This is the tale of a journey that takes Luna not only to discover the world beyond Narnia's borders; she will find a purpose that goes deeper than protecting her king.
» That's why. I can't protect you the way I should... « As she looks into his ey...
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One by one the invited friends file into Caspian's official study. Cas leans against the windowsill Luna sits on, his back and her propped up legs touching. She would stand by his side but knows – sooner or later – he would usher her to take it easy. Orion, who accompanied his mentor here in the first place, lounges on one of the sofas in the room. Despite it being a wide chamber, it feels cramped by the mass of furniture – the tall cabinets reaching the ceiling, full of books and parchments and little trinkets make the ceiling appear lower; the many seating accommodations strewn around as the king sometimes holds meetings here take up lots of space. However, the room still manages to be cosy. Cas' desk sits in a nook, a half-round oriel with three of the palace's high windows in the back – perfect light to work for the king.
Trumpkin is first to enter, followed by Elrik. The dwarf seems irritated by the sailor but does not question his presence as he sees the king and his Crown Shield waiting. Drinian strides in, face grim as usual. He nods into the room before sitting down next to Trumpkin. Despite being in his forties, the Lord Captain appears older – maybe it's the utter lack of hair on his head. Timea pushes the door open wider with Rhea whispering something about a polite knock before entering a room. Jared and Agenor slip in nearly unnoticed behind them. The Captain of the Guard has always been quiet, and Agenor is a trained Shadow, so no surprise there. Last to arrive are the lords Elmas and Dandren. They are, after all, two of Caspian's oldest and best friends. He trusts them, while Luna is a bit more hesitant. She has known them both for years but they – together with Lord Oria, another good friend of the king, and Lord Riven, one of the traitors – belong to Caspian's hunting party. Meaning they are close, and still one of them participated in the failed coup. Then again, she has never doubted their loyalty to Narnia or the king, never had reason to.
Cas loosens his arms from where he crossed them over his chest, exchanging a look with Luna. Something passes between them, warm and determined. The others note this in silence – these exchanges between king and Crown Shield are nothing new, yet something seems changed. The meeting begins diplomatically – Cas' style. He is as surprised as the rest of their friends at Luna's lack of fierce directness, jumping unnecessary pleasantries and smalltalk to skip to the point. Instead, she observes from her place on the windowsill, brown eyes unreadable. She watches Caspian address their friends, present the reason for this meeting – the intrigue. His stance is open, but she sees the tension in his shoulders. In them all – the past incident haunts them. Trumpkin blames himself for dismissing the warning signs, the two lords feel guilty for not recognizing the traitor in their midst, Jared and Orion keep tracking Luna's movements as if afraid she will be hurt again... Tomorrow, the court will hold the hearing for Lord Riven and Lord Balren – and Caspian will speak their final judgement. This weighs on him more than he lets on, slipped behind the mask of a steadfast king. Yet, she also sees the concern in his eyes every time he looks at her, the relief written in every feature when they meet after hours spent apart, and she notices the way he keeps her close or grows restless unless someone else is with her. A duality that could prove dangerous, shift focus. Supressing a sigh, she wishes Glenstorm were here, but he is on leaf of duty to recover. Frighteningly few people she truly trusts are. Dr Cornelius has settled in Beruna, her family resides still in the Owlwood, Reepicheep is gone, and her Shadows might be compromised. Kirea's treason hits hard – hardest probably Orion. He considered her a sort of sister, even when they never did anything but bicker. Even on missions. For now, the adolescent is imprisoned. Luna cannot decide what to do with her, she has mulled it over time and time again. Usually, she is prepared to do anything for her king, for Narnia.
