Fire and Ice(Narnia Book 3)

Chapter 33 Iago

(Emmy POV)

My head swam as the world around me spun, my feet landing unsteadily on the dirt. I crashed forward into Edmund, sending us both to our knees. I mumbled a quick 'sorry', picking myself up and dusting myself off.

I glanced to Edmund, waiting for the usual 'you're so clumsy' or some other quip, but his attention was focused solely on something I had yet to see. I turned my gaze to follow his and my mouth fell open.

In front of us a large village, busy with people, marketers, and buyers, carried on about its ways. Colors and objects that I'd never seen before bustled around, passing from people to people as they traded and purchased. I squealed in surprise as an elephant nearby spewed water from its trunk, soaking a few laughing children who shrieked and giggled.

Edmund chuckled as I stepped back into him, grasping my waist to steady me. "This place is amazing..."

"And huge." I replied. "How are we ever to find one person." He shook his head, blinking up at the orange, red sky above us.

As if on cue,  a nearby Apple vender cried out in rage. "Hey! You, boy, bring that back!"

We turned our attention to the man fleeing through the town, dodging flying arms as people attempted to grab him. We shared a knowing look before dashing into the crowd after him.

"Over here!" We heard people shouting as they all made feeble attempts to catch the man. "No, over there!"

Edmund and I were on each other's heels as we ran as hard as we could through the mass of people. We leapt over a few crates of colorful scarfs and fabric, startling the woman who was bent over digging through them.

"Sorry!" Edmund called over his shoulder to her as she screamed in rage after us.

"Watch out!" I called as two men carrying a large beam of wood walked in front of Edmund.

We ducked under it just in time, narrowly avoiding smashing our foreheads into it. Finally breaking free of the commotion, we rounded a corner down an abandoned alley, slowing to a walk.

"I don't get it." I huffed, resting my palms on my knees as I sucked in a breath. "Where'd he go?"

"Wait." Ed held up a hand, pointing to a medium sized hole that seemingly started as a crack in the foundation of the wall to our right.

We crept slowly towards it, my hand on Edmunds back, his hand on the dagger strapped to his belt. Before we could peer in though, the man that caused all of the ruckus stepped out.

"Alright, alright." He spoke, raising his left hand in the air above his head while using the right to lift the apple he'd stolen to his lips. He took a loud bite, his teeth sinking into it noisily, crunching hard as he chewed. "You caught me. I do have to say, that was quite a bit of effort for one Apple."