Favorite of the King

Chapter 31

    The next day was spent in the same manner. Yvaine had risen early and joined Lady Merredin at the Otsana Manor. Fortunately, there had been no sign of Lord Javaid, although given how he'd spent his evening, it wouldn't have surprised her if he'd stayed in bed. Unfortunately, Lady Merredin was angry and had made sure Yvaine knew.

    The day was full of trying on the wedding gown, making preparations, and other such things. Yvaine was relieved when she could finally return home. Evolet was waiting in her room when Yvaine returned.

    Yvaine stepped into her closet and started to change. She would be going to the palace soon. She grabbed her pants and tunic and changed. "You talked to Edmund last night, I take it?" Evolet asked.

    "Yes, I did. We made the outline of a plan. I learned what I could from Javaid. Tonight, we're going to find some of King Hakan's secret documents and see if there's anything else that could help us." Yvaine stepped back out of the closet. "After that, we're going back to Narnia. You need to tell your family and only bring what you can carry."

    Evolet nodded, then bit her lip. "They won't like this. You're committing treason, even if your actions are well intended."

    "I know. I wish there was another way, but right now, I don't see one. King Hakan won't listen to reason. We tried making a treaty and we've seen how well that's worked out. Besides, Hakan already knows that Edmund and I broke into his office once. I've been a traitor in his eyes ever since then."

    "It sounds like war is inevitable. What will we do then?"

    "I haven't gotten that far." Yvaine rubbed her forehead and strapped Lucy's cordial to her hips, along with her own sword and dagger. "I don't want Telmar to destroy Narnia and I don't want Narnia to destroy Telmar."

    "Do you really think they would?" Evolet asked. "Peter and Edmund and the girls, I mean. Do you think they would destroy Telmar?"

    Yvaine thought for a minute. "I think they'll do whatever it takes to save Narnia, Peter especially. King Hakan won't back down. That's why we need as much of an advantage as we can get. The more we know, the more we can prepare for and the faster we can stop the war."

    "Just be careful. I'll make sure my family is ready to leave. I'll grab some of Batur's things too."

    "Thanks, Ev. I'll tell him what's going on and I'm going to ask Nakoa to have horses ready for us. We'll leave as soon as Edmund and I get back."

    Evolet nodded firmly. "Don't get caught."

    "I'll do my best." Yvaine gave her a smile and started down the stairs. The door to her father's study was cracked open. She went inside quietly. Batur's head lay atop an open book. "Father?" She shook him gently.

    "Huh?" Batur raised his head. "Yvaine? Are you going somewhere?"

    She nodded. "I'm going to the palace."

    "You can't. You're banned, remember?"

    "I'm going to sneak in. I have to help Edmund with something."

    Batur narrowed his eyes. "Yvaine, what are you doing?"

    "King Hakan is planning to kill Edmund and declare war. We're going to try to find something that will help Narnia be prepared and then, all of us are leaving. You, me, Evolet and her family...we're all going to Narnia."

    "What?" Batur grabbed her arm and pulled her down, closer. "Yvaine, that's treason! You could be executed. You will be!"

    "I know but I have to. Don't you get it? If Hakan declares war, Narnia and Telmar will destroy each other. I've seen both of their numbers. It will be impossible for one side to win without wiping out the other. King Hakan will not be reasoned with, but I know that Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy will be."