Beyond the Sea

CHAPTER 7: KARA

Kara was worried about Lucy and the strange look in her eyes. She noted it again as they left the mansion, rushing after Coriakin, and couldn't help worrying about the spell she'd taken from the book. Why did Lucy of all people need a spell to make one beautiful? Didn't Lucy know how valuable she was?

There was no more time to think about that now, though. They had more present concerns to deal with. And when they heard the familiar voices of the Dufflepuds who'd tried to intimidate them a few hours ago, Lucy elbowed her and waggled her eyebrows comically, seeming entirely normal. Kara and Annaliese stifled chuckles behind their hands, but Kara burst into a fit of laughter at the sight that awaited them.

Caspian, Ed, and a few other crewmen had their swords drawn and pointed at about seven or eight round, short men with funnily shaped noses and ears, and each one only had one leg and an enormous hairy foot. Some of them had ratty beards, others with shorter hair. Kara bent over, absolutely howling with laughter now. The Dufflepuds were hilarious, and everyone just looked entirely baffled.

"The Oppressor!" One of the Dufflepuds whimpered.

"The Oppressor!" Shouted another.

"Oh, Lucy," Ed said in a tone of utter relief, moving to embrace his sister.

"Annaliese!" Caspian sprinted forward with a sharp cry, sheathing his sword and yanking her into his arms. Annaliese wrapped hers around his neck, he buried his face in her curly brown hair, and they held one another for a long, intimate moment. Kara could see that Caspian was trying to hide his trembling. He hadn't expressed this much worry for Annaliese in a long time, but since they'd become engaged, he'd seemed to have grown even more protective.

Caspian finally let go, but Annaliese took his hand, pressing herself close to his side. She looked like she was trying to reassure him. Kara quickly turned everyone's attention from the couple and blurted out, "Um—everyone—this is Coriakin, the Magician!"

All eyes turned to her, then to the older man beside her. "This is his island," she continued. "He's the one that made the Dufflepuds invisible, as well as his mansion."

"Your Majesties," Coriakin said respectfully, and bowed, just as he had with the girls.

"It's not his island!" A Dufflepud with blue hair exclaimed. "You have wronged us, magician!"

"I have not wronged you," Coriakin said, shaking his head, and Kara saw the glint of amusement in his eyes. He stepped toward the Dufflepuds, who all began to hop backward frantically. "I made you invisible for your own protection."

"Protection?" Sputtered the Dufflepud with long orange hair. "That's oppressive, Oppressor!"

"I have not oppressed you," Coriakin replied tiredly.

"But—but y-you could've if you wanted to!" Another retaliated.

"Be gone," said Coriakin, flicking his fingers and sending a white film of dust in their direction.

"It's a spell!" The Dufflepuds screamed, bouncing away as fast as they could. "It's a spell, he's going to spell us!"

"What was that?" Lucy asked curiously.

"Lint," Coriakin said, eyes twinkling. "But don't tell them."

"What were those things?" A squeaking voice said demandingly.

Kara almost jumped a mile high. She'd completely forgotten about Eustace. The blond-haired boy scratched at his nose, frowning deeply at them all.

"Dufflepuds," Coriakin called over his shoulder. Then he waved them all to follow him. "If Your Majesties would kindly come with me, I think I have something that can help you in your quest."