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Two long boats, one with only members of the Dawn Treader crew lead by Drinian the other with the Kings, Queens, their castaways and Reepicheep sail along the water toward The Lone Islands. Jo looks out across the sunset kissed waters, noting that the island is in fact bare of Narnian flags like Edmund informed her before they boarded the row boats. That unsettling feeling crawls up Jo's spine again.
Edmund sees the change in her face and he places a hand against her back causing her to tear her eyes from the island until they fall on him, "You alright?" He whispers.
Jo presses her lips together then looks back at the approaching land, "Not sure yet." Is all she answers. She hears Charlie scoffing under his breath and whirls her head to give him a sharp, cold glare.
"Onward!" Reep shouts from the front of the boat as they approach the dock, cutting any snide remark from Jo's lips. "The thrill of the unknown lies ahead." The mouse muses and jumps from the boat to the stone street before them.
"Couldn't it have waited till the morning?" Eustace whines as they depart from the boat.
Edmund takes Jo's hand, holding her steady as she steps onto the cobblestones. Once both of her feet are planted on the stone he keeps their fingers intertwined between them. He can feel Charlie's burning glare but he refuses to meet it, not only because he's a king and should be beneath such things but because he knows that whatever it is with Charlie and Jo it is her fight not his own.
"There is no honor in turning away from adventure, lad." Reep informs Eustace as they all climb the steps.
"Listen." Lucy's voice cuts in. "Where is everyone?"
She's right. The island is eerily quiet and there isn't a soul to be seen. It almost seems deserted. That feeling crawls Jo's back again and she tightens her grip on Edmund's hand. He squeezes back, letting her know he understands.
"Come on, Jelly Legs." Reep teases Eustace as he tries to step from the boat to the solid ground.
"I'm capable of doing it myself." Eustace snaps just as he stumbles to the ground.
Jo shakes her head at the sight and Charlie merely steps over the boy. "And you're certain he's related by blood?" Caspian asks with a concerned glance.
The prince slips his crossbow over his head as they walk up onto the main street. A bell tolls loudly, startling the group as well as a flock of birds. Jo's free hand goes to her hilt at her hip instinctively.
Caspian lowers the crossbow, "Reepicheep, stay here with Drinian's men and secure the place." He orders, "We'll head on. If we don't come back by dawn, send a party." And the Kings and Queens start to head into the city.
"Yes, your majesty." Reep obeys and scurries off.
The group walks through the streets of the quiet island, occasionally peering into buildings looking for any sign of life. Each step further the deeper the feeling in Jo's spine becomes. It's nearly overwhelming at this point.
