As everyone scatters back to their posts, Drinian leaves Caspian on the main deck, heading up to take over the wheel. Meanwhile, the king and the Crown Shield find each other in the dispersing crowd. Caspian watches Pittencream with slightly narrowed eyes as he retreats a few steps from Luna, backwards. As the sailor is out of earshot and turns away, Caspian appears next to her.

» He's out for trouble, « she mumbles, keeping her eyes glued to her opponent in the battle of words they just fought. It feels like they barely avoided it becoming violent.

» The mist? « Caspian waits for her to turn towards him. She does, weighing her head from side to side,

» Could be, but... just beware around him. « He gives a curt nod before they head over to the railing; both need a little time in each other's company to relax.

~

» Land ho! « The cry from the crow's nest alerts everyone. Bustling activity breaks out, only increasing as they spot the Blue Star just above the sighted island.

» Finally! « Eustace comments, relieved to set foot on land again – the storm didn't hit him as hard as the last, he likes to tell himself and others, however, his stomach still feels a little funny. Lucy and Edmund smile at their cousin; Reep tries to hide a smirk at the thought of the bucket. As Drinian starts to bark orders on how to approach the isle, Caspian and Edmund join him up on the quarterdeck to overlook things.

» What do ya think we'll find there? « Elrik secures a tow. Luna leans against the railing, watching the spot on the horizon.

» Treasure, dragons, creatures beyond imagining... « She laughs as he starts to describe a beast, he has always been a storyteller.

» There's one with fangs and claws like spears, and a tail that could sweep houses away, « Elrik holds his hands up to his mouth, miming the long teeth he is describing,

» Every night when tide rises, it leaves its den to drink the moonlight from the water's surface. « He makes a slurping sound. Luna grins,

» Those fangs sure make that laborious. «

» Nay, if the beast drinks too much, there'd be little light left for the world, « the sailor laughs heartily, stretching his arms with the last part of his sentence. His laugh is infectious, so Luna joins in.

» And how may this for a hundred percent real beast be called? « Elrik lifts his index finger like a teacher,

» The ancient legends don't lie, young adventuress, the Lightwhopper is as real as you and me. «

» 'course, « Luna snorts, raising her eyebrows,

» Lightwhopper, though? «

» Don't make fun of the messenger, lass. « The two look at each other, trying to remain serious. They are successful for a few seconds before breaking into a laughing fit. The sound momentarily claims Caspian's attention, he frowns ever so slightly as the sailor puts a hand on Luna's shoulder to keep himself upright from laughing so much. Something inside the king starts to stir, a feeling that has awoken some time ago and since returns every now and then.

~

Sand crunches underneath Luna's boots as she jumps out of the longboat. Her hand rests on the hilt of her sword as she takes in the unfamiliar surroundings. They anchored the Dawn Treader at the mouth of a bay cutting into the isle. Drinian didn't want to risk running aground, so they took the longboats to venture further. Ahead, the bay narrows until it ends at overgrown cliffs where a high but surprisingly quiet waterfall spits crystal-clear water over the edge above. A few feet from the water begins a dense forest, no, a jungle. Despite the dark lurking between the thick tree trunks and large leaves it seems peaceful.

» There's the blue star! « Lucy points upwards. The heavenly body stopped its journey from Coreakin's island to this one, standing right above the middle of the isle. As it is the early afternoon, it's light seems dimmed by the brighter sun. Yet, it glimmers bravely.

» Alright, our destination must lay nigh, « Caspian straightens his shoulders, ready to march into the jungle.

And march they must. The group of about twelve people is equipped with lanterns but their light doesn't reach far. On the way, a swarm of fireflies joins them, helping to illuminate the path. It is so narrow they are forced to walk in single file – Halion and Tavros at the front, then Edmund, Caspian, Luna, Lucy, Reepicheep, Eustace and Drinian with the rest the group. Apart from occasional rustles in treetops and bushes and a bird's call in the distance, silence fills these lands. Usually, Luna would deem that highly suspicious. This, however, seems unthreatening. It is strange, she wouldn't be able to describe the feeling that settled within her as soon as she set foot ashore. Peace isn't quite the right word. Rest, yes, the warrior feels calm and as if she could sit down and simply rest without disturbance. After numerous encounters with magic, though, she would never trust this feeling. Her eyes wander over their surroundings warily. Despite it being day, she would never guess the sun is shining. The trees grow closely next to each other, so their tops create a green sky that barley allows any light to reach the ground. Creepers and lianas wind around strong trunks and along branches, adding to the cover blocking the light.

» This reminds me of Coreakin's island, « Eustace whispers but his words ring clear through the consistent silence. Every other sound seems muffled, even their steps are quiet on the forest floor.

» Got a déjà-vu? « Ed replies in a low voice. Even though he is smirking slightly, his eyes give away his uneasiness. His cousin reaches out to pluck a single leave from a bush nearby. He observes it for a moment.

» Well, here as there the colours are brighter than usual, « he explains. He would never believe in spiritualistic things – a talking, almighty Lion is enough of a challenge to believe. Still, the aura of this isle feels magical. Never would he have thought to admit this, but Coreakin was some kind of magician. Here must be something similar at work. And he is right. The colours of everything are stronger and some plants do indeed glow. Some members of the group spotted them but didn't quite believe their eyes so far.

Now, the path leads them upwards. They probably ascend the rising that ends in the cliffs they spotted earlier. Somewhere ahead must lay the river which feeds the waterfall. And really, not long after they reach the top of the hill, the path flattens, and the sound of water replaces the silence more and more with every step forward. The surrounding jungle thins; the trees grow further apart, and a little light filters through their tops. Luna takes a deep breath; it is easier now. The air seemed thicker before. Caspian signals to the men at the front to stop. He turns around to give everyone a moment to catch up and their breaths. Reep stops a few feet behind to wait for Eustace, who pants up the last bit with a sour looking Drinian following.

» Everyone alright? « Cas asks. Lucy sighs, putting her hands on her knees. Ed chuckles,

» You guys, that was nothing compared to the mountain ahead. « Eustace heard his cousin, nearly stumbling as he looks up to get a glimpse of said mountain. There is none. Or maybe there is, but it is impossible to tell from where they are standing.

» Hilarious, « Lucy comments, shooting her brother a look,

» Just go on mocking us and I'll tell the story of Mount Pire. « Edmund's eyes widen,

» Don't you dare. «

» What happened at Mount Pire? « Luna inquires, hiding her smile at Ed's glare.

» Oh, I'd dare, « Lucy shoots back,

» It seems they'd be interested in hearing it. «

» Of course, I wanna hear about Your Majesties' adventures in Narnia's golden time! « Reep exclaims, only adding to the Just King's obvious misery. Cas laughs and pats his friend's back, deciding to help him out by continuing their way.

» Spoilsport, « Luna mumbles good-heartedly. The king looks back at her with a wink.

~

Sometime later – no one could say how long exactly – they cross the river and enter a canyon. Large boulders mark the entrance and leave just enough space for a minotaur to walk through. Tavros doesn't mind, though. Walls of solid stone replace the jungle and lead the group onwards. After a while, the walls retreat, ending in rubble and more boulders. Some of them seem to have been shaped by something or someone. There are stone figures of various creatures, animals, satyrs, and others. Lucy shudders as she first lays eyes on them – they remind her of the White Witch's castle. This, however, doesn't make her feel as cold and anxious as she did then. Ed, on the other hand, draws his sword at the sight, knees already bending for a fighting stance. Luna's left hand shoots out to hold Caspian back while her right draws her dagger – the sword would be too long to handle well in this limited space. Cas freezes at her touch as he became used to over the past years, hand grasping the hilt of his weapon.

» What, in Aslan's name, is this? « Edmund hisses, pointing his sword at the first statue. Luna slips past Caspian. Her hand slides off his arm, but he catches it to keep her close. She doesn't look at him, focused on scanning their surroundings – though his gesture makes her heart jump. Tavros and Halion find themselves amid a few of these strange creations. After a moment to gather themselves and waiting for something to happen, Tavros taps one of them.

» No threat, « he concludes as still nothing happens. Luna shushes him quietly.

» These statues surely didn't just appear, someone made them, « she says,

» This could be the decoration of this someone's yard. « The warrior looks around, searching for any hint on this 'someone'. She has no interest in going further completely unprepared for who – or what – they are facing. Could be dangerous, after all.

Caspian squeezes her hand before letting go to slip past her. He doesn't intend to let her run ahead, completely unprotected. Sure, she is perfectly capable to handle herself – yet he won't send someone into the unknown when he isn't ready to go in himself. Especially not Luna. He finds himself in the predicament to let her do her job and the need to protect her. For now, together it is.

So, the group huddles closer and continues the path. Bushes and grass springs up between the lessening rubble, even small trees. The further they walk; the more plants take over the stone. Then, the fireflies accompanying them rise over their heads.

» Look! « Someone shouts. Everyone turns to look up where the fireflies started to dance in the darkening sky. That time went by so quickly isn't the first thing the group notices. More and more fireflies join their comrades. Those newcomers, however, glimmer in various colours. If the crew of the Dawn Treader didn't believe it before, now there's no doubt: Magic lives on this island, a stronger one than Coreakin possesses.

» There's a table, « Halion informs the others quite unceremoniously.

» Food! « Tavros grins, not caring about some shushing him once again – minotaurs do have loud voices. He stalks further into the clearing. Well, clearing isn't the right word, it seems like an ancient dining hall. The centre of the place is a long table with chairs around it – all made from stone. The table is richly set with elegant plates and cutlery and – which is the most curious – fresh food, as if they were awaited. Only the candles aren't lit, and ivy covers the farther end of the table along with the closest chairs.

» What on earth... « Ed breathes, lowering his sword. The group spreads out, investigating the scene. Caspian and Luna move in sync towards the table where they split; he walks on the one side, she on the other. Eustace is the first to follow Luna, Lucy and Edmund doing the same while Reep sticks with the others. The mouse tries to keep the sailors from taking the food. After all, they don't know if it is safe yet. Resisting the wonderful smells, however, is easier said than done.

Luna arrives at the end of the table where the ivy covers everything. Something glimmers between the leaves, so she reaches out to uncover whatever lies beneath. Eustace eyes the creepers warily while Lucy slides past him to help Luna. They make fast work. As Lucy lifts away the last tendril, she jumps back, hand on her short sword with a whelp. It alerts everyone to the find. Lifting their swords again, Caspian, and Edmund rush to the table's end. Luna didn't shy back; she points her blade at the man sitting on the chair they just uncovered. The queen points at him with a shaking hand,

» He- Is he breathing? « Curious, Eustace steps closer. Luna holds out her free arm to stop him. Without letting the bearded man's hands out of her sight, she pushes her sword under his nose – without harming him, of course.

» Yes, « she confirms as she withdraws – a spot on her blade is fogged up like breath in a winter night.

» How's this possible? « Eustace asks,

» His eyes are open; he can't be asleep. « Cas leans forward on the other side of the table, careful to lift away the ivy covering two more chairs.

» This one's alive as well, « he states as another man is revealed,

» He bears the crest of Lord Argoz. « He straightens, looking over to Luna. At his nod, she searches for any sign of the other men's origins.

» Lord Revilian, « she confirms after a moment's struggle to lay bare his hand from the ivy stubbornly clinging to his arm. Then, she finds the enchanted man wears a signet ring with said lord's coat of arms.

» This one's alive too, « Lucy steps back from the third man who sits at the head of the table; Lord Mavramorn. Ed looks his sister over to make sure she is alright. Then, something else catches his attention. Between the tree gentlemen lies a long knife. It seems to be made of stone with runes engraved in the hilt and the blade.

» It's the Stone Knife! « The King of Old exclaims,

» This must be Aslan's Table. «

The Character overview got updated!