The Queen's Tales

Chapter 8: The Deep Magic

"Jadis! The Queen of Narnia!" The dwarf proclaimed as she was carried in by cyclopses, "Empress of the Lone Islands!" Over his words, the Narnians were yelling, bellowing that they don't belong here and to be gone.

It was the first time Chloe had ever seen Jadis, but she looked like how her grandfather had described. Large and menacing. Her hand was slightly shaking, but found another lightly take hers in theirs. She looked down and saw someone's hand wrapped in hers, looking up, Edmund was looking not at her, but at the Witch. A look of fear in his eyes. Then she realized, he probably needed more comfort than she did, and squeezed his hand.

Aslan stood in front of his tent alone as she slowly approached. She stole a glance at Edmund, and Chloe found herself glaring, a protective nature arising as she stood in front of him.

Jadis eyed Chloe calculatingly, before turning back to the great lion, "You have a traitor in your midst, Aslan," she spoke, her voice much like the ice that cursed the lands for a century.

Faces turned as people looked to Edmund, Chloe released her hand, feeling the warm sensation return, but holding back, "His offense was not against you," Aslan retorted calmly.

"Have you forgotten the laws upon which Narnia was built?"

A deep growl escaped the lion, "Do not cite the Deep Magic to me, Witch. I was there when it was written."

It almost looked as though she smiled, "Then you'll remember well that every traitor belongs to me. His blood is my property."

Peter unsheathed his sword while finally, Chloe allowed a menacing flame to burn in her hand, "Try and take him then," Peter threatened.

"You take one step and I'll turn you to ash," Chloe's voice was low, it almost scared the others.

Some of the Witch's creatures snarled at the threat, ready to defend their queen, but she had no reaction to Peter nor Chloe, "Do you really think that mere force will deny me my right...little King? And that? That is the Great Protector?" She pointed, "A mere girl who's only done magic for what? A few days?" She smirked before looking forward again, "Aslan knows that unless I have blood, as the law demands, all of Narnia will be overturned and perish in fire and water. That boy," she pointed right to Edmund, "Will die on the Stone Table. As is tradition. You dare not refuse me."

"Enough. I shall talk with you alone," Aslan turned and walked into his tent. Jadis, slowly walked forward, eyeing the humans before whipping the flap of the tent and entering.

After a few minutes, they'd all sat in the ground, Chloe leaned closer to Edmund, who'd begun to pull out some blades of grass to pass the time, "I just want you to know," she whispered, "I won't let her take you again."

He didn't say anything, because he couldn't help but think, what would she do? Chloe has no power over the Deep Magic, so how would she protect him? But still, he appreciated her concern. Especially after he'd been rude to her.

Finally, they heard movement within the tent, and everyone tentatively got to their feet. Jadis emerged, looking content with whatever agreement had been reached. She said nothing as she walked back to her chariot. Everyone turned to Aslan when he reappeared, anxious to hear the news.

Something about the way he looked saddened Chloe, and for a moment she thought maybe there was nothing he could do, until he said, "She has renounced her claim on the Son of Adam's blood."

Cheers erupted throughout the camp, Chloe was beaming as she grabbed the boy and brought him in for a hug, squeezing him as tightly as she could.

"How do I know your promise will be kept?" Jadis challenged.