Born For This

9. Messenger at Beruna

Chapter 9 – Messenger at Beruna

Susan raised her eyes to peer over the edge of her book which she was only pretending to read. Cor was silhouetted against the library window, hands clasped behind him as he took in the brilliant sunset. Corin lay on his stomach on the rug in front of the fire, rapidly scanning a dusty volume of ancient history which he had pulled off the shelf. He stifled a yawn absentmindedly with the back of his hand. Aravis sat on the settee with her feet tucked underneath her skirt as her fingers traced one of Edmund’s chess pieces. Her mind wandered aimlessly as she stared across the room.

Susan forced herself to suppress a yawn and blinked sleepily by the warmth of the fire. She frowned as she remembered countless nights spent in this same library with Lucy by her side as they waited for their brothers to return after a grueling campaign or perhaps a simple hunting trip.

A slamming noise interrupted her thoughts and she dropped her book into her lap in surprise.

“Sorry,” Corin apologized. He held a closed book in his hand. “I’ve had enough history for tonight.” He set the book aside as he sat up and stretched. “It only told about wars and bloodshed.” He flopped back down with a sigh.

“I certainly have thought enough about that for one day,” Aravis agreed.

Cor turned from the window to face them. “All that we call history – money, poverty, ambition, war, classes, empires, slavery – is the long, terrible story of man trying to find something other than the One which will make him happy,” Cor answered. The other three occupants of the room stared at him open mouthed. “I didn’t make that up,” Cor announced with a sheepish smile as he held up a small book.

Susan laughed. “I was really impressed for a moment there, Cor!”

“I knew he wasn’t that eloquent,” Corin replied. Aravis nudged him with her foot – none too gently. “Princesses don’t kick,” Corin retorted as he rolled out of reach.

“I’m not a princess!” Aravis exclaimed.

“Aravis.” Cor placed the book he had been holding on the windowsill. “Aravis, we already had this disagreement. You are part of our family now and–”

“I’m not a princess!” Aravis insisted as she leaped to her feet. “Lady is already too lavish a title–”

“Aravis!” Cor exclaimed.

“What is this all about?” Susan interrupted, her blue eyes darting from Aravis’s face to Cor’s and back again.

“It doesn’t concern you,” Aravis muttered and retreated to her chair again, not meeting Susan’s penetrating gaze.

“Aravis doesn’t think that she deserves the title of princess,” Corin explained from his sprawled position on the rug.

“Aravis,” Susan began gently.

“Please, I do not wish to bring division among us tonight,” responded Aravis. Susan nodded in respect. Corin sighed and rolled onto his back, his gaze drifting to the crackling wood in the fireplace. Cor said nothing, but as he turned back to the window, the look he gave Susan told her that he understood Aravis’s position.

~

With stamping and neighing and shaking of reins, the great company arrived outside the walls of Beruna. Edmund slid off his sable horse, his boots thumping against the cobblestone pavement. He shaded his eyes with his hand and surveyed the area. To his satisfaction, there were a great number of soldiers already gathered. Supply wagons were nearly full and large barrels were being filled with fresh water before the end of the day. Edmund made his way towards the busy well, leading his horse along behind him. He handed his reigns to the boy who was waiting to water his horse.