Orran 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. By Tash, he hoped it was one of those unusual, demon creatures that the northern countries were said to have. Or mayhaps the ship merely had rodents of unusual size stowed away somewhere? Calormen surely didn't harbor such abominations.
Either way, something needed to happen and fast. He wasn't keen on being attacked by a rat while trying to make peace with a possibly dying man."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 rat was getting closer. Without thinking about it, he grabbed a long piece of wood.
The man gave another gasp, "By Aslan and the North, 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 on, calling out before getting too close, "What is wrong, sir?"
Narnian then and potentially female. Then again, it could be male. What did he know of the demon species of Narnia? It was only stories that he ever heard about them and those were horrible. Thankfully, this particular Narnian didn't seem as though it was going to eat his soul just yet or steal his nonexistent children into the night for its sacrifices.
"I think it's Sir Orran." He yanked the largest piece off, revealing the man beneath as well as a view 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.
Both were quiet for a moment as they took in the situation. It was a terrible sight. "By Tash, there's no help for him." Arrosh said quietly and 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." He ran his still bloody hands through his hair, "But it may be best to give them soon."
"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 must have known this man well.
"He is suffering, your majesty." Arrosh nodded gently 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 adifferent reason. The man had only been protecting those he cared for. Wouldn't Arrosh have done the same?
The man's face contorted at the suggestion but he gave a curt nod, turning away, "Make it quick."
Arrosh took a breath before stepping forward. Debris fell away as he worked to expose the entirety of the enormous man, who didn't seem nearly as large, surrounded by the debris and with the pallor of his skin. With the last piece removed, the young man placed one hand on the man's bloody chest and another on the rod. Concentrating on the man's face, he pulled out the rod. Sir Orran groanedas itcame away, unfortunately not loud enough to conceal the sound of the rod itself making an exit.
Aravis and what appeared to be a sailor joined the group gathering around. Her face was grim and gaunt, as though she thought of these deaths as her responsibility.
Arrosh looked down at his hands as he stepped back for Corin to do their rituals, Aravis holding the man's hand as he passed. Blood dripped slowly from his palm to the sand beneath him, the other holding the dreadful stake before he tossed it away. Memories 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 this cycle.
He stepped back and away as the northerners encircled the man, all except the wounded one, and preformed their ritual. The blood dripping. Dripping. And dripping. How many more would die before he got to his sister? Azaroth keep them, he prayed it would be none. But what did the gods care if they had no sacrifices given? His prayers would go unheard and unanswered.
Eventually, all of the bodies that could be found were gathered together and buried in shallow graves, rocks piled atop them. 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 had happened, there would be strong judgement.
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." Tashbaan? No! That would take them at least a week 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. This would have to be close enough. "Arrosh and Zeep, scout out the area. Miss Fesh and Grethlas," He gestured at the maid and the sailor, "We shall 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 blame her one bit. Aravis didn't seem pleased to be put on lookout 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, slight 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. Well, he did. One couldn't forget the terrible stories one is told as a child in the blink in the , whatever his opinion on the creature was,it wasn't going to be easysmuggling it into any small village. A city and it could slip around relatively unnoticed. But the villages of Calormen never bred 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 or king 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 Etnosdeceiving them. In a village that is far less likely." He paused, "Unless you are a proficient spy, er - Zeepijeet?" The name felt odd in his mouth, if he was to save his sister, then he more than likely would have to go and live with the barbarians. But, Tash the inexorable, this would be difficult. So far none of the stories seemed to be true. Yet how would one know until it was too late? What if when he got his sister back he found the stories to be true?
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?"
"Donkeys and carts are not common unless it is a market day and the outlying fishermen and trades folk ride into the villages. Horses are only for the wealthy. Beyond that, many walk and carry it on their person unless otherwise needed." Sometimes even if it were needed. One made due with what one had.
The rat – mouse, nodded slowly, "It will be difficult, but the cover should be sufficient."
Arrosh bowed in ascent. It would be so.
Corin clapped his hands together at that and said, "Now, let's begin the work. We're at noon now and, by Aslan, I want to be to a village before sunset if we can manage it." With that they set to work.
XxX
The tent flap fluttered and opened, Regglin the red dwarf, came in, "Your majesty, nothing found in this quadrant."
Cor felt his heart sink, his hot tea half way to his mouth, "Then we move on, and search the next." He took a sip, the drink tasteless in his mouth, "Make sure no stone is left unturned. Even the smallest hint can help." Regglin nodded and turned sharply.
They had scoured the area the regents had last been seen near Lantern Waste. A heavy rain had fallen since the event and any possible tracks had been obscured. No trace of them was to be found. Now they were searching the country piece by piece. Lord Peridan was starting in the east by Cair Paravel and Cor expanding from the Lamppost in Lantern Waste. If all went well, they would meet in the middle just past the Great River, with the regents in tow.
It wasn't like Peter to leave his people like this. Nor Edmund. Any of them, truly. They loved their people too much for that. No ransom had been sent. No outlying witch had given some ultimatum. Which only left a worse option. But none had claimed the credit for that either. So what had happened to them?
Cor allowed himself a moment to pinch the bridge of his nose, heaving a sigh that he'd been holding back. How long could he continue this? Surely the royals would be found in a matter of days. But what if it went to weeks? Months? Years? He couldn't leave his own country for too long.
Aslan willing, Aravis would return soon with Corin. He needed his wife to help him rule and his brother to help him search. Ram had nearly cried when he'd left. He didn't know the details, but he could tell something was different. When both of his parents left, it was always together. Not like this.
He couldn't keep himself in this slump, it would do no good. It was time to bring everything back in.
"Aslan, if you're around, it'd sure be nice to get some help." It was worth a try. When no lion's roar sounded and the tent didn't open to see the friend the king hadn't seen in many years, Cor gave one last sigh. Time to get moving.
A/N: Thank you everyone for the reviews! Hope you all are having a good holiday season. :D