Shadows of the Stars [Chapter Five]
Beta’s Note: First of all, do not flame yourstar202 for uploading this late. Real life got jealous and kidnapped me for a few weeks. It is completely my fault and I would have you forward any and all bonfires to me, dancing_in_time. Because I want to light some marshmallows on fire. ‘Tis fun to watch.
Rating: PG? PG-13?
Summary: Most of your questions will be revealed!
Chapter Five
“Who is Naeemah?” Peter asked, rubbing his fingers along the bridge of his nose.
The Kings and Queens were gathered in the library with the two historians. Adamas stood beside Lucy, who sat in a chair beside the fire place, and Caspian’s Professor had his back to the group, his attention focused on the ancient history books of Narnia on the shelves behind him.
“She’s the Shadow Witch,” Adamas answered. “Strong, powerful, and ancient.”
“Is she kin to Jadis?” Susan asked, the corners of her mouth drawn down into a frown.
“I hope not,” Edmund muttered with a sigh.
“No,” Adamas answered, reassuring the young King. “She has no kin.”
“Blast,” the Professor cursed and turned to the group, inclining his head. “The book isn’t on the shelf, but I do believe it’s in my office. Please excuse me.” He hurried out of the room, elderly brow creased with worry.
The Kings and Queens sat in silence. The arrival of a new evil in Narnia was the last thing they’d wanted. And if she was anything like the White Witch, they had good reason to worry. Caspian turned to Adamas. “Is there anything else you know? Anything that won’t be in a book?”
The man was quiet for a minute, drawing upon his blessed knowledge. “I know that as long as there is darkness in the city, in any form, we’re in for more attacks.”
“Meaning what?” Edmund asked.
“Meaning the castle city must remain lit,” the Professor said grimly as he reentered the room, not even looking up from the pages of the book he held in his hands.
“What have you found, Professor?” Caspian asked, anxiety present in his voice.
“She travels by the shadows and darkness. She can move to and fro anywhere she pleases, as long as there is no light. As we learned earlier, light is her weakness.” He sighed deeply and put the book down on the desk. “She has been imprisoned for centuries after her attempt at overtaking Narnia.” He removed his glasses. “There’s nothing much more about her than that, I’m afraid.”
Caspian turned to Adamas. “Do you know anything more?”
Adamas sighed and shook his head. “Sadly, no. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”
“You’ve helped a great deal,” Edmund told him. “At least we know that she has no kin and that we just have to worry about her and her army.” He turned to Caspian. “So, what’s the plan?”
* * *
Naeemah felt rage swell within her. Layla bowed her head, her eyes downcast at the stone steps that led to the throne. She managed to escape the light but had the unfortunate duty of informing her Mistress of their failure. She tried not to show her fear as her Queen stood up from her seat on her throne and flew into a fit, her fury crashing upon the remnants of her army like the cresting of waves. The Shadow Witch stalked into the room, her eyes narrowed, mouth set into a scowl. The army parted to make way for her. She growled in anger, snatched a staff from one of her soldiers and cracked it over her knee. The wooden instrument splintered into two parts and she wielded both pieces like swords, pointing them at the necks of the two giants that stood at the back of the room.
They stood motionless as the sharp wood was pressed against their throats. With their size, Giants typically feared nothing and no one, but Naeemah gave them a reason to be afraid. What they had in size and strength paled in comparison to her unnatural strength and unending power. So, they stood still, knowing that she wouldn’t hesitate to kill them without a second thought. Naeemah pressed a bit harder; drawing blood. Her mouth was set in a grim line.
With a yell, she whipped around and hurled the pieces of staff. They flew through the air, straight as an arrow, and pierced the hearts of Layla’s mate and second in command-Serverus-and their son Nicolai. The Witch cast one look at Layla and stormed out of the room. She headed to her chamber, and the doors slammed shut behind her. The army filed out, giving their respected Captain peace to mourn. Layla moved from the stone steps and sat on the floor between the still forms of her mate and her son. She closed her eyes and accepted her punishment. She swallowed the pain, but was unable to stop the tears that fell from her eyes.
* * *
As night fell on the city, the lights remained fully lit from the highest castle tower, to the smallest home. The streets were flooded with light as were the lowest dungeon. Guards were charged with the duty of keeping the lights lit.
Inside her bed chamber, Susan lay on the bed, her stomach churning. Caspian entered the room and found her moaning in agony. He rushed to her side, sitting on the edge of the bed. “What is it, my love?” he asked.
“I’m not feeling well,” she gritted out.
She started feeling ill after the battle and blamed it on the stress. But as the evening passed, she began to feel progressively worse; waves of nausea crashed in her stomach and her head pounded with the onslaught of a headache. She retired to her room, hoping that lying down would lessen the intensity of her symptoms. Much to her dismay, however, it hardly helped at all.
Caspian touched her face, instantly pulling his hand away from the warmth emanating from her skin. “You’re burning up. We have to get you out of these clothes,” he declared, pulling her gently up into his arms.
“Oh, Caspian,” she groaned. “I can’t. I feel like I’m going to be sick.”
With a sigh, he laid her back down and she clutched her pounding head. He surveyed her dress and weighted their options. “Forgive me, my dear,” Caspian said eventually, “but this must be done.” He drew out his dagger and slashed a small bit of the end of her dress. Caspian gather the material in his hands and pulled-ripping the skirt and making his way up to the bodice. Once the garment was in two pieces, he maneuvered it off of her. Her corset and chemise remained. “Can you roll on your side?” he asked.
Susan rolled onto her side, her stomach rolling with her. She closed her eyes tightly and hoped that she would not be sick all over the bed. Caspian quickly and deftly untied to corset, taking the laces completely out. Susan was grateful to breathe easily again. She breathed slowly, in and out, hoping some calm breaths would help sooth her upset stomach. He guided her back onto her back and removed her corset. The cold air touched her hot skin through the thin chemise and she shivered, chills coursing through her body. “Caspian, I’m so cold.”
Caspian looked at her and leaned over her body, placing a kiss on her forehead. He hated seeing her this ill and wished there was more he could do. “I know, darling, just one more thing to take off and we can get you under the covers.” Caspian pulled off the remaining garment and tossed it to the floor. He pulled the comforter over from his side of the bed and tucked her in. Despite the covers, she still shivered. “Shall I fetch the doctor?” he asked, stroking her hair and attempting to keep his worry out of his voice; showing his fear would only upset her. Upsetting her would make her feel worse and that was the last thing he wanted right now.
“I think that might be best,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper as she tried to fight off sleep. The King sent word for the doctor and stayed by her side until he was no longer needed.
Rating: PG? PG-13?
Summary: Most of your questions will be revealed!
Chapter Five
“Who is Naeemah?” Peter asked, rubbing his fingers along the bridge of his nose.
The Kings and Queens were gathered in the library with the two historians. Adamas stood beside Lucy, who sat in a chair beside the fire place, and Caspian’s Professor had his back to the group, his attention focused on the ancient history books of Narnia on the shelves behind him.
“She’s the Shadow Witch,” Adamas answered. “Strong, powerful, and ancient.”
“Is she kin to Jadis?” Susan asked, the corners of her mouth drawn down into a frown.
“I hope not,” Edmund muttered with a sigh.
“No,” Adamas answered, reassuring the young King. “She has no kin.”
“Blast,” the Professor cursed and turned to the group, inclining his head. “The book isn’t on the shelf, but I do believe it’s in my office. Please excuse me.” He hurried out of the room, elderly brow creased with worry.
The Kings and Queens sat in silence. The arrival of a new evil in Narnia was the last thing they’d wanted. And if she was anything like the White Witch, they had good reason to worry. Caspian turned to Adamas. “Is there anything else you know? Anything that won’t be in a book?”
The man was quiet for a minute, drawing upon his blessed knowledge. “I know that as long as there is darkness in the city, in any form, we’re in for more attacks.”
“Meaning what?” Edmund asked.
“Meaning the castle city must remain lit,” the Professor said grimly as he reentered the room, not even looking up from the pages of the book he held in his hands.
“What have you found, Professor?” Caspian asked, anxiety present in his voice.
“She travels by the shadows and darkness. She can move to and fro anywhere she pleases, as long as there is no light. As we learned earlier, light is her weakness.” He sighed deeply and put the book down on the desk. “She has been imprisoned for centuries after her attempt at overtaking Narnia.” He removed his glasses. “There’s nothing much more about her than that, I’m afraid.”
Caspian turned to Adamas. “Do you know anything more?”
Adamas sighed and shook his head. “Sadly, no. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”
“You’ve helped a great deal,” Edmund told him. “At least we know that she has no kin and that we just have to worry about her and her army.” He turned to Caspian. “So, what’s the plan?”
* * *
Naeemah felt rage swell within her. Layla bowed her head, her eyes downcast at the stone steps that led to the throne. She managed to escape the light but had the unfortunate duty of informing her Mistress of their failure. She tried not to show her fear as her Queen stood up from her seat on her throne and flew into a fit, her fury crashing upon the remnants of her army like the cresting of waves. The Shadow Witch stalked into the room, her eyes narrowed, mouth set into a scowl. The army parted to make way for her. She growled in anger, snatched a staff from one of her soldiers and cracked it over her knee. The wooden instrument splintered into two parts and she wielded both pieces like swords, pointing them at the necks of the two giants that stood at the back of the room.
They stood motionless as the sharp wood was pressed against their throats. With their size, Giants typically feared nothing and no one, but Naeemah gave them a reason to be afraid. What they had in size and strength paled in comparison to her unnatural strength and unending power. So, they stood still, knowing that she wouldn’t hesitate to kill them without a second thought. Naeemah pressed a bit harder; drawing blood. Her mouth was set in a grim line.
With a yell, she whipped around and hurled the pieces of staff. They flew through the air, straight as an arrow, and pierced the hearts of Layla’s mate and second in command-Serverus-and their son Nicolai. The Witch cast one look at Layla and stormed out of the room. She headed to her chamber, and the doors slammed shut behind her. The army filed out, giving their respected Captain peace to mourn. Layla moved from the stone steps and sat on the floor between the still forms of her mate and her son. She closed her eyes and accepted her punishment. She swallowed the pain, but was unable to stop the tears that fell from her eyes.
* * *
As night fell on the city, the lights remained fully lit from the highest castle tower, to the smallest home. The streets were flooded with light as were the lowest dungeon. Guards were charged with the duty of keeping the lights lit.
Inside her bed chamber, Susan lay on the bed, her stomach churning. Caspian entered the room and found her moaning in agony. He rushed to her side, sitting on the edge of the bed. “What is it, my love?” he asked.
“I’m not feeling well,” she gritted out.
She started feeling ill after the battle and blamed it on the stress. But as the evening passed, she began to feel progressively worse; waves of nausea crashed in her stomach and her head pounded with the onslaught of a headache. She retired to her room, hoping that lying down would lessen the intensity of her symptoms. Much to her dismay, however, it hardly helped at all.
Caspian touched her face, instantly pulling his hand away from the warmth emanating from her skin. “You’re burning up. We have to get you out of these clothes,” he declared, pulling her gently up into his arms.
“Oh, Caspian,” she groaned. “I can’t. I feel like I’m going to be sick.”
With a sigh, he laid her back down and she clutched her pounding head. He surveyed her dress and weighted their options. “Forgive me, my dear,” Caspian said eventually, “but this must be done.” He drew out his dagger and slashed a small bit of the end of her dress. Caspian gather the material in his hands and pulled-ripping the skirt and making his way up to the bodice. Once the garment was in two pieces, he maneuvered it off of her. Her corset and chemise remained. “Can you roll on your side?” he asked.
Susan rolled onto her side, her stomach rolling with her. She closed her eyes tightly and hoped that she would not be sick all over the bed. Caspian quickly and deftly untied to corset, taking the laces completely out. Susan was grateful to breathe easily again. She breathed slowly, in and out, hoping some calm breaths would help sooth her upset stomach. He guided her back onto her back and removed her corset. The cold air touched her hot skin through the thin chemise and she shivered, chills coursing through her body. “Caspian, I’m so cold.”
Caspian looked at her and leaned over her body, placing a kiss on her forehead. He hated seeing her this ill and wished there was more he could do. “I know, darling, just one more thing to take off and we can get you under the covers.” Caspian pulled off the remaining garment and tossed it to the floor. He pulled the comforter over from his side of the bed and tucked her in. Despite the covers, she still shivered. “Shall I fetch the doctor?” he asked, stroking her hair and attempting to keep his worry out of his voice; showing his fear would only upset her. Upsetting her would make her feel worse and that was the last thing he wanted right now.
“I think that might be best,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper as she tried to fight off sleep. The King sent word for the doctor and stayed by her side until he was no longer needed.