To Defend Our Land Book #4

Chapter 6 The Message

Lucy had gone outside with Ruth to practice with Ruth to practice archery.
"I wish I knew where she was," Lucy sighed, putting her bow down, as Ruth took her shot.
"It isn't right to worry oneself," commented Ruth, "Verity's fine; she's tough and smart. She'll find her way out eventually."
"Eventually," sighed Lucy, "But not right away."
"Your majesties, down here," Someone shouted.
They looked down to find a mouse, "Who are you?" Ruth asked surprised.
"It's a mouse," Lucy answered excitedly.
"I'm Qadir. And I come bearing news from Her Majesty, Queen Verity, your sister," the mouse explained, handing Ruth a folded piece of paper.
"Is she alive?" Lucy asked anxious.
"Well, I would think so or how would she have sent you the message," Qadir replied."And now I must be off to tell my queen that her message was delivered." And so the mouse disappeared.
"What does it say?" Asked Lucy.
"It's Verity, I think, um, I'm fine. At least I think I will be," she began," I can't make out the rest."
"Peter or Andrew might be able to read it," Lucy suggested, "Where's Susan, we need to tell Susan."
"I'll get her," Ruth replied, "You go on ahead."
Lucy ran to get her horse and saddled it, jumped on, and headed into the Shuddering Woods.
"Peter! Andrew! Edmund!" She cried.
"Lucy!" She heard her oldest brother call.
In a few minutes, the search party had joined her.
"What is it?" Andrew asked.
"Verity, she sent a message, but it's in code. She says she's fine," Lucy answered.
"Where is she?" Edmund asked.
"Ruth couldn't make out the rest," she replied.
"Come on," Peter said, "Orieus, you and your men stay here in case you find anything."
"Yes, your majesty," Orieus nodded.
The four siblings made their way back to Cair Paravel.
"Peter!" Susan cried, "You're here!" She and Ruth them at the door of the stable.
"The note?" Asked Edmund, getting off his horse.
"Where is it?" Andrew inquired.
"Yes," Ruth handed it to Peter, who unfolded it.
"She says she's fine or she thinks. She's somewhere in the Shuddering Woods. In a small house. It has a series of tunnels and then a prison. She wants help, no she said, 'Be prepared for battle'." The eldest explained.
"Well, at least we know that she's alright and know a bit about where she is," Edmund remained hopeful.
"But what does she expect us to do, knock on every house in the Shuddering Woods and ask if they have our sister and their queen hostage," remarked Susan sarcastically.
"But it gives us a good start," Andrew crossed his arms.
"It could take days until we find her, and who knows, she could be dead," Ruth protested, she fled into Andrew's arms, who held her close, as she pressed her face against his shoulder.
"But she said that we shouldn't..." Lucy wanted to say but was interrupted by Orieus.
"Your majesties, we've spied a group of Narnians, followers of the white witch. They are preparing for battle," he told them gravely.
"Instead we should be prepared for battle," Peter finished for his youngest sister.
Lucy looked up at her eldest sibling, who put his strong arm around her. She rested her head against him. The two of them had always shared the closest bond with their sister, who was being held prisoner.
"We have to find Aslan," she said, "He'll help us, I know he will."
Peter turned to Orieus, "Gather your troops; we'll prepare for battle after or before we find my sister."