*leans out from behind a giant oak* Hey there. So, I apologize this chapter is going on the fourth week overdue; I honestly didn't realize this was so late. Things have been going super fast, and I've barely had free time to update this.

Excuse me. *sniffs* I just want to say... thanks. To all of you who reviewed that chapter (and other chapters) your support is incredible. Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I got more reviews in the few hours after I posted than I personally expected, and I'm really glad many of you seemed to understand where I was (and still am) coming from. I'll admit, I felt like crying, but I've been so busy I didn't have the time to. Just... thank you all for the kind words to a person you don't even know at all, aside from a fake name. You don't know how much it helps.

This is the first of the last three chapters in this story! I can't believe I've made it this far, and gotten as many reviews and supporters as I have.

Giant thanks to Elfera, who noted a mistake in which I said Edmund saw the Narnians. Edmund is still UNABLE to see, and if you note another mistake like this please let me know!

Finding: Trust~Chapter 9: Tarik

We were just minutes away from the Stone Table when it happened.

The two Wolves, Abaddón and Lililtu, ran toward us, dodging trees and leaping over fallen branches and rocks. They were at our side within seconds of their appearance.

"Tresa!" Abaddón called.

"What is it, Wolf?"

"The Narnians! They are on their way!"

The Son of Adam gasped. I jerked the rope binding it, pulling it closer to me and then pushing it to its knees.

"How did they know we were coming?" Tresa demanded.

"We were unable locate the faun. Avis the Fox must have given us the wrong information. Again," Abaddón growled.

"He will be dealt with." Lililtu's eyes gleamed.

"All in good time," Tresa said. She turned to the crowd of Fell Creatures. "Everyone! Aslan is on his way! He is coming for the traitor. Will we let him take the Son of Adam?"

"No!" the crowd yelled.

"Will we give them a fight to remember?"

"Yes!"

"Will we avenge our Queen?"

"Yes!"

The battle cries continued, until Tresa was no longer needed to keep up the shouting—everyone was shouting without regard to what anyone else was saying. I knelt down so that my face was close to the Son of Adam's. "Hear this, little prince. Your Cat does not stand a chance."

"He's a Lion," the Son of Adam said defiantly. "And he's not the only one you have to worry about. The Narnians are out for blood. Your blood. It is you who doesn't stand a chance."

"Indeed, we may die," I smirked. "However, we shall still declare victory if you are killed with us."

I felt a shiver run down the human's spine and pushed it closer to the ground. We were surrounded on all sides by Her Majesty's followers, all ready to fight. The noise was tremendous.

And then the first Narnian arrived.

Chaos took over. Everywhere someone was fighting. Against all instincts to join in the fight, I stood over the Son of Adam. Despite what I had said, killing the Son of Adam here was not a part of the plan. We wanted it dead, yes, but we wanted it done on the Stone Table, not here.

A Centaur rushed at me, and I swung my club at it. It ducked and quickly turned, rushing at me from the side now. My attention completely on fighting off this Centaur, I missed the second until it attacked from the other side.

I knew I did not stand a chance. All the strength in the world can not overcome two angry Centaurs. I slammed my club at a Centaur's head and then picked up the Son of Adam. We were out of time, but we were so close. Maybe I could make it.

"This way!" a voice hissed, followed by a jumble of words I recognized as a magic spell. Tresa. Suddenly I could hear the Son of Adam gasping for breath. It began to struggle weakly, pushing against my chest.

"What did you do to it?" I asked.

"Do not worry about that for now, come on!" Tresa whispered.

Somehow we were able to sneak away from the fighting—a hag, a Minotaur, and a Son of Adam. Tresa's spell must have worked, because we walked past several Centaurs and even the second Son of Adam. None of them had any idea we were walking by. The traitor heard them. It probably recognized a few of their voices, because it tried to call for help, but the more it tried to talk the more it choked. Tears began streaking down its face, soaking me. "Shut up!" I whispered. "It will all be over in a second."

But this emotion... this was different. The traitor really loved this Son of Adam. As we were about to leave the fight behind us, I gave one last look at the larger human. It looked frantic, searching for its brother. It was killing all Her Majesty's loyal followers, but all in the name of love for this traitor.

"Come on!" Tresa said angrily from way up ahead. "We have to get going!"

I turned to look at her, then glanced down at the Son of Adam. The traitor could no longer see the fight behind me, but it had stopped struggling and fallen limp in my arms. Silent sobs continued to rack its body. I forced myself to ignore it, hurrying after Tresa.

It was almost over.

It was almost done.

This is what we had been planning for.

We had almost won.

But now I was not so sure...

So now I'm curious. Tarik is a character who I can see both living and dying in this story. I have managed to decide the fates of every character in this story, however Tarik has me stumped. In your reviews, let me know. Would you rather:

a) kill Tarik, 'cuz he's evil, and see what happens

b) keep him alive (idk, possibly escape?) and see what happens

I have a pretty strong opinion about this myself, but I would like to see what you all think. Please review!