༄ 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒙 𝑾𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 (𝑽𝑫𝑻) ༄

Chapter 17: The Blue Star

The blue ball of light slowly descended from the sky and as it did so, began to grow in size. It hovered a bit above the ground and strings of light fanned out to form the shape of a person. Most of the light disappeared and a woman took its place. Both her hair and skin were white and she also wore a simple white dress. She was shrouded in a blue hue from the light of the star.

"Travelers of Narnia... welcome," the Star greeted. The royals remained standing but everyone else bowed to her. "Arise..." she said, raising her arms. "Are you not hungry?"
There was a brief pause in which no one moved or spoke. Then Edmund broke the silence. "Who are you?"
"I'm Lilliandil, daughter of Ramandu," she answered. "I am your guide." She walked closer to everyone as she spoke. The royals also stepped away from the far end of the table.
"You're a star?" Caspian questioned.

Lilliandil turned her gaze to him and nodded in response. Ana noted that almost everyone seemed rather entranced by her. They stared at her with a strange look on their faces. Perhaps it was because none of them had seen anything like her. A star who could take on the form of a beautiful woman. Ana had heard of other creatures like her that were dangerous because they led men to their deaths. She didn't see this one as any kind of threat though. At least her magic didn't. But she didn't like the way everyone looked at the Star.

"You are most beautiful," Caspian observed. Ana frowned slightly and cast her eyes to the ground.
"If it is a distraction for you," Lilliandil stuttered, seeming both flattered and confused, "I-I can change form." It seemed she wasn't used to being complimented.
"No!" both Kings answered at the same time.

Ana's frown only deepened. She felt slightly angry hearing him say those words and didn't know why. She looked up just in time to see Lucy roll her eyes at her brother. It seemed the Queen found his interest in Lilliandil rather childish. Caspian and Edmund looked at each other. But at that point, Ana couldn't focus enough to work out what they meant. So she instead turned her attention to the Star that had everyone falling head over heels for her.

"Please... The food is for you." She raised her arms and the candles on the table lit up. "There is enough for all who are welcome at Aslan's Table! Always. H-help yourselves." The others moved closer to the table, many reaching for the food. But neither Ana nor the royals moved to touch it.
"Wait!" Edmund said, halting the crew. "What happened to them?" He shifted his torchlight to the lords at the end of the table.
"These poor men were half-mad by the time they reached our shores," Lilliandil explained. "They were threatening violence upon each other. Violence is forbidden at the Table of Aslan. So they were sent to sleep."
"Will they ever wake?" Lucy asked.
"When all is put right." She looked at the royals. "Come, there is little time."

While the crew began to eat, Lilliandil guided the royals away. Ana followed silently, wondering if she should've remained behind. But no one told her to stay so she assumed no one minded if she tagged along. The Star led them through the trees and towards a stone balcony. However, as they drew closer Ana could sense dark magic. She felt Phoenix try to push its way to the surface but she forced it back.

"The magician, Coriakin, told you of Dark Island?" Lillandil asked, overlooking the water. Ana followed her gaze and saw the Island not far away. It explained where the dark pull came from.
"Yes," Caspian answered, still focused on the Star.
"Before long, the evil will be unstoppable," she explained. The rest looked out across the balcony to Dark Island.
"Coriakin said to break its spell, we lay the seven swords at Aslan's Table," Caspian told her.
She looked at him and nodded. "He speaks the truth."
"But we only found six," Edmund interjected. "Do you know where the seventh is?"
"In there," Lilliandil answered, pointing to the dark island across the water. "You will need great courage."

The four were silent, staring at Dark Island. It was foreboding and gave Ana a sense of unease. Even from afar, she could feel the darkness leaching out of it. She knew no one wanted to go in there but also knew they had to. If they wanted to stop its reach, they would have to sail into the heart of evil.