Guardian of Narnia

Chapter 4

"Hurry, mother!" Beaver said as they ran inside the dam. "They're after us!"

"Oh, right!"

She ran around the home, gathering materials.

"What is she doing?" Peter asked. He had placed Alex's feet on the ground, but her arm was still around his shoulder.

"Oh, you'll be thanking me later," Mrs Beaver said. "It's a long journey and Beaver gets pretty cranky when he's hungry."

Susan ran to help Mrs Beaver pack, making the process go quicker.

"I'm cranky now!" Beaver exclaimed.

Alex's head shot up as she listened to the noises outside.

"Take them." It was Maugrim.

"Do you think we'll need jam?" Susan asked.

"Only if the Witch serves toast," Peter replied.

Wolf barks could now be heard overhead. Alex looked at Lucy.

"Lucy, grab my swords," she said. "They're by the bed."

Lucy nodded and returned a moment later with Alex's weapons.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

"Quick!" Beaver said. "In here!" He opened up a secret passageway and ran inside. The others quickly followed. "Badger and I made this. It comes out right near his place."

"He told me it led to your mums," Mrs Beaver said.

Lucy suddenly tripped on a root. Susan helped her up. Suddenly, they heard barking.

"They're in the tunnel," Lucy whispered.

"Quick! This way!"

"Hurry!"

"Run!"

They soon came to a dead end.

"You should have brought a map!" Mrs Beaver said.

"There wasn't room next to the jam!"

They quickly climbed up through the exit and into the night air.

"Come on, Lucy," Susan said.

As soon as Peter was through, he and Mr Beaver blocked the passage with a barrel. Lucy suddenly cried out, making everyone look at her. She had fallen over small stone statues that looked like squirrels. There were a few other statues nearby, one being Beaver's friend Badger.

"I'm so sorry, dear," Mrs Beaver said.

"He was my best mate," Mr Beaver replied.

"What happened here?" Peter asked, fear in his voice.

"This is what becomes of those who cross the Witch."

The group turned to see a fox standing above them.

"You take one more step, traitor," Beaver said, "and I'll chew you to splinters."

"Relax," the fox replied. "I'm one of the good guys."

"Yeah? Well you look an awful lot like one of the bad ones."

"An unfortunate family resemblance. We can argue breeding later. Right now we've got to move."

Barks could suddenly be heard from the tunnel. Peter looked at the fox.

"What do you have in mind?"

~

Alex sat beside Peter as Mrs Beaver tended to the Fox. He had been bitten by one of the wolves and was slightly hurt.