Chapter 4
It was the evening when we approached the Lone Islands, as King Caspian told me the land was called. He, Drinian, and Edmund were suspicious of the lack of Narnian flags and deemed it important to send searchers.
So not much later all of us were in two longboats rowing towards the island. Yes, even Eustace. I didn't see how that could possibly be a good idea but I was just grateful to be going myself. So I kept my mouth shut.
It looked like a kingdom made entirely of a tan colored stone, like an Arabian city. I stared at it in complete amazement.
"Nervous?" Edmund asked me, looking amused. I was sitting next to him.
I frowned. "No, why do you ask?"
"Because you've been playing with my fingers."
I glanced down at my lap and realized he was right. At some point I had took his hand and started playing with it as I might my own when my anxiety was high.
I immediately let go. "Sorry. I guess I'm a little bit anxious."
"It's going to be alright," he assured me.
"Of course," I said, forcing a smile. The butterflies in my stomach weren't going away. Whether they were from the nerves of exploring a land that might be in danger, or the smile on Edmund's face, I wasn't quite sure.
"Onward!" Reep declared as we reached the port. "The thrill of the unknown lies ahead."
We all began getting out of the boat.
"Couldn't this have waited till morning?" Eustace complained.
I stood next to Reep on the stone steps, staring at the whiny brat in disbelief.
"There is no honor in turning away from adventure, lad."
"Listen," Lucy said, quieting us down. "Where is everyone?"
We all began walking, except for Reep who was trying to coax Eustace out. He got out of the boat alright, before falling.
Reep let out an exasperated sigh as I snickered.
"Are you certain he's related by blood?" Caspian asked Lucy and Edmund, quite seriously.
"I vote we get a DNA test," I agreed.
We walked up stairs and Caspian pulled out his crossbow. I followed Edmund and Reep, for so far they were the most fun.
Suddenly a loud bell tolled, making me jump a mile. Lucy gasped in shock. Everyone pulled out weapons, looking around them. After a moment, Caspian lowered his crossbow and ordered Reepicheep to stay with the men and secure the place while the rest of us, meaning Edmund, Lucy, Eustace, and I, went with Caspian.
I wasn't reassured when Caspian said, "If we don't come back by dawn, send a party."
Eustace, surprisingly didn't say anything. He just followed us into the city.
It seemed to be completely deserted. I walked with Lucy as we approached a large entrance door to the bell tower.
"Do you know how to use a sword?" Caspian asked me.
"Kind of," I replied. "I've read a lot about it, just never put it into action."
He and Edmund exchanged a long look before he finally shrugged and said, "Good enough."
Caspian handed me one and showed me how to hold it properly. Oh, hell yes. This was going to be awesome.
Eustace called over to us from some house he'd been looking into. "Yeah, looks like nobodies in so do you think we should head back?"
"Do you want to come here and guard . . . something?" Edmund said, obviously just wanting to leave him behind.
Eustace nodded eagerly. "Ah, yes!" he ran to us. "Good idea, cousin."
Edmund made a face at him before turning away.
"Very, um . . . logical."
We all stopped and turned to stare at him. This kid was going to get killed if he opened his mouth to anyone.
Obviously, Caspian was thinking the same thing because he gave him a dagger.
"I've got it, I've got it," Eustace assured us. "Don't worry."
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" I muttered to Edmund.
"Better than bringing him with us," he responded.
I couldn't argue with that.
We entered the bell tower together. It was extremely dark, with only a big of light coming in from small windows. Bells hung from the very high ceiling and there were large statues of angels.
We walked cautiously, ignoring when Eustace called, "I'm ready to go when you are!"
Feeling more scared than I cared to admit, I stayed close as possible to Edmund.
He had a flashlight so he was leading us. We came upon a large book on a podium with lists of names that were crossed off and numbers next to them.
"Who are all these people?" Lucy asked.
"And why have they been crossed out?" Edmund wondered.
"It looks like some kind of fee," Lucy said, making me realize that I knew exactly what this was for.
"Slave traders," Caspian said, confirming what I'd been thinking.
A bell started ringing loudly, along with a man yelling. We all looked up and to my horror men began sliding down ropes, ready to attack. They all looked like thieves from Aladdin or something with their dark skin and turbans.
"Look out!" Caspian called, shooting a man with a crossbow.
We all began fighting and let me tell you, reading hadn't helped much with my sword fighting. I was able to keep this man at bay but for the life of me I couldn't hurt him. Lucy came over and we began tag teaming the men. We were actually doing great until a familiar girlish shriek caused us all to stop and turned.
Eustace had been caught.
Lucy shot him the filthiest look I'd ever seen on her face. I take it that she won't ever try to keep me from beating him up again.
The man began talking and moving forward as he held a knife to Eustace's throat.
"Unless you want to hear this one squeal like a girl again, I'd say drop your weapons."
"Like a girl?!" Eustace screeched, nearly crying.
"Now!" the man yelled.
Baring her teeth, Lucy was the first to throw her sword down. Caspian followed, though he did it slowly, and then I did as Lucy did, throwing it down in anger.
Edmund did as he said in disgust, "Eustace!"
I glared at him. "Eustace you little shit I was fighting and actually winning!"
"Put them in irons!"
The men swarmed on the four of us with chains.
"Let me go!" I yelled someone chained my hands. I could hear the others yelling as well.
"Let's take these three to the market," the man said, indicating Lucy, Eustace, and I. "Send those two to the dungeon."
"Listen to me you insolent fool!" Caspian roared. "I. Am. Your. KING!"
"Watch your hands!" I snarled at the man who was holding me. He had begun to let them roam on me.
Edmund struggled to get free but received a slap. "You're going to pay for that!"
"Actually," another man said. "Someone else is going to pay. For all of you."
The men began to drag me, Lucy, and Eustace away.
"Edmund! Edmund!" Lucy screamed as we both desperately tried to fight the men pulling us away.
"Edmund, Caspian, do something!" I called back, my voice rising to a shriek.
"Lucy! Rose!" Edmund fought back against the men.
"No! Edmund!" Lucy's voice broke into a sob.
I thrashed hard against the man, enough that his hands slipped enough for me to wrench away. I started to run towards Edmund, fully intending to attack his captor, but mine had already caught up to me and knocked me on the head. Everything began fading to black as I fell forward, my kidnapper catching me and he began to drag me away again.
"Rose!" Edmund bellowed.
I locked eyes with him. He didn't stop struggling as he watched me helplessly.
"Edmund," I whispered, not having the strength to scream anymore. Finally the pain caught up to me and I blacked out.
