search for water holes to bandage Lumine's wound. Edmund raised his shoulders at Sabine in bewilderment. "I suppose you abandoned Prudove, now have you?"

"No, she wanted to go alone for the meantime. And how dare you hit me with a stick?" Edmund pointed accusingly at the guilty twig, gesturing it to his arm as he followed her cautiously. She was ripping through branches and bushes, trying to see through the forest. She could hear a clearing, where the river is, though she couldn't' see it.

"I wouldn't if you hadn't been so rude in the beginning." Calla began, facing infuriatingly at Edmund, who snarled in response. The two never would have gotten along, and if they were ever placed in the same room, it would have exploded. Sabine, Bane, Phillip and the injured mare were left, waiting for their owners to come back with something to help Lumine get herself home. They had time though, because Peter had commanded they all return before dusk. It was still morning, and all of them packed sandwiches and apples in their satchels before their quest began.

"Will you stop being irrational?" Edmund pulled on Calla's arm, who jumped back in repulsion.

"Get away from me, Edmund." She tugged on to her arm.

"That's King Edmund to you." He replied, shoving her back.

"I'll have you know you are the most rude king I have ever met in my entire life." Calla shouted, walking faster as she made quick turns and glances at the king.

"Your sampling was limited then." They reached the clearing, and Calla was impatient enough to get rid of the king. She practically started to briskly walk deeper into the forest.

"Halt!" Edmund called, starting to run after her. This made her only run faster, mocking him on the way.

"Halt yourself." She shouted, still searching for the waterhole as she looked behind at Edmund screaming at her.

"No! Look out!" Calla faced the direction where she was running to, and found herself on the edge of a drop where its deep trench grew dark and damp. Her hands flung around, trying to off set her weight away from the drop hole. She gasped when her feet slipped, and when Edmund came to pull her up, she clutched on his tunic, pulling him with her.

"Edmund!" She screamed, and the two fell down the subterranean drop. Even if one would look very deeply, all they could perceive was pitch black, just as the hopes of the two people stuck in between surface and subtle ground to get out were. Black.

3/21/13 - For those who have read this before this date. As you can see, I added the bit with Calla and Lumine, to show how close they really are.

Reviews will be adored...