After the End (Narnia)

Chapter XXIII - For Narnia!

The enemy approached in a flurry of shouts and weapons. Led by Jadis, they advanced on the Narnian troops with a remarkable amount of force, waving axes, clubs and swords. Peter stood strong with the infantry, fighting off every enemy that he could with a single hand. I could have done with two swords, he thought. That would have made things a lot easier.

Jadis was not alone. She was clearly the head and the mastermind of the operation, but she was accompanied by all of their old enemies leading their own divisions. Tash led the cavalry, screeching as he rode a nightmarish horse that was seemingly of his own creation. The Lady of the Green Kirtle rode alongside Jadis, her green dress floating in the air, emitting an acidic smell as she charged towards the Narnians. Miraz followed the cavalry in a chariot leading the infantry, his eyes hardened through his helmet. The army reeked of evil. Caspian sneered.

Suddenly, the bulk of the army was upon the Narnians. Oreius, leading the cavalry, fought off dark creature after dark creature. His swordsmanship was being tested like never before. The creatures weren't afraid to cheat and throw chivalry to the wind. Don't fall down, the centaur reminded himself. These beings know no justice. He slashed and jabbed his enemies with his sword while knocking others down with his shield. He paused for a split second to breathe. The world went black.

Susan stood on a rise with her archers, partially obscured by one of Cair Paravel's many orchards. They were all so anxious, tensed as they waited for a move. Susan watched the charge carefully. A section of the army had not yet been released, waiting a few hundred metres away from the battle. "We aim there," Susan shouted, motioning to the waiting army. "On my count." The archers aimed towards their target.

"One, two, THREE!" A spray of arrows arched through the air, working as a single body to rain down on the enemy army. The cries of the army rang out as far as the rise. Susan smiled. "Great work, archers. Prepare for another bombardment. We will continue to attack the stationary portion of the army. Those in the midst of the fighting are too close to our own soldiers," she explained. The archers agreed and aimed once more. Another group of arrows hit the enemy, eliminating more and more soldiers. "Keep up the good work. By the time the next section of the army are ready to advance, there won't be anyone left."

The battle raged on as the sun grew higher in the sky. The Narnian infantry had made their move towards the enemy army. As the full skill of the opposition had been realised, the defensive strategy had been abandoned. A full attack on the enemy army would be the only way to win.

Caspian led the infantry with a newfound ferocity. The knowledge that he was facing his uncle only increased the amount of adrenaline pumping through his veins. It seemed like every swing of his sword was more precise, conquering every enemy he faced. This was significantly easier than fighting the Telmarines. They had been people he had known, laughed with, shared dining tables and stories with. These people - and creatures - were nameless.

Time seemed to stop as quickly as it had started. Miraz charged towards Caspian with a wicked glint in his eyes. He stopped right before he reached his nephew, inspecting his sword casually. "I killed your father with this sword." He let out a twisted chuckle. "I'm looking forward to killing his son with the same blade. It has a certain type of poetry to it. I've always liked poetr-" The man's speech was cut off abruptly as Caspian plunged his sword into Miraz's chest. This man was not going to continue invading his nightmares and his life. Miraz fell to the ground, clutching his chest. The light went out of his eyes as Caspian said the Telmarine prayers for the dying for his uncle in a final trickle of compassion. Caspian walked away with a weight lifted off of his chest. It was finished.

Jill rode further into the enemy's ranks, clutching her sword tightly. There was only one goal for her in this battle, and she was determined to achieve it. Eustace rode beside her, his brows furrowed in determination. He would fight alongside Jill, they would both achieve what had been one of their greatest wishes since their first encounter with the evil woman.

They could both see her in the distance, her acidic green aura burning into their senses. She was surrounded on all sides by Narnians, every one desperate to defeat the woman who had ruined their family lives forever. Jill rode faster, fists clenched on her reins. Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole were going to be the ones to kill the Lady of the Green Kirtle.

The metres between them vanished, and at once Jill found herself looking into the eyes of the only person she had ever hated. "I wondered when I would see you again," the witch laughed, her voice dripping with poison. "You were always so adorable, with your babyish gallantry."

Eustace clenched his fists, trying hard to restrain himself. "Don't. Say that. About my girl," he muttered. The Lady of the Green Kirtle heard him and turned around with a wicked grin.

"What did you say, Eustace? I sure hope you won't demeaning my reputation. I don't tolerate that from low lives like you," the witch took a sudden jab at Eustace's ribs with her glinting sabre. Eustace glared at the spiteful woman as he dodged the blow. Now was his chance.

"Now, Jill!" Eustace cried. The two took lunges at the woman from opposite sides. Their swords pierced her flesh as she fell to the ground with a blood-curdling scream. Her body emitted a sickly green cloud as it disappeared. Eustace and Jill cleaned their swords and rode away.

[Author's Note]

Hey Readers!

Sorry I forgot about uploading last week. I'm giving you a double upload this week to make up for it, at least!

I was busy last week because I was at a special ANZAC Day service (for those who don't know, that's Australia and New Zealand's day for commemorating military service) as part of a tour that I went on last year. I got to meet the governor, so that was pretty sweet. 

What have you all been up to in the past week? What's your country's version of ANZAC Day? I'd love to know.

Until next week!

Sincerely,

The Author