Adoration

iv

Narnia 2307

They decided after a few minutes to enter one of the many buildings, leaving Eustace on guard with one of Caspian's daggers.

"I'm ready to go when you are," Eustace yelled the moment they stepped through the door.

A book was laid open on a rock in the middle of the room. As they approached, they noticed the book was full of names. Some were crossed out in black, others in red, and the remaining weren't crossed out at all.

"Who are all these people?" Lucy questioned, her eyes trained on the names.

Edmund lifted his torch to illuminate the page. "Why have they been crossed out?"

"It looks like some kind of fee." Her voice was quiet and slow, as though realisation was dawning on her.

Caspian's jaw tensed in anger. "Slave traders."

A noise sounded from above and, as they looked upwards, men slid down ropes that were connected to the ceiling, ambushing them. They were entirely caught off guard, giving the men the advantage.

A fight broke out, battle cries and swords clashing filled the room. The trio swung and dodged to the best of their ability, but everyone in the room knew that they were outnumbered.

A familiar high-pitched scream interrupted the fight.  They didn't even need to turn to know it was Eustace but, when they did turn, they saw Eustace with a dagger to his throat being dragged into the room by a man in yellow robes and a turban.

"Unless you want to hear this one squeal like a girl again. I'd say you should drop your weapons." The man announced, holding Eustace at a distance as though he was contagious.

"I'm not a girl," Eustace cried, outraged.

"Now!" the man bellowed, holding the dagger tighter against Eustace's throat. The boy winced, squealing loudly.

Lucy threw her sword down shooting a scowl at the man. Caspian followed a second later, placing the sword down carefully.

"Eustace," Edmund growled, throwing his weapon down too.

"Put 'em in iron." The man ordered, removing the dagger from the boy's throat, and choosing to, instead, grip his ear.

"Get your hands off me." Lucy snapped as she was gripped by the men. They ignored her and continued to grasp at her.

"Let's take these two to the market," he instructed, gesturing to Lucy and Eustace. "Send those two to the dungeons."

Caspian struggled as his arms were restricted behind his back. "Listen to me, you insolent fool. I am your king!" he yelled, pulling himself away from the men who were holding him.

Edmund attempted to struggle also, resulting in a harsh slap to the face by one of the elder looking men. "You're going to pay for that." He spoke, a glare now coating his face.

"Actually . . . someone else is going to pay . . . for all of you." The yellow clad man drawled.

"No! No! Edmund!" Lucy shrieked as the men dragged her away.