Song Per Chapter: "And, We Disappear" by Alaskan Tapes (And, We Disappear - Single).

Part Two: Chapter Fifteen: The Traitors Handbook

Edmund's talk with Jadis went as well as he could have hoped. For now, she believed his reason for defecting. But he wasn't naive enough to think that she completely trusted him. This was exemplified further by the pesky problem he'd stumbled upon… since he and Caspian arrived Jadis had been keeping the two of them separate. More than ever in this icy monument, he wanted a friend.

He began wandering the castle close to sunset. Jadis, Caspian, and the others she deemed worthy were all in a chamber discussing the coming war. Edmund was not invited. It felt just like when he escaped her the first time and reached Aslan's camp, with people whispering about him around every corner. Calling him a traitor. Thinking he should go back where he came from. Just like before, he was going to have to prove himself.

Edmund figured it would be wise to get a feel for his new surroundings. The castle was large, but he had plenty of time to explore it. He went down to the dungeons that were eerily similar in design to Jadis' old home. There was the banquet hall, throne room, serving quarters and lots more to explore. All the foundations made of rock and ice. Then he got curious. It had been made quite clear that the northern towers were off-limits and whenever Edmund was told he wasn't allowed to do something, it only made him want to do it more. Making his way there, he turned a corner to find the entrance to the towers guarded by two particularly large Telmarines. He was quick to retrace his steps and hide. At the same time from the other end of the corridor, Jadis appeared, headed for the towers. She rudely brushed past the guards and disappeared up the stairs to the tower. The last of the sun was setting on the horizon. Edmund froze, he wasn't sure whether to walk away or to stay.

"You know… I don't think she'd know if we stood here or not." one of the guards turned to the other, "She doesn't come back down until morning."

"No, we can't. This is our post." the other shook his head.

"Tibon said that he managed to get a stash of ale into the dungeons. All the others were going for drinks."

"Ale you say…" the second guard paused, "Well… perhaps we could go for one little drink."

"Great. Let's go!"

And the guards shuffled off towards the dungeons, leaving the entrance to the towers wide open. Edmund knew it was risky, but if his theory about the sun was correct, then he had to take a chance. Worst case he could try to cover his ass by acting like a petulant child and carry on that Jadis didn't let him in on the war meeting. If there was a sure way to encourage someone to rid themselves of your presence, it was to annoy them.

Flame torches lined the spiral of the tower and Edmund felt like he was going round in circles until he curiously met a section of the stairs where all the torches went out, leaving only darkness. If only he hadn't given his flashlight to Caspian! He wandered slowly, hands outstretched, and feeling his way about until he reached the top. There was a small landing and one window, with the dim light of the rising moon, illuminating a closed door. Inching towards it, he raised his hand to knock its cold wood but right before he met its surface a pulse of energy blew him off his feet and into the opposite wall. It knocked the wind right out of his lungs and he had to take a few moments to regain his breath.

"Hello?" a female voice rang out behind the door, "Who's there?"

"Uhhh…" he cleared his throat and got to his feet, "It's Edmund."

"Edmund?"

"Yes… I came to discuss… uh… strategy." he tried to think of an excuse.

"With me?" the voice sounded confused.

"Yes…" Edmund tried to sound firmer. The voice sounded an awful lot like Jadis. Maybe this was a bad idea.

"Who exactly do you think is behind this door Edmund?"

"Queen Jadis of course."

"Oh." the voice quietened for a moment, as if in thought, "Would you believe me if I said it was not?"

"Thea?" his voice softened too. He wanted to believe that his suspicions had been correct, heck that's why he snuck up here in the first place, but he had to be careful that this wasn't a trick. His life depended on it.

"Strangely, yes." she almost said with a chuckle, "What in heavens are you doing here?"

"How can I be sure that you are telling the truth?"

"I could tell you something that she wouldn't know... she clicked her tongue three times thinking, "I remember the day my aunt cut my wings off and it being an all round pretty awful day. Right after she did, you took my hand into yours and you held it tight all afternoon, well into the night. Even when Ginarrbrik ran around taunting me with my wings you didn't let go. I remember staring up at you, half alive, and you were gagged... but your eyes said a million words. They were just... kind. I don't think I wouldn't have made it through that day if it wasn't for you."

"Wow…" Edmund spoke in barely a whisper, "I had my suspicions that it was you, but I didn't know if I was actually right."

"It's nice to hear your voice, I don't get a lot of visitors up here."

"It's forbidden. Jadis restricted this part of the castle."

"It makes sense, I guess…" she sighed, "I can't imagine she'd be okay with me wandering about undoing all her hard work."

"So Jadis is in control during the day and then you at night?"

"It appears that way."

"How does that work? Do you remember anything that she's done?" Edmund sat under the window.

"Nothing. I suspect it's the same for her. That's why she's spelled this door with the same magic so it won't open until morning."

"That's going to be a problem." Edmund stepped a little closer to inspect the door.

"Yes, it's a problem for me. But it's not like anyone was going to attempt to rescue me!" Thea laughed.

"Well… that was kind of why I was here." he fumbled with his feet.

"Have you come with backup? Are your siblings here?"

"Not exactly…"

"It's a yes or no question Edmund." Thea scolded.

"No then! Peter, Susan, and Lucy are all back at Aslan's How. Jadis offered a deal to those that would join her and I was the only one to notice what happened when the sun rose. So I joined her to try and find a way to help you."

"You mean to say that you risked your life to come here on a hunch?" Thea did not sound impressed in the slightest.

"A hunch that was correct!" Edmund exclaimed.

"Edmund..." she grumbled.

"Caspian joined me as well." he added.

"The Prince?"

"Yes." Edmund replied.

"So then there's two of you that are foolish." Thea barked.

"I thought you would have been more excited that we were trying to find a way to free you. But if you want me to leave you alone I can do that..." Edmund remarked, getting to his feet.

"No. I'm sorry." Thea apologized, "I just… I'm just frustrated at the whole situation and I don't want you to get hurt. The last thing I remember before waking up here was escaping the mirror, realising that she was inside of me and tried to get Caspian to run me through. Now she's in control by day, committing all sorts of atrocities with my hands and I can't do anything to stop her."

"She tore down the old castle." Edmund interrupted.

"Pardon?"

"You want to know what she's been doing in the day." Edmund continued, "She tore down the castle that was here, with people still inside it in minutes and rebuilt a new one made of ice just as quickly. She recruited scared Telmarines after it fell and then later any traitors at Aslan's How. She started another magical winter and now she's planning on conquering Narnia once again. It's been about a week."

Thea was silent and the quiet in the tower was deafening. Edmund's plan only extended about as far as here. He didn't know what to do and neither did Thea. The fear of the unknown was scarier than any witch.

"I was hoping if I found you that maybe you'd have the answer of how to beat her. Maybe that was a daft idea." Edmund confessed.

"Perhaps…" Thea paused, Edmund could hear her pacing behind the door, "When I was trapped inside the Realm of Solitude she left me her spellbook. If there was any way to undo this magic or find a way to stop her, it would be in there."

"Do you have the book?"

"No, it didn't leave that realm. I don't know how, especially with the mirror destroyed, but there must be a way to walk between worlds. It's how I came from Charn to Narnia in the first place. It's likely how you travel from your world here. If we could get the book maybe we'd have a chance at knowing how to end her magic."

"Leave it with me, I'll look into it." Edmund replied. Again the silence hung in the air before Edmund cleared his voice, "I should probably be going before the guards come back."

"That sounds wise." Thea agreed.

"Hey Thea," he stopped at the top of the stairs.

"Yes?"

"We found a way to stop her last time, we can do it again." he spoke.

"Aslan bit off her head. Perhaps it would be wise to attempt the same if you get the opportunity." Thea warned, "Edmund…"

"Yes…"

"Promise me you won't do anything stupid while you're here." she begged.

"Like what?" Edmund scoffed.

"Like getting yourself killed… Don't visit me again if it isn't one hundred percent safe." she commanded.

"Alright. I promise." he agreed. Refusing to linger any longer he pattered back down the dark stairwell. The guards were still gone… Thankfully. So Edmund made his way back to his own quarters, his mind a flutter with thoughts of a spellbook and how to travel between worlds. He wondered… would Aslan have the answers?

Author's Note: Hello friends! Not much to report this chapter except to say another massive thank you for all the new followers/ favourites. It means a lot that y'all are still interested in my story after all this time. I hope everyone is staying safe around the world right now and hope this story can be a bit of an escape for those that need it. All the best.

- Jaime.