This is the tale of a journey that takes Luna not only to discover the world beyond Narnia's borders; she will find a purpose that goes deeper than protecting her king.
» That's why. I can't protect you the way I should... « As she looks into his ey...
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After breakfast the landing party prepares to head out. Cross-country it goes, and Lucy wishes she would have done more for her stamina back home. The queen is even more thankful for the training with Luna that she joins regularly. Besides the effort to walk through the unruly land, Lucy enjoys looking around. After entering the forest, they walk through dense thickets before the trees and lower plants spread and leave more space to breathe. Then, she can watch birds and squirrels, even a group of deer unhindered. Much to her dismay, quite a few insects buzz around – no butterflies, unfortunately. Lucy squeaks as a big beetle lands on her arm, its deep hum silenced for a moment. Frantically, she shakes her arm to get rid of the insect. She only realizes the noises she makes when the others turn to her. It is Eustace who comes to her aid, snatching the beetle with his fingers – Lucy respects that he can do this. She would freak out if she was to touch an insect. Edmund only laughs instead of helping, even though he knows full well his sister is afraid of the crawling, humming, whirring animals. So, while Eustace observes the bug in his hand, Lucy glares at her brother. Then she shuffles to the front to Caspian, Drinian and Luna as soon as the beetle is removed from her arm.
» I don't think these exist in... our world, « the blond boy exclaims,
» What is it? « He holds it in front of Pittencream's face who is unfortunate enough to stand closest to him. The sailor grimaces and scowls at the boy, pushing the hand with the bug away from his face.
» If ya find an insect at sea, ye can ask me, « he grumbles and walks ahead. Fandir raises an eyebrow at his companion booting away. He steps closer, grabbing Eustace's arm to take a look at his find. The beetle is as big as the first link of a thumb, mostly black but with blue shimmering wings. Its belly is covered in hazel brown hair with white tips.
» Hm, maybe a Blue Pronk*, « he suggests,
» They're rare, I've only seen one once. « The beetle squirms a bit and Eustace releases it. It plops to the ground, lingering for a moment before it leaps into the air like a grasshopper, opens its little wings and flies off. Eustace pulls out his journal and scribbles something down, planning on drawing the newly discovered insect later.
Soon, the forest clears entirely, giving way to gentle grassland. They have been walking slightly upwards for a while, now the hills are visible. Lefthand, the forest didn't yet claim the hills – the ones they saw as they sailed into the bay. To the right, the woods stretch as far as the group can see, seeming to get denser.
» Sire! « Rhince calls out. Halion and he walked ahead and found a path that seems beaten from regular use. Caspian and Drinian observe how its serpentines draw over the hills like a brown snake. Luna tenses, her hand coming to rest on the hilt of her sword.
» Seems like someone's living 'ere, « Rhince says. Drinian grumbles to himself,
» Then why didn't they show themselves? « Caspian's gaze wanders over the land ahead, searching for other signs of life. From the corner of his eye, he notices Luna stepping next to him. Her back is straight, her shoulders drawn up ever so slightly. She doesn't need to spell it out; she doesn't like this. After the people, and things they encountered so far, he can only hope this will end peacefully – yet he doesn't trust that hope. But what if one of the lords is here?
