Bound by Duty
Disclaimer: The Chronicles of Narnia belong to the estate of C.S. Lewis. I own nothing but the plot and the original characters in this story.
Chapter 8 – Divergence and Departures
"The others all voted for going on in the hope of finding land… Instead of producing a better plan they had the cheek to ask me what I proposed. So I just explained coolly and quietly that I had been kidnapped and brought away on this idiotic voyage without my consent, and it was hardly my business to get them out of their scrape." – From the diary of Eustace Scrubb, 3 September 1942
— "The Storm and What Came of It", The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
oOo
Eustace had just managed to get his boots on when a knock on the door made him pause. He frowned and made his way across the room, hobbling in his steps as his feet slid around loosely inside his unlaced shoes. With a scowl on his face, he yanked the door open.
"Good morn, cousin," Edmund said, his eyes traveling up and down as he appraised the younger boy's apparel. His gaze paused briefly at Eustace's feet, noting the untucked trousers and the laces that hung limply along the sides of his boots. "Did I interrupt you?"
"So you've noticed, have you?" the younger boy said irritably, sarcasm evident in his reply. He turned away before the King could answer, shuffling along until he reached a chair and sat down heavily into the seat. From the sound of footsteps he heard, he knew Edmund had entered but he continued to ignore the elder of his two cousins. Instead, he bent down and quickly jammed the cuffs of his trousers into his boots before lacing them up in a careless manner. Not for the first time that morning did he wish he could wear his own shoes—as well as his shirt and trousers—but the servants had taken everything away to be cleaned.
After discovering his familiar English clothes were missing from his room, he had been forced to rummage through the contents of the wardrobe. An extensive selection had been provided for him, ranging from plain cotton shirts to bright silken cloaks. After perusing all the different garments, Eustace arrayed himself with the first items that caught his eye. He did not care much for the navy hue of the tunic but it was the bright, golden thread that decorated the sleeves and hems that drew his attention. A pair of ivory trousers hung beside it in the wardrobe as if both items were part of a set, and he pulled it out without a second thought.
When he finished with his shoes, he looked up again, taking careful note of Edmund's attire as he raised his head. Despite whatever titles Caspian and these Narnians claimed the Pevensies have, it was clear even to his inexperienced eye that his cousin certainly did not dress like a king. He could not deny feeling a certain amount of satisfaction on finding he was more finely dressed than Edmund.
While Eustace wore what he thought would be appropriate for very important people in this strange land, the older boy was more muted, both in dress and demeanor. The King wore a simple cream tunic belted at the waist and a pair of dark brown trousers. For all that Eustace would privately grouse about his shoes, he did not envy his cousin's choice of footwear. He himself chose the simplest pairs of shoes he could find, a pair of front-laced ankle boots. Edmund, on the other hand, wore a much taller pair that nearly reached his knees. After a quick glance down, Eustace noted the other boy's shoes were neatly laced on the side, the leather strips pulled taut between the holes as the laces crisscrossed upward from foot to knee and knotted securely at the top.
"What are you doing here anyway?" he asked, pulling the door shut behind him as he followed Edmund out and stepped into the corridor.
"Well, Lu had already gone downstairs so I thought I'd see if you had as well," Edmund replied, ignoring the petulance he heard in the question. The King kept his voice pleasant and casual, betraying no hint of the true purpose of his visit.
When the welcome feast of the previous evening finally began to wound down late into the night, he had excused himself and followed Eustace out of the Great Hall. Keeping some distance between them, he had quietly observed the younger boy's movements as Eustace attempted to make his way back to his room. To Edmund, it was clear his cousin had not paid attention to Lucy's advice and directions earlier that afternoon. At every intersection, the younger boy paused for a full minute, debating to himself before eventually choosing a path to travel along; several times, he ended up back where he started.
After trailing his cousin for nearly a half-hour, Edmund had been on the verge of revealing himself when Eustace finally selected the right corridor that led to the old guest wing. He waited until the younger boy was safely ensconced in his room before stepping out of the shadows. The King sighed; what would normally have been a few minutes' walk from the Great Hall to the wing ended up taking thrice as long. It was then he resolved to escort his cousin to breakfast the following morning.
As they walked almost companionably down the hall, Edmund made sure to pause whenever a new passageway loomed ahead. With a tug on his cousin's sleeve, he gestured to a tapestry that depicted the great Tree of Protection and pointed out the unusual scrollwork of a bronze chandelier that hung above another corridor. He continued remarking on other things of interest and subtly questioned Eustace on those particular objects, assuring that the other boy remembered the landmarks they had passed. By the time they reached the Great Hall, Edmund thought his cousin should be able to find his way back with less difficulty than the night before.
The doors to the Hall were partially open and they could hear voices from within as they approached. There were guards stationed at the entrance and they immediately snapped to attention when they caught sight of the two boys. Edmund waived them off as they raised their arms and paws, ready to salute him. He nodded at each of them briskly before entering, with Eustace trailing just a few steps behind.
Several tables were set out, each one running the length of the hall. Narnians—both Human and Creature alike—were gathered around them, some sitting, others standing as they ate or talked, huddled together in small groups. None of them noticed the boys as they quickly and quietly traveled along one wall, heading for the dais on the far side of the room.
Lucy and Caspian were already seated at the high table, the King at his customary place in the center with the Queen to his right. To Caspian's left were two empty chairs, and the remaining seats were filled with various members of the Council. Edmund and Eustace stepped onto the dais and as they reached the table, the lords and ladies rose and bowed.
"Please, sit," said Edmund as he took his seat next to Caspian. Eustace approached the remaining chair and sat down when the rest of the courtiers did so. "My sincere apologies for my tardiness."
"Was anything amiss, King Edmund?" Caspian asked politely.
"Not at all," the King assured his friend. "It was nothing of importance." From the corner of his eye, he caught a glance from Lucy and subtly shook his head; he would explain things to her later.
Once they were seated, several attendants carefully slid in between the kings and Eustace and set down platters of food for the latecomers.
Eustace looked at the offerings in front of him. "Real food, finally," he murmured quietly, letting out a sigh of relief. Though he longed for food that reminded him of home—of the Vitaminized Nerve Food and the vegetables Alberta made every night from their little garden—this at least was recognizable fare.
"Did you say something, Eustace?"
Edmund's voice broke his reverie and he nearly jumped in his seat. "Nothing," he muttered as he looked up.
Beside him, the King shrugged. "Eat up, then," he advised as he dug his fork into his eggs and bacon. "It'll be some time before you can get a meal like this back in England again." He smeared a thick dollop of strawberry jam on his buttered toast and took a large bite out of the corner, savoring the salty-sweet taste in his mouth. "I can't remember the last time I've had a slice of toast this good."
Lucy smiled at her brother. "Everything tastes better when you've not had it in a while." She then turned to Caspian, noting her friend looked a little bemused by the exchange. "There is a war going on in that Other World. When it began some years ago, we were forced to evacuate from our home; that's how we ended up finding our way into Narnia." She paused and sipped her tea. "It doesn't seem like it will end soon and it's been difficult to obtain even basic necessities."
"How so?" asked the king, curious and always eager to learn more about his friends' other world.
"For many years now, we've lived with rationing in Spare Oom; the availability of goods keeps changing frequently, especially food." The Queen frowned as she tried to remember what she read from the newspapers nearly a month (possibly a week by English reckoning) ago. "If I recall correctly, recent changes included a decrease in sugar rations while the allotment for cheese had increased. The amount we are allowed to get may change from week to week; other times, it can be months before the rules are updated again."
"It depends on which of the supply routes have been cut off," Edmund explained as he speared a thick slice of bacon onto his fork. "That is why the timing of our return could not have been better. Even a simple dish of bacon and eggs is a kingly feast over there."
Caspian nodded. "I will have someone inform the Cook of your compliments, King Edmund." And with a knowing smile, he continued, "And I trust you and Queen Lucy have found your rooms to your liking as well?"
"Oh yes!" Lucy replied happily before finally bringing up the question that had been on her mind since the previous day. "We've been meaning to ask you about it. Not only do the rooms look exactly as how we left them so long ago, but how did you know to put us in the correct apartments? I don't recall ever mentioning anything about the old Cair Paravel to you during our last visit to Narnia."
The older king laughed, pleased with her reaction. "As I mentioned before, it had been Aslan's doing. The Lion was with me when I toured this castle for the very first time." He paused and swept a glance around the hall, remembering. "He had brought me into the royal wing and allowed me a few moments to explore each of your chambers. Though he never expressly stated which suite of rooms was yours, it wasn't difficult to guess once I examined some of the belongings inside." He turned to each of his friends, smiling at them. "I thought it should be right that you have your old rooms back during your stay."
"And what about the rest of the wing?" Edmund asked as he returned his cup of coffee to the table. "Have you taken Peter's rooms for your own then?"
Caspian shook his head, his golden curls bouncing lightly as he moved. "My chambers are in another wing of the castle. For now, Queen Susan and King Peter's rooms are vacant." He hesitated a moment before continuing. "I-I think I would like to give Queen Susan's chambers to the lady that will one day be my Queen," he confessed, a bit embarrassed at revealing his plans for the future. "I had considered taking King Peter's rooms for my own but after looking around, I found it…" he paused again, searching for the right word, "overwhelming."
Edmund nodded, understanding. The High King's apartments were the largest accommodations in the entire castle; their family home in England could fit comfortably inside the space. During their reign, it had been a longstanding joke amongst the siblings comparing the size of Peter's rooms to the size of his ego.
"So you'll wait until you're ready to settle down then," Lucy concluded, smiling warmly at Caspian as he nodded.
"And as for your rooms," here, the king looked shyly at his friends, "well, I was thinking of turning them into a nursery or a child's room… or perhaps they'll become accommodations for other members of the family."
There had never been a need for a nursery in the old days. Of his siblings, Edmund had always assumed Susan would be the first to marry given the endless number of suitors that came to court her. Even Peter, with his impressive list of titles and rank, did not come as close to marriage as the elder Queen had. From time to time, they talked amongst themselves about betrothals, children and the succession but it had simply been just that – idle talk, and nothing more. There had never been a suit that survived long enough to warrant further and more serious discussion about the future of their reign and the possibility of a non-sibling succession.
Edmund shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside. He had spent enough time thinking about the what-ifs after their last visit; knowing what did occur after his family chased the White Stag was heartwrenching enough.
"I don't see why you wouldn't turn our rooms into the children's rooms," he said, finally rousing himself from his musings. "It would certainly be the most sensible thing to do. In the meantime, Lucy and I appreciate having them in their current state."
Lucy bobbed her head in agreement. After seeing Cair Paravel in ruins, neither of them ever thought they'd come back to find any part of the castle as whole as it appeared within their memories.
"I'm glad to hear it." Caspian then turned his attention to his other guest. "And what about you, Eustace? I trust you slept as well as their Majesties? Is your room comfortable and to your liking?"
The younger boy was in the midst of chewing a slice of plain toast when the king turned to address him. He swallowed his bite of bread and took a sip of water from his goblet before answering. "It's certainly better than bunking in that thing you call a ship," he grumbled.
Despite the insult, the king grinned though the other boy did not see it. "I am pleased that you approve of your quarters then. Narnia is known for its hospitality and I would not wish for you to think otherwise." He caught a flash of movement from the corner of his eye. "No more for me, friend," he said, twisting in his seat and shaking his head as an attendant approached with a large platter of baked goods. "If I eat any more of Cook's delicious muffins, I will be unable to get on my horse without help." His words were met with chuckles from others that sat near him.
"I think I'm done as well," Edmund added as he set his knife and fork down. He dabbed his mouth with a napkin and turned to his fellow king. "And while we have some time, I should head upstairs and make sure everything's packed and ready for our ride. By your leave, Caspian?"
There was a moment of hesitation before the answer was given. "Certainly, King Edmund." Caspian silently rebuked himself for the lapse, feeling slightly uncomfortable by the deference his friend had shown him. He knew it was part of the usual court etiquette when they were in a public setting but he still found it mildly disconcerting.
Edmund nodded once before pushing his chair back and standing up. His actions attracted the attention of the others at the table; as the various courtiers began to rise, he checked their movements with a small gesture of his hand, curtailing the formality. Lucy turned her head slightly as he walked past; he squeezed her shoulder lightly and she smiled at him in return.
"Don't tarry too long, my Lord," she called out to his retreating back, "else I fear we may take our leave without you."
He chuckled to himself at her gently teasing words. They both knew full well that such a thing was highly improbable; he was not merely a king, but a soldier as well. Being prepared and on time were lessons drilled into him as part of his training.
As he exited the Great Hall, Edmund heard the sound of footsteps behind him. He paused and turned to see who had followed him out.
"Eustace." With a bit of effort, he managed to keep the surprise out of his voice. "Finished breakfast already?"
The younger boy shrugged carelessly. "There wasn't much on the table that I cared to eat," he said.
Edmund wasn't sure how to respond to such a claim, except that he disagreed on the matter entirely. To be fair, Narnian cuisine was quite a departure from the food his cousin had grown up with, whether it was Aunt Alberta's cooking or the meals prepared at that peculiar school of his. Given how much time they spent at sea and now in Narnia, he thought the younger boy would have been better acclimated.
The two boys fell silent as Edmund led the way to the former royal wing. He turned sharply at the next right, ducking through a nondescript door that led into an old servant's passage; his family had used the shortcut frequently to get to their rooms in times past. As their footsteps echoed in the narrow tunnel, the King mused silently about how Eustace had invited himself along on this errand. Edmund wasn't terribly surprised; the other boy had often done something similar over the last few months in Cambridge. Today, he was more interested in why his cousin chose to follow him; he wondered if Eustace was tagging along for idle curiosity or if he had some other purpose in mind.
As they exited into one of the main corridors again, the other boy looked askance at him and said, "You're probably wondering why I'm following you."
"The question did briefly cross my mind," Edmund admitted, wondering if his own face gave him away. He could have lied but there was no point in doing so and he preferred giving honesty when he himself expected it of others.
A look of smug satisfaction flitted across the younger boy's face before fading quickly. He grinned and with a whistle, began to shove his hands against his sides before he remembered two important things: the trousers he wore weren't his and there were no pockets sewn into them. He covered his mistake by brushing his tunic with his palms, as if trying to smooth out the wrinkles in the silky fabric.
Eustace waited but the King did not rise to the bait. After a minute passed, he could stand it no longer. "Well?"
"What, Eustace?"
To his mind, it should have been obvious. "Don't you want to know why?"
"I assumed if it was important enough, you would tell me in your own time," replied Edmund. "Far be it for me to demand an answer from you."
The brown-haired boy thought of sticking his tongue out at his cousin but held back; despite the barbaric (he silently thanked Edmund for supplying such a fitting word from the previous day) nature of his surroundings, doing so seemed both undignified and childish and he did not wish to appear so. He decided to be generous and cede the victory to Edmund.
"Well, if you simply must know," he failed to notice how Edmund raised one brow at him, "there's not much to do around here and I want to see what your room looks like." He couldn't help but listen in on the kings' conversation over breakfast and the subject of his cousins' rooms intrigued him; naturally, his curiosity was piqued.
"I suppose you can have a look," Edmund said, albeit reluctantly, "but really, it's not that interesting."
As they entered the old wing, it was the set of double doors that first caught Eustace's eyes. His gaze then traveled the length of the corridor, eyeing several other doors set into the wall before returning to rest on the first entryway once more.
"That used to be Peter's room," the King said, noting the subject of his cousin's attention. "Susan's was over there," he gestured at a different door before pointing to one at the other end of the hall, "and Lucy's is the very last one."
They stopped in front of a door between Susan and Peter's rooms. "And here we are."
"Majesty," came a feminine, slightly nasal voice from below them.
Eustace blinked and looked down before quickly jumping back in surprise. He would have fallen over in the midst of his retreat had he not felt something solid from behind, its presence and bulk keeping him upright.
Edmund had been alert and acted quickly. He reached out and with a firm grip on the other boy's arm, steadied him until he regained his balance. Despite Eustace leaning hard and heavily against him, the King kept his footing with his feet spread apart to compensate for the additional weight. After a few moments, he released his hold and turned to the great Cat at his feet.
"Temeri," he greeted the Leopard as she rose on all four paws. "Good morn."
"And a good morn to you, Sire." She turned her green-grey eyes onto the Human beside the King. "Your pardon, sir. I did not mean to startle so."
"I-err-that is—" Eustace squeaked incoherently as he attempted to recover from his shock. "It's fine," he eventually bit out.
"My cousin, Eustace Scrubb," Edmund said, his voice unfailingly polite as he made the introduction.
"A kinsman," Temeri purred as she slinked forward, circling the younger boy slowly as she inhaled his scent.
Eustace couldn't help but shudder as he felt her warm body brush against him. For a leopard, she was unusually tall; her head nearly reached his shoulders. He jerked his head back as her tail swung up towards his face.
"He smells neither like you nor Queen Lucy, Majesty," the Leopard remarked to Edmund as she stepped back, her examination completed.
Eustace opened his mouth to protest her observation but Edmund cut in before he could speak. "It's a good thing then, isn't it?" the King said, grinning. He stole a glance at Eustace, who bristled at the words and appeared even more affronted than he did before. "Your job would be more difficult if we all bore the same scent."
"It would indeed," Temeri agreed as she purred again, this time in amusement. "The Human guards would not find it troublesome, but we," she lashed her tail in emphasis, "do not sense things the way your kind does."
"Are you the only one on patrol this morning?" Edmund asked, looking about the wing and seeing no others but themselves. "Have the others been reassigned since we are departing today?"
"Kildar was called away a few minutes ago; he will be back shortly," the Leopard said. "We are on duty here for the rest of our shift. As for the coming days," she paused, stretching her forelimbs out in front of her, "I have not spoken to my Captain yet, but there will likely be a light patrol in this wing until your Majesties' return." She then retreated from the door, moving aside and clearing the way for them to pass.
"We won't be long." Edmund nodded to her briefly before turning the handle and opening the door.
Eustace gasped sharply as he stepped inside. When he had been shown to his quarters, he had grudgingly admired the grandeur of his room but it was nothing compared to what he saw now. At first glance, his cousin's room appeared to be nearly as large as the ground floor of his house. The furniture was arranged in small groups, as if there were several rooms inside this grand one but with no walls between them. A massive fireplace was set into one wall with a few armchairs and a small table gathered around it, creating a comfortable and cozy retreat. Against the opposite wall stood a large wooden desk, its top partially covered by stacks of papers and thick volumes of books. And from where he stood, he faced the back wall with its tall windows. As he looked through the leaded glass, he could see bright blue skies and the verdant treetops of the woods that covered the land, stretching out towards the horizon.
"Th-this is your room?" he asked faintly as the older boy entered the room after him.
"Part of it," Edmund acknowledged as he stepped around Eustace, moving away from the door and towards the desk. The King sifted through a pile of papers before straightening the stack and setting it to the side.
Brown eyes darted around the large chamber. "But where's your bed?" While there was room enough for such a large piece of furniture, he saw no sign of where Edmund slept.
"In there," the older boy replied absently, waving his hand toward the wall. He kept his attention on the desk, opening a drawer and examining its contents.
Eustace looked to where the King pointed and finally noticed the door; it was designed to match the rest of the wall and only with a careful eye could he make out the seams and hinges. The handle was fashioned of a dark metal and it was barely visible against the darkened paneling.
He looked at Edmund, who paid him no notice, and then turned back to the wall. With a shrug, he made his way across the room quietly, his steps muffled by the rushes on the floor. After one last glance at his cousin, he pushed the door open and watched as it swung backward into the room, slowly revealing what lay inside.
Eustace stepped across the threshold and his eyes widened at the sight before him. This second room was slightly smaller than the outer room and at its center was a massive four-poster bed. He circled the room slowly and noted other pieces of furniture including a side table, more chairs and another hearth. A slight breeze brushed against his skin and he looked around until he found its source: a pair of wide doors set into the western wall. As he approached the doors, he saw they were slightly ajar; with one hand, he pushed them open further and soon, he was afforded a clear view of the wide terrace on the other side. Eustace then stepped back, turning away and looking into the room once more. He spotted two more doors but before he could do more than gaze at them, a voice broke through his musings.
"Really, there's nothing to look at here."
Eustace jumped, startled by the appearance of his cousin; he did not hear the older boy enter. "That bed is nearly as big as the spare room back home," he managed to say.
"Is it?" Edmund turned his attention to the object of discussion. "Hmm." His head was tilted to the side as he studied the bed, eyes traveling along the frame from the top of the canopy down to the base of the columns. He summoned a vision of the spare room in the Scrubbs' house and mentally set it on top of the current view. "I suppose you're right. Other than that, there's nothing remarkable about it. It's just a bed, Eustace."
"Just a—" Eustace twisted his head to gape at Edmund but the other boy no longer stood beside him.
Instead, the King approached the bed and picked up a bundle of dark fabric that was set on top of the mattress. With a flick of his wrist, he unfurled it and threw the cloak across his shoulders, fastening it with a small, golden brooch. He then walked around the bed to the other side, retrieving the sheathed sword that was propped against the table. Edmund strapped the weapon to his side before picking up a dark leather satchel and slinging it over his shoulder.
"That should be everything," he murmured, more to himself than Eustace. As he looked up to find the other boy staring back at him, he remembered there was one more thing he needed. "Ah yes…"
He turned back to the bed and lifted one of the many pillows that rested against the headboard. Nestled amongst the silken sheets, the blade of the dagger gleamed brightly as the metal was exposed to the morning light.
"You keep a knife under the pillows?" Eustace's voice was incredulous as he watched his cousin pick up the blade and tucking it into the side of his boot. "And why the devil are you stowing it there?"
"Dagger," Edmund corrected him. "It's always good to have an extra weapon handy. If the sword gets lost in a fight, I can still attack or defend this way. And speaking of…." The King looked up, eyes gazing sharply at him. "Where's the dagger I gave you?"
Eustace flinched as he remembered the events in the treasure chamber. "It's in my room," he said defensively. "I didn't see the need to carry it to breakfast. And besides, I thought this castle was supposed to be a safe place."
"Safe?" The King raised his eyebrows. "Cair Paravel may be the most guarded place in all of Narnia, but that doesn't mean it's safe."
He stared back in disbelief. "So you expect me to carry that thing around all the time?"
"I do," said Edmund. "As comfortable as Lucy and I are in Narnia, even we would not be so foolish as to walk around the country unarmed. She'd tell you the same thing if you'd ask her." He shrugged. "The people may seem friendly (and I'm sure they are) but in truth, we only know and trust a small number of them. This is not the same Narnia I once knew and I cannot tell you who or what is actually safe around here."
Eustace watched as the King knelt down, reaching for something beneath the mattress. A few seconds later, Edmund rose and he held his hand out to Eustace. "Here, take this."
The young boy looked down and his eyes grew wide as he saw what was in Edmund's hand. "You're mad," he said, shaking his head and fighting the instinct to step away. "Absolutely mad."
"Take it, Eustace," Edmund said; from the tone of his voice, the words seemed more like an order than a suggestion. "Despite what you may think, your safety and well-being here is a concern of mine and Lucy's."
"Just how many of these things do you have hidden in this room?" Eustace demanded as he grudgingly accepted the short knife. He briefly wondered if Lucy was as irrational as her brother but dismissed the thought as absurd; ever since they arrived in Narnia, he found her to be the most level-headed person in this world.
"Enough," the King replied shortly. He walked towards the terrace and pulled the doors shut. "I'd rather we have gone back to your room to retrieve the other blade, but I think it's nearly time to go. For the time being, keep this one with you; the other dagger is of better make but at least you're armed for now."
He turned around and noted the sheathed blade now hung awkwardly at Eustace's side. Edmund nodded approvingly and gestured toward the door, indicating the younger boy should exit first. He then followed closely behind and the two of them were soon in the hallway again.
"One of the pages arrived with a message for you, King Edmund," Temeri said, rising when she caught sight of them. "The traveling party is to meet in the courtyard of the northern gate."
"My thanks, good Leopard." He paused and adjusted the straps of his satchel. "Well, I'd best be off then."
"Aslan guide your journey, Sire."
Edmund smiled at her words. "I'm sure he will, Temeri." He inclined his head at her in farewell before turning away and heading towards the stairs.
The Leopard then looked to the other boy, her feline eyes staring unblinkingly at him. "And a good day to you, Master Eustace," she said as she bade him farewell. She took up her position once more, her paws planted firmly in front of Edmund's door as she sat back on her haunches.
To Eustace's ears, her words sounded like a dismissal. He hesitated for a moment before he bobbed his head at her, mumbling incoherently. He then ran after Edmund, slowing down when he finally caught up with him. He did not know where this northern gate was and did not want to start the day off by getting lost yet again.
They reached the courtyard in a matter of minutes. Even before they arrived, they heard the chatter and noise of the crowd that had already gathered at the gate.
Edmund paused at the entrance, surveying the scene. His eyes roamed about as he searched for familiar faces. His gaze fell on Caspian first; despite the large number of people and creatures standing around, it was only a matter of seconds before he spotted his friend.
The golden-haired king was talking to a soldier when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He turned his head to see the two boys walking towards him and excused himself. "Ah, there you are, Edmund. We were just waiting for you."
"Am I late? I apologize if I've held up the party."
The Telmarine king shook his head. "Not at all. It is not yet time and I am waiting for the grooms to finish up with the horses."
"Where's Lucy?"
"Right here, brother." The sound of hooves clattering on stone grew louder as they looked to find Lucy already on her steed and riding up to meet them. "You're to ride this one," she said, holding up the extra set of reins she held and gesturing to the chestnut stallion that drew up beside her bay mare.
Edmund took the reins from her and as he prepared to mount, the Queen turned to Eustace. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us, Eustace? Narnia can be seen at its best during the summer and the weather is perfect for riding through the countryside."
The younger boy emphatically shook his head. "Absolutely not," he firmly replied.
Lucy sighed but did not press him further; she had tried her best and knew it was time to just let the matter drop.
"That reminds me." Caspian stepped back and gestured at a small knot of Telmarines that stood nearby. At the king's signal, a boy detached himself from the other men and hurried over.
"Your Majesties." He bowed first to his king and then to Lucy and Edmund. As he raised his head up, Edmund was able to get a better look at him. The boy appeared to be about his age, with dark hair and equally dark eyes. "How may I serve?" He spoke with the clipped accent of the Telmarine courtiers, though it was less refined.
"Eustace," Caspian turned to address the younger boy, "allow me to present to you Lord Hazan's nephew, Aren. He has agreed to be your guide around the castle and the city while we are away."
The newcomer smiled and dipped his head slightly at his king's guest. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Master Eustace," he said.
The others looked from Aren to Eustace, holding a collective breath as they waited for the boy's reaction. A full minute passed before they finally had their answer.
Eustace looked at Aren, his eyes scrutinizing the other boy as if he were a museum exhibit instead of a living being. "You'll do, I suppose," he eventually said, dismissive and not caring who else had heard him.
Edmund sighed, unsurprised by his cousin's discourteous response. "Please excuse the behavior of our cousin," he said, apologizing on behalf of his family to the young Telmarine. "He is unaccustomed to the ways of this land and as you can see, has not taken our visit to Narnia very well."
"It is well, King Edmund," Aren said, shaking his head. "I took no offense. I have witnessed such reactions before from foreign visitors that have stayed with my family." He smiled. "Many are surprised by what they find here when they first come to Narnia."
"Indeed. Even so, you have our permission to speak plainly to him should you find his behavior is in need of some correction."
"Edmund!" Lucy gently admonished her brother as she nudged the mare closer to him.
"I am merely covering all the bases, sister," Edmund said with a wink at the other boy.
Aren laughed. "I understand, King Edmund." And then, to Lucy, "You need not worry, my Lady. On my honor, your kinsman will be treated with the respect owed to an honored guest of our King."
Lucy could not help but smile back at his words. "Thank you for offering to keep Eustace company while we're away."
"I'm right here," Eustace interjected loudly, annoyed to be spoken of as if he were not standing in front of them.
"Yes, you are." Edmund leaned down and spoke in a low voice, "And while you are here, permit me to remind you to do try to stay out of trouble. And be nice to those you meet."
Eustace scowled fiercely and before he could counter his cousin's words, the sound of a horn interrupted all conversation in the courtyard.
"That's the signal," Caspian called out as he looked up from talking to Trumpkin. The king gave his Regent one last instruction before swinging into the saddle of his Destrier.
Both the Dwarf and the groom stepped away, clearing the path ahead for the horses. The rest of the traveling party were already mounted and queued up at the gate, waiting for the three sovereigns.
"See you in a few days, Eustace," Lucy said as she turned her mare towards the gate. " I hope you will enjoy yourself while we're gone. And thank you, Aren, for doing this; my mind is more at ease knowing our cousin is in good hands."
The young man bowed. "You honor me with your words, Queen Lucy. I hope you will find me worthy of such praise upon your Majesties' return."
Lucy smiled and nudged her horse, guiding it forward until she reached the two kings that awaited her in front of the gate. Edmund deftly steered his mount a little to the side, providing a space for Lucy's mare between his horse and Caspian's.
"Ready, my friends?" Caspian asked once Lucy's horse fell in line with his stallion.
Edmund looked to his sister and after a moment, the Queen nodded at Caspian. "We are."
The Telmarine king then cast his eyes around the courtyard, his gaze traveling from the men and beasts waiting patiently behind the three monarchs, to his trusted Regent and advisors that looked on confidently further back. Eventually, his eyes drifted to the two boys standing off to the side; a look of excitement and anxiousness appeared on the taller boy's face while the other stared back with disinterest.
These were his people, ready and willing to do what was necessary to protect their country. He felt a flush of pride welling up inside him; as he looked upon his subjects, he was immensely proud and honored to serve as their king.
He turned away, now looking forward again. The road was spread out before him, winding its way to the north and west into the woods, towards Beruna. Caspian lifted his face towards the sky and sent a silent prayer to Aslan, asking for the Lion's blessing on this journey.
After a moment, he raised his arm up before swiftly bringing it down, slicing the air in front of him. The sound of another horn broke the solemnity in the courtyard and the king's escort stirred at the signal. Caspian looked to Edmund and Lucy at his side and as one, the three spurred their horses forward.
From a distance, the pair of boys watched as the two kings and queen passed under the gate and out of the castle. The rest of Caspian's party followed behind their king, one by one riding or marching through the arched entryway. A sense of quiet and gravity permeated the yard. The soldiers and courtiers filed out silently; the only sounds that could be heard were the hoofs, paws and booted feet that struck the ground.
It was only after the last member of the king's retinue rode through the gate did conversation and activity resume once more. Slowly, the courtyard emptied as members of the court dispersed and the castle staff returned to their duties.
"Well, Master Eustace," Aren looked to his charge, "have you any place in the city that you wish to see? It is a lovely day for a stroll through the town. Tomorrow is Market Day and some of the traveling vendors will have already set up their stalls in the city. What say you?"
Eustace shrugged. "I don't care where we go so long as it's not on a boat and I can get out of this bloody castle."
The Telmarine boy wrinkled his brow. "Bloody castle?" he echoed, confused by the term. He looked up and saw nothing but gleaming, white walls all around them. "How do you mean?"
Eustace shrugged again. "Fancy not knowing that," he muttered, not wanting to expend the energy clarifying his words to this stranger. Between this and trying to explain to Caspian what being a Republican meant, he decided the education system in this country was hopelessly in need of reform.
The younger boy kicked at a pebble on the ground before looking up at the curious face of his guide. "So let's go then."
"To the town you mean?"
Eustace rolled his eyes. "That was your suggestion," he answered pointedly. "I've had enough of this castle already."
Aren nodded solemnly though his eyes gleamed with amusement. "Very well, Master Eustace." He set off towards the same gate that the king's party traveled through minutes before. "This way, if you please. There is a path from this side of the castle that leads down into the city. I daresay the market stalls shall be open by the time we reach the square."
Eustace watched his retreating back for several seconds before he finally followed in the other boy's footsteps. Together, they passed under the arch and out towards the rest of Narnia. From the courtyard, the gate framed the silhouettes of the two boys until one of them stopped and pointed westward. Together, they turned off the main road and onto another path.
So focused as they were on their descent to the lower city, neither boy noticed the figure that slipped out of the courtyard shortly after them. Sharp eyes observed their movements carefully as the man trailed after them; he purposefully left a considerable distance between himself and his prey so as to not raise any suspicions.
He smiled as he mentally replayed the conversation he overheard between the boys. Things could not have been more perfect had he had planned it himself. Truly, there was no better place to carry out his orders than at the busy markets of Cair Paravel.
Next: Journeys and Destinations (tentative) — In which there is one road that recalls the past while another leads toward the future.
Footnotes: Assuming the Pevensies and Eustace were pulled into Narnia in August 1942, I looked into the rationing rules within that timeframe. From my research, the weekly allotment for sugar was 8oz as of August 9, 1942 (down from 1lb on July 26). Cheese was limited to 4oz as of June 1, but was doubled as of July 26.