To Learn

Chapter 5: Sacrifices

N/A: Maybe this was rushed, sorry if it seems that way. I had a hard time with this chapter.
-~-~-~-~
I was sleeping, on the grass but it was comfortable. I doubt anyone in Aslan's troops had custom-made beds for massive wolves; I didn't mind. The night was quiet and calm, only the fresh breeze of the wind could be heard in the tent. Edmund was adamant that I spent the night in the boys' carpet. I think he felt safer with me around, not that I've done much in keeping him safe, but I agreed. Who was I to question? It wasn't like he was forcing me to do something uncomfortable.

I woke up, undisturbed: I've had the habit of waking early for years; the Witch was ruthless when waking up her servants. I realized that it had not even dawned. Well, it was winter, it dawns much latter than normal, not that it been different from any other dawn for the last century. I yawned, releasing that distinct sound dogs do when yawning and stretched, taking my time. A harder breeze blew the tent's entrance open and pink petals drifted in. I straighten instinctively, sensing and smelling the presence of another's. I let out a low growl in warning.

One of the petals brushed Peter's cheek, making him sleepily touch it before waking up in alarm after seeing the Dryad slowly form; Edmund woke up too, by the sound Peter's sword made when drawn in his alarm.

"Be still my Princes." The spirit calmly pled. The brother looked at each other, and then at the dryad "I bring grave news from your sisters."
-~-~-~-~-~
Peter came out of Aslan's tent, somber and worried "She's right." He approached the table, where a map laid. Edmund and I gazed at each other "Then you'll have to lead us." He said. Peter looked at him with fearful eyes "Peter, there's an army out there, that's ready to follow you."

"I can't." Peter replied. I kept quiet, what could I possibly say?

"Aslan believed you could." Edmund paused "and so do I." Peter and Edmund shared thankful and determined looks at each other respectively.

"The Witch's army is nearing sire, what are your orders?" The Centaur, whose name I learned was Oreius, asked.

Peter looked at me "Can I count with your help?"

I stood and smirked "You wouldn't have thought I would let you have all the fun there, now did you?"
-~-~-~-~-~
I stood alongside Edmund at the top of the hill overlooking the soon-to-be battlefield. I was given a provisional armor, similar to the cursed one I wore before, but less fitting. It was better than nothing I surmised. A Gryphon screeched while on flight, then coming down to land beside Peter, at the bottom of the Fords of Beruna.

I could see that they had a brief conversation, it's content impossible for me to decipher with all the army's ruckus.

I was standing, feeling an intense and heavy emotion settle down deep within my belly. This was intensified after seeing the Witch's army appear on the horizon. Even if we were to fight to the last man, we would lose; their numbers greatly surpassed that of Aslan's army.

There was a heavy and tense silence then. Peter turned and looked at Edmund, the latter nodding before reinforcing his confidence and drawing his sword. Pointing it forward; Aslan's army roared.

I clearly heard the black Minotaur make a bull-like cry, the Witch's army roaring along. And just like that, they charged forward like a mad stampede. Peter held his ground, and when they got closer to the middle of the field he jerked the sword forward. Hundreds of Gryphons then clouded and shrieked in the sky, heading to the stampeding mass of enemies. It becomes an agility test for those in the air and an precision test for those on land; that was until the Harpys joined.

Then then true battle began, with Peter's battle cry "For Narnia! And for Aslan!" he, loyally followed by the army, charged forward. Everything somehow slowed down, as if time has slowed itself. Every breath, thud, cry and heartbeat could be heard. Both sides kept closing in one another, I held my breath, preparing myself, steeling my resolve and praying everything would work. This is not just a revolution, it is a battle for freedom, a battle that will decide the fate of Narnia as we know it. A battle of wills.