The New Warrior (Book 1)

Chapter 31 Challenges

Edmund wrote out Peter and Caspian's stalling plan later that night and this morning he was going to Miraz. The Telemarines had set up camp not too far into the woods so they could observe us, i suppose.

"Be careful." Susan smiled, squeezing his shoulder. He nodded at all his siblings.

"Remember." Peter started, "Dont antagonize and don't insult."

"Yes dad." He rolled his eyes.

"I want to go." The words left my mouth so quickly and so suddenly that I wasn't even sure it was me that said it. All eyes were on me and Peter had a mix between anger and horror on his face.

"What?"

"I-I don't know why. I just want to go." Edmund smiled and squeezed my hand.

"No. Absolutely not." Peter growled, snatching me away from Edmund.

"You can't tell me what to do, you know." I Tried my best to stay calm. "I want to go. I feel like I need to." He just looked at me.

"It might have something to do with her dreams." Lucy stated. By now, all the Pevensies knew about my dreams and it made me feel better knowing it was no longer secret and that there could be something to justify them other than the fact that I could be going crazy. Peter made an annoyed face and swept his hand out in front of the entrance. I looked at him and sighed.

"Well. Shall we?" Edmund offered me his arm. I smiled and took it, letting him lead me out of the Howe. As we began walking, I noticed one of the Bears and Reepeecheep were following us. We got closer and closer, and with every step I grew more anxious. When we finally arrived to the large tent, one of the guards stepped forward and grimaced.

"We've come to speak with Miraz." Edmund stepped forward as well.

"That's King Miraz to you, boy."

He didn't flinch, just simply nodded and thanked the man as he held open the curtain. Inside were three long wooden tables, all lining the sides of the tent.

In the middle, sat Miraz, to his right sat General Glozelle, who Caspain told me wasn't actually that bad, and to his left sat another general named Sopespian.

"Well. Speak boy." Miraz growled out in an accent identical to Caspian's.

Edmund nodded and cleared his throat, unraveling the scroll Peter had Written. "I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest, King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Parivel, Emperor of the Lone Islands, in order to prevent the abominable fusion of blood, here by challenge King Miraz to single combat upon the field of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be total surrender." He finished and rolled up the paper, before looking to Miraz.

"Tell me Prince Edmund-"

"King." He corrected almost immediately.

"Pardon?"

"It's King Edmund, but just King though. Peters the high King." He noticed the look on their faces. "I know, it's confusing."

Miraz shook his head, unamused. "Why would he risk such a proposal." He paused to sweep his arm out towards the men working around us. "When my army could take yours out over night?"

Edmund smirked. "Haven't you already underestimated our numbers? I mean, just like week Narnians were extinct."

"And so you will be again." Miraz replied.

"Well then you shall have little to fear."

Miraz broke out into laughter, startling me. "This is not a test bravery."

Edmund cocked his head. "So your bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?"

All his men looked to Miraz as he immediately dropped his smirk and leaned forward. "I didn't say I refused.

"You shall have our support you majesty, whatever your decision." One the men spoke up.

Glozelle shook his head. "Sire, our military advantage provides the perfect excuse to avoid what is not neces-"

He rose to his feet and held his sword at the mans neck. "I am not avoiding anything!"

"I was merely pointing out that it would be alright to refuse." He played it off, keeping his cool.

"Your majesty would never refuse." Sopespian smiled eerily.

Edmund looked back to Miraz eagerly awaiting his answer. He pointed his sword at Edmund and spoke. "You. You had better hope your brothers sword is sharper than his pen."