back, again | prince capian

six

We had arrived at the castle bridge, our hearts pounding in anticipation as we waited for the Griffin to drop Edmund into his assigned tower. I gripped my sword tightly, feeling the cold metal against my palm, doubt gnawing at me about the mission we were about to undertake. Was this truly the moment we had all prepared for, or were we stepping into a trap?

A shadow swept over us, and I looked up to see the Griffin soaring high, carrying Peter, Susan, and Caspian. Then, finally, I caught a glimpse of Edmund below—he flashed a brief light from his torch, illuminating the shadows of the castle. Excitement surged through me as I glanced at my comrades, our nerves electrified and ready for battle.

Peter had advised us just before we arrived, reminding us that once Edmund made the jump, he would send out three long flashes from his torch, our cue to charge. The anticipation built within me like a tightening coil, ready to spring.

Minutes felt like hours as we stood waiting, the sound of our own breathing mingling with the ambient noise of the night. After what felt like an eternity, I finally saw the first flash—a short one. My heart sank into my stomach as confusion erupted around us.

"What's going on?" a fellow Narnian muttered, glancing nervously at me.

"I don't know!" I replied, my eyes darting to Edmund, who was now entangled in combat with a Telmarine soldier. My heart raced—*Don't lose your grip on that torch, Edmund.* It was our only signal to storm the fortress.

Around me, I noticed a ripple of unease; faces hardened in determination and fear alike. I offered a small, reassuring smile to the fighters behind me, positioning my sword to signal readiness for the inevitable conflict.

With another flash from Edmund, the Telmarine soldier fell backward, and a moment later, the torch flickered once more, illuminating the tension in Edmund's eyes. He sent three long flashes—a beacon of hope piercing through that night.

"For Narnia!" I let the battle cry fly from my lips, breaking Peter's instructions as I sprinted forward, drawing the attention of my comrades.

Without hesitation, I charged towards the open gate, adrenaline pumping through my veins. In that moment, I wasn't just a soldier; I was a warrior fighting for everything that mattered. The Narnians behind me echoed my call, their voices rising like a battle hymn, and together we surged toward the gate that Caspian had marked out for us.

As I bolted forward, I slowed my pace slightly, allowing my comrades to rush past me. This tactic of mine had always worked; being at the front, I could swoop in and assist anyone who faltered.

Once all of them had bolted past and into the fray, I took off again, joining countless others in a chaotic whirlwind of steel and bravery. I was met by a scene of turmoil as Telmarine guards lined up with crossbows, ready to rain arrows upon us.

A Telmarine guard trained his crossbow at a centaur just a few steps away, his aim steady, and I erupted into action, blazing through the tumult. With swift precision, I reached for the small knife strapped to my thigh, hidden beneath my dress, and hurled it with all my strength. It struck the soldier's arm, causing him to drop the weapon in shock as the centaur sprang into action, charging at his attacker.

"Thank you!" the centaur cried, and I nodded, heart pounding with pride, but my attention split as I noticed another soldier charging at him from behind.

"MOVE!" I shouted, my voice a siren amid chaos.

I snatched another knife from my belt, feeling the familiar cold steel in my hand. I hurled it, and it sailed through the air like a shooting star, finding its mark in the soldier's chest. He crumpled into a heap, lifeless on the cobblestones.