The High Queen II

The Raid on the Castle of Telmar

Edmund was the first to land at the Telmar castle walls, carefully placed by one of Aelwyn's brothers. As he waved his torch, signalling the rest of their force, Eleanor, Susan, Peter, Trumpkin, and Caspian descended through the cover of night, each of them supported by Aelwyn and his kin. Eleanor, ever the experienced flier, stood confidently on Aelwyn's back as he dove, leaving the others in awe of her fearless stance. Caspian hung from the gryphon's claw, striking down a guard mid-flight, while Eleanor leapt off Aelwyn's back, her axe flashing as she plunged it into an unsuspecting Telmarine. She landed, rolling fluidly before vaulting back onto Aelwyn, who caught her mid-air.

Aelwyn touched down just as Eleanor dismounted, her gaze sweeping the battlements. Susan notched an arrow, loosing it at a guard aiming at Edmund. The gryphons, except Aelwyn, took off again, blending into the night sky.

"Watch over Edmund, Aelwyn," Eleanor instructed, her voice steady.

"As you wish, my queen," he replied, vanishing into the darkness. Eleanor turned her attention back to the walls, her eyes catching sight of a rope dangling over the ledge. Caspian had thrown it down and was already climbing toward the professor's chambers. Peter followed, and then Susan helped Eleanor over the wall.

When Eleanor stepped inside, the room was empty except for a pair of spectacles. Caspian's expression hardened as he picked them up.

"I have to find him," Caspian insisted.

"We don't have time. We need to open the gate," Peter reminded him.

"I owe him my life," Caspian argued, glancing at Eleanor, who met his gaze and nodded.

"We can manage both," Eleanor suggested.

"Divide and conquer," Susan added. "You and I will handle Miraz. Eleanor, go with Caspian. You may need the backup."

Eleanor gave Caspian a small smile, which he returned, grateful. As they moved down the hall, Caspian's hand shot out to stop her, and Eleanor pressed against him, silent as they spied two guards standing before a heavy door.

"The professor is in the dungeons beyond that door," Caspian whispered. "We need the key from their belts."

Eleanor unslung her axe with a smirk. "Consider it done."

Before Caspian could protest, Eleanor stepped forward, whistling to get the guards' attention. "Prince Caspian the Tenth sends his regards!" she taunted, swinging her axe over her shoulder. The guards charged, but she expertly deflected their attacks, then used the chaos to swipe the keys from one of their belts. With a swift manoeuvre, she kicked one guard back and tossed the keys to Caspian, who caught them and darted to the door.

"You're something else, Queen Eleanor," he whispered, unlocking the door before vanishing down the steps.

Eleanor pushed the guards down the stairwell, their bodies tumbling before her as she descended. Caspian's astonished face greeted her at the bottom, where he stood beside the professor. The professor looked from her to Caspian.

"What?" Eleanor shrugged. "Covering our tracks."

Caspian, still tense, sprinted up the steps, determination lighting his eyes. "I need to avenge my father."

"What did you tell him?" Eleanor demanded of the professor, drawing a dagger as she leveled her gaze at him.

"It was Miraz!" the man replied, startled.

Eleanor sighed in exasperation. "Why did you decide now was the time to tell him?" She raced after Caspian, winding through the halls and finally catching up with him as he cornered Miraz. Susan, bow drawn, aimed at Miraz's wife, Prunaprismia, who held a crossbow directed at Caspian.