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"THE LONE ISLANDS." Drinian declared, "The ports of Narrow Haven." Eliza joined her brother and Caspian at the edge of the ship, as they examined the island on the horizon.

"Strange." Caspian grimaced, passing the telescope to Edmund, who peered through the object, "No Narnia flag in sight."

"The Lone Islands have always been Narnia's." Eliza frowned in thought, her eyebrows scrunched together while her eyes never left the island ahead.

"Seems suspicious." Drinian murmured, earning a nod of agreement from the girl and Caspian.

"I say we prepare a party." Edmund suggested, while Eliza took the telescope from his hands.

"I agree." Eliza replied, looking through the telescope at the ports. "Drinian?"

Drinian and Caspian shared a quick look, "Forgive me, Your Majesties.." Drinian mumbled, "-But the chain of command starts with King Caspian on this ship

"Right." Ed stated, obviously taken aback by the previous statement, while Eliza lowered the telescope, her cheeks glowing a faint pink.

"We use longboats." Caspian spoke up, breaking the awkward tension, "Drinian, pick some men and come on shore."

Caspian turned to face the Minotaur behind him, "Tavros." He said bluntly, making the Minotaur turn and face the deck.

"Men the longboats! Throw the sail up and prepare to drop anchor." The Minotaur yelled in command, as Eliza followed her brother, Caspian and Drinian onto the deck where men were unloading boats and oars for the men to use.

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THE NARNIANS WERE SOON in the water on three longboats. Eliza sat on the back of one, as she commanded the rudder to ensure they wouldn't stray off course. A twisted feeling ran throughout the girls body as she watched the boats draw closer to shore. Eliza scoured the land, her eyes trying to locate any form of life source, only to no avail.

The boats reached the stone steps of the port, and Eliza jumped out of the boat, ignoring Edmunds hand to help her. She heard a small crash behind her, and as Caspian joined her and Edmunds sides, they looked back only to see Eustace face plant on the stone steps.

"And you're certain you're related by blood?" Caspian asked, earning an eyeroll from the girl. Lucy soon joined the three, and together they advanced up the slope leading to the town. Suddenly a loud ringing ran throughout the land, causing Eliza to draw her sword as Caspian raised his crossbow.

"Reepicheep, stay here with Drinian's men
and secure the place." Caspian ordered, "We will head up. If we don't come back by dawn...send a party."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The mouse replied, bowing lowly before scampering back to the boats.

Eustace jumped to his feet to follow his cousins and Caspian as they ventured forth into the desolate town. Eliza has sheathed her sword but her hand rested on her hilt uneasily. She glanced around at the surrounding building, all of them a dark grey with boarded up windows and doors.

Eustace ran into view, "Yeah, looks like nobody is in." He stumbled, his face pale, going unnoticed by the three, "So do you think we should go back?"

Eliza and Edmund exchanged a silent glance, and the boy sighed loudly. "Do you want to come here and guard...or something?" Edmund asked.

"Ah, yes- Good idea, cousin." Eustace replies, running towards the four, "Very..um, logical." The boys stood there awkwardly while Caspian groaned and turned back to the boy, he walked towards Eustace and whipped out a dagger, placing it in the boys hand before returning to the four silently.

"I've got it." Eustace mumbled, "D-Don't worry...I'm ready to go when you are!"

Eliza pushes open two large, metal doors and entered a large hall, with Caspian, Edmund and Lucy quick behind. The girl felt a shiver run down her spine as she glanced around the eerie room, being met with the sight of large marble statues, and cages dangling from above.

Edmund stopped in the centre of the hall, shining his torch over a tattered book as the other joined his side. "Who are all these people?" Lucy asked, her voice shaky as she gazed down at the book.

"Why are they've been crossed out?" Edmund questioned, looking to Eliza who peered down at the names and numbers filling the page.

"Looks like some kind of fee..?" Eliza spoke up, as she traced the numbers with her fingers.

A sudden shock came over Caspian as he stepped back from the book, "Slave Traders." He said quickly.

The bell clamoured again but this time men slid down on ropes from the ceiling lunging for the group. Eliza unsheathed her sword and swung it at an oncoming trader, the girl kicked the man to the side before swinging her sword towards another. It had been a long time since she fought this hard, but it felt so familiar, that she knew to trust the process.

Men lunged at her, causing the girl to struggle to keep up with the traders, but yet she still fought hard. Suddenly a loud scream rang through the hall, creating silence amongst the traders. A man entered the hall with his knife pressed against Eustace's neck, making Eliza groan internally.

"Unless you want to hear this boy squeal like
a girl again," the man spat, "I would say, you should drop your weapons."

"I'm not a girl." Eustace snapped defensively, trying to wriggle out of the mans hold only for the man to press the blade closer to the boys neck.

"Now!" The man shouted, "Put it down!" Eliza snarled as Lucy, Caspian and Edmund all allowed for their weapons to clatter to the ground. The older girl scoffed and threw hers down onto the stone.

"For gods sake, Eustace." Eliza hissed, as the men advanced the group.

"Put them in irons." The man yelled, and the others grabbed at Caspian and Edmund while Lucy struggled against the traders grip. Two men grabbed a hold of Eliza's wrist causing her to kick one of them away.

"LET GO OF ME!" She screamed, kicking the men repeatedly until one of them slapped her across the face. The girls face rippled with pain but she continued to struggle and scream until one of the traders gagged her with cloth and roughly shoved handcuffs onto her wrists.

"Take those three to market." The man commanded, pointing to Lucy, Eustace and Eliza, "Take the other two to the dungeon."

"Listen to me, you insolent fool." Caspian snapped, his voice loud and assertive but falling onto deaf ears, "I am your king!"

Eliza could see one of the men punch Edmund across the face, while the boy staggered back from the force, "You're gonna pay for that!" The boy hissed.

"Actually...someone else is going to pay." A voice resounded as a man entered the hall from the shadows, "For all of you." The traders cheered with glee and before she knew it, Eliza was being dragged backwards alongside Eustace and Lucy.

"NO!" Eliza screamed, her voice muffled by the cloth in her mouth, as she fought against the two men's grip on her. "UNHAND ME!" This attempt at escape earned her a heavy hit across the head, making the girls head lull forward, her vision spotting and the last thing she heard before blacking out were the sound of screaming and yelling.

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Uh oh, back again!

Hey, how are you guys? I'm so sorry for not updating in a while, but I just didn't have the motivation AT ALL!

I created a graphic shop that's currently open so please request 🥺👉👈

Anyway, love y'all,