Bearer of Bad News [[ Susan, Cain ]]

[evelynviluy]

Evelyn hadn't seen such a beautiful sight in a long time. Cair Paravel wasn't close to matching the castle in Tabluna, but it had its own beauty. The way the sun sparkled off its towers and reflected in the stained glass windows made Evelyn smile. She almost forgotten why she had come to the castle in the first place. Glancing back and seeing Cain reminded her though. The smile replaced itself with a scowl. Evelyn whipped her head back around to the front and she marched across the courtyard searching for Queen Susan and more guards to tell.

It took several minutes to convince the centaur at the gate that the two of them had been sent by Kind Edmund. After they had, Evelyn stalked toward the palace with one thing on her mind; tell the Queen and then find Kasim. Half away across the courtyard she stopped and turned to wait for Cain to catch up. Evelyn wondered what she would say exactly to Queen Susan. How would she be able to explain what happened without giving up Cain's name? She needed him alive to defeat Kasim and Zorian. Besides, Evelyn was sure her refusal of love may have been punishment enough.

Evelyn winced and her heart faltered. She couldn't have second thoughts on what she had said. After all, she meant every word of it didn't she? Evelyn took a deep breath afraid that she might run into Indira while here. How was she able to tell Indira that the young King went off to save his brother and sister probably knowing full well he wasn't going to make it back? Evelyn tried to refocus on one thing at a time. She would cross those roads when they came to them. Until then she needed to find Queen Susan.

[Susan Pevensie]

There was something going on that people still refused to tell Susan. The foreboding hung dangerously in the air but nobody had the nerve to tell her. Her siblings had been absent for far too long. At first she had written it off as something trivial, but she knew now that was not the case. She had taken to pacing nervously around Cair Paravel and people were beginning to notice. Susan sighed as she passed the thrown room. She lingered at the door way for a moment, looking at the destruction. Nothing had been done to fix it up to now, there seemed to be more pressing matters.

She turned away and began to list the infinite, dreadful possibilities. Her mind halted when she saw a stranger before her. After what had happened with Aphine the last thing Susan wanted to see was strangers. Su sighed, she was required to be amiable no matter the circumstances. "Can I help you?" she questioned carefully. She had faith the guards wouldn't let in anyone dangerous, but none the less she was unarmed.

In her mind she ran over plans, what to do if this new comer really was dangerous. She didn't like that her thoughts had become so constantly defensive but it didn't seem like she had much of a choice. Things were not going well and it was better to be well prepared than optimistic and dead.

[Cain 'Moonstone' Brine]

Cain kept to himself on the way to Cair Paravel. There were many times where he wanted to say something but he was certain it would be a bad idea. What was he supposed to say anyway? The fault landed heavily on Cain's shoulders and there was no way to deny that. He just couldn't live with the fact that Evelyn claimed she could never love him. When Evelyn glanced over her shoulder Cain felt his heart stir and for a fleeting moment he thought all would be forgiven and she would reach out to hug him. When she turned back, Cain sighed feeling stupid for even entertaining the thought. He was still in love with her and that would never change.

From there his mind wandered and he didn't pay attention to much. Crossing the court yard Cain's brain started thinking up ways to make up for what he had done. Nothing logical came to mind though. He nearly walked past Evelyn after she made a stop. He looked over to her but adverted his eyes so they wouldn't meet. That's when Cain noticed the girl. She was young about mid to late teens with dark hair and a silver crown on top her head. This was the final Queen, the one ruler he hadn't met yet. Cain observed her silently keeping back a ways as to not interfere. Oh Spirits, if she only knew what he had done to her siblings Cain bet that pleasant kind presence she gave off would vanish in an instant. He looked to Evelyn to answer all the question, Cain would just keep his head down and his mouth shut if he didn't want to lose both his tongue and his head.

[evelynviluy]

Evelyn smiled hesitantly at the young girl approaching them. She was younger than she expected, rather disappointing. There was some piece of hope that at least one of the rulers here were older then she. Nonetheless Evelyn tried not to let it affect her behavior toward the queen. She gave a polite bow ignoring the fact that Cain was even in their presence.

“Your majesty, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Evelyn Viluy. I’m a friend of Indira, a young magus I believe you have been housing. I’m afraid we don’t have time for many more questions so I’ll get right into it. Your brother, Edmund, sent me here to Cair Paravel. I was in search of my lost companion Cain.” She gestured quickly to Cain hoping that if he was smart enough he’d keep his mouth shut. “We found each other and well, your brother happened upon us. He told me—“

Evelyn paused. She remembered how the King had looked back there along the river. It didn’t seem like he wanted Susan to know what was truly going on. It felt wrong to lie though, especially since Cain had caused all of it. Evelyn glanced back at Cain. She wouldn’t rat him out, not yet, she needed him to get rid of the Paladin here in Narnia.

“There is trouble I’m afraid in your kingdom. He spoke of the High King and another Queen who were not safe. I don’t know the entire story; he was in a hurry to get some place. Don’t ask me where for I don’t know. But he said you needed to gather troops to prepare for a new threat. That’s all he told me before he went off.” Evelyn swallowed awaiting the response of the Queen, nervous and anxious at the same time.

[Susan Pevensie]

Susan wasn't really sure what she had been expecting this new woman to say. She knew Indira however, the young girl who had captivated Ed and did well to help them out a few days earlier. From what Su had gathered, Indira was a good person and so Evelyn should have been trustworthy. "It is a pleasure to meet you Evelyn." When she said they didn't have time for questions she became instantly curious. They was she was speaking alerted Susan that what was going on could not possibly be any good. The pair had happened upon Ed? Her anxiousness increased all the more. Her siblings had all disappeared and she knew percisely who was to blame. She got the feeling however the circumstances were different from them all and that she was about to learn the truth.

The severity of the situation increased with every moment. The less descript Evelyn was, the worse it was and of that Susan was completely sure. She was aware of this threat but Peter and Lucy being unsafe was new. "Damnit Ed," she cursed under her breathe. No matter how much Evelyn tried to pretend oblivious, it was unfortunately obvious to Susan what he had done. She wondered why her brothers always felt like the needed to save everyone. Su hated them for it. Peter and Lucy were god knows where and Edmund had run off. Once again she was left alone. for to be the responsible one. The person who had to wait idly hoping that her family returned, all the while preparing troops. Some of which were sure to die. Susan recomposed herself, trying not to lose face infront of her visitors.

"I thank you for delivering my brothers message. Do you know anything else of my other siblings. Of Peter and Lucy?" she questioned Evelyn. The silence of the man with her, the one that Evelyn had searched so long for, bothered Susan. If Evelyn was so kind, trying to help the best she could then why was he silent. Surely he knew that there was nothing to fear in meeting Susan. Though this man, Cain, didn't seem to agree.

[Cain 'Moonstone' Brine]

Cain remained distant and unspoken about the subject at hand. He knew his guilt but he didn't want the Queen to know it. He was afraid of what she may do to him. Yes. He was afraid of the young Queen. Hell hath no fury like a women scorned. Or hell hath no fury like a women whose siblings were handed over by a no good dirty betraying Paladin. Same thing.

Cain found himself holding his breath all the while Evelyn spoke to Queen Susan. He tried to look nonchalant but he knew his eyes were certain to betray his guilt. That's what Cain was after all, a guilty betrayer. He looked over to Evelyn, watching her as she spoke. There was still so much anger that radiated off of her and Cain had caused it. The very last thing he wanted to do was hurt Evelyn. She was the one person he vowed never to hurt no matter what the cost. And he couldn't even do that.

As Susan looked in his direction Cain forced a smile and adverted his eyes to the ground. Smooth. She'll never suspect you now. He thought after the fact. He had say something he was being too quiet. Cain glanced up and over to Evelyn only for a second before replying to Queen Susan's question.

"I tried a spell to locate them after we met with your brother. They're in the North, with Jad--the witch you all fear so much. In a series of caves, they're being held prisoner." Perhaps Cain had said too much but the information was correct on a basic level. He just happened to leave out the part on how they arrived there. Cain held his breath and caught a glimpse of Evelyn out of the corner of his eye. Boy was she bound to be upset with him for running his mouth.

[evelynviluy]

Evelyn didn't bother to meet Cain's eyes during the entire conversation. She acted as if he didn't exist. And for a few minutes Evelyn wished that he truly didn't. His screw up would make their being in Narnia even harder. Especially now that the High Paladin was amongst those from Tabluna. It didn't help that Zorian was out there as well, and Spirits know what other Paladins who crossed over. She kept her hands folded gently in front of her a very serious and strictly political look on her face. This was business nothing else.

She gave a nod to Queen Susan and opened her mouth to reply but Cain cut her to the quick. Evelyn's head immediately jerked in his direction and worked hard to keep her face as neutral as possible. What did he think he was doing? What was possibly going through his thick skull that would make him say anything at all? Evelyn was two seconds away from killing him. She closed her eyes and counted to five to calm herself down and turned her head to Susan.

She gave the queen a thin smile. Evelyn sighed and continued on with Cain's lead. She made a mental note to hurt him later for his lack of muteness. "That is all we know your majesty. I don't know this land in the slightest and I hope you know the location of which my companion Cain has spoken of. I myself haven't traveled north in Narnia yet."

Evelyn swallowed seeing the Queen looked very troubled. Knowing that this entire situation was Cain's fault Evelyn stepped forward and put her hand on Susan's shoulder. She gave her an encouraging smile. "I would be more than happy to help you your majesty. We both would be more than willing to help you get your siblings back. That is if you would allow us."

[Susan Pevensie]

There was something not right about this encounter. Susan could read it in Evelyn's actions and in the distance Cain kept from them. There was something they were not telling her and in these times it made it very hard for Susan to trust them. She wanted to believe that they were good people, but they were not from her and they were hiding something. Not to mention Cain's mention of Jadis - which made her cringe against her will - which assured her of the truth. "Please don't mistake this for rudeness, but how is it you of Jadis? Few Narnians speak her name," Susan couldn't help but to ask. Normally she wouldn't, but these were different times.

She watched them curiously, wondering if they would give away another bit of information. Evelyn seemed to smart for that, despite Cain's hesitations. "I know exactly what place you speak of and I thank you for your help," Susan said gently. She didn't want them to get the wrong idea. Even in times like these it was important to be a courteous ruler all the same.

When Evelyn reached out to comfort Susan, it caught her off guard. She didn't pull away though, she wasn't entirely sure why. She chewed on her lower lip uncharacteristically, what was she supposed to say that her offer. "I do not know what is going to be done yet. If you will allow me some time. There are people I need to speak with before I make any hasty decisions." She waited anxiously, it seemed anything was possible these days. It made Susan much more careful, but now she needed to act. Her only trouble was, she had to do it alone and she had to rely on others to do so. Su hated the idea of someone fighting and her not be able to fight by there side. But what could be done, one ruler had to remain safe if there was to be hope for the future.

[Cain 'Moonstone' Brine]

Cain knew he was in trouble for opening his big mouth. While Evelyn didn’t look directly at him Cain was very good at reading the agitation in her voice. How had he gotten himself here? By screwing up majorly that is how. Cain was just trying to help the Queen, he wanted to repent for what he had done to King Peter and poor little Queen Lucy. Then when Evelyn spoke of Cain as an companion and not a friend or anything close he felt a yank on his heart strings. He was never going to be able to redeem himself in her eyes was he?

When Susan addressed Cain and questioned about Jadis, he felt his hands start to go clammy. He was caught. He fowled up and now he would have to try and cover his ass. Cain composed himself and looked the Queen in her eyes; it was time to lie again. “I must have heard the name when I was traveling around. Surely your brother, Edmund spoke of her. I met with him when I first arrived here, him and a young lady from our own world, Indira.”

Cain sighed and turned to Evelyn hoping that this would make his prior silence less suspicious. “We could try another spell to locate her brother and sister, narrow it down more. Or perhaps we should send someone after her other brother Edmund.” In a polite yet professional manner Cain turned back to Susan and gave a low bow.

“I promise you your majesty. If you allow us to help we will retrieve your brother and sister. I assure you that they will be returned to you.” Cain gave a smile. Half of it was false. He was trying to save his own ass there was no point in denying it to himself. But if he was going to right this wrong he would need to lie just a little longer.

[Susan Pevensie]

There was an odd sort of tension between the pair, despite the fact that they had come to Cair Paravel together. But as far as Susan could tell it was more personal than anything. She liked to believe that she had become a rather good judge of people since coming to Narnia. Which is why she was confident that Cain and Evelyn were more of a danger to each other than her just then. She sighed, she didn't have the time to deal with this now with so many other pressing issues.

Su stayed quiet for a moment, she wasn't entirely sure that he had heard about Jadis from Edmund. Ed was always very touchy about her given his past. He didn't like talking about the White Witch and Su doubted he did so to strangers. Indira might have known, given what she had heard about the girl, Edmund might have told her. But according to all the friends she had made, Indi didn't seem like the type of person to share secrets. For Ed this was a big deal. "Of course he did," she said, not allowing them to see her doubt. Susan wasn't one to lie to people but she didn't want them to call him a liar either.

Cain's propositions were both good and bad at the same time. Susan was still unsure about the magic though. Jadis' was the only magic she knew, even if she had heard about what Indira could do. Either way, she knew what had to be done now. "No, we can't go after Ed. I don't know what he's doing and no matter how stupid it is, it's too dangerous to stop him now." Susan knew it wasn't the smartest idea to call Edmund stupid in front of stranger's but she had no doubt what he was doing was less then brilliant. "Our only choice now is to find Peter and Lucy, Then we can deal with Jadis." Su hated excluding Edmund, but she couldn't really predict his future if she didn't know what was going on in his present.

[evelynviluy]

Evelyn kept her eyes forward on the Queen as much as she wanted to glare in Cain’s direction. If he didn’t keep his mouth shut she was ready to hand him over. She held her breath as Cain tried to quickly explain how he knew the White Witches name. For a moment Evelyn doubted that the Queen would fall for his stupidity. She waited for Susan to look right through it and see the idiot that rested within. When she actually passed it off Evelyn found it hard to hide her surprise but she glanced over to Cain and gave a slight smile to try and hide it.

Cain’s direct conversation to her caught Evelyn off guard. She looked him in the eye and nodded in agreement. Before she could speak though Susan spoke up and denied going after her brother Edmund. Evelyn’s brow knitted together, “I don’t understand your majesty. You don’t want to save your brother even if you think what he is doing could be life threatening?”

Evelyn couldn’t deny she felt a little angered by Cain’s sudden promise to the Queen. What right did he have to make such a promise? Especially since he was the one who betrayed the two of them. She knew he would seek redemption but Evelyn was not ready to forgive him just yet, and she hadn’t even known Peter and Lucy. She was willing to bet her powers that Susan and her siblings would be even less forgiving than she was.

“Of course your majesty. If you don’t mind me saying I highly suggest you send myself with you and whatever rescue party you round up. My magic could come in handy against another witch. It’d be beneficial to have my skills at your aid.” She smiled realizing a little too late that she said another witch. And while Evelyn was half witch it wasn’t exactly something she liked to tell people. Cain must have been rubbing off on her. She glared over at him for a quick second as if it was all of his fault.