𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇
⸻ Cordelia Winterbourne's ordinary life with her mother was shattered by the onset of war, prompting Cordelia's mother to make a gut-wrenching decision by sending her daughter away for a while to keep her safe.
However, fate had a di...
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The ambiance around us took on a somber tone, the sky overcast as people bustled about the ship. Caspian and Drinian occupied themselves near the stairs of the deck, engrossed in discussions concerning a map, their voices carrying snippets of strategy and navigation.
Meanwhile, Lucy settled herself beside the doors, focused on adjusting the fit of her attire, skillfully sewing the vest to better suit her frame.
Eustace found his corner at the deck's edge, surrounded by barrels, engrossed in what seemed like chronicling his thoughts in a diary. His secluded spot provided a retreat, shielding him as he poured his musings onto paper.
And there we were, Edmund and I, seated together opposite Eustace, our focus drawn to the ancient sword Ed was meticulously scraping away the covering from. He was engrossed in the task, his attention fixated on revealing the sword's hidden glory.
In contrast, I found myself with little to occupy my hands or mind, observing the others as they diligently attended to their tasks, leaving me in a state of idle restlessness.
As Edmund carefully lifted the sword, inspecting it with a focused gaze, Reepicheep, approached us with a sense of wonder in his eyes. His attention immediately fixed on the sword, marveling at its sight.
"It's going to be magnificent," Reepicheep remarked, his voice filled with admiration. Then, with a twinkle in his eye and a hint of jest, he inquired, "Do they come in a smaller size?"
His question carried a touch of humor, his curiosity about the sword's potential availability in a more petite form evident in his playful tone.
Resting my head against Edmund's shoulder as Reepicheep departed, I released a sigh of weariness, feeling an unexpected fatigue settle within me.
"I didn't even do anything, but I'm feeling exhausted," I huffed, a hint of frustration in my voice.
Sensing my fatigue, Edmund gently set down the sword, turning his attention toward me. "Would you like to take a nap?" he asked, concern evident in his voice, his care for my well-being apparent.
"Maybe later, so I can sleep straight through the night," I mumbled wearily, my gaze shifting towards where Eustace had been seated, only to find his absence.
The sudden disappearance of Eustace raised a flicker of curiosity, prompting a silent query about his whereabouts, a detail that seemed to slip unnoticed amidst the ongoing activities on the ship.
Amidst the bustling activities on the deck, Eustace suddenly emerged, brandishing a knife as he engaged in an unexpected duel with Reepicheep. The spectacle swiftly captured the attention of the crew, drawing their curious gazes toward the unfolding scene.
Reepicheep, holding an orange fruit in hand, deftly tossed it toward Drinian, who effortlessly caught it, showcasing his agility amid the impromptu entertainment.
Meanwhile, Eustace, wielding his knife, began his assault on the valiant mouse. Reepicheep, displaying remarkable dexterity and swift reflexes, adeptly evaded Eustace's attacks, skillfully dodging each lunge and parrying with precision.
Amidst the laughter and cheers from the crew, Reepicheep continued to encourage Eustace, who, with determined clumsiness, persistently lunged and attacked the nimble mouse.
In a swift move, Reepicheep skillfully swung, deftly maneuvering around the ropes of the ship, before landing gracefully atop a nearby barrel, positioning himself behind Eustace.
The mouse's agility and precision in navigating the ship's elements added an element of finesse to the playful duel.
Stepping down from the barrel, Reepicheep returned to his position at the ship's edge, unperturbed and poised. Eustace, undeterred, resumed his attack alongside the mouse, swinging and thrusting, yet Reepicheep effortlessly evaded each attempted strike, demonstrating his agility and adroitness in avoiding the boy's earnest but clumsy efforts.
Amid the playful exchange, Reepicheep theatrically 'fell' backward from the ship's edge, prompting an immediate rush of concern from Eustace, who hurriedly leaned over, checking for any signs of the mouse beneath the ship.
A small snicker escaped me as I watched the scene unfold. Unbeknownst to Eustace, Reepicheep stealthily positioned himself behind the boy. As Eustace turned around, the mouse swiftly executed a surprise move, delivering a sudden kick against the boy's back.
Caught off guard, Eustace stumbled forward, inadvertently colliding with a nearby basket positioned in the middle of the deck, which resulted in an accidental collision, followed by an unexpected shriek from a girl.
As the laughter and cheers around us subsided, a surprising development unfolded when the girl from Lone Island emerged from the basket, much to the astonishment of those gathered.
"Gael?" the man's voice quivered with a mix of surprise and concern as he recognized his daughter. "What are you doing here?"
However, the girl remained silent, standing in place without uttering a word. Her father, overcome with a surge of emotions, approached her and enveloped her in a heartfelt embrace.
Amid this touching reunion, Drinian, still holding the orange fruit that Reepicheep had tossed earlier, approached the father and daughter.
"Looks like we have an extra crew member," he remarked with a hint of warmth, offering the orange to the girl, who accepted it with a grateful smile.
The simple gesture served as a small token of acceptance, signifying her inclusion among the crew.
Lucy, with her customary warmth and kindness, approached the girl, extending a friendly hand and introducing herself to Gael. With a gentle smile, she offered her guidance, ushering Gael away from the deck, perhaps to offer comfort, assistance, or simply to provide a welcoming presence in this new and unexpected turn of events.
"Well, that was quite a show," I remarked, glancing around at the now-settled deck, while Edmund let out a chuckle, resuming his careful work on the sword.
"I suppose my cousin could use a bit more practice with someone with skills akin to mine," Ed quipped. His comment earned a playful narrowed look from me.
"Or perhaps someone more like me," I countered with a smirk, meeting his gaze, and he responded with a hearty laugh.
"Whatever you say, love," he responded, his tone affectionate and playful.
