Orrin looked up at Arrosh through dazed, bloodshot eyes, "You give your word that you will not bring any harm to Queen Aravis or her party?" The words were spoken quietly and in between gasps of breath.
"Yes." Arrosh nodded, looking around to see a large rat coming from where the party stood, a Narnian? Or did the ship merely have rodents of unusual size stowed away somewhere? Either way, something needed to happen and fast. "We need to agree to not be against each other, sir." Maybe if he twisted it that way it wouldn't seem as bad if the man lived. Did he have it in him to kill a man already dying?
No. He would not think of the past. All he had was the future and he wouldn't even have that if he didn't have his little sister.
"Please, we cannot go on as enemies, Sir."
The man gave another gasp, "By Aslan and Narnia, I -" A gurgle came from deep within his chest, "I put aside past grievances." His eye closed, barely breathing.
That was enough for Arrosh. He began to pull away at the rubbish, calling out, "Help! I've found another one! Quick!"
The rat came up to him, "What is wrong?" Narnian then and potentially female. Then again, it could be male. What did he know of the cursed species of Narnia?
"I think it's Sir Orran." He yanked a large piece off, revealing the man beneath as well as a glimpse of his injuries.
There was no longer a concern over him living.
As soon as the rod that had gone through his midsection was removed, he would die.
"By Tash, there's no help for him." Arrosh shook his head, even now the man had slipped into unconsciousness. "I don't know of your practices of assisting the dying into the next life. But it may be best to give them."
"I do." Corin had come running to see what the commotion was. His usual happy face was grim, tears welling up in his eyes.
"He is suffering, your majesty." Arrosh nodded at the dying man, "Please, for his sake, allow me to remove the rod to ease his passing." It was the least he could do for a man he had considered killing himself. Now here he was truly doing it - merely for a different reason.
The man's face contorted at the request but he nodded and turned away, "Make it quick."
Arrosh stepped forward, clearing more debris away before placing one hand on the man's bloody chest and another on the rod. Concentrating on the man's face, he tugged at the rod. Sir Orran groanedas itcame away, unfortunately not loud enough to conceal the sound of the rod itself making an exit. Arrosh looked down at his hands as he stepped back for Corin to do their rituals. Blood dripped slowly from his palm to the sand beneath him. His past reminding him again there was no escape. Every life he helped would be followed by death of another. By Tash, he would prove them wrong. He would escape.
He stepped back and away as the Narnians encircled the man, all except the wounded one, and preformed their ritual. The blood dripping. Dripping. And dripping. How many more had to die for him to get to his sister?
Eventually, all of the bodies that could be found were gathered together and buried in shallow graves. Soft crying from Fesh was the only sound to be heard as they stood around the graves. The queen stood, silent and every bit of what a monarch should be. Mayhaps his father was wrong about her. She was no weak girl who ran away from her responsibilities and family obligations to side with scum barbarians. She was a queen and not to be trifled with. If she ever discovered what he did. There would be no forgiveness.
Wandering back to the wounded knight one by one, they gathered around. The last one to come was Aravis, standing there, head bowed respectfully before she finally turned and approached the group, a small gleam of tears in her eyes. "Prince Corin, you know far more of expeditions and campaigns than I do. You will be the head of this company, leading us to Tashban to meet with our ambassador and be outfitted with what is necessary." Tashban? No! That would take them days away from Zalindreh. Days were too many. She could be dead already. Dead or worse. Arrosh knew only too well how slaves were treated.
Corin spread his hands, "Alas, sister, I know nothing of this land. I have not come to these lands since I was but a child."
At this, all eyes went to Arrosh. Without meaning to, he took a step back. "I am no leader."
"You will be our guide and council," Aravis' voice brokered no room for argument, "Corin will stay as leader of the party." Nods all around.
XxX
"First thing we need to do is determine where exactly we are." The prince stepped easily into his role as commander. He may not have wanted to be king but that didn't mean that he didn't know how to lead a small band of troops or the like. "Arrosh and Zeep, scout out the area. Miss Fesh, you and I'll see if there is anything of worth in the wreckage. Sir Morri, you and Queen Aravis will be look outs."
The girl nodded. Thankfully she seemed to be coming back to herself. It was all rather a shock if one hadn't been on many adventures or mishaps so Corin didn't particularly blame her one bit. Aravis didn't seem pleased to be put on look out duty but wasn't going to object his commands directly after she had put him in charge. Morri was mostly resigned to his fate. Poor chap.
"Your highness," The quiet, slightly lilting voice of the young Calormen came, "If I might make a small point?" Aslan's mane the lad looked nearly as though he feared being struck. Whatever sort of life he lived, had not been kind to him. Well, no more.
"Go on, Arrosh," Corin nodded towards him not unkindly.
XxX
It wasn't as if he had a distaste for the rat. But it wasn't going to be an easy creature to smuggle into any small village. A city and it could slip around relatively unnoticed. But the villages of Calormen never breed creatures that size. As soon as it was seen there would be a commotion. Better to hide it until they were at a bigger place.
"No offense meant to the rat, sire." He kept his head bowed in deference, as more than likely befitted the man's rank as he wasn't a tisroc to prostrate oneself before. "But it is of a rather larger nature than what the villages find here. If it -"
"She," The queen said quietly, "She is a mouse." Oh. Well, then it was definitely large for a mouse.
"Zeepijeet, sir." It – she bowed, "At your service."
Arrosh managed a nod at the creature before turning back to the one in command, "As I said, she won't blend in, sir. If we were in the city someone would be more likely to turn a blind eye or dismiss it as Azaroth deceiving them. In a village that is far less likely." He paused, not wanting to seem a fool, "Unless you are a proficient spy, Zeepijeet?"
If he were to save his sister, then he more than likely would have to go and live with the barbarians. But, Tash almighty, this would be difficult. It was a mouse after all.
To the creature's credit, she seemed to consider the question, "I am proficient, sir. However, I have never been in this land before and know not of its ways."
"There are not many places to hide beyond that of huts and the fences for animals, the occasional market wares depending on the day."
"Carts? Horses?"
"Horses and carts are not common unless it is a market day and the outlying fishermen and trades folk ride into the villages. Beyond that, many walk and carry it on their person unless otherwise needed." Sometimes even if it were needed.
The rat – mouse, nodded slowly, "It will be difficult, but the cover should be sufficient."
Arrosh bowed in ascent. It would be so.
A/N ~ So, like the fool I occasionally am, I haven't written anything extra out. Thus, it may take a bit for another update. Sorry if the writing is a bit different or the characters are. It may take me a little bit to get back to writing this story. :)
There, you've been suitably warned and now I shall say I hope you still enjoy the story as it progresses. _