Beyond the Horn

CHAPTER 16 PART 2: KARA

Kara bit back a whimper as Peter barely managed to maneuver around a few well-aimed strikes from Miraz. The usurper king was coming at him with a new ferocity that had taken Peter by surprise at first.

She sucked in a quick breath as Miraz began to ram his shield into Peter's jaw, then his abdomen, then for his head which was when Peter ducked aside, flinging his sword out to thwack against the huge shield, but it was knocked from his hands. His head flying sideways at another blow from Miraz's shield, Peter gasped, and then, gritting his teeth, seized the shield and spun, twirling the shield up and over his head and twisting Miraz's arms behind his back painfully.

The usurper king jerked free to smash his elbow in Peter's face, and blood spilled from the young king's nose before Miraz managed to fling him against a rock. Kara's gloved hand gripped Ed's all the tighter.

Peter dodged another shield blow and a sword strike from his crouching position, and Miraz came at him, bowling him over and striking for Peter's neck. The High King blocked it with his metal gauntlets, fiercely shoving the blade back and jumped to his feet. He then leaned forward and his metal-clad fist struck Miraz's only recently injured leg. The Telmarine roared, falling to his knees and scrambling away from Peter.

"Respite!" he gasped. "Respite!"

Kara realized she hadn't been breathing and exhaled all in a rush. It had all happened so quickly, in mere minutes, mere moments.

"Now's not the time for chivalry, Peter!" Ed reminded his brother as he hesitated.

Peter stared hard at the Telmarine, who was still on his knees, and finally turned to head back, silently agreeing to a respite. But Kara saw as Miraz rose to his feet, seized his sword from where it lay on the ground and swung at him, and her voice joined with Ed's as they both cried out, "LOOK OUT!"

Peter whirled around in time to leap out of the way, then on the next strike a new strength seemed to enter his limbs and he gripped the blade, neatly twisted it and shoved it into Miraz's side.

The Telmarine froze, his mouth gaping open, and he slumped down, gasping and panting, completely helpless. Peter stood above him, sword poised to strike.

"What's the matter, boy?" Miraz hissed between gritted teeth. "Too cowardly to take a life?"

Peter glared down at him and lowered the sword. "It's not mine to take," he replied. He looked over to Caspian, and held out the sword toward him.

Caspian stepped forward and took it, and took Peter's place. The High King returned to stand beside Kara, who grabbed him in a quick embrace. Then they all watched as Caspian raised the sword high.

"Perhaps I was wrong. Maybe you do have the makings of a Telmarine king after all," Miraz said loud enough for all to hear, never taking his wild eyes off of his nephew.

Caspian's hands trembled, and he held his uncle's gaze for a moment more, and then suddenly he screamed. A bellowing cry tore from his mouth at the same time that the sword's point pierced the ground between him and Miraz.

"Not one like you," Caspian said in a quivering voice, and Kara beamed widely as tears came to her eyes.

Caspian stood straighter, having released the sword, and maintained eye contact with the astonished Telmarine before him. "Keep your life. But I am giving the Narnians back their kingdom."

Kara gasped, and suddenly the entire army of Narnians behind them erupted in triumphant cheers for Caspian. And though she did not know him as well as her sister did, Kara ran forward to throw her arms around Caspian's neck as he returned to them.