Chapter 5: The Shattered Goblet

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The night hung heavy over Cair Paravel, the smoldering embers of the Archenlandish delegation quarters casting an angry glow on the once joyous preparations. The air crackled with a tension that went beyond simple suspicion; it thrummed with the thrumming heart of approaching war.

Inside the castle, the atmosphere was no less grim. In the grand hall, littered with overturned furniture and the charred remnants of tapestries, Peter addressed the court. His face, usually radiating warmth, was etched with a cold anger.

"This act of barbarity will not deter us," he boomed, his voice echoing in the silent hall. "We will find those responsible and bring them to justice."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the Narnian ranks, punctuated by the stoic silence of the remaining Archenlandish delegation members. Their faces were masks of grief and fury, a stark contrast to the joyous anticipation that had filled the halls just days ago.

Across the room, Lillian stood withdrawn, clutching her cloak tightly around her. Her heart ached for both her homeland and her adopted one. The news of her father's involvement, revealed in a tense confrontation earlier that day, had shaken her to the core. While he vehemently denied responsibility for the attack, his motives remained shrouded in secrecy.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the entrance. A Narnian soldier, his face etched with urgency, rushed towards Peter.

"Your Majesty," he gasped, bowing hastily, "we have intercepted a message."

He unfolded a scroll, its parchment singed and blackened at the edges. The words were written in a cryptic language, unfamiliar to most in the court.

"We can't make much sense of it," the soldier admitted. "But it seems urgent."

Lucy, ever the scholar, stepped forward. "Let me see."

She scrutinized the message, her brow furrowing in concentration. A flicker of recognition sparked in her eyes.

"It's Old Narnian," she declared. "And it's a warning."

A collective gasp filled the room. Old Narnian, a language rarely used except in dusty scrolls and ancient lore, seemed an ominous choice for a warning.

"What does it say?" Edmund demanded, his voice taut with anticipation.

Lucy cleared her throat and began to translate. "Beware the shadow that creeps unseen. It stirs ancient hatred, seeking to tear down what has been built."

The message continued, cryptic and chilling. It spoke of a hidden enemy, lurking in the shadows, wielding dark magic to manipulate events. It spoke of a plot that went beyond disruption, a plot aimed at plunging Narnia back into chaos.

As Lucy finished her translation, a stunned silence descended upon the room. The whispers of doubt that had plagued them now coalesced into a horrifying truth – they weren't just facing political intrigue, they were facing a far deeper and more dangerous enemy.

Peter, however, didn't succumb to fear. His gaze hardened with resolve. "We won't be cowed by threats," he declared. "We will find the one behind this, and we will face them head-on."

He turned to Edmund. "Inform the guard. Double patrols. Leave no corner of the castle unexplored."

Edmund nodded grimly and moved to carry out the order.

As the court began to disperse, a quiet hand touched Lillian's arm. It was Blaze, his eyes filled with concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Lillian offered a weak smile. "Just... worried."

"About your father?" he guessed.

She nodded. "I still don't believe he planned the attack. But..."

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