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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I awoke to the sensation of Edmund subtly readjusting beneath me, his bare chest providing a comforting support for my head.
"Morning," he greeted in his morning lilt, his voice tinged with the tranquility of waking. I offered a gentle smile as I lifted my head slightly, leaning in to meet his lips with a tender embrace.
"Good morning to you too, love," I greeted, a smile lingering on my lips as I pulled away.
"Did you have a good night's sleep?" he teased, a playful smirk gracing his face.
Suppressing a smile at the recollection of last night's events, I pressed my lips together. "Very much," I replied, unable to hide the subtle amusement in my voice.
A sudden knock on my door startled us, followed by Caspian's voice echoing through the room.
"Cora, have you seen Edmund?" he inquired through the door, prompting a glance between Edmund and me as we attempted to suppress our laughter.
"Nope, have you checked the main deck? He might be there," I replied, holding back a chuckle.
"I haven't yet..." There was a brief pause. "I know you're in there, Ed," Caspian's voice sounded again, hinting at his awareness of Edmund's presence.
Edmund and I exchanged a glance, our laughter subsiding briefly at Caspian's assumption.
Without waiting for a response, Caspian announced, "Get ready. We've found another land," before his footsteps trailed away from the door.
Once Caspian was out of earshot, Edmund and I shared a look before letting out the laughter we'd been containing.
I settled onto the edge of the bed, the white blanket already wrapped snugly around my bare torso, offering a modest cover as we readied ourselves for the day ahead. The morning light streamed through the window, casting a soft, ethereal glow that danced across the room's interior.
𓏲⋆ ִֶָ ๋𓂃 ⋆
The rowboat glided smoothly through the gentle waves, nearing the shores of the newly discovered island. Positioned behind Edmund, I sat with Eustace, while Caspian and another crew member manned the boat. Opposite us, Lucy settled in, her gaze alternating between the serene horizon and our surroundings.
Reepicheep's voice carried across the boat, his concern evident in his words. "I doubt the lords stopped here, my liege. There's no sign of anything living."
Caspian, ever the leader, responded with a plan. "Once we're ashore, take your men and search for food and water. The four of us will look for clues."
A sudden interruption caught us off guard. "Hang on, you mean the five of us," Eustace spoke up, drawing the attention of everyone in the boat.
Both Edmund and I turned to regard the boy, curious about his sudden plea.
"Come on, please don't send me back to the rat," Eustace pleaded, his desperation evident in his voice. His remark earned a sharp retort from Reepicheep, who was quick to respond, "I heard that."
Eustace muttered a response under his breath, "Big ears."
Reepicheep, unfazed, delivered a playful quip, "I heard that too."
The lighthearted banter between Eustace and Reepicheep prompted a chuckle from the rest of us, momentarily lightening the atmosphere as we prepared to explore the unknown terrain that lay ahead.
Upon reaching the shore, the four of us began our exploration of the island, diligently scouring for any clues that might aid us in our quest. Meanwhile, the crew ventured off in search of provisions—food and water—to sustain us during our journey, leaving Eustace under their care.
"Looks like we're not the first ones on this island," I remarked, spotting a hole with a rope leading downwards.
Caspian's gaze fixated on the opening. "Yeah, looks like it."
Edmund's curiosity was evident. "The lords?"
"Could be," Caspian replied, picking up a nearby rock and tossing it down the hole, the sound of its descent echoing faintly.
"What do you think could be down there?" Ed pondered, and I instinctively held onto the rope, preparing for what lay ahead.
"Well, there's only one way to find out," I remarked with resolve before taking the plunge, gripping the rope tightly.
As I descended, my feet finally found purchase on the ground below. The cave's interior wasn't engulfed in darkness; rather, rays of sunlight filtered through holes in the cave's ceiling, casting golden beams that danced across the chamber. These pockets of light illuminated the cavern, revealing the space with a warm, ethereal glow.
The faint echoes of our voices reverberated within the cavern's depths, adding an eerie quality to the atmosphere as if the cave itself held secrets waiting to be unveiled in the flickering shadows and golden hues.
Edmund and I ventured deeper into the cave, exploring its dimly lit recesses. Suddenly, our attention was drawn to a section of the cave where water pooled on the ground. As we approached, a peculiar sight caught our eyes—a statue of a golden man stood amidst the water.
"What's that?" Caspian's voice echoed from behind us as he and Lucy finally joined us on the ground.
"I don't know," Ed responded, his gaze fixed on the statue. "Looks like some sort of gold statue."
Intrigued and cautious, Ed plucked a pine from a nearby tree, tearing it from its roots. With deliberate steps, he returned to where we stood, holding the wooden piece. We watched in silence as he extended the wood to touch the water's surface. The moment the wood made contact with the water, a transformation unfolded before our eyes—the pine began to slowly transmute into gold.
"Ed, drop it!" I urgently exclaimed as he hesitated, still holding the gilded wood. With a sudden realization, he swiftly released it with a yelp, the fully transformed golden object clattering into the water below.
Caspian knelt beside the water, studying the scene carefully. "He must have fallen in," he deduced, his eyes fixed on the golden statue submerged in the pool.
"Poor man," Lucy sympathized, her voice tinged with sorrow.
"You mean, poor lord," Ed interjected, pointing out the distinction.
Caspian's gaze settled on the details. "The crest of Lord Restimar," he noted, his attention drawn to a specific emblem.
"And his sword," I observed, pointing towards the hilt visible below the water's surface. "We need it," Caspian concluded, determination evident in his voice.
