Our Long Awaited Return Book #8

Chapter 15 Ask Them

Verity's pov

Edmund rode a griffin again, coming down closer to our level. I was still crying. 

"Is she alright?" Edmund asked anxiously. 

"I'm fine," I said; I still felt the pain in my leg. 

"No, you're not, and that was just plain stupid what you did out there, Verity," Peter retorted. "You could have gotten killed." 

"We could have stopped all this," I fired back, wiping away my tears. 

"I suppose you're right about one thing," Peter muttered. "If Caspian hadn't had..." 

"You think that's what ruined our attack?" Edmund asked, surprised. 

"Of course it was. Ouch!" I yelped. 

"Don't worry, Key, we'll be at the How soon, and Lucy will have her cordial," Peter assured me. 

As if I was worried about a small wound, but I felt warm and safe. Peter's arms. He was the best older brother anyone could ever have, despite his arrogance. 

When we reached the How, I leaned on Edmund's arm; Peter and Andrew walked in front of the group with Caspian. 

Lucy reached us first. "What happened?" 

"Ask them," Peter replied crossly, nodding at Caspian and Andrew. 

"Peter," Susan protested. 

"It wasn't just their fault," Ruth added. 

"Oh, really," I tried to laugh but flinched in pain. 

"What did I do?" Andrew asked. 

"You know," Peter retorted. 

"And me, you could have called it off; there was still time," Caspian agreed. 

"No, there wasn't, thanks to you; if you had kept the plan, those soldiers would still be alive, and my sister wouldn't be hurt," Peter answered. 

I couldn't help but agree with my brother. 

"My sister was hurt too, and if you'd have stayed here as I suggested, those soldiers definitely would be," Caspian replied. "And it's your sister's fault she got hurt, as stupid as she is." 

I glared at him. How dare he call me stupid. I was the smartest out of my siblings. 

Lucy came over to me. "Are you alright?" Concern furrowed her brow. 

"I'm fine," I shrugged my shoulders. "But I'll make sure Caspian isn't." 

"Verity, now is not the time," Edmund told me. 

"Just one drop, Verity," Lucy said to me. 

"Fine," I answered, and when she did, my leg felt better. She did the same to Leona. 

Peter retorted to Caspian's answer. "Verity isn't stupid; no one calls my sister that, you hear? And you called us, remember?" 

"My first mistake," Caspian answered repulsively. 

I gripped the hilt of my sword. We weren't a mistake! 

"No," Peter shook his head in disgust. "Your first mistake was ever thinking you could lead those people." 

He turned to leave, but Caspian yelled at him, "Hey! I am not the one who abandoned Narnia!" 

Peter turned back. "You invaded Narnia; you have no right to lead it any more than Miraz does. You, him, your father. Narnia's better off with the lot of you!" 

They both unsheathed their swords, ready to fight. I was about to join the fight. 

"Stop!" Edmund cried in protest. 

I saw him and Glenstorm with the injured Trumpkin in their arms. I covered my mouth to try to muffle a sob. I looked over at Peter, whose sword still pointed at Caspian, but then he lowered it. 

"Poor Trumpkin," sobbed Ruth. 

Lucy ran towards the dwarf who was on the ground; she gave him a drop of her cordial. 

He coughed for a moment and opened his eyes. "What are you all standing around for?" He asked, annoyed. "The Telmarines will be here soon enough." 

"You're right about that," Andrew grinned. 

He looked at Lucy. "Thank you, my dear little friend." 

"Where's Caspian?" Leona asked. 

"Probably upset," I told her as we walked into the How. 

"He doesn't just disappear like that," Leona glared at me. "I know my brother." 

"There's another problem," Trumpkin pointed out. "Nikabrik's not here either."