Beyond the Sea

CHAPTER 4: ANNALIESE

"Land ho!"

The shout brought Annaliese and Lucy's conversation to a halt. They'd been discussing Eustace and reasons behind why he might've been brought to Narnia too; now they followed Caspian, Kara, and Edmund to the railing, where a large island was coming into view. The setting sun shimmered off the water where it brushed the docking port.

"The Lone Islands," Caspian said in a wondering tone. "The port of Narrowhaven. He lifted his telescope and peered through it for a minute or two. "Strange. Not a Narnian flag in sight. Here, have a look, Ed."

Edmund did so. "But the Lone Islands have always been Narnia's," he said, sounding confused.

"I know. Seems suspicious," Caspian agreed. He glanced over at Annaliese, who tried to give him an encouraging smile despite her own worry.

"I say we prepare a landing party," Edmund declared, and Annaliese nodded, exchanging a look with Kara. Both sisters had done this sort of thing enough times the past few years too, and Annaliese knew they were of one mind about this one.

"Drinian?" Edmund added, looking to the captain.

"Forgive me Your Majesty, but the chain of command starts with King Caspian on this ship." Drinian's words, though they weren't said in a tone of malice or snobbery, still caused an odd look to cross Edmund's face.

"Right," Edmund said in deference.

Annaliese saw Kara start to reach for him and then draw back quickly.

"We'll use longboats," Caspian said, reaching to clap Edmund's shoulder with an understanding smile. "Drinian, pick some men and come ashore."

"Aye." Drinian bowed, and turned to do just that.

"Tavros?" Caspian gestured to the minotaur.

"Man the longboats, furl the sails and prepare to drop anchor!" He bellowed.

It didn't take long, Annaliese mused to herself; they'd been at sea for a while and everyone was ready to feel land again. Soon, three longboats were being lowered into the water, and Annaliese and Kara joined Edmund, Lucy, and Caspian in one of them. It was a tight squeeze, but they wanted to take as many men as possible. Annaliese felt a little uneasy about the whole thing anyway, and the wary look on her sister's face only confirmed it.

Eustace came too, for reasons unclear to Annaliese. He rode with Reepicheep and several other men in the second longboat. Upon touching the shore, Reepicheep bounded onto the sand with an excited, "Onward! The thrill of the unknown lies ahead!"

Kara laughed and climbed nimbly out of the boat. Annaliese, in the middle of a grin, caught Edmund watching her with an intensely wistful look.

Annaliese nudged Kara as both girls did a quick routine stretch, reaching for the sky and then leaning deeply to both sides, then down to their feet. They'd started doing it a couple of years back; it helped to calm their anxiety and kept their muscles flexible and ready. "Edmund's watching you," Annaliese said quietly as they bent to touch their boots. "Have you spoken with him yet?"

"Haven't had the chance," Kara shrugged, and Annaliese nodded.

"We sort of came right here. That's alright. When the time's right, you'll know."

Kara gave her an appreciative smile, and then both focused in on Caspian's instructions. "Reepicheep, stay here with Drinian and his men and secure the place. We'll head on, and if we don't come back by dawn, send a party. Annaliese, got your sword?"

Annaliese patted her sheath in reply, squeezing his arm. Caspian brushed a quick kiss against her cheek and proceeded to check with everyone else. All were appropriately armed, and wore light armor over their clothes. They were as ready as they could be, considering they didn't even know where everyone was.