Daughter of Eve

4 - Journeys

After a small discussion, Trufflehunter, Nikabrik and I had decided to follow the young Prince 'just to make sure he got beaten up by some Narnians', as Nikabrik had said. Nevertheless, we had caught up to him and I was doing my best to hide behind the trees. That was until Caspian stopped, sighed and turned around.

"I can hear you". Caspian said aloud.

Reluctantly, we came out of our hiding spots and faced the prince with embarrassed expressions.

"I just think we should wait for the other Kings and Queens". Trufflehunter told the prince, but he kept walking. "Fine! Go then! See if the others will be as understanding".

"Or maybe I'll come with you". Nikabrik said, following him. "I want to see you explain things to the minotaur's".

This got his attention.

"Minotaur's?". He asked, looking a little confused. "They're real?".

"Oh yeah, and very bad tempered". Trufflehunter said, hoping to scare the prince.

"Not to mention big". Nikabrik added.

"Huge". Trufflehunter continued.

"You have a lot to learn if you want to travel by yourself in Narnia". I told him with a smile.

"What about centaurs, do they still exist?". Caspian asked, walking beside me.

"Yes, and they'll probably fight on your side". Trufflehunter assured Caspian. "However, there's no telling what the others will do".

There was a slight pause and I noticed Caspian had stopped walking. He seemed to hesitate before asking.

"What about Aslan?".

Now that caught both of the Narnians attention. I was really hoping they would answer that, because I missed Aslan so much.

"How do you know so much about us?". Nikabrik questioned.

"Stories". Caspian replied, simply.

"Did your parents tell you about Narnia?". I asked him.

"No my professor he-". Caspian didn't finish his sentence and looked at me with guilt in his eyes. "Listen I am sorry. These are not the kind of questions you should be asking".

The man stormed ahead of Nikabrik, Trufflehunter and I. But he didn't get very far. Trufflehunter sniffed the air, a look of panic on his face.

"What is it?". Nikabrik asked Trufflehunter.

"Human". When he said this, I readied my bow.

"Us?". I asked the badger.

"No... them".

We all turned around and saw men with crossbows approaching us. One of them pointed at our group so I pulled an arrow out of my sheath and lined it up with my bow. I let it go and it pierced through one of the men's chests.

"Run!". I yelled.

We all sprang forward, deeper into the woods, although I occasionally hid behind a tree to fire an arrow at the Telmarines. Dodging their arrows as well, it was hard to fire my own back, but I stopped focusing on attacking when a loud yell was heard from behind me. I jumped behind a tree and saw that Trufflehunter had been shot. As I was about to run forward, Caspian ran ahead of me and picked up the badger.

He looked to be struggling a bit, and the Telmarines were getting closer. I raced towards Caspian and Trufflehunter and stepped in front of them, continuously shooting arrows at the Telmarines. But a loud shriek of pain coming from the soldiers caught me off guard

"Clara lets go!". Caspian shouted, making me turn back.

We sprinted and eventually caught up with Nikabrik so Caspian handed him Trufflehunter.

"Get him out of here". Caspian ordered, pulling out his sword. "You too Clara, get out of here".

"I doubt I need to go now that there's only one Telmarine left". I told the prince, pointing at the remaining soldier.

"But what about what ever has killed them, you must hide". Caspian insisted, pushing me behind him.

One last yell was heard before the last Telmarine was killed. But now, whatever had killed them was heading our way. I aimed my arrow at the ground where I thought this thing might come out, however it was fast and I was too late. Beside me, Caspian fell onto the ground with a large, brown mouse standing on his chest.

"Choose your last words carefully, Telmarine". The mouse shouted, pointing a small rapier sword at Caspian.

"You are a mouse". Caspian said dumbly, although I was still in a bit of shock myself.

"I was hoping for something a little more original". The mouse complained. "Pick up your sword".

"Uh... no thanks". Caspian responded.

"Pick it up! I will not fight an unarmed man". The mouse yelled, while I watched with an amused smile.

"Which is why I might live longer if I choose not to cross blades with you, noble mouse". Caspian said, eyeing the rapier carefully. '

"Excuse me, noble mouse". I addressed the mouse, clearing my throat. "My name is Clara Pevensie and I ask for you to put away your weapon".

The mouse looked up at me, his eyes immediately shooting towards my gold ring. He slowly lowered his sword.

"Reepicheep!". Trufflehunter called out, appearing with Nikabrik. "Stay your blade".

"Trufflehunter?". Reepicheep the mouse asked. "I trust you and her Majesty have a good reason for this untimely interruption".

"He doesn't, go ahead". Nikabrik commented, but I gave him a look.

"He's the one who rubbed the ring". Trufflehunter said, ignoring Nikabrik.

"What?". Reepicheep looked bewildered.

"Then let him bring it forward". A voice called from the woods.

We all looked up, not expecting to see a heard of centaurs coming towards us.

"This is the reason we have gathered". The leader said.