[A] The Catalyst {Plot Thread! All Old Narnians welcome!}

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[Character of the Month]

Character of the Month
Prince Caspian

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Played by Cara

"Cara has managed to...create a character that is both mythical and life-like. Impulsive, moody, and yet kind and good-hearted, Caspian is just beginning to show the makings of a true leader."
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[Prince Caspian]

{{ooc;; Takes place directly after This Thread.}}

Caspian paced anxiously, waiting for further word. Last he’d heard, a Narnian was deathly ill and the suspected cause of said illness was Telmarine “medicine”. There were so many things running through the young king’s mind as he thought this over. The same “medicine”, perhaps, that Drinian had tried to convince Caspian to take? Not that Caspian suspected his old friend of foul play, of course. But Miraz? Definitely. Maybe his judgement, which he rarely trusted, wasn’t so far off after all. But that didn’t change the fact that somehow, someone had gotten some of the Telmarine medicine into their possession. Had Drinian’s party given it willingly, or had one of his own people taken it? Who was at fault? Had Drinian’s party known the danger, or were they just as oblivious to it as Caspian and his followers? And what were the Old Narnians going to say, how were they going to react? Caspian wanted to shelter Drinian from this – he didn’t care much about the rest of them – but what could he do without throwing into question his own capability as a leader?

But maybe he was over-reacting. Maybe all of this would settle itself. Maybe it would end well. Maybe Drinian and his party had already fled. Not that Caspian wanted them to go, he wanted the comfort of his old friend here, but... he couldn’t guarantee anything if this resulted in the death of an Old Narnian.

“Sire?”

“Yes, what is it?” Caspian drew aside the flaps to the tent, feeling chilled at the grave look on the messenger’s face. “Any news then?”

“Yes, the noble Narnian has died,” was the grim response. “The best healers were brought but nothing could be done. This is certainly Telmarine doing.”

Caspian’s mouth grew dry and his thoughts scattered. This was not looking good. It would cause direct danger to the Telmarines currently in the camp but worse yet, it would have greater repercussions than that. They were lucky to have gone so long without actual warfare. They had been hoping so fervently for the promised help from Aslan or whomever he might sent. But it wasn’t looking like they were getting help – at least, not yet. This was going to cause fighting to start, this was going to be the catalyst, the thing that sent the whole thing over the edge. They’d gone as long as they possibly could with some semblance of “peace” but they all knew it wasn’t going to last. Shame this had to be the thing that ruined the quiet. 

He couldn’t risk letting anyone think his loyalty lay with Drinian and his men over that of the Narnians he fought for. He had to deal with this clearly, and with a level head. But that was going to be difficult.

“What would you have us do?”

“Make certain that our guests do not leave camp,” he said dully. He had to think, he had to figure out the best plan of action. “Bring together an assembly of Narnians. I will find someone to fetch the Telmarines.” He couldn’t deal with this in private, he would be under too much suspicion. He needed to have all of this in the open despite the fact that he would certainly rather not. “We will get to the bottom of this and put the situation to rights. At least, the best that it can be. A Narnian is dead and by what accounts I do not know. This is not something we will easily push aside.” He ran his fingers through his hair and waved the messenger on. “Hurry to it, I don’t think this can wait.”

[Lord Drinian]

Drinian tried not to smile, tried to quell the swelling pride that shone through his face as Caspian spoke. Rebuked. Himself and the Narnians. It might be taken awrong; he might appear happy to hear Caspian lash out, but the truth was that Caspian had asserted himself. For the first time in recollection, he'd not allowed himself to be acted upon, to be the victim, to be complacent. He was forging his own destiny, and in this, Drinian saw the promise of years of training. The fulfillment of dreams that Drinian had, he guiltily admitted, placed upon the shoulders of the young prince.

Drinian now felt comfortable in calling him King. When he was called forward, he bowed, trying to focus on his lord and not the Mouse which skulked off with dark looks that Drinian didn't like. He did not know of what mettle the Mouse was; he hoped he was not the sort for retribution, for Drinian would be gone soon and it would be Caspian, perhaps, on whom angry eyes settled.

As he drew close to Caspian, his brows knit sincerely and he ventured a subtle smile. "Nobly spoken, your majesty," Drinian congratulated in a low voice, though frowning somewhat as the Narnians seemed to broodily break assembly. Hadn't they gotten what they had wanted? Were they not preparing for war? Did they not have a leader who clearly and visibly put their welfare above his own?

He did not need to take up their cause. He might have fled, saved his life. Crossed the sea. He had not needed to fight for them, and yet he had. It was not a title or a role he had inherited. It was one he had clothed himself in through sacrifice.

Which, really, was most noble, indeed.

[Kalo Ashclaw]

Kalo listened the Narnians, dismayed at their lack of coherity or certainty. The camp lacked direction, especially in this matter. This is what I have returned to? the gryphon thought, ice-blue eyes surveying his fellow recruits to the cause. Finally, Caspian spoke up, his voice ringing out with authority and certainty, and quieting the Narnians at last. Kalo couldn't help but feel relief that the young leader was finally taking full command of the situation. Though it was important to take the opinion of the people into account in serious matters such as this, all these conflicting arguments and thoughts jumbled chaotically together did nothing but make the situation worse. Luckily, Caspian was wise enough to keep order from collapsing.

The silvery-gray gryphon was not put-off at all by Caspian's statement that there would be no escort. The other Narnians had run away with his original idea; escorting Drinian to Miraz would be unwise indeed! Kalo had only wished to observe, not escort. Such a large party as had requested to go would be easily noticed. Even if they did not interfere, some of the creatures who had wanted to go were not exactly stealthy. The gryphon's eyes glittered in a faint smile, barely flickering across his face as he thought.

Caspian ordered the Narnians to leave, and allow him to speak with Drinian. Kalo gave a slow nod of consent, but did not fully retreat. He withdrew politely until he was without earshot of the Prince and Drinian, but allowed his shadowy figure to remain in full view. He was not ready to leave quite yet. He was hoping for another mission, and this was as good an opportunity as ever to initiate it. Perhaps it would be possible to convince Caspian to allow him to follow Drinian. He wasn’t like the other Narnians; he was trained in stealth and silence. Self-trained, yes, but he had more experience than the majority of the other spies in the camp. Despite his large size, he could become practically invisible at his choosing.

Surely Caspian will be curious to know what will happen to Drinian. Maybe his concern will be great enough that he’ll allow me to spy. Miraz’s soldiers are not skilled enough to spot me, and even if I am seen, that will not damage Drinian’s reputation. It will merely be assumed that I am spying for our advantage, and not also to see what will happen to him, Kalo thought, planning what he could say to Caspian to strengthen his case. The young leader seemed more concerned for Drinian than he let on to the Narnians, and Kalo was hoping that concern would help him.