The Queen's Tales

Chapter 24: The Temptation of Magic

The following morning, Chloe and Caspian were up and chatting with Drinian about how long it would take them to get to the next island. Lucy was busy sewing some trousers that had ripped during the fight with the slave traders, and Edmund was using a small knife to de-barnacle the sword. He lifted the sword a moment to admire the blade, Reepicheep watched in awe.

"Looking good Ed!" Chloe called from the poopdeck.

Edmund smiled over at her, before his smile disappeared at seeing how close she was standing next to Caspian. Without responding, he returned to his task.

Unsure what his problem was, she returned to her conversation with Caspian and Drinian, "By midday we should be here," Drinian pointed to a part on the map, "It should take a few days at most if there are no complications."

"So let's just hope we don't run into any," She nodded, momentarily looking over to Edmund.

Just then, Eustace came running from below deck with a kitchen knife in his hand. Chasing him, was Reepicheep, "Trying to run away? We're on a boat, you know," the mouse reminded him as he cornered him by the mast. Finally, Eustace lifted the knife and swiped at the mouse, "That's the spirit! We have ourselves a duel!" Reep cheered as he dodged the attacks professionally. He tossed Drinian the orange that it appeared Eustace was stealing from the rations.

The two of them faced each other and Eustace swung his sword. It looked like he actually had a decent swing, with proper training he had potential to be a decent swordsmen. Reepicheep was praising his efforts as he dodged and blocked his attacks.

Still, his attacks were sloppy, and Reep critiqued him like a school teacher, "Stop flapping you wings like a drunken pelican! Poise. Keep your blade up," he demonstrated, "Up, up. That's it."

Chloe watched with Edmund and Caspian, "Well, no better specimen to teach him, I guess," she shrugged as they watched the impromptu lesson.

"Lunge with your foot! Not your left foot, your right! Got it? Be nimble. Be nimble," Reep continued as Eustace continued to try to best him, "C'mon it's a dance, boy. It's a dance! Come on now, again and again!" He encouraged. For a moment it looked as though Eustace had the upper hand and Reep fell over the side of the ship. But it was just a diversion as Reep snuck up behind him and shoved him back against the basket by the mast.

The basket toppled over and a high-pitched scream came from it. For a moment they thought it was Eustace's shriek again, until Lucy and Chloe saw a dainty hand peeking out of the fallen basket, "Look," Lucy pointed.

The little girl from Narrowhaven had snuck onboard to be with her father, "Gael? What are you doing here?" Her father gasped when he saw what the commotion was about. He rushed over and gave her a hug, the shipmates watched with warm smiles as Drinian walked over with his arms crossed.

"Looks like we have an extra crew member," he stated seriously, handing her the orange in his hand, knowing having been hiding in that crate since we left she must've been hungry.

Chloe and Lucy exchanged knowing looks before walking over with a smile, "Welcome aboard," Lucy greeted.

"How about we get you into something a bit more comfortable?" Chloe suggested with her hand outstretched. Gael looked to her father shyly, but he nodded, and she took the queen's hand.

"Thank you Your Majesty," she squeaked softly.

Both girls smiled, "None of that. You can call me Chloe, and her Lucy. Now come along," she led them back into the girls' quarters, "My clothes may be a little big for you but we can make it work. Besides, anything is better than a dress on a ship," she chuckled rummaging through her wardrobe for something Gael could wear.