Chapter 10: Safe not Sound
They all stood in terrified silence, as Susan lay pale, sick, and scarily still. Even the noble Tyr, who had performed the Recessus, was unable to say or do anything. Then finally, Susan's chest began moving up and down, and there was a heavy and shared sigh of relief from Peter, Edmund and Lucy.
With tears in her eyes, Lucy placed both of her hands to her face, covering her mouth; she was crying, but not, Edmund knew, from sadness. Peter was on his feet, holding Tyr for support, shaking his hands and muttering all kinds of expressions of gratitude. Cedany, who was on the end of the bed, clapped her hands in delight and looked his way, locking a glance with him for a split second before Peter loudly proclaimed, "She's alive – Susan's alive!"
And there was an even louder cheer as the blue from Susan's skin began to disappear in clear view. Her breathing was audible now and the color began to return to her already pale face. Lucy pushed several sweaty locks of hair from her forehead and wiped the sweat with her handkerchief, sniffing as she did so.
At long last, her sufferance was over.
o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o
The news of the Gentle Queen's recovery spread quicker than the news of her poisoning. All day and all night, Edmund heard joyous chatter over the recovery she had made, while Lucy still kept by her side, feeding her broth and telling her stories with the dryads to lift her spirits, while Peter would chime in every hour or so from council. Edmund had an entire free day; he could train, he could see to Western matters, but instead he kept to his room, a stack of leathery bindings that looked one book shy of tipping into oblivion.
He hadn't told anybody, not even Lucy, but after Susan's poisoning he had sought out any and every book he could find regarding dark magic. It wasn't as easy as he thought however, and the poison that had been used on Susan – the Ius Mortis – was so rare there were little to no recordings of any administrations. In fact, after weaseling an answer out of a reluctant Tyr, Edmund had found that Susan's poisoning was the first ever documented in Narnia.
In frustration, he used his balled fist to repeatedly jab himself in the forehead. The amount of time he had spent all day had been a waste of time; Philipp was probably neighing for a ride in the stables and his favorite sword was probably dusting away in the training grounds.
Then suddenly, he heard a firm scratch on his door, one that grew louder and louder within every second he ignored it. He bolted for the books and kicked them under his drawer, then quickly straightened his hair and swung the door open to see the elderly fox, Titus, his expression weary. "My King, is everything alright?"
"Fine, Titus, more than fine," Edmund quickly spluttered. He wasn't too good at lying and he knew it.
Titus bowed ever so graciously and said, his voice clear, "My King I have brought a message from his Magnificent. He says you are to bring yourself to the Council chambers immediately."
"Tell Pete I'll be there in a second," Edmund said hastily. "Just – just finishing up some Western –"
"My King," Titus interrupted. "Immediately."
o-O-o-O-o-O-o-O-o
Peter traced the midnight black outlining of the parchment as he read over it again in Aldred's distinct voice. Word by word he felt his stomach turn, and by the end of the letter he felt he might as well vomit. It was strange, even for him, given the content of the letter.
to his most Gracious and Magnificent High Majesty:
I am ever so overjoyed to hear of the Gentle Queen's revival. Her recovery has heartily made my longsome journey bearable at the slightest, and do give her my felicitations. Expect gifts of myrrh and robes coveted by every last inch of Narnia at the doors of Cair Paravel very soon.
Unfortunately I cannot say the same for myself – the legions Lune has placed before us are cantankerous to say the least. But if it for Narnia and for the Great Lion, then I do my engagement devotedly.
I hope to smell the fresh seas of the East soon – until then, my most trusted King.
And the letter ended with the signature red 'A' Aldred dotted in everything he wrote.
Cantankerous. Lune was more resolute than he thought. The letter sounded nothing like a congratulations – more like a suicide note. He was sending Aldred to his death. And every passing second he felt even more remorseful.
"Peter?"
Edmund's voice broke the long silence – a silence unexpected due to not only his, but Oreius' and a select few other centaur's presence in the room. He quickly crumpled the letter into an messy half, then tore with more strength than necessary. In a trice, the once elegant letter was in eight pieces before Edmund could come within sight. "Edmund."
"Is everything alright?" Edmund said, looking around the room once he came into view. "It's quiet, too quiet for my liking."
"It's the council chambers," Peter prodded sarcastically. "What were you expecting, a parade?"
Edmund laughed grimly. "Anything to celebrate Susan's recovery, don't you think?"
Peter returned the laugh and opened his arms to welcome Edmund into a long and warm hug – a hug that felt thousands of years late. "How are you, Ed?"
"Been sleeping all day," Edmund said, stretching his arms and yawning. "And if I'm not sleeping, I'm working on western matters. And If I'm not doing that, I'm checking in on Susan. Oh, an exciting life I lead." He scanned the room quickly, his eyes flying from Oreius' to the parchment scattered around the table. "Say, where's Aldred?"
"He left this morning," Peter said, averting his gaze to one of the rings on his finger. "Went to say goodbye to Susan just before leaving. He wanted to bid farewell to you, but he was in a bit of a hurry I'm afraid. Said there were matters on his estate that were needed to be taken care of." He was lying through his teeth. To his brother. About things he knew he would understand.
Edmund's lips sank to a pout. "Ah, well. I wish him a happy trip then, I suppose." After another scan of the room, his eyes returned to Peter's. "So why'd you call me here, then?"
And as if on cue, a trembling satyr of Edmund's height burst into a room, panting after having to fight through the centaurs that always guarded the door. "My King! Your highnesses! Your presence is required in the courtyard, immediately!"
"What is this?" Peter proclaimed, looking to Oreius. "I specifically asked for the King Edmund and I not to be disturbed, no matter –"
"My king, I assure you this is no disturbance!" the satyr stammered. "At least not yet. Your presence, my lord, in the courtyard – please!"
"What is it?" Edmund asked holding up his hand to silence Peter as he had begun to retaliate. "Is everything alright?"
"Titus," the satyr spat. "In the courtyard. Dead."
Hope you all have had a wonderful week! See you soon for Chapter 11. Please rate and review as always.
xx Izzy
