Chase the morning

Chapter 8: Think it will work?

"So when were you going to tell us about this?" Caspian asked seriously down on me. I raised my head down not liking to be interrogated so severely by Caspian.

"Caspian, leave her alone," Edmund defended stepping in between us. "I came up the idea. Don't accuse her for any rational decision."

Caspian shook his head, "You don't know the mind she possesses."

"What's that suppose to be?" Lucy asked.

"It's nothing!" I exclaimed ending this discussion.

We explained the possibilities that these creatures were the cause of our troubles in Narnia. How there might be a connection instead of coincidence of these instances. How the Thunderbird has been traumatizing the skies while killing people. The Afanc: poisoning the water and earth which holds the epidemic in the water. The cure of the incantation flower was guarded by a Basilisk. There was a chain reaction to this, how the Thunderbird was a distraction for the Afanc to plague our kingdom. But why are these monsters doing this?

"Could it be another witch?" Lucy asked taking a seat on the lounge.

Caspian joined her, "Wisteria, do you know?"

"Why is everybody asking me?" I groan smacking my head on the desk.

"Ease up on her," Edmund said a bit annoyed on the question. "We believe a summoner might be the cause of all this."

"A summoner?" Lucy question.

"They're like Conjurer who summons specific …creatures. A practice in the magical arts…" I explained. "But it doesn't make sense?"

"What doesn't?" Edmund asked.

"They're hardly any magicians in Narnia." I answered sitting up. "A magical being a witch, wizard, magicians, they aren't narnian born…they come from different worlds. You need permission to come here by Aslan. After Jadis, not many magical being were alone to time travel."

The gang went silences. Funny, at this point Eustace would come with logical comment or question that we all stare like him if he had a second head. Man, without Eustace dragon or not, things weren't actually the same anymore. No Dragon Eustace or Reepicheep or anyone from the Dawn Treader that we had fond memories with. A moment later Lucy spoke.

"Maybe we should find the flower and stop the Afanc." She suggested.

"I agree," Edmund said. "Also not to tell Peter. We don't want him going all leaders on us."

"I'm afraid so," Caspian agreed.

Something must have happen in the past that caused the two kings to agree on this subject. Anyway, I sway my hand to summon a map of Narnia on the wall. We pinpoint possible locations of the Caves in the Western March. Lucy and Edmund stared at the new map of Narnia which they grazed the tapestry of small pictures of broken tables, castles, lamppost, and locations name.

"What sort of map is this?" Lucy asked as she touches a pinpoint of Tumnus.

"It's a landmark map," Caspian explained to here. "I created this map to locate historical areas. Nobody seemed too fond of it."

"Except me," I said with a snicker. "Remember when we try to retrace the Pevensie trail from the golden age?"

"And got lost in the lantern waste," Caspian shook his head. Then held a stern face, "So the flower is between these two areas; now what about the Afanc?"

"Water areas, somewhere close to Cair Paravel," Edmund said.

We examine the map of process of eliminations. The only source of consumable water would be the Rush Rivers. But something doesn't feel right, something was off. From all the events that had occurred there seemed to be a pattern. I would agree to Edmund on the theory of the creatures aiding one another for sure. Except, now I look at it on the map, there was only three monsters in the rightful territories of the kings and queens of old. How did the children rhyme go?

'Where woods hold dark secrets

And mountains are fierce and bold

Deep water hold reflection

Of time lost long ago.'

Fergus announced the Thunderbird came from the north. The book of spells noted the incantation flower and basilisk are in the west. And the Afanc hypothesis dictates in the rush rivers that was connected to the eastern waters. Three. Three connections on the solutions on what's before us.

To the Clear Northern Sky, King Peter the Magnificent

To the Great Western Wood, King Edmund the Just

To the Glistening Eastern Sea, Queen Lucy the Valiant

What about the south? What about Queen Susan the gentle land of the radiant southern sun? My mouth dropped in releasing this. How this whole thing was no coincidences, it was set up! But who in their right mind would set up this cruel game before us? There was peace throughout Narnia in the age of Exploration, so who?

"There must be a cave on where it hides near the river." Edmund said. "If we search the caves then we'll find the Afanc or any possibilities."

"And the flower?" Lucy asked. "We should get it right away before more lives are at stake!"

"Wisteria, what do you think?" Caspian asked.

"Planned," I whispered.

"Planned?" Caspian repeated confused. I nodded giving him a serious look that said, 'I need to talk to you privately.'

Caspian nodded, "Can you guys give us a moment?"

Edmund and Lucy were about to protest but gave up on the stubbornness Caspian and I were. Once they left, I cast a silencing spell over the roomed to sound proof it against eavesdroppers. Caspian took a seat in front of my desk. I told him what I thought, how everything seemed so coordinated. The locations of the monsters and the list of events that occurred this past month. It seemed planned and organized to pass through under our noses.

"Do you think it's this conjurer bidding?" Caspian asked.

"I don't know Casp," I said. "The only magical being I could think to have knowledge is Coriakins. And he's a star like Liliandil and Ramandu. Then there's Jadis but she dead as a doornail. Read a legend about Witch Country of the Northern witches, in the far west, past western wild. I doubt they hold grudges against Narnia, since they are welcome to this world."

"Uh huh," Caspian breathed brushing his whiskers. "We should focus on the major problems and once that is established, we'll discuss about the other."

"Working from the bottom up," I stated which Caspian nodded.

"Yes, I assumed you'll be after the flower." Caspian said.

"Yes, there's no other option against the Basilisk than magic." I murmured. "Edmund and I will go the day after Peter and Liliandil departure. Can you take care of the Afanc?"

"I think so," Caspian sighed. "But how do I defeat it?"

I raised a brow on the singular use in that question. If my hypotheses are correct than the Pevensie should be involved in this hunt. That includes Lucy, since I'm going off against a Basilisk with Edmund while Liliandil is investigating the Thunderbird with Peter. So no one should be left out behind.

"What about Lucy?" I asked.

Caspian open his mouth to say something but shut it quick. I sighed rubbing my temple lobe.

"Caspian, this is Queen Lucy the Valiant we're talking. She's a big strong woman than she appears to be. Have you forgotten it was her eye coordination that shot the serpent in the eyes? I know you fancy her since the voyage. But don't suppress her…" I said.

"You're right," Caspian sighed in defeat.

I leaned back in my chair. Legs cross on the desk while hands behind my head like a pillow. "Of course I'm right. I am an enchantress after all."

"Oh really," Caspian said with a deviant smirk. I gulped watching him stand up and walked towards me. Before I could run for my very existence, he pounced on me and started his tickled torture. Damn it, Caspian knew about my ticklish area. Quickly kicking him off me, I ran out the room saving my ribs before they be bruised to extinction.

.o0o.

Lucy POV

Edmund and I placed our ears against the door in hoping to ease drop on their conversation. I knew it was wrong to invade ones privacy, especially my friends. But I couldn't help it and neither can Edmund. Although, I wonder why Caspian took the idea offences. Including, when he said about Wisteria mind. From what I recall from the voyage, Wisteria seemed like any average girl. Okay, so she has magical power doesn't make her a complete threat. I would know, she saved me from slave traders.

"Why is it quiet?" Edmund asked.

"Could they cast a silencing spell?" I suggested.

"Probably," Edmund said as he bends down to peek through the key whole. Oh Ed, him and his curiousity. I know my brother fancy Wisteria along with other things, but this is close to stalker. "Damn it, I can't see."

Suddenly the door burst open and Wisteria barged out only to trip on Edmund. Caspian came out afterwards with a deviant smile till looking down to see our family tied in a compromising position. I couldn't help but laugh for this brings back memories a few years ago on the Dawn Treader. How Edmund and Wisteria keep falling on each other. Caspian and I joke about them on these events. That they were falling for each literally. This and including the kiss we saw after the battle of the mist. After we returned from Narnia Edmund would talk in his sleep, mumbling Wisteria name in events I don't want to know. Caspian mention Wisteria long for adventure that she would rather explore instead of being locked up in the castle. That the same with Edmund. A perfect match.

"Edmund," I gasped for kicks.

Edmund looked over Wisteria shoulder back to reality before turning them over so he was on top. Wisteria blushed until Edmund stood up and offer a hand which she accepted.

"Thanks," She mumbled not looking him in the eye.

Caspian chuckled as did I on the see this.

"Oh shut it," Wisteria and Edmund said together.

"What," I said innocently.

"It's not like you keep falling for each other." Caspian finished with a snicker.

Edmund and Wisteria rolled their eyes before they left us be. Once they were gone I couldn't resides but chuckled in what just happen. Caspian followed in and rubbed his neck. "How long do you think it will take?"

"A week or so," I answered.

Caspian nodded. "I would never consider in planning on getting those two together."

"Yes, but let's face it." I said. "Those two needed to get it over with."

"Agreed," Caspian said as he offered an arm. "Shall we prepare for our journey?"

I blushed taking his arm. I know I fancy Caspian but I wonder if he holds the same feeling as well instead of a sister.

"