Lost boy || Prince Caspian

20

With Eustace pulling them along, the ship reached the destined island just as the sun was slipping into gold on the horizon.  The island itself was beautiful. Mountains of green and cliff faces from which waterfalls cascaded down into the sea. The water spray sending up rainbows that glimmered in the early evening light. Otto watched them as the row boats slipped towards the beach. The greenery of the island turning into overgrown dense jungles as they approached. 

By the time they had moored the boats and set out, night had fallen over them like a cloak. It was a warm night and the only light came from the silvery moon and the blue glow of the star hanging above them. Caspian and Edmund led the way. Caspian with Peter's lion headed sword and Edmund with one of the swords from the lords. Lucy and Otto were just behind. Edmund had given Lucy another of the lord's swords and the glee on her face made Otto laugh. She had never really had a chance to hold a sword before this adventure and she seemed to be enjoying it. He carried his spear but the third of their found swords hung on his belt. 

The beam of Edmund's torch picked out cared stone overgrown with moss and cobbled paths obscured by jungle. There must have been civilisation here once, but they were long gone. The remains of stone structures gave a eerie feeling to the beautiful island. It was a place long forgotten and it felt like they were not supposed to be there, that they were trespassing. 

They walked in almost complete silence. Even the fifteen crew members behind them were quiet, just the sound of their footsteps and the calls of distant birds echoing in the quiet as they were drawn deeper into the island. It continued like this until Edmund's torchlight picked out a coppice of trees that had twisted round to form an arch over the path. Otto and Caspian both paused before it. It was all too similar to the arch Aslan had created to send the Pevensie children home last time. Otto had fallen through a gate before by accident, he didn't want to do the same thing twice. Yet when Edmund stepped through, nothing happened. Caspian stepped after him and only then did Otto follow. This arch seemed safe at least. 

Beyond the arch was a stone table upon which was laden a feast. Golden plates and platters filled with variety of food stood still next to unlit candles. It was untouched and in pristine condition. It was wrong. One of the crew members, a minotaur stepped forwards with hungry eyes. "Food". 

Drinian held out an arm to stop him. "Wait". 

Edmund had been advancing down to the end of the table where no golden platters of tempting food stood. That end was overrun by vines and branches. His touch shone over it and Otto gasped in surprise, a sound that was echoed by Lucy. At the sound of shock, Caspian and Drinian drew their swords. Three old men were seated at the table. Their hair and bears dusting the floor and their clothes rags. "That", Otto grimaced. "Is very creepy". 

Caspian and Edmund had drawn closer. Capian's sword pointed at the hands of the old men where they rested on the table. The gleam of metal rings shone in the torchlight. "Lord Revillian. Lord Mavemom. And Lord Argoz", he stated as they examined each man. 

Lucy had managed to slip round to push the hair out of Lord Argoz's face. Otto squeaked upon seeing that his eyes were open. The lord staring unseeing ahead. Lucy gave a second squeak and jerked back suddenly. "He's breathing", Caspian murmured as he leaned in close. 

"This is really creepy", Otto whispered under his breath. "Really fucking creepy". 

"They're under some kind of spell", Edmund stated. 

"Don't eat the food!" Caspian called. Instantly there was a clatter as the crew all dropped the food. Luckily none of them appeared to have eaten any yet. 

"The stone knife", Edmund pointed at something obscured by brambles. "This is Aslan's table". 

"Get the sword", Caspian commanded. Instantly Edmund and Lucy pulled the swords from the enchanted men's belts. Otto pulled the one from his own belt and laid if on the table with the others.