The Dawn's End

The Face of Deception

Hi everyone! Sorry for the late update, I had exams all week. But good news, the next three chapters are up. Hope you enjoy! 

"How are you still alive?! It has been over a thousand years!" Edmund said, shocked at who he was staring at.

"I could ask you the same thing King Edmund. Though I already know the answer." Camus mocked.

"We trusted you! Well, I never did...but you were a Knight of Narnia. You swore an oath to fight with Narnia, not against it!"

"And I did fight for Narnia, to get a better ruler..." Camus creeped closer.

"You stop right there!" Edmund interrupted. "What was that maze you put us through? And where is my sister?"

"That was just a test to see whom I needed for the rest of my plan. Unfortunately, I got the stubborn one. As for that sister of yours, she will be fine. As long as you cooperate." Camus smiled evilly, inching even closer.

"If you touch my sister, I will kill you and I won't even need a sword! What do you want with me and Lucy?"

"Well, you won and therefore, I really only need you. But she would be fun to use against you."

Edmund couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed Rhiondon out of its holder and used Peter's sword to slash Camus in the face. 

Camus seemed barely affected by the attack as he merely wiped the blood away. "Oh, King Edmund, I thought you didn't need a sword. Also, I wouldn't do that if I were you. You see, I know your brother does his best fighting when angry. But you? You get clumsy and you know it too. I know all of your weaknesses and all of your strengths. So don't try anything. It will only waste time, and your sister's life."

Edmund looked at the ground and sighed. He knew Camus was right. He knew that he could not win the battle, at least not alone anyway. But he needed one more thing answered. "What could you possibly need me for?"

Camus' face gave a crooked smile as he answered. "That's for me to know. But don't worry young King. You will find out soon enough."

"How is everything back in Narnia?" Peter asked Caspian as both of them helped themselves to a cup of steaming hot chocolate back at the Dawn Treader. They were on their way to save Edmund and Lucy, but unfortunately this boat couldn't move faster than the men rowing it. It would be days before they could arrive. Peter could barely sit still, he needed to have his siblings back with him. He could barely wait an hour, let alone days.

"Everything is going well, I suppose. I did have a tough time trying to change every tyrant rule that my Uncle had created. The administrations needed to be changed and of course, I had to change all the Lords in the Council."

"That must have been really hard." Peter acknowledged. "How did you manage it?"

"I don't think that I could have gotten through it without the help of the Narnians, especially the Professor."

"It is great that things are going well."

"I hope that they are since I am here. And also because I have left Trumpkin in charge."

Peter almost spit out his drink. "Trumpkin?" He laughed. "Let's hope that everyone is alive by the time we get back."

Caspian's eyes widened. "'We?'" He asked, his hopes trying to not rise up.

Peter realised what he had said. "I guess this is why Susan tells me to think before I talk." He thought to himself. "I mean, I would like to see the kingdom if we have time to visit." He corrected himself.

"Oh, of course." He nodded.

"You really are one of a kind, Caspian." Peter praised him after a moment of silence.

"You are being modest."

"I'm really not." He smiled. "I know that Narnia is safe in your hands, which was why I gave you my sword that day. It was so that you could have a weapon that Aslan himself had blessed."

"Thank you, Peter." It was Caspian's turn to smile. "And I am glad to have given the sword to Edmund."

"I would like to get the sword back. Let's hope that Ed doesn't leave it behind like he did his torch." Both of them laughed and stared off into the ocean blue.

"I'll make sure that the sword is found. I remember when I found the torch at the North Tower, remembering that it was precious to Edmund."

"We have an inside joke that Edmund loves his torch more than he loves any of us." Peter smiled as he said it. "I'm happy that they found you when they came back. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way."

"But it was for that exact reason that they got captured in the first place."

Peter shifted. He was just starting to think of the good memories of his siblings, instead of the nightmares that haunted him. He took a deep breath. "It wasn't your fault." He said one more time. "We have done wrong by them in the past and have always felt guilty, but you should see how Lucy would react if you told her what you just told me." He smiled, remembering a small memory from the Golden Age. "She will tear your throat out if you blame yourself."

"Thank you for the warning. I'll be careful around her. She can be scary if she wants to be." He smirked.

"She can be terrifying!" Peter emphasised. "But I am glad that you were there for them when I wasn't. Reep mentioned what happened at the Lone Islands to me yesterday. You did save them before. You are now officially an overprotective older brother."

"Oh, Edmund will hate that." Caspian said as he sat back in his chair.

They sat in silence for a while until Peter spoke up. "Do you think that they will be alright?"

"They are strong Peter, stronger than you might think. I promise that we will get them back. I will not rest until we do. They are my family after all."

"Family comes first." Peter said with determination in his eyes.

"Family comes first." Caspian agreed.