Craaaaaaaack.
My head shot up from my pillow as I heard an unfamiliar noise. Was that a gunshot? Then I caught myself. Of course they didn't have guns in Narnia.
Even with that knowledge in my head, I still made my way over to the window cautiously and peeped out through the thick glass panes. There was a courtyard spread out below me. Standing near one of the pillars was Edmund, and as I watched, he lifted a strong looking whip above his head and brought it down with a loud crack. It resounded against the cobblestones and made me jump.
Then I saw someone – or something approaching Edmund from across the courtyard. Was it a man or – I gasped as he came into view. What the heck? Half man, half horse? I stared breathlessly, unable to break my gaze. The thing went right up to Edmund and bowed low, from the waist. Edmund reached out his hand and grasped the thing's hand, shaking it heartily. Then the two walked off toward the stables.
I lingered by the window a moment longer, puzzled. What was that strange creature doing here? I wondered if I should tell someone. But it was really none of my business, and Edmund might get upset with me if I say anything.
Suddenly I felt tired and made my way over to the bed. One good thing about living in a castle was that I got a simply huge bed. Sometimes it gets lonely here, too. I repressed a sigh as I traced patterns on the coverlet. The Pevensies had been so busy lately. I hadn't seen them all day. Leaning back on my pillow, I let myself daydream about Edmund until a welcome blackness wafted over my eyes.
I was in a forest, filled with beautiful tall pine trees. The sun streamed in shafts through the leaves, and the warm scented pine needles underfoot were soft and springy. It was still, and very, very quiet. A faint buzzing noise filled my ears, like the noise of a thousand crickets underground.
As I rounded a tree, I saw Edmund standing in a little clearing. The sun poured on his head, bringing out glinting highlights in his dark hair. He smiled when he saw me, and held out his hand.
I reached out and touched it. The shock of his fingertips touching mine sent a shiver up my spine. His skin was hot to the touch.
His gaze met mine and another shiver went through me. His dark liquid eyes locked onto mine, and I was unable to break away. Still looking deep into my eyes, he brought his hand sliding around my waist, pulling me closer to him. Our chests bumped, and the corner of his lips turned up in a smile. I felt myself struggling to breathe. He was so close. His other hand trailed up my arm, until it reached the bare skin on my neck and he cupped his hand around my cheek, pulling me closer and closer into himself. His head slowly bent down toward mine. His lips…
I woke up with a start. Sitting up, I pressed my hand against my pounding chest. What had woken me? Ignoring the pangs of disappointment and loss thudding inside of me, I slid out of bed. Pulling on the soft silky gown hanging on the back of the door, I crept out into the hallway just in time to see Lucy's back disappear around the corner. Right then, I decided to follow her.
Following her was easy. Back in England, I'd gotten used to creeping around; spying on my mum's boyfriend, mostly. I mean, he'd never done anything suspicious, but I was fiercely protective of my mother. Even thinking about her gentle, sweet face made my eyes grow misty and I blinked my eyes rapidly. Don't go there, I scolded myself. I had to stay focused or I'd never make it.
Suddenly I flung myself back around the corner. Lucy had stopped and as I watched, she glanced around her and quickly stepped through a door. I waited a few seconds before creeping up to the large door. I placed my hand on the knob and held my breath. But nothing happened, and I turned it slightly. Damn. It was locked.
But I could hear voices inside. And the keyhole was right at eye level. I glanced around the hallway. No one was in sight, but I knew a servant could easily come around the corner.
I bent forward and focused my eye onto the large keyhole. For a while I could see nothing but blackness, then my eyes slowly adjusted and I could make out three figures. No, four? I wasn't sure. Then one of them reached up and pulled a string dangling from the ceiling. Instantly the room was flooded with light, and I could see clearly.
Peter, Edmund and Lucy were sitting in a circle, on wooden chairs. There was a fourth chair beside them, empty. They were talking amongst themselves in low tones, and I itched to know what they were saying. But before I could think of something, I heard the sound of footsteps around the corner. They were headed toward me, and I knew I needed to get out of the way – fast. There was an old oak chest on one side of the corridor, and I struggled to pull the heavy lid open and slip inside before the owner of the footsteps walked around the corner.
As soon as I closed the lid again, I heard the footsteps come right up to the door opposite me and stop. Quietly, I lifted the lid a few centimetres and peeped out.
Although I could only see her feet and the back of her legs, I knew who it was.
Susan.
She opened the door and walked steadily inside, closing it behind her. Now was my chance. I waited a few seconds, and climbed out of the oak chest. Pressing my ear against the keyhole, I listened.
"…and as a guest, it is our duty to look after her," It sounded like Peter. There was a babble of voices; before Susan's cold, clear voice overtook the rest.
"Guest or not, she is an imposter and a thief." For a moment I stood, stunned. Is that what Susan had against me? She thinks I'm a thief? It was too ridiculous. I pressed my ear against the door again.
"Susan, that's ridiculous," I heard Edmund protest. I smiled a little. At least I'm not the only one who thinks that.
"You can choose not to believe it, Edmund – but it doesn't change the truth." Susan sighed. "I wish it weren't true." I felt a wave of confusion. Why was she acting like this?
"What are you holding against her?" Lucy asked in a small voice. She'd been silent up to this point, but I knew that she had been taking it all in. I could imagine her chin quivering, and I felt sorry for her.
"She's not who she says she is," Susan said, with a little sniff. "Believe me, I know."
What was she going on about? I snorted, finding the situation almost humorous.
Behind me, I heard another snort.
Whirling around, I found I was face to face with… the thing.
Up close, he was still as strange as I thought he was. He didn't look very old, and he had a nice face. But what the heck was wrong with the rest of him? Surely it wasn't normal to go walking around with a horse's butt attached to you?
"Spying, are we?" he enquired.He said it in a quiet, sort of laughing way. I felt uncomfortable.
The thing glanced around and looked back at me. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Nothing to say for yourself, eh? Well, you'd best come with me."
"Wait, I can explain," I began, alarmed.
"Not here you can't," he replied, taking my arm and almost pushing me down the hallway. Crap, he's strong.
He went right up to a door at the end of the corridor and all but dragged me in. Then he closed the door behind him and folded his arms.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
I rubbed my arm, inwardly furious. Who did he think he was, shoving me around like this?
"I'm Eloise," I said a little bit sulkily, not looking up.
But immediately the expression on his face changed. "You're Eloise, the girl that arrived with Edmund?"
"Well, yes," I said cautiously. But he walked forward and bowed low, at the waist.
"I do beg your pardon, ma'am. I had no idea." He bowed again. "It's my pleasure."
"Um mine, too," I answered, slowly. What just happened? The thing saw the confusion on my face and hastened to explain.
"King Edmund told me much about you. I'm Narcoth, son of Arius the centaur."
"You're a centaur?" I asked. He nodded, a faint smile on his face.
"Wasn't there something about centaurs in the book of Narnia stories?" I asked.
"Yes, there is," Narcoth said, slowly. He hesitated. "How do you know about that book?"
"Well, Edmund and I found it at the library in England," I began and promptly stopped as a flood of memories came into my mind. Edmund was still a boy back then. I thought about him now. He's a man now. A king.
A curious look passed over Narcoth's face, but it quickly disappeared and he nodded at me politely. "Well, I suggest you get back to your room and… well, change before anyone else comes along," he said with something of a smile on his face. I looked down at the dressing gown. While pretty, there was no way anyone could mistake it for a dress.
"I suppose you are right," I acknowledged. I held out my hand. "It was nice to meet you, Narcoth."
He looked at my hand, and then back at me. "Uh, indeed," he answered, before quickly turning away and walking stately back up the hallway.
"Weird," I muttered to myself. Then I remembered the meeting, and I felt panic spread through me. What had they decided to do about me?
So sorry for taking so freaking long to update! You guys are amazing – you all get a gold star for being so patient ;) What did you think of this chapter? New chapters are on their way – and things are gonna get pretty intense! Reviews are lovely 3