Born For Better (A Peter Pevensie/ Narnia Fanfic)

Chapter 29- The Challenge and A Promise

Edmund's POV 

"I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands, in order to prevent the abominable effusion of blood, do hereby challenge the usurper Miraz to single combat upon the field of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be total surrender."I rolled up the scroll, staring intently at Miraz, where he sat at the center of his council table. Miraz was in deep thought, processing what I had just said. 

"Tell me, Prince Edmund—"

"King." I corrected. Miraz raised a brow.  

"Pardon?" He said through clenched teeth. 

"It's King Edmund actually. Just king though. Peter is the High King." I explained. Miraz blinked at me. "I know, it's confusing." Miraz shook his head, glancing at the men sitting around him.

"Why would we risk such a proposal when our army could wipe you out by nightfall?" Miraz asked, motioning around to the soldiers preparing for battle outside of the tent. 

"Haven't you already underestimated our numbers?" I asked. "Only a week ago, Narnians were extinct." 

"And so you will be again." Miraz said, her gaze unwavering and his voice strained. 

"Then you should have little to fear." I said. Miraz laughed, though the emotion didn't seem to reach his cold eyes as he looked around at his council men who chuckled with him.

"This is not a question of bravery." He said, holding his head high.

"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?" I asked, smiling smugly at him. Miraz' own smile faded and he sat forward in his chair. 

"I didn't say I refused." He said darkly.

"You shall have our support, your majesty,whatever your decision." One Telmarine soldier to his left spoke up. But the man directly to Miraz' right, Sopespian spoke up. 

"Sire, our military advantage alone allows us the perfect excuse to avoid—" Miraz stood up before Sopespian could finish, grabbing his sword. 

"I am not avoiding anything!" Miraz shouted. 

"I am merely pointing out that my lord is well within his rights to refuse." Sopespian finished. From behind me, Glozelle cleared his throat slightly, causing everyone to look at him. 

"His majesty would never refuse. He relishes the chance to show his people the bravery of their new king." I looked back at Miraz. The Telmarine thought for a moment before pointing his sword at me. For a moment, I thought he might refuse. I kept a tight hold on the hilt of my sword, taking note of Glenstorm waiting just outside the tent. Could we take on the whole of the Telmarine army without the help of the rest of the Narnians?

"You had better hope your brother's sword is sharper than his tongue." Miraz spat. I smiled. 

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Susan's POV

I climbed onto Caspian's horse, pulling Lucy up behind me. She wrapped her arms tightly around my waist. Caspian patted his horse's mane gently, passing the reigns to me. I took them, holding them tightly to stop my hands from shaking. I ran the plan over and over again in my head. It would work. It had to. 

"Destier has always served me well. You are in good hands." Caspian reassured as he must've noticed  adjusting the stirrups.

"Or hooves." Lucy joked, to which Caspian smiled for a moment, then looked to me.