|2| Heart of The Sea: P.P~ Friends to Lovers~

The Duel

Edmund, Glenstorm, and Wimbleweather, walk across the battlefield carrying green branches. Miraz watches through a telescope.

"Perhaps they intend to surrender.", Glozelle suggests.

Emily, who is sitting nearby, nearly scoffs.

"No. They are much too noble for that."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Wimbleweather and Glenstorm wait outside the tent as Edmund reads the challenge

"I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by election and by conquest, High King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands, in order to prevent the abominable effusion of blood, do hereby challenge the usurper Miraz to single combat upon the field of battle. The fight shall be to the death. The reward shall be total surrender.", Edmund rolls up the scroll.

"Tell me, Prince Edmund—", Miraz starts.

"King.", Edmund corrects him. Emily smirks to herself despite her gag from her place behind the soldiers. They have strategically hidden her from Edmund's view.

"Pardon?"

"It‟s King Edmund actually. Just king though. Peter is the High King. I know, it‟s confusing."

"Why would we risk such a proposal when our army could wipe you out by nightfall?"

"Haven‟t you already underestimated our numbers? Only a week ago, Narnians were extinct.", Edmund tells him. Emily, yet again, smirks to herself at the unmistakable sass of the Just king.

"And so you will be again."

"Then you should have little to fear."

"This is not a question of bravery.", Miraz laughs.

"So you‟re bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?"

"I didn‟t say I refused."

"You shall have our support, your majesty, whatever your decision.", One of the Telmarinian Lord's tells him.

"Sire, our military advantage alone allows us the perfect excuse to avoid—", Lord Sopespian is cut off by Mira's standing up and drawing his sword.

"I am not avoiding anything!"

"I am merely pointing out that my lord is well within his rights to refuse."

"His majesty would never refuse. He relishes the chance to show his people the bravery of their new king.", Glozelle diffuses the tension.

Miraz points his sword at Edmund.

"You had better hope your brother‟s sword proves sharper.", Mira's says as Edmund smiles.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peter and Edmund walk out of Aslan's How as the Narnians cheer them on.

"If it should appear to be going poorly...", Miraz speaks to Glozelle, who looks to the crossbow in his hands.

"Understood, my lord."

Peter draws his sword and steps forward.

Miraz steps forward and they begin circling.

"There is still time to surrender."

"Well, feel free.", Peter says, making it clear he's not going to be backing out.

"How many more must die for the throne?"

"Just one.", Peter says.

"Was Emily's death not enough? Do you need more Narnian blood shed to be appeased?", Mira's taunts him.