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THE CLANG OF SWORDS RANG OUT ACROSS THE DECK OF THE DAWN TREADER. A circle of men had gathered above and were stood watching the fight unfold eagerly, like starved animals awaiting their next meal. Hoots and shouts rang out, mingling together but Rani only paid heed to the two men amidst the centre of it all.
Edmund and Caspian circled each other, arms tense and eyes focused. Their swords struck out like cobras, quick and with poise. It was quite beautiful actually. With the grace and allure of a dance, silver swords glittering beneath the sun.
Rani felt herself tense every time Edmund took a swipe at Caspian, even though she knew that they would never actually hurt one another. It wasn't as though Rani didn't appreciate a well matched fight, she did, it was just watching Caspian duck and block made her heart leap into her throat.
From where she sat, she could watch the fluidity in their movements as well as the faces of all the onlookers; her fellow crew mates. It wasn't often they got to watch a good fight.
"Who do you think will win?" Jacob asked beside her. He was slumped against a barrel, eyes also trained on the fight.
She glanced down at him and pondered on his question. "King Edmund."
Seemingly startled by her response, Jacob looked up at her. "Not King Caspian?"
"I did just say Edmund."
Jacob glared at her and Rani couldn't help but snigger slightly.
"But why? Clearly, King Caspian has the upper hand." Jacob protested, now gesturing profusely with his hands to the scene in front of them.
Rani rolled her eyes at the man beside her. She decided not to go into why Edmund was more experienced, as she knew that Jacob already had his mind set on Caspian beating the other King.
The bout went on for a few more minutes, with graceful twirls and well aimed jabs at one another. And then, in a flurry of movement so fast that Rani found it hard to follow with her eyes, they had each others swords pressed up against each others throats.
By this time, both Caspian and Edmund were grinning like young boys, their chests heaving as they panted, breaths mingling.
The crew around them cheered and clapped and even Rani felt her hands move of their own accord. It was an entertaining fight. Not many could match Caspian's swordsmanship.
"Well, looks like we were both wrong." Jacob pointed out.
Rani rolled her eyes and gently shoved his shoulder before jumping down off of her crate.
"All right!" Drinian's booming voice drew all eyes to him. "Back to work!"
Jacob groaned audibly and huffed. "It's like he enjoys squashing all of the joy from our lives."
A short laugh left Rani before she clamped a hand over her mouth. "That's not funny." She scolded, concealing her smile.
"Yeah, yeah. And I'll pretend I didn't hear you laugh." Jacob winked as he turned back to his work.
Rani made her way over to where Lucy sat, watching the two kings from the side. A sense of responsibility had settled on Rani, not soon after Caspian had left the two girls alone. After all, they were the only two females on a ship full of men. She felt as though she should check in with Lucy before she began her rounds below.
"Do you need anything your ma – Lucy?" She corrected quickly as she came to stand by her.
"Oh, no I'm alright thank you." Lucy frowned as she spoke and Rani leant down in encouragement. It was obvious the she had something on her mind. "If – if we just keep sailing to the end of the world, do you think we'll just... tip off the edge?"
The question was so out of the blue that Rani actually paused and mulled over it. Would you just tip off the edge? Or were the seas endless?
"Don't worry, Lu." Edmund reassured his sister, joining the two of them as he came to lean against the railing. "We're a long way from there."
Lucy nodded, the frown melting off of her face. The opening of the hatch caught Rani's eye and she half expected Jacob to jump out but it was only the freckled boy, Eustace, who emerged.
"I see you're still talking nonsense, the two of you." His face was scrunched into a sneer, what she now assumed was his usual expression. It seemed as though his short rest had made him even grouchier.
"Well," Rani muttered out quickly, "I have to do a sweep downstairs. Good luck." One minute listening to his nasally voice was enough for her.
She heard the mutterings of 'thanks' from both Edmund and Lucy behind her and she couldn't help but feel sorry for the pair. They had to live with him every day and his moaning was endless, if Lucy's accounts were anything to go by.
The change in temperature was apparent as she descended below. Rani smiled and welcomed the cool air gracefully, it was a nice change to the sweltering sun and sweaty bodies. Instead small rays of sun creeped through the cracks and a comfortable, restful silence settled in the hold. It was the most peace and quiet Rani had gotten since leaving Narnia. She really didn't have the patience to deal with Eustace's moaning just yet.
The occasional shouts of orders could be heard through the wooden walls, but they were ever so quiet and muffled. She let her eyes flutter shut, if only for a moment, before opening them and setting to work. Her task was to ensure all supplies were accounted for and that they had enough food for the whole crew.
Her mind wandered as she worked; flashes of her mother's kind smile and gentle hands seemed to appear. A soft pang of what she could only akin to as homesickness gripped her stomach. Rani wondered how she was doing back home, if she was still collecting the eggs every morning and counting the catch.
Softly, as she worked, she began to hum one of her mother's favourite songs. Vivid images arose in the back of her mind as the song weaved it's tale. She could remember her mother's velvety, soothing voice as she swung a younger version of herself around, golden wisps of hair tumbling about her face and laughter lines etched in the corner of her mouth.
The song was one she remembered well, for her mother had spun the tale so intricately, filled with magic and wonder. It spoke of hidden love and long forgotten promises. Of tall trees and a golden haired Prince and his devotion to his angel. Of a girl so pure, and her sorrow for her lost love. It was so beautifully melancholy and tragic all at once; a tale of life and loss.
"I don't think I've ever heard a song so lovely yet so sad." A deep voice jolted her out of her bubble and she whipped around to face the newcomer.
"Oh— I... King Caspian." Rani felt her palms become even clammier than they already were. "I was just checking the stores."
Caspian smiled, arms crossed over his chest as he walked slowly towards her. She felt her hands itch to fidget, do something, anything to distract her from him. It did her no good to be around him, her thoughts couldn't stay as one.
"Is there something you wanted?" Rani managed to get out without floundering. She drew herself up as Caspian looked on at her, eyes unreadable.
He walked forwards until he was only an arms length away. She hoped he couldn't hear her traitorous, pounding heart. It seemed as though the air had grown thicker, her mouth had run dry and her thoughts had scattered. How could one man have such an effect on her?
"I thought we agreed on just, Caspian?" His eyes searched her own, and he took another step forward.
"I don't – I don't think I should." Rani all but practically whispered as she watched him draw closer until their toes almost touched. Her body refused to withdraw away from him. "It wouldn't be right. It's not right."
"Rani," Caspian reached for both her hands, his voice soft. "You've been avoiding me, ever since Galma."
This time Rani couldn't meet his eyes and quickly looked down. Her gaze fell to their conjoined hands. The sight made her heart flutter ever so slightly, a swell of emotion bubbled up inside of her. His hands, so large and powerful, held her own with such tenderness. A familiar warm feeling started up within her.
"No I haven't." She tried to protest and, as weak as it was, they both knew she was lying.
"Just... we need to talk about it." His hands squeezed her own and she let her eyes fall shut.
"Okay." She agreed at last, raising her eyes back up to meet his.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of, Rani." Caspian gently took her chin in one of his hands, thumb softly brushing over the small scar her brother had given her there, and searched her gaze. She felt her face grow warm at its intensity.
"I know. I know that." Rani caught her bottom lip between her teeth. "It— it's just, I haven't ruined everything for you, have I?"
The dark eyes that held hers so surely softened at her words and a chuckle tumbled from Caspian's mouth. His lips quirked upwards into a smile and his hands moved to cup the sides of her face.
"Rani, you didn't ruin anything. The Duke of Galma –" Rani couldn't help but wince at the mere mention of the man and turned her face away from Caspian. The young king came to abrupt halt and gently lowered his voice. "I'm just sorry you had to go through that."
Her lips pulled into a sad smile and Rani shook her head. "You don't need to apologise, it wasn't you fault."
The butterflies in her stomach started up again as Caspian's hands slid down from her cheeks to rest on her shoulders. Rani said nothing but simply moved forward to lay her head against the young Kings chest. His arms circled her, cradling her against him, chin resting atop of her own head.
In that moment, she was content. It was almost like she could imagine they were back in Galma, the evening breeze billowing around them and the sweet aromas of fruits and wine in the air. As though they had no worries, no responsibilities...
"I'll have you know— !" The sound of Eustace's screeching elicited a groan from Rani. How his voice was still intact, she had no idea.
"Does he ever stop talking?" She muttered into his chest, annoyance creeping into her tone.
Caspian's chest rumbled as he laughed and she pulled away from him with a sheepish smile.
"Sorry," she apologised, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. "I think you better go and save them."
In response Caspian merely smiled down at her , gently brushing his thumb across her cheek. The gesture was so tender, so loving, that it startled Rani completely.
"Go on," she told him as she pushed his hand away with a smile. He complied reluctantly but his eyes showed her that they weren't anywhere near done with discussing Galma.
With a final fleeting touch, Caspian turned to walk away but paused, locking his own dark eyes with hers. "What I feel when I'm with you... it isn't wrong."
"I'm just me though." The words seemed to tumble from her lips, like a tidal wave she couldn't stop. "You deserve someone... someone better than me."
"Rani," Caspian's gaze never left her own. "Just you is all I've ever needed." Her breath hitched as emotion swelled in her chest.
Silence settled upon them once more, although now, it seemed more somber than before. His words lingered in the space between them, settling as she stared on at him, trying to comprehend what he was saying— what he was truly saying. It was all so strange, so new. No one had ever been so gentle with their words, save her mother. Just knowing how much he cared for her sent her heart soaring.
But still the fear lingered in the back of her mind. For all her silent strength and determination, she was still that girl back in Galma, back in her village. Still feeble and scared.
And she hated it. She hated that she allowed herself to feel that way, to be trapped by something beyond her control. Rani knew, before she could truly let Caspian in, she first had to accept herself.
"Will you... will you give me time?"
And just as she had expected, a smile took over the young Kings face. "I would give you all that and more, Rani." His hand stretched forwards, as if to touch her, before it fell back to his side as he took a step away from her.
Her eyes trailed after the young king as he turned away from her and climbed the creaky stairs. Only when she was sure he was gone, did she let out a shaky breath. It seemed as though the past wasn't quite ready to let her go just yet.