Lost boy || Prince Caspian

17

"What are you talking about?" Caspian asked. He had moved quite a few feet back from the water's edge to inspect the blade but at Edmund's comment, he turned back towards them. Otto had not moved from his spot between Lucy and Edmund. His weight leaning against his spear was he watched the water with narrowed eyes.

Edmund picked up a shell. A wide spiral conch. He knelt down and dipped the tip in the water before quickly dropping it on the bank, watching as the whole thing turned to gold. The light shimmered from it as he held it up. "What are you staring at?" Lucy asked, concern in her voice. There was something in Edmund's gaze that was worrying. A glint in his eyes.

"Whoever has access to this pool could be the most powerful person in the world".

"But Edmund", Otto spoke slowly. "We're already kings of Narnia". Behind him, Caspian and Lucy exchanged looks.

Edmund didn't seem to hear him. He was looking over at Lucy, the light from the water reflecting on his face, voice low. "Lucy, we could be so rich. No one could tell us what to do or who to live with".

"You can't take anything out of narnia Edmund", Caspian stated calmly.

"Says who?"

"I do". The statement was sharp and it cut through any sound.

Edmund turned and picked up his sword. He stood, stepping up towards Caspian, eyes almost unseeing and cold. He didn't look like himself and for a moment, it was easy to see how the ice queen had manipulated him to her side. "I am not your subject".

Caspian smiled, not a happy look, pointedly and his dark eyes harshened. Otto hadn't seen that look on him before, glimpses of it back when they had been fighting Miraz but never like this. He didn't like it. It wasn't the Caspian he knew. "You've been waiting for this, haven't you? To challenge me. You doubt my leadership". The words held a veneer of amusement but there was a threat there. 

Edmund got up in Caspian's face. Mouth contorted in a furious line. "You doubt yourself".

"You're a child!"

"And you're a spineless sap!" Lucy reached forward but Edmund shoved her aside. His voice echoing. "I'm tired at playing second fiddle. First it was Peter and now it's you. You know I'm braver than both of you! Why do you get Peter's sword? I deserve a kingdom of my own, I deserve to rule!"

Caspian's tone was low and challenging. "If you think you're so brave. Prove it!" He pushed Edmund sharply at the last word and the boy stepped back, swinging his sword up with a yell. Caspian met the blade with his own and the clang of steel echoed in the cave.  Once, twice, then they were reeling back.

Otto smacked their swords apart with his spear. The blades hitting wood with a thud. Caspian blinked at the sound, sword lowering as he turned his attention to Otto. His face falling and eyes widening as his shoulders relaxed and the harshness fled. He took a breath and something returned to his face. "Stop it both of you!" Otto snapped loudly. Lucy stepped forwards, eyes on her brother as she pleaded with him to calm down. Otto focused on Caspian, taking his lover's free hand in his and gripping it tight. Black eyes hesitantly met brown and he watched as Caspian breathed, hand holding tight.

"Look at yourselves", Lucy scolded. "Can't you see what's happening? This place has tempted you. It's bewitching you. This is exactly what Coriakin was talking about". Edmund blinked, suddenly confused. He glanced down at the shell in his hands, seemingly wondering why he was holding it.

Otto smiled at Caspian. "Let's just get out of here", he muttered softly, making sure that he was gentle. The sudden fight had scared him. He hadn't realised how angry they had all been growing until it bubbled over. This could've ended very badly. Caspian blinked at him, giving him an unreadable look before nodded and squeezing his hand. The dark haired man turned and led the way out. Otto walking with him, Lucy on their heels. There was a brief silence before a splash was heard and then Edmund was following them too. All silent as they climbed from the cave. A tension that had been hanging unknowingly between them for days was suddenly too present to go ignored anymore.