Edit 5/4/13: I rewrote the first scene of this chapter so it matched up with the re-edits I made to the previous chapter.
Chapter Thirteen – Twist of Fate
Edmund jumped into the confusion with zeal. Parrying, thrusting, blocking; the long practiced motions came easily now in the heat of battle. He made sure to keep in motion with his comrades as they defended their foothold on either side of the Pass. Edmund paused for the briefest instant, making sure that the blockades at either end held fast. Then his arm swung again. He ducked behind his shield and threw his weight against it, knocking two Telmarines off the ledge at the same time. His sword shone scarlet as the midday sun beat down on their backs.
Defenses strong, Edmund ceased to worry about commands and focused solely on fighting. He had lost sight of Luzan, but that didn't bother him. Several minutes later, Edmund noticed that the Telmarine archers had congregated towards the centaur, a strong line of foot soldiers protecting them with their shields. The crossbows fired, dangerously accurate, and the Narnians were forced back from the edge.
Crowding together, still keeping their lines strong, they waited as the opposing soldiers gained a foothold. The creatures in front readied their pikes and others behind them picked up large stones. The projectiles were hurled down in a steady stream; some striking helmets and some flying into the gap below.
Edmund pushed his way towards the back of the struggling Narnian ranks. He spoke hurriedly to a faun, giving him a message to relay to the captain commanding the force who held the entrance of the Pass. The orders were received and immediately acted upon. Five giants loomed up from the Narnian side of the boarder and steadily advanced. With their large hands, they lifted up boulders the size of horses and sent them crashing into the ravine. Some of the rocks hit the ground with such force that they broke into several thousand chunks.
Edmund braced himself and looked away, forcing himself to retain a stony face. He had not wanted to destroy so much life. He estimated that the Telmarines had lost three hundred men by now. Their own losses numbered around two hundred. Combing both sides, nearly five hundred men would not be returning to their families and homes. The thought sickened Edmund like it always did, wondering if someday, or possibly today, he would be among them.
In the swirling confusion below him, Edmund caught sight of the young standard bearer. He felt pity for the boy who had dropped the silver raven standard to cover his ears as he heard the paralyzing screams from his countrymen who were caught underneath the larger chunks of falling rock.
Prince Luzan looked far from happy. He bellowed orders left and right, but no one seemed to be listening to him anymore. Panic infected the soldiers and they turned to flee. But there was no escape. They were trapped on four sides by rock and Edmund held all the playing cards in his hands.
Edmund raised his arm, calling back the giants. Slowly the fighting came to a halt as Edmund waited for complete attention. The Telmarines clustered together in fearful groups, waiting for the Narnians to descend from the slopes and desolate them. But instead, the Narnians stood steadfast in their places, watching their opponents carefully. The attention shifted towards Edmund. A silence fell over the battle field as men and creatures strained to hear what he would say.
"Prince Luzan," he called. "Surrender. I do not wish to spill any more innocent blood."
"I gave you my answer!" the Telmarine shouted back with a haughty glare. "We will not surrender."
Edmund clenched his jaw. "This is your last chance," he called. "Surrender yourself and your army, and you may depart in peace."
Luzan dared to laugh, before he narrowed his eyes and sneered, "You're terribly persistent."
But despite what their prince believed, the soldiers themselves began to consider the offer of surrender. A handful dared to sheath their swords and hold up their hands in a peaceful gesture. Several more tossed their swords upon the ground. Their commanders tried to prevent them, it was no use. The young standard bearer lowered the standard and from someone among their crowded ranks a white flag lifted above their heads.
The battle was over.
However, not all were happy with the outcome.
"I will not surrender," Luzan swore under his breath. "Your life is forfeit, little king. And I will see that your triumph is ended. You will pay for every single drop of Telmarine blood that was shed today."
"Hardly anyone in Anvard knows the skill of archery," Cor informed. "There aren't enough archers to make it worthwhile."
"We primarily use crossbows," Corin piped up. "When there are archers at all, that is."
Susan nodded as she strung the bow. Cor watched in fascination. He felt a little disappointed that it wasn't her bow from Father Christmas, but he hardly expected that she would let a beginner use her magical bow.
Corin watched from a distance and glanced up as Aravis appeared in one of the archways. She carried a book under one arm and she turned towards the garden, but stopped to watch Cor and Susan. Corin crossed the courtyard to her and leaned against the archway, raising an eyebrow as he watched her. Aravis ignored him and focused on the others as Susan fastened an arm guard on Cor.
"Jealous?" Corin teased.
"Jealous?" Aravis echoed, crossing her arms stubbornly as she glanced briefly at him. "Not likely, Corin Luneson."
Corin grinned. "Are you sure? You're blushing."
Aravis's hands flew to her cheeks in horror. "I am not blushing."
"Yes, you are," Corin retorted. Aravis didn't answer, but spun around and hurried away to read her book. Corin shook his head and chuckled at she flounced off, pretending to be indignant. He remained slouching against the wall as he turned his attention back to Susan and Cor.
"Alright," Susan began. She put her hands on Cor's shoulders and placed him perpendicular to the target. "Put your feet shoulder-width apart. Draw the string back to your cheek, like so." She demonstrated and Cor watched carefully. She handed him the bow and he pulled back slowly.
She gently raised his arm a little higher and helped him aim at the target twenty paces away. Corin waited for Cor to release the string, but Susan stopped him first, taking the bow from his hands.
"Cor, you need to relax," she instructed. "You're too stiff. Breath in." He did as she requested and tried to take a few deep breaths. He glanced up at her face, so concerned and caring. Yet behind her eyes, he could sense hidden unease. Being Queen of Narnia was not an easy position.
Susan returned the bow to his hands and instructed him to try again. This time he drew the bow back smoothly, catching a glimpse of the string as he held it next to his cheek. The fletching rested between his fingers and he breathed out as he released. The arrow sped through the air, plunging into the uppermost edge of the target.
Cor lowered the bow and glanced at Susan.
"Not bad," she commented. "Not bad at all. But as soon as you released, you lowered your bow. You need to hold your position until you see the arrow in the target." Cor nodded, storing away the information. "Try again," Susan instructed.
Cor placed an arrow on the string and raised the bow again. He waited several seconds as he tried to aim by squinting down the arrow shaft at the target. Then he released. This time the arrow struck the target a few inches closer to the center than the previous time. He held his stance until it was appropriate to release it.
Cor felt satisfied. He glanced at Susan, hoping for her approval. She nodded. "Much better, Cor." But before she could instruct Cor on something else to improve upon, Corin trotted nearer and spoke up.
"Queen Susan, will you demonstrate your fast firing? Please?"
She glanced over her shoulder at him. "I would have to fetch my bow from Father Christmas for that, Corin."
"Please?" Corin pleaded. "I'll even get your bow for you so you can keep working with Cor."
Her face softened into a smile. "All right, Corin. It's in my chambers, resting on the mantel above the fireplace."
Corin's face split into a grin as he dashed off. Ever since he was young, he had enjoyed watching Susan rapidly fire her arrows into a target. Corin glanced over his shoulder once and caught sight of Susan giving Cor a few more tips.
He slipped inside the large doors and entered the main part of the castle quickly. He jogged up the stairs, taking them two at a time and was soon in the southern wing where the bed chambers were. He found Queen Susan's room with ease and slowly pushed open the door before slipping inside.
Suddenly, an odd sensation filled him as he entered the room. Something felt wrong. He could feel the hairs rising on the back of his neck. He stepped forward silently, his hand reaching for the dagger at his waist. He whirled around, dagger drawn, nearly expecting to see a masked assassin behind him, but no one was there.
I'm imagining things, he assumed as he slid the dagger into its sheath again. Quit scaring yourself, Corin, you fool.
He could see Queen Susan's bow and quiver on the mantel above the marble fireplace and he hurried forward. Her ivory horn rested on a soft cushion beside the quiver. Corin reached out for the bow and quiver, and froze. He felt a prick on his back, then a sharp blade plunged into him. He cried a voiceless scream, overwhelming pain coursing through him as he tensed.
He seized Susan's horn, stumbled backwards, and fell to the floor. Darkness swam before his eyes, making it impossible to catch sight of his attacker. The blade in his back sent streaks of pain shooting through him, but he had the sense to lift the horn to his lips and blow a faint note on the horn before he pitched into blackness and oblivion.
Edmund's mouth felt dry and clammy as he finished giving orders for the disarmament of the Telmarine army. He reached for his canteen and drank thirstily, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand.
Commotion drew his attention to where Oreius was trying to speak with the defeated Prince Luzan. Edmund strode across the bottom of the ravine quickly. When Prince Luzan saw him, his face hardened.
Edmund addressed him. "Prince Luzan."
"King Edmund," the Telmarine answered with a sneer.
Edmund chose to ignore his sore losing and extended his open palm. "May I have your sword?" Grudgingly, Luzan handed his sword over to Edmund. He muttered a curse under his breath before stalking away to gather his commanders. He singled out one and beckoned him closer.
The Telmarine stepped neared and Luzan leaned it, whispering, "Make sure that the Narnian king does not leave this field alive."
"Y-yes, sir," stammered the commander. He stumbled off while Luzan fixed his eyes upon Edmund's relieved face.
"You were right, Oreius," Edmund commented as he glanced at Luzan who still watched him. "We did succeed."
Oreius smiled down at him. "The Lion never fails."
Edmund nodded. He glanced over his shoulder at Galen who was busy collecting weapons from the defeated Telmarines who were waiting to reform their lines after their weapons had been gathered. "Did Galen do alright?" Edmund asked Oreius. "His father hasn't let him fight alongside us for quite a while."
"Aye," Oreius agreed. "He's a fine swordsman. Strong and a little stubborn, but a fine soldier none the less." He looked over his shoulder at the young man.
"Place your weapons in the pile, sir," Galen instructed. He could easily tell that the man was one of Prince Luzan's commanders. The Telmarine captain carelessly threw his sword onto the pile with a clatter.
"And your dagger, sir," Galen added politely.
The Telmarine glanced up. He hesitated for a moment, willing himself to carry through with his prince's commands. His face twisted to portray the disgust he held for the young Narnian. "You want my dagger, lad?"
"Yes, sir, that's what I asked," Galen answered in confusion. "Would you kindly hand it over?"
"I'll give you my dagger, boy," he exclaimed, as the steely blade flashed out of its sheath before he could stop himself, "in the body of your king!"
Galen's eyes widened in horror as he realized that he was powerless to prevent the silver dagger from striking its target: King Edmund.
Author's note: Well, there you go. That's the "twist of fate" shall we say. What happened with Corin totally took me by surprise. But it's a good surprise. Heehee. I have greater schemes ahead! I have planned for a long time what shall happen to Edmund.
On a lighter note, thank you so much for all your reviews. "Born For This" hit 72 reviews on the last chapter! Also, nominations for the Lion Awards at The Lion's Call. com continue until March 5th. "Born For This" is eligible for the "Eustace Award" for Best Long Work in Progress, and the "Rilian Award" for Best Alternate Universe Fiction. Thank you so much!