~By the Lion's Mane: The Call~

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

After the events in the cavern, the tension was palpable between Edmund and Caspian. I knew that they had to have both felt guilty about the things they had said to each other, but they were too proud to admit it and apologize.

We ended up calling the island Deathwater, and though the crew was curious as to the origin of that name, they didn’t ask. We set sail the day after.

We had a strong wind blowing us east, and we sailed for days and days and days without any sight of land. Our stores began to get low again, and the men began to get anxious that perhaps we had come to a sea that had no end. The sun seemed to be bigger than it was in Narnia, but I told myself that that wasn’t possible, because the sun orbited around the world.

The tension between Caspian and Edmund also didn’t lessen, and one day I couldn’t take it anymore. They were two of the most important people in my life, and I loved them too much and this ship was too small to allow them to continue to behave in such a manner. I was tired of the way they wouldn’t look each other in the eye, were very stiff and formal, and went out of their way to avoid each other as much as possible.

I marched over to where Caspian stood behind Drinian at the helm, took hold of his arm, and dragged him down to a private spot between several barrels, coils of thick rope, and crates on the deck.

“What do you think you are doing?” Caspian exclaimed. “Though it seems as if you frequently forget it, I am still your King!”

“Stay here and don’t move,” I ordered him, even though he did have a very valid point. I knew he would listen.

Then I went and did the same to Edmund, taking him by the wrist and forcefully leading him to where Caspian stood, looking bemused. But when he saw Edmund, his face darkened and grew impassive. Edmund’s did the same.

They stood across from each other, arms crossed, as I talked to them.

“All right you two; I have had it with you acting like children! You’re twenty years old, Caspian, and Edmund, you’re thirty-two!” I looked between the two of them, putting my hands on my hips. “So both of you, apologize, work out your issues, and be friends again! We’re on a ship, and a small one at that, so it’s best to get along with everyone.”

Caspian glared at me indignantly. “As I said before, you would do well to remember your place, Rose.”

Edmund barked a sharp, humorless laugh. “Oh, here we go again! Have three years made you forget how you got to be King?”

Caspian narrowed his eyes at Edmund. “As I recall, Aslan himself crowned me.”

Edmund stepped closer, his face dangerous. “Interesting. He crowned me as well, nearly 1300 years before you.”

“You betrayed all of Narnia by going to the White Witch!” Caspian cried.

Edmund put his hand on the hilt of his dagger. “I was acquitted of that, by Aslan himself. What about your ancestors? They invaded Narnia, slaughtering her people and seizing power and lands that should have never belonged to them!”

Caspian’s voice was low. “I cannot be held accountable for the sins and treacheries of my ancestors.”

Edmund lowered his to match Caspian’s. “As I am no longer held accountable for my actions as a fifteen year old boy.”

They regarded each other for a long moment. Edmund slowly put away his dagger. “I’m accustomed to being second. I have always been second to my brother, and I didn’t mind, because I loved and respected him.”