The next day, the face of the Lord Bern's daughter awoke me; the one who kept staring at me last night during dinner. I almost shouted, but I caught myself in time. I thanked her for her troubles, and she blushed to the tips of her hair. She was hesitant to leave the room, and she still kept staring at me. I sighed, got up and made myself presentable.

Lord Bern was waiting for me outside of my room and as soon as I got out of it, his hand clasped around my shoulder. "And how did your night go, your Highness?"

A smile tugged at my lips. "Very good, actually," I contemplated for a moment whether I should tell him or not, as we walked towards the dining room. "Lord Bern . . .your--your daughter, the one who fetched me this morning--she seems quite taken to me, if I might be so bold to say--"

His somewhat raucous laughter cut me off and I looked at him, puzzled. "Yes, well, Gertrice has just come of age, and I'm afraid her sisters and her mother had been putting a lot of ideas into her head. But don't worry, I'll straighten them up when I tell them that your heart already belongs to someone else,"

I was dumbfounded to the point of just standing there, with my mouth left hanging open, while the good Lord Bern walked away towards the dining room. Why were they all saying that?

"Your Highness," he shouted back to me. "You may be the King of Narnia, but I'm not so sure that your lineage would be enough to stop the men from eating all of breakfast."

I hurried to catch up with him, but not before I caught sight of the bay and once again remembered the predicament of Lucy, and the others. I wondered once more about their health, but Lord Bern's voice calling out to me once again reassured me of his plan to rescue them and I worried no more.

All in all, breakfast at the House of Bern was enjoyable; the food was delicious, the men were noisy and satisfied, the servants were polite but Gertrice was still staring at me while I was eating. It didn't annoy me, but it did make me feel a little bit uncomfortable.

As the servants were clearing up the table, Lord Bern turned to Drinian and me. "Sire, it would be best if you would order every man available into full armor, and above all," he paused to grin triumphantly, the glint in his eyes were back. "Let everything be as trim and scoured as if it were the morning of the first battle in a great war between noble kings with all the world looking on,"

After all of us had eaten our breakfast, all the men prepared for the attack, under Lord Bern's supervision. Three boats were prepared for me and my men, and together we sailed towards Narrowhaven with a few of Lord Bern's own boats. The flag of Narnia was put up in the boat that I was in, my trusted trumpeter beside me.

All in all I was very much excited about the whole thing, as I know that my men were too. It has been quite a time since anything has happened, though I would have preferred something a little bit safer. Something that didn't risk Lucy's welfare. I silently wondered what had happened to her; was she being treated right? I almost felt guilty for eating all of that food at the House of Bern when Lucy and the others could have been starving since the night before.

"My Liege," a voice jolted me from my reverie. It was Lord Bern. "We are here."

I looked around the jetty at Narrowhaven, only to see a considerable number of people gathered around. Were they here to meet us?

At the look of confusion etched into my face, Lord Bern leaned in close and answered my unvoiced question. "This is what I sent word about last night. They are all friends of mine and honest people."

I climbed off the boat and stepped ashore, giving a wave to all of the people that were kind enough to give us their time to help.

"Narnia! Narnia!" They shouted unanimously, their voices coinciding almost beautifully to the sounds of ringing bells coming from many parts of the town. "Long live the King!"

I signaled my trumpeter to sound my trumpet, which signaled for the advance of my banner. Every single man that was with me drew out their swords from their sheaths and started the march into the streets of Narrowhaven. Every face was alive; the expression was joyful and stern at the same time. I really was getting excited to face Governor Gumpas now. And the weather seemed to have blessed us with his glorious sunshine; we couldn't have picked a better day to hold a parade.

The grounds shook with the intensity of it all, and I've never felt prouder to see image of the scarlet lion painted on the gleaming armors of my men. People lined the side of the street, and it seemed that almost all activities were halted in the city. Even children cheered for us and quite a number of women peered their heads out of their windows and doors, shouting as loud as anyone.

It seemed that everyone was cheering us on, and by the time we had reached the castle gates, I was really convinced at the incapability of this Gumpas fellow to lead. After all, most of his people seemed to be very happy that we were assailing against him, which must mean something, right?

"Open for the King of Narnia," my trumpeter shouted at the castle gates, after giving one long blast with his instrument. "He has come to visit his trusty and well-beloved servant the governor of the Lone Islands,"

A disheveled person greeted us at the little postern that had opened. Really, his physical state was a mess. He wasn't even wearing a helmet for Aslan's sake, and whom was he supposed to hurt with the rusty pike that was lodged between his pudgy little fingers? His eyes blinked a few times before he finally answered us. "Carn--seez--fishansy. No interviews without 'pointments 'cept' 'tween' nine 'n' ten p.m. second Saturday every month."

"Uncover before Narnia, you dog," Lord Bern said, his voice unnervingly booming. His hand sent a rap towards the tousled man which sent the hat he was wearing flying and finally catching the man's attention.

"'Ere? Wot's it all about?" he said, but his voice went unheeded as two of our men stepped through the opening. They tinkered around for a while with the rusty bolts and bars, they sent both wings of the gate open.

We strode into the now accessible courtyard, with everyone following us. Disgust wrinkled my face as I saw a few more of the Governor's men, all in shameful states, stumble about the place. They seriously did not know anything that was happening about them, and since the element of surprise was almost foolproof, I gave them no time to think.

"Where is the captain?" I asked, my voice booming just as Lord Berns' did.

"I am, more or less," answered a young man in a very relaxed manner. He wasn't wearing his armor, a fact that had both of my eyebrows raised, and his breath left a trace of an alcoholic twang in the air. "If you know what I mean,"

"It is our wish, that our royal visitation to our realm of the Lone Islands should, if possible, be an occasion of joy and not of terror to our loyal subjects," I said, making our intentions known. The so-called captain merely scratched his head, undoubtedly confused at my words. But I am not about to give him the time to understand. "If it were not for that, I should have something to say about the state of your mean's armor and weapons. As it is, you are pardoned," The captain's eyebrows rose and he eyed me from head to toe. "Command a cask of wine to be opened that your men may drink out health. But at noon tomorrow I wish to see them here in this courtyard looking like men-at-arms and not like vagabonds. See to it on pain of our extreme displeasure."

He gaped at me, most probably wondering if I was really somebody that could order him around like that.

"Three cheers for the King!" Lord Bern cried, his voice joined by some of the men who really did get the cask of wine and began drinking it immediately. I shook my head at their state. Really, how could have the Lone Islands have stayed safe for so long?

I turned to my men with their armor gleaming and shining. "Stay here in the courtyard. The Lord Bern and the Captain Drinian will escort me inside." I walked inside the hall, with the others behind me. Drinian had signaled for four other men to come with us. Just in case.

The halls of the castle were still presentable, at least the paintings that lined them were still gallant in my opinion. They were a little bit unclean and dusty, but it was a fact that was of no real surprise. The first thing that attracted my attention was the huge table at the far end of the hall, with many a secretary stood behind the throne. And in the seat was his Sufficiency, the Governor of the Lone Islands, Gumpas.

"No interviews without appointments except between nine and ten p.m. on second Saturdays," he said automatically, after giving us a glance and promptly turning his attention back to his precious papers.

I looked at Lord Bern, nodding once and I stepped aside. He and Drinian stepped forward towards the table and seized one end each, lifting it and tossed it to one side of the hall. The huge brown table rolled over, denting the smooth surface. Papers and inkbottles and containers of sealing wax flew around the hall violently.

The act finally drew Gumpas' attention to us, and his eyes darted wildly around when Drinian and Lord Bern's hands clamped on his shoulders and deposited him facing his chair, a few feet away.

I sat down on the chair, unsheathed my sword and laid it across my knees. "My Lord, you have not given us quite the welcome we expected. We are the King of Narnia."

The Governor's eyes moved towards the general direction of his secretaries, who, for their part, bowed down when they heard my words. Gumpas quickly regained his composure though. "Nothing about it in the correspondence. Nothing in the minutes," his voice rang quite sturdily across the hall. "We have not been notified of any such thing. All irregular. Happy to consider any applications--"

He was babbling, stalling for time, and I decided to cut him off. "And we are come to inquire into your Sufficiency's conduct of your office. There are two points especially on which I require an explanation." His eyebrows rose to his head at my words. "Firstly I find no record that the tribute due from these Islands to the crown of Narnia has been received for about a hundred and fifty years."

It took him quite a while to respond, and when he did, his voice shook slightly. "That would be a question to raise at the Council next month. If anyone moves that a commission of inquiry be set up to report on the financial history of the islands at the first meeting next year, why then…"

Next year? Did he really think that Narnia would allow such preposterousness? "I also find it very clearly written in our laws," I said, my voice drowning out his words. "That if the tribute is not delivered the whole dept has to be paid by the Governor of the Lone Islands out of his private purse."

It would have been funny, if the matter weren't serious, the way Gumpas' eyebrows shot up so high, him finally understanding our business here. "Oh, that's quite out of the question. It is an economic impossibility--er--your Majesty must be joking."

My brows creased at the almost mocking tone of his voice. "Secondly, I want to know why you have permitted this abominable and unnatural traffic in slaves to grow up here, contrary to the ancient custom and usage of our dominions." My thoughts flew to the band of vagabonds who had abducted my friends and me the other day. Again, my thought flew back to Lucy and her brother's welfare, but I shook it off, as I needed full concentration for the task that lay ahead.

My attention was brought back to the present by Gumpas' choice of words. "Necessary, unavoidable, an essential part of the economic development of the islands, I assure you," he implored, his eyes flitting back and forth between the Lord Bern's face and mine.

Drinian, for his part, had looked as though he wanted to rebut this line of thinking, but Gumpas had beaten him to the punch. "Our present burst of prosperity depends on it,"

It must've been quite comical, under totally different circumstances, how my face looked. Who did this man think he was kidding? Anger was quietly but surely stirring in me at his words, but I knew better than to lose my composure in front of this man.

"What need have you of slaves?" Drinian asked, his voice rough. I knew for a fact that Drinian wanted nothing than to kick this sniveling excuse of a man's teeth in, as his own little brother had been abducted and traded off into the slave market never to be seen again.

"For export, your Majesty," Gupas replied, his eyes totally trained on me. I saw Drinian give a start to move a few steps closer to where Gumpas was strewn on the floor. I gave him a look of warning and he stilled. "Sell 'em to Calormen mostly; and we have other markets." So that was to have been my fate if the Lord Bern had not rescued me. And suddenly it dawned upon me that that exactly was what to happen to my friends, if it hadn't happened already. The mere thought of Lucy in the hands of a Calorman made me stand up from my seat. "We are a great center of the trade."

"In other words, you don't need them," I said, my voice dangerously low. "Tell me what purpose they serve except to put money into the pockets of such as Pug?"

Gumpas stood up from his uncomfortable position on the floor and took a few tentative steps towards me. "Your Majesty's tender years hardly make it possible that you should understand the economic problem involved." On his face was a lopsided smile which gave the impression of a condescending air. "I have statistics, I have graphs, I have—"

"Tender as my years maybe, I believe I understand the slave trade from within quite as well as your Sufficiency," I said, cutting him off for the second time. I had just realized that he had opted for a more fatherly tactic, which irritated me beyond words. "And I do not see that it brings into the islands meat or bread or beer or wine or timber or cabbages or books or instruments of music or horses or armor or anything else worth having." Gumpas opened his mouth to object, and signaled for one of his secretaries to come over. "But whether it does or not, it must be stopped."

Lord Gumpas looked as me as if he was asking whether I was joking or not. "But that would be putting the clock back. Have you no idea of progress, of development?" he asked, his voice rising.

"I have seen them both in an egg," I said, looking at him straight in the eye to ensure the fact that he knew that I was completely serious. "We call it 'Going Bad' in Narnia. This trade must stop."

"I can take no responsibility for any such measure," said the Governor. He did not even bother trying to conceal his animosity anymore; on his face was the look of utter hatred.

Idly I wondered what exactly this sad excuse for a man could do to me, if he ever attacked. "Very well, then, we relieve you of your office." I gestured to Lord Bern who immediately caught my drift and knelt in front of me, his hands between mine. "My Lord Bern, do you solemnly swear to govern the Lone Islands in accordance with the old customs, rights, usages and laws of Narnia?"

"I do," replied the Lord Bern.

"I think we have had enough of governors," I said. "From this day onward, I, Caspian the tenth, son of Caspian, lawful King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands, by the power vested upon me by the throne of Narnia, appoint you, Lord Bern as the Duke of the Lone Islands. May Aslan provide you with a peaceful reign." Lord Bern stood up and shook my hands. I turned my attention back to the ex-governor of the Lone Islands. "As for you, my Lord, I forgive you your debt for the tribute." His mouth hung open as he stared at me. "But before noon tomorrow you and yours must be out of the castle, which is now the Duke's residence."

"Look here," started one of Gumpas' secretaries. "This is all very well, but suppose you gentlemen stop play-acting and we do a little business. The question before us really is –"

"The question is," interrupted the Duke in that booming voice of his. "Whether you and the rest of the rabble will leave without a flogging or with one." The secretary who had gathered enough courage to speak up suddenly went very pale and stared at the Duke in a mixture of surprise and fear. "You may choose which you prefer."

The secretary wavered and retreated, walking backwards and away from our general direction, until he hit the rest of his colleagues. They formed a small circle, leaving out Gumpas who still stood rooted to his spot. After a few minutes of deliberation, they, in unison, bowed in front of us and bid us goodbye.

Only one faithful secretary had allegiance enough to his old master to drag him away from our spot.

"How do you like your new position, Duke Bern?" Drinian asked after a few moments more of silence.

"I have to speak the truth," replied the Duke. "So far it has been an adventure. Poor Gumpas probably was still in a state of shock. But back to more pressing business,"

I nodded at his line of thinking. "I say we send for some horses and rescue the Queen and her kinsmen,"

Drinian exchanged knowing glances with the Duke and replied, smiling, "Sounds like a plan,"

Our horses, I soon found, pretty much agreed with everything else we've found to be under Gumpas' reign: very much ill-groomed and lacking. The Duke Bern assured me that these issues would be well taken care of under his care upon seeing the look of disbelief painted on my face.

We, the new Duke, the Lord Drinian, the four guards we took and I, rode into the town. Although the news of Gumpas' overthrowing had yet to be circulated, people still peered out of their windows, practically stilling whatever activity of the day it was they were doing, and watching the events unfold with interest. Bells could still be heard, women, children and grown men were still cheering.

The town was packed full with people, making it no easy feat to maneuver the horses around the multitude of busybodies. Nobody in the market paid much attention to our group. The most that we've received is the occasional glance up at the red lion painted upon my banner.

"The slave market's just up that way, Sire," Duke Bern said, pointing to a long low building near the harbor. "I reckon Pug's already making good money right about now,"

I nodded, unable to think of anything appropriate to say. Upon my signal, we all went inside the building. My eyes took a few moments to adjust to the sudden change in the intensity of light. It was a dank, smelly old building, probably built easily fifty years ago but unfortunately not maintained. Moss covered parts of the wall that were furthest to the openings and it seemed to be a very conducive place for roaches to breed in, judging solely from the sheer number of the creatures roaming on the floor.

A number of people can be found inside the building, despite its unsavory condition, and once again it took quite an effort to get the horses in. It was a noisy place; men and women's shouts of various amounts of money filling the air. Judging from the colored complexions of the majority participating in the auction, I'd say that Pug's real market were the Calormen.

"Now, gentlemen, lot twenty-three" a raucous voice boomed. My eyes flew to its source and saw Pug, standing directly in the middle of a make-shift wooden platform, calling the attention of his buyers to a boy a little bit older than I was who was bound and had his head bowed. It seemed that he has not spotted our little party yet. "Fine Terebinthian agricultural laborer, suitable for the mines or the galleys. Under twenty-five years of age. Not a bad tooth in his head. Good brawny fellow. Take off his shirt, Tacks," he instructed one of his men, whom I recognized to be the one who bound me when we were captured. "Let the gentlemen see. There's muscle for you! Look at the chest on him." The boy's shirt was taken off roughly, and I can see the boy duck his head even lower, if that was possible. A man in a dirty turban raised his hand. "Ten crescents from the gentleman in the corner. You must be joking, sir. Fifteen! Eighteen! Eighteen is bidden for lot twenty-three." Pug signaled to one of his men, one who had a piece of parchment and a quill. "Any advance on eighteen? Twenty-one. Thank you, sir. Twenty-one is bidden—"

Drinian and I exchanged glances and both got off our horses. We made our way through the large crowd and up the platform. Drinian took out his short knife and undid the rough bonds that held the Terebinthian boy. Pug gaped at us, his sentence unfinished.

Before giving him the chance to understand what was happening, Duke Bern's voice boomed from the entrance, filling the room and halting all whispers. "On your knees, every man of you, to the King of Narnia," he said, attracting all eyes to his form, still on his horse. It took a few seconds for everyone to comply, as quite a few men had to be pulled down to their knees by their companions. Some people cheered, but even those were drowned out by the explosion of whispers that dispersed in the air.

"Your life is forfeit, Pug," I said to the man in front of me. He looked intently at me, his eyes searching my face and widening once he recognized me. "For laying hands on our royal person yesterday." He opened his mouth to refute, but I did not let him. But your ignorance is pardoned. The slave trade was forbidden in all our dominions quarter of an hour ago. I declare every slave in this market free."

Shouts of approval from the slaves located in each and every corner of the building clashed with the shouts of disproval from the people who had bought them. I held up my hand and waited for the noise to subside. "Where are my friends?" I scanned the room for any sign of them, my eyes particularly trained to any color that resembled Lucy's dress.

"That dear little gel and the nice young genleman?" Pug said, his tone and his smile not to my liking. "Why, they were snapped up at once—"

My hand flew to the hilt of my sword at his words. If Lucy and the others are harmed, Pug will pay.

"We're here," her voice rang out amidst the noise. My eyes flew wildly across the crowd, and breathed out a breath I didn't know I had been holding once I saw her hand flailing against a Calorman. Once the Calorman noticed that all eyes in the room were on him, he immediately let go of Lucy and Edmund. They made their way through the crowd, which parted for them until they were directly in front of the platform. "We're here, Caspian," she said, catching her breath.

"At your service, Sire," Reep's voice cried out from the opposite corner of where Lucy and Edmund had been.

I breathed a sigh of relief and jumped the height of the platform. King Edmund shook my hand, saying something about how lucky it was that the Calorman who had bought them opted to stay and buy one more slave.

"Are you all right, My Lady?" I asked the Queen.

Her face broke into a smile, which, in its simplicity, surprisingly lifted a heavy weight upon my chest. "I'm fine," she said. "And you?"

A laugh escaped my lips as I gathered her form into a tight hug. Her laugh mingled with mine as she let out, "I see you're doing fine as well,"

A loud clearing of someone's throat broke us out of our happy stupor and brought our attentions back to the present. The Queen and I disentangled ourselves, and found ourselves face-to-face with two Calormen with dark faces and incredibly long beards. "Sire," the one in an orange-colored turban began, his eyes calculating and cold. "We are honored to witness this historical event with our own eyes and we wish you overflowing affluences from the fountains of prosperity irrigating the gardens of prudence and virtue," I nodded, not quite following his track. He glanced at his companion, who took over the task of speaking.

"There is still the matter of uh…" the man in the purple robes began. "Compensation."

Suddenly everything made sense in my head. "That is only fair, sirs," I said to them, and then faced the crowd once again. "Every man who has bought a slave today must have his money back." I glanced at Drinian, who had now taken it upon himself to have a firm grasp of Pug's left arm. "Pug, bring out your takings to the last minim."

Giving Drinian a deliberate look, Pug replied, "Does your good Majesty mean to beggar me?"

"You have lived on broken hearts all your life and if you are beggared, it is to be beggared than a slave," I replied. The whining tone of his voice reminded me of someone. "But where is my other friend?"

"Oh, him?" Pug asked, not without a slight roll of his eyes. "Oh take him and welcome. Glad to have him off my hands. I've never seen such a drug in the market in all my born days. Priced him at five crescents in the end and even so nobody'd have him. They threw him in free with other lots and still no one would have him. Wouldn't touch him. Wouldn't look at him. Tacks, bring out Sulky." Here he signaled one of his men who, in a few seconds, released Eustace out into the open. I noticed Eustace's coloring became a tad darker as he fussed over the ropes that had tied his arms together.

Eustace threw his bonds roughly onto the ground and marched himself towards me. Well, here he goes. "I see," he started, sneering. "As usual. Been enjoying yourself somewhere while the rest of us were prisoners." My eyes widened and a wave of guild passed over me. "I suppose you haven't even found out about the British Consul." He paused to give me time to respond, but I still had no idea what it was he was talking about. "Of course not," he said, stomping away with his nose held high.

"Do forgive him," said Queen Lucy, placing a soft hand over my shoulder. "He's not usually used to these kinds of circumstances."

I nodded, trying to keep my mind off the warmth radiating from her hand.

"Sire!" Drinian called out to me. "What now?"

I looked at the different faces, mostly happy ones, in the market. "We celebrate!"

A feast had been prepared back at the castle of Narrowhaven. It was rather on a short notice, as whoever were involved in the making sure everything was prepared only had a little more than ten hours to prepare it. But nobody really cared; it was high-time for a celebration and by Jove, we will have one.

Word was sent out to the castle to prepare, as Duke Bern tended to the numerous unhappy Calormen who were all voicing out complaints about how inappropriate this all was. Still, I noted, they were quite the orderly group. As they had lined up in front of a stern looking Duke Bern and a rather sulky looking Pug. Two men were beside them, one furiously writing down everything while the other handed out the money.

Amidst the commotion, the five of us slipped out of the dark and dingy building and made our way down to the harbor, unmindful of the busybodies of the marketplace who were just as unmindful of us. In the warmth of the sunlight and with the breeze of the open sea, it was difficult to focus on anything negative.

"So," began King Edmund. "What happened to you lot? Care to exchange stories?"

Drinian was the one to reply, recounting to them everything that had happened, from the formulation of the plans at Bernstead down to the actual siege that had happened earlier this morning.

"I knew it!" Eustace exclaimed. And all this time I had thought he hadn't been listening. "You were off enjoying yourself! And you call yourself King!"

With a roll of his eyes, King Edmund said, "Sod it, Eustace. If he had a miserable time then that would've meant that he hadn't met Lord Bern, which would mean that there would've been no way for us to be rescued. And then where would we be?"

"Were you really treated that horribly?" I asked, guilt seeping into my voice. Eustace was right; a King would have never behaved that way.

"Oh, come off it," Lucy said with a laugh. "We were perfectly fine. Aside from being tied up and spending the night in that stinky place we were stored in, I mean. We weren't starved or beaten by any means and I even had this wonderful chat with this Galmian man, who told me of how life is there. All in all it did make up for quite an adventure."

I glanced at her brother, who in turn merely shrugged. "Leave it to Lucy to make friends in a pirate's ship,"

She had been watching me, quite intently too, I would've gathered, when my eyes flickered over to her direction once more. Her lips broke into such a pretty smile that I had, for a few seconds, forgotten how to breathe.

"Let's just go to that bloody castle already," I heard Eustace say, already a few steps ahead of us up the path. "I'm hungry,"

Breaking eye contact, I found myself nodding slowly to his words. I cleared my throat and said, "Right, to the feast,"

We all went back inside the auction place and told Duke Bern that we were off to the castle. With a rather frustrated look upon his face, he grunted, "Alright your Majesties, I'll meet up with you at the castle. Giving out all these reimbursements'll take more than a few hours, I should think. With the way Pug's holding onto every crescent, that is," he said, looking pointedly at Pug who feigned innocence.

"Captain," I called out to Drinian, who had to come up to me in a bit of a jog. "That reminds me, there is still the matter of our ship's supplies. Please see to it that The Dawn Treader's taken cared of?"

"Aye, aye, Sire," he said. "I'll take my leave from your company for a while then, your Highness,"

The Pevensies and I decided to walk the way to Narrowhaven castle, resolving to taking in and experiencing first hand the Lone Island lifestyle as we went. Eustace, of course, had wanted to take a horse, but was quieted down by King Edmund's firm reminder that he did not know how to ride one. He had stayed quiet and sullen all through out the walk but since it was such a nice day out with the perfect weather, no one could be bothered to try and cheer him up.

Once inside the castle, I found a manservant by the name of Astoria who had been kind enough to agree to hold a tour of the castle for our little group.

"After we eat, of course," I said, quickly reassuring Eustace who had opened his mouth to no doubt give a brash reminder. We were then ushered into the dining hall and were subsequently treated to a meal of four courses so delicious that even Eustace had nothing bad to say about it.

Astoria approached us a bit after we've eaten and in that unusual accent of his, began to draw the lot of us into his tour. He lead us to the different rooms of the castle, stopping occasionally at some tapestry, bust or piece of furniture, orienting us to the said item's history by giving a rather lengthy background to it. As far as castles went, the Narrowhaven castle was quite young, built only a couple of centuries after the Lone Islands had become inhabited. It was only a bit smaller than the castle my late Uncle Miraz used to keep but given the poor state of Gumpas' rule, the castle was very much unkempt and slightly rundown.

But no one could find fault in Astoria's detailed tour of the castle. Even Eustace, whom I'm ashamed to admit I had expected to say something bad, seemed very interested in the castle's history and only opened his mouth to ask questions about it.

Our tour ended back to the dining hall, where we found the Duke Bern along with Drinian, speaking to a servant about matters, I presumed, that had something to do with the forty or so men behind them. Men, women and children, I noticed upon closer inspection, who were the very same people back at the auction place, the ones being auctioned as slaves.

"Ah, your Majesty," Duke Bern greeted upon seeing us enter the room. Astoria then excused himself, but not without a proper thanks from us, mind you, and made himself busy with the decorations for the upcoming feast. "Yes, about them," he said, seeing our raised eyebrows. "After we got that whole refund business sorted out, suddenly there was a surplus of laborers who had no where to go. Yes, they were set free, but without jobs, they have no means of going home."

"So you decided to bring them…" I asked, the tone of my voice still slightly questioning. "…here?"

"As you might've noticed," he started. "This castle really isn't in the best of shapes and well, I thought, why not kill two birds with one stone? I needed help with the upkeep and they needed work."

"What a wonderful idea, Duke Bern," exclaimed Queen Lucy.

"Thank you, your Majesty," he replied with a little bow.

"Sire," Drinian called to me. "You'll be happy to know that The Dawn Treader's been emptied and is now currently on land, being tended to by the most skilled shipwrights I've found. By tomorrow she'll be well prepared for twenty-eight days' worth of voyage in the open sea,"

"Very well," I replied. "And the men?"

"Oh, they're here," Drinian replied. "A war wouldn't keep them out of this feast's reach,"

"Wait a minute," said King Edmund. "Just twenty-eight days? Why, that's just a month!"

I was just about to ask what he had meant when the Duke Bern interrupted. "Enough of that talk about business," he said, putting his arms both on King Edmund's and my shoulder, leading the way into the great hall. "Why, there's a feast waiting for us there, chaps! And lady, I meant to mention," he said, gesturing to Lucy. "We shall talk about business tomorrow, shan't we? But tonight is the night for merriment!"

With a collective laugh we made our way into the great hall, where we were greeted by at least a hundred and twenty people, already talking, eating and generally having a good time. The great hall, I'd noticed, had been a good deal cleaner than the last time I saw it, which surely was no small feat. I'd only been there a few hours ago, after all. Long tables laden with delectable looking food lined up all walls of the hall, leaving a great big space in the center of the room, already occupied by people. On one far corner of the hall was set up a small group of instrumentalists, filing the hall with music.

The lot of us, all with the exception of Eustace, who sulkily stood by one of the tables talking to anybody who would listen about I don't know what, ate as we mingled. We were introduced to a lot of people, courtesy of the Duke Bern and it wasn't until he had been whisked away by his wife were we left to our own devices. Sensing the end of our Royal rounds, King Edmund chose that moment to bid his leave.

"Well, I hope you chaps have a great time, but I'll ask that lady over there for a dance," he said, taking off towards a pretty blonde girl in a blue dress. Sure enough, a few seconds later, they were on the dance floor, moving to the music alongside other couples. Following King Edmund's suit, Drinian, with a slight bow and a smile to me and the Queen, sped off into the direction of a red headed girl he had been eyeing since we entered the hall.

The music swelled and blended with the chatter in the room, but it did nothing to comfort my nerves. On the contrary, I was suddenly quite conscious of the fact that our previous merry company of six had suddenly been reduced to the Queen and I, with the silence between us stretching uncomfortably.

I glanced at her sideways, wanting to see if she felt particularly uncomfortable as well. If that was the case, she certainly didn't show it. She was smiling, swaying occasionally to the music and watching the others having fun.

Mentally, I berated myself. Has the lawful King of Narnia thus been reduced to a pathetic tangled mass of nerves? With a deep breath, I prepared myself to ask the one question that seemed to be the most difficult question of all to ask.

"Would you like to dance?" I asked, all in one breath. With the noise in the background, I can't be sure if she heard me. At all, for that matter, considering the fact that she's asked "It makes for quite a ballroom, doesn't it?" at the exact same time I spoke.

The silence between us stretched on further. We stared at each other for a few seconds before her eyes widened in comprehension, her lips slowly drawing into a smile. Quite fascinating to watch, really. Even more fascinating was the fact that she had nodded and accepted my offer.

Gathering what little composure I had left, I offered out my right hand. She laid hers atop mine, tingles shooting out from the surfaces where our skin connected. We made our way into the dance floor, where Drinian, dancing a little ways to our left with the redheaded girl, caught my eye and winked at me. Color probably rose up to my already warm cheeks, but thank goodness the Queen did not notice.

With a bow, the dance officially started. I had a bit of trouble getting my feet to move the way they were supposed to, but halfway into the dance, my body had finally agreed to cooperate with me. Golden light from the candles made everything look surreal; they made everything emit a faint glow that made me feel like I was participating in a dream of some sort.

I felt as if the room was exponentially warmer than when we first stepped into it, but I figured that this sudden rise in temperature had something to do with the fact that the she was in my arms, more than anything else. Contrary to what my actions may suggest, I actually have danced with girls before; they just never made me feel this nervous. It truly was a wonder that I didn't trip over myself, or worse, over her feet.

The first dance ended, and without a word, we both were propped into the next dance, and into the next. It came as a surprise to me that this was happening, but I was bent on savoring each moment of it.

There was a smile playing about her lips the whole time we were dancing, the type of smile that made me feel quite weak at the knees. The third dance ended, couples exchanged curtsies with each other. I was about to ask the Queen if she would give me the honor of dancing with me again when the Duke Bern tapped me on the shoulder.

"Your Majesty," he said, smiling. "I have some great news. Earlier today I have sent word to find some people who might be able to aid you in your journey and they have just arrived. I want you to meet a few people,"

He then lead the way, maneuvering in and out of people's way as Lucy and I tried to follow without stepping on anybody's toes. We exited the great hall on the left side and we were ushered into a small room by the entrance. I was actually surprised to see Edmund, Eustace, Reepicheep and Drinian sitting down on a long table, waiting for us, apparently. I caught Drinian's eyes and averted my gaze immediately. There was a haughty look on his face and I knew that if provoked, he surely would start something that could be potentially very embarrassing for me.

Scanning the room, I finally noticed the other occupants of the long table.

"These are the oldest sea captains in Narrowhaven, Sire," Duke Bern said, introducing each man. "This is Bruner, Venzon and Sionil. They have sailed the seas for more years than you have lived. If there's anyone who can answer you about the sea, it'd be them,"

My eyes traveled to each of their faces, worn and graced by many lines but looking as if they had many adventures to tell, if only we were to listen. "Thank you, Duke Bern," I said, smiling at the Duke. "Sires, I am Caspian, King of Narnia. If you would be kind enough to answer a few questions from my Captain and I, it would be very much appreciated."

"Aye," the man introduced as Bruner said. If one looked closely upon Bruner's face, you'd notice that his blue eyes, once of a striking hue, I'm sure, were completely clouded over. He glanced at me solely on the basis of where my voice was coming from, I'd guess, as there would've been no way that he could still see. "These seas have taken twenty-four years of my life, Sire, but as far as I know, there are no lands beyond the Lone Islands. Nothing, I tell you,"

"But the husband of my wife's second cousin, bless his soul, had told me of an island in the far east that is only inhabited by men without heads," the man, Venzon said, taking a swig of ale from his mug. "The Headless Island, he said, totally surrounded by fire that burned forever along the water,"

"That's a total cod," interrupted Sionil, who seemed to me to be the youngest of the lot. "The only famous island in the eastern seas is a floating one. It floats five meters above the sea, where the water is completely undisturbed, save for the ripples of the wave. And beyond that, Aslan's country," he took a long drink of ale, and the Duke Bern signaled a servant to bring more flagons into this room.

"Aslan's country," Reepicheep repeated, looking at the man intently. "Are you absolutely sure?"

"As sure as a man can be," Sionil answered. "My own father told me of the tale. But that's beyond the end of the world and you can't get there,"

"Sire," said Bruner. "These tales might be true, but it has been generally agreed upon by most sailors and captains that if you sailed too far east you would only come into the surges of a sea without lands that swirled perpetually round the rim of the world,"

"Aye, Sire," Sionil agreed. "That is the universal precaution of the seas nowadays. And that, if that were true, I reckon, is where your Majesty's friends went to the bottom."

The informal interview went on quite longer, but as the men ingested more ale, it seemed that the most useful information they had for me were the ones they had given while they were still quite sober. I sat down beside Drinian, my thoughts picturing the rim of the earth, where the ships of my father's friends met their doom.

"Do you reckon that what they've said is true?" I asked, a few minutes after the three elderly sailors had been escorted back to their proper homes. "Is that how the six Lords have fallen?"

"I have no idea Sire," Duke Bern answered. "I wish I could tell you more, but the last I had seen my companions was when they were off, sailing eastward. It breaks my heart to think of them as dead, but I have nothing else contrary to the fact."

"Of course we will continue on with our journey, shall we not?" Reepicheep asked sharply. He didn't seem to be too keen with the tone of our voices, or to where exactly our conversation was heading.

"If it were up to me, we would most definitely go on," Edmund replied. "But it is out of my hands this time,"

I felt everybody's gazes on me.

"As the Captain of the Dawn Treader I say that I have complete confidence in her to bring us the achievement of this journey, even if that means to the end of the world," Drinian said, his face entirely solemn.

"In that case," I said. "Friends, we push through with our adventure. Even if it brings us to the end of the world,"

"Tomorrow," said Reepicheep. "For the beginning of our real adventures!" he took one last drink of ale from his mug before settling it atop the table and bowing, bidding us all a good night.

"I guess I'd better follow his lead then," Edmund said, stretching. "And I have to find where that bugger Eustace is. Good night, chaps,"

"Let me lead the way to your quarters for the night, your Majesties," Duke Bern said, leading us out of the room. We made our way out of the great hall where the feast has yet to wind down, and up the stairs where, from Astoria's tour, I knew the chambers were situated. We found Eustace in the great hall, leaning against the wall, looking every bit miserable. He followed us sullenly and complained an earful when he found that he was to share a room with King Edmund. With a roll of his eyes, Edmund shut the door to our party, stopping the flow of Eustace's voice in the hallway. I take pity on the King; he was very much tired and I don't think anybody deserved to be nagged at like that. Still wouldn't want to be in his place though.

The next chamber to theirs was mine and Drinian's; as I said, it was a small castle and with the Queen occupying her own chamber, there was just simply not enough rooms. Drinian bid the Duke good night, yawning as he went. Duke Bern, however, hung back a few moments and put his hands on my shoulder.

"If I could have a word, my boy," he said, his tone sounding weary and tired. "I've often been up in the highest point of Avra many a mornings, and seen the sun come up out of the sea, and sometimes it looked as if it were only a couple of miles away." He heaved a sigh as he said this, and for the first time, I can see exactly where the hardships of his life had struck him. "And I've wondered about my friends and wondered what there really is behind that horizon. Nothing, most likely, yet I am always half ashamed that I stayed behind."

I opened my mouth to say that there was nothing shameful in his actions; he had wished to settle down, and found the right person to do it with, so in my opinion, he had done what was best for him.

"But I wish your Majesty wouldn't go," he said. "We may need your help here. This closing the slave market might make a new world; war with Calormen is what I foresee. My liege, think again,"

I really did understand his situation and sincerely, I appreciated his concern. "I have an oath, my lord Duke," I said, smiling. "And anyway, what could I say to Reepicheep?"

He laughed a laugh that didn't quite reach his eyes, and I appreciated the fact that he didn't push it. "Well I do suppose you're right," he said, shaking his head slightly. "With that little fellow, there'll be hell to pay if he doesn't get his adventure,"

"That's only too close to the truth," I said.

"Well, I suppose this is it then," he said. "I'll come back tomorrow to fetch you. But for now, I have to mind my business downstairs at the feast, lest it become too rowdy,"

"Goodnight Duke Bern," I said. "And thank you. I truly am grateful for everything you've done,"

He just smiled at me in return and made his way back down to the feast.

Drinian already went inside our shared room, preparing for bed, while I lingered in front of the room directly in front of ours. After a few deep breaths, I finally knocked.

"Caspian," Lucy greeted as she opened the door, smiling. "Was there anything you needed?"

"Nothing," I said, after a few seconds' pause. "I just wanted to bid you good night personally. And to thank you for dancing with me earlier,"

Her smile widened. "It was my pleasure," she said, sounding sincere. "You were a very enjoyable dancing partner,"

I nodded, acknowledging her compliment. "As were you," I said. "Sleep well, my Queen,"

"Same to you," she said, smiling at me for the last time as she closed the door.

I walked back into my room, finding Drinian already changed into some borrowed clothing and already in place in a make shift cot. I didn't think the cot would have been very comfortable to sleep in, given Drinian's size, but as it was totally covered with at least fifteen pillows, I had to reconsider. He looked at me as I entered, that haughty smile back on his face.

"How was your walk, your Majesty?" he asked, propping himself up on one hand. "Meet anyone interesting? Say goodnight to anyone you secretly love?"

He teased me as I was changing my shirt, which I predictably rolled up in my hand and tossed in his direction. It hit him right in the face, but that only brought about a full bout of laughter from him. "Oh, somebody's going to be dreaming of the Queen tonight!"

I didn't bother responding, as I was sure, as he very often was, Drinian was right.

A/N: Okay, first off, i'm quite alive and well, thanks very much for those of you who's asked :) i'm sorry for the long, long, LONG delay, but college got in the way. but hooray! i'm quite unemployed at the moment, so i've got time to work on some stories. i'm not particularly happy with this one, as you can probably tell where i left off three years ago. oh, i know there's the story alert thingies now here in the site, but i'm thinking of starting a mailing list for updates of this story. just leave your e-add if you want personal emails when i update (which will be quite frequently now, i hope)! cheers!