Kings and Queens

06

The scratching continued, getting more and more intense as time passed.

"Hurry, Mum," Mr. Beaver warned. "They're after us!"

"Right then," Mrs. Beaver replied. "Sam, fetch me the jam, will you?"

Sam handed Mrs. Beaver the jam and glanced at the door. "They're going to get in. We've got to go."

"What is she doing?" Susan asked.

Mrs. Beaver smiled softly. "Don't worry, you'll thank me later. It's a long journey and Beaver gets cranky when he's hungry."

"I'm cranky now!" Mr. Beaver cried.

"Do you think we'll need jam?" Susan wondered.

"Only if the Witch has toast," Peter answered sarcastically.

A small smile crossed Sam's face, then he looked worriedly at the door.

They made their way down a secret tunnel. "This should lead to my friend's." Mr. Beaver informed.

Mrs. Beaver frowned. "You told me it led to your mum's."

Sam heard scuffling and crashing. "They're getting closer!"

Moments later, Lucy exclaimed, "They're in the tunnel!"

The tunnel led them to a dead end. "You should've brought a map!" Mrs. Beaver stated.

"There was no room next to the jam!" Mr. Beaver retorted, jumping from a hole.

With no map, they eventually made their way to the exit. Lucy and Sam fell on stone figures and managed to get up. Together, the two investigated them. Mr. Beaver stepped closer to one of the figures. "He was my best mate."

"What happened here?" Peter wondered quietly.

"This is what happens to those who cross the Witch," a Fox replied, stepping out from the shadows.

"Stand still there, traitor," Mr. Beaver warned.

Sam glanced between the Fox and Mr. Beaver with a frown.

The Fox said, "Relax. I'm one of the good guys."

Mr. Beaver frowned. "Well, you look an awful lot like one of the bad ones."

"An unfortunate family resemblance, but we can discuss family breeding later. Right now, we need to move."

"What do you have in mind?" Peter asked.

The Fox told them to climb the tree behind them, so they did.

A pack of wolves soon appeared and stalked towards the Fox. They began circling him and the Fox took on a cocky tone of voice. "Greetings, gents. Did we lose something?"

Maugrim growled in annoyance. "Don't patronise me. I know where your allegiance lies. We're looking for some humans."

The Fox laughed. "Humans in Narnia? Now, that's a valuable bit of information, don't you think?"

"Where are they?!" Maugrim demanded, grabbing the Fox's fur.

Lucy's quiet gasp was heard and Peter covered her mouth. Eventually, the Fox gave in. "North. They ran north."

"Quickly. Smell them out."

As soon as the wolves left, the children and Beavers' climbed down from the tree. As soon as they reached the ground, Mrs. Beaver treated her husband's wound.

"Are you all right?" Lucy asked worriedly.

The Fox let out a small chuckle, wincing as Mrs. Beaver treated him. "Well, I wish I could say their bark was worse than their bite."