Rising with the Dawn

Duel

Demetria laughed as she watched Caspian and Edmund duel, the clash of their swords nearly lost in the cheers of the crew. It took everything in her to fight off the envy that swelled in her. Before her injury, she and Caspian would duel every evening after dinner. In a strange way, while it helped her to grow stronger, it helped them both to relax. Caspian would vent to her about his crazy day as they spoke and occasionally she would offer some advice if she felt it would help. She had loved it until those times had been stolen from them. Pushing away those thoughts, Demetria watched and cheered as Edmund and Caspian matched the other's every move until both were panting with their blades at the other's neck. Smiles were on their faces as they dropped their blades and Caspian placed his hand on Edmund's shoulder.

"You've grown stronger my friend." He praised the younger king with a smile.

"It seems I have." Edmund said as he passed the word back to Caspian, having borrowed it. He turned to Demetria next with a smirk. "You don't mind do you Demi?" She laughed shaking her head, only wishing she had done the same instead of growing weaker. Edmund took her hand as they went to stand beside Lucy who seemed to be lost in thought.

"You don't suppose," She said, tone laced with thoughtfulness, "That when we reach the edge of the world, we'll just tip off the edge?" Edmund smiled as he took one of the drinks the cabin boy offered to him and Lucy.

"Don't worry Lu," He hummed, leaning back against the railing, "We're a long way from there." He wrapped an arm around Demetria's waist, pulling her close to his side. Contentment seemed to roll off of him as she rested her head against his shoulder, comfortable in his embrace. With the sun warming them and the gentle rocking of the boat, it was an almost perfect moment, until Eustace came above deck.

"I see you're still talking nonsense." He grumbled, wiping his hands off on his pants. He did a double take when he saw her, opening his mouth. "Who are you?" He almost sneered the question, catching her off guard. What had she done to him? They hadn't even spoken yet.

"I'm- I'm Demetria." She found herself tripping over even the simple statement in her surprise. What had she done to provoke rudeness. Edmund seemed to bristle beside her, glaring daggers at a snickering Eustace.

"She's my girlfriend." Edmund said, the words so tender said in such a defensive tone as the new boy glanced between them.

"You do realize he is only looking for somebody to justify his stupidity?" He pointed to Edmund as he said it and Demetria's jaw dropped. How dare he insult a king? Let alone a Narnian King?! Not knowing what to say she closed her mouth and looked to Edmund who had gone red in the face, then to Lucy who for once, looked furious. She looked back to a smug Eustace, still speechless before dropping her gaze to her feet.

"We know he is wrong." She whispered to Edmund, "We know he is wrong and that's what matters. Arguing with him will only lead him to believe we are doing so because he is right." Edmund let out a tense breath, nodding as Reepicheep scrambled up, balanced skillfully on the railing.

"Found your sea legs, I see!" He said cheerfully to Eustace.

"Never lost them," Eustace said, suddenly looking uncomfortable as he crossed his arms, though the expression may have been to the clothes he was wearing. Unlike the others he must have refused to change into Narnian clothes. "I was just getting over the shock of things."

Edmund rolled his eyes, only half attempting to hide it as he raised his cup to his lips. Eustace continued though. "Mother says I have an acute disposition, due to my intelligence." That brought Edmund close to choking on his drink, most likely from laughter. Demetria sighed, shaking her head as she took the cup from him, freeing his hand to wipe off his mouth. He glared at Eustace in exasperation but said nothing.

"I don't think he has 'acute' anything," Reep commented to Lucy but Edmund laughed slightly. Until Eustace pushed away from the railing, turning to face them, his face scrunched up in anger.

"I'll have you all know, as soon as we find civilization...I'm contacting the British Consul." He snapped, making as little sense to her as all of this must have to him. Demetria felt rather sorry for the boy. Especially since Caspian was standing right behind him. "Have you all arrested for kidnapping!"

"Kidnapped you?" Caspian sounded more amused than anything as Eustace spun around to face him; the confidence clearly having drained from the younger. "As I recall we saved your life."

Eustace began on a senseless rant to defend himself and probably insult them, but Demetria tuned him out as she turned around. She disliked arguing immensely. Her eyes seeked out where the sky met sea but found it interrupted by the burnt golds and red of the Lone Islands.

"Look!" She didn't yell it, but her voice was still loud enough to get Edmund's and Caspian's attention as she pointed to the island.

"Good eye Demi!" Edmund said after he had caught sight of it before following Caspian up to the poop deck to speak with Drinian. A moment later the orders were given out to turn the ship starboard, towards the island.