Fire and Ice(Narnia Book 3)

Chapter 20 Reading

(Edmunds POV)

"Why are we already sailing if we dont know where we're going yet?" Susan exclaimed for the nineteenth time in ten minutes, causing all of us around her to groan. We were all getting somewhat situated in one of the cabins below deck, Lucy sitting across the room on the floor with Reepeecheep, and Emmy and I in one of the hammocks. 

"Just going with the flow of things, your majesty." Reep replied, earning a giggle from Emmy and Lucy. 

Emmys head that had been resting on my shoulder lifted up suddenly, meeting my eyes with hers. "Where are we going?" 

"I dont know." I noticed her confused expression, and her nod indicating she wanted me to continue. "Peter took the map and the list."

She sighed, laying her head back down after seeing my facial expression drop on its own accord. I love my family, who doesn't, but I was doing fine here without Peters help. I should be able to rule on my own for a change, I deserve to rule. My thoughts were interrupted by Susans voice again.

"What are you two doing?" She exclaimed, nodding to Emmy and I, realizing for the first time upon her entrance that we were in the hammock together. "You two are lying inappropriately close over there."

"Guys!" Maggies voice called out suddenly from the top of the stairs. " We're all meeting in the captains quarters."

I sighed, this time in relief, as I jumped up hurriedly, pulling Emmy behind. "Talk later, yeah?"

"Um, okay." Susan replied, mumbling something about me and my behavior as she trailed along behind us.

Peter was already there, sitting at the desk with Maggie perched atop it. Caspian beat us there by a few seconds, smiling as he passed by Trumpkin who was leaning against the wall. 

"So?" Lucy hurried over to Peter, tugged on his sleeve a bit, earning herself a grin from him. "Where to now?"

 "A place called Oz." He replied.

"Who are we looking for?" Reep asked, scampering closer to hear the answer.

"A witch."

"Way to be vague Pete." I rolled my eyes, feeling Emmy bump my shoulder with hers as she bit back a smile. 

"Thats all it says on here!" Peter exclaimed, defending himself as he held up the map, while simultaneously glancing down at the list.

I pushed off of the wall I had been leaning on and made my way over to my brother, snatching the papers from him and looking them over. "N.R." I thought to myself for a moment, ignoring Peters questions about where I got those initials from. "Nessarose. We're looking for the wicked witch of the east. We'll need to go to the Emerald City and go from there."

I felt a swell of pride in my chest as everyone grew silent, all except for Emmy who grinned and exclaimed, "Well done Ed!"   

"Where did you read that?" Peter asked finally, taking the papers back, much to my dismay.

"I'll hold onto the papers again." I held out my hand to him, holding back a surge of anger that was threatening to course through my body.

"I've got it sorted." He mumbled, rising to his feet and telling everyone he'll call when they're ready to leave.

"You know, Aslan gave those to me for a reason."

"Yes, to inform everyone of where we need to go." He replied a few moments later.

"Not only that. The list is vague, I get that, but its that way for a reason. If it falls into the wrong hands everyone on that list could be in grave danger. Aslan knew that our first time here I studied up on a lot of history, including some of the most powerful people that Aslan knew, some people who happen to be on the list. Its not for you to read, Its for me." I waited for a reply that never came, giving up a few moments later and walking to the door, flinging it open and walking out.