4 months have passed since Caspian and Cerlesta received the news of their soon-to-be- born cousin.

Cerlesta was utterly excited for her cousin’s birth. If her calculations are right, their aunt is now 6-7 months pregnant. She paid her aunt more visits than often. Her aunt was so pleased with her.

On the other times, after her class time with their professor, she spend most her time with her brother. Training battle skills are her one of favorite things to do with him. She too was skilled as her brother in sword fight, archery and dagger throw. Caspian was a fine swordsman and proved skills in archery too.
He was a ‘best trainer’ as his sister adores him. Training time was quite a fun for both of them.

Everyone loved these two royal. All people, lords, servants, maids, guards, knights and everyone in the castle loved them. Every one they met adored them of their humbleness and gentleness, and their loyalty. They both were the pride and joy of their kingdom.

One fine day, Caspian and Cerlesta went on a horse ride through the market place. Many girls giggled and waved at the young attractive prince. Caspian just gave them smile, not showing any interest at all.

Cerlesta slightly laughed at her brother’s plastered smile. “Oh come on Cas, you can smile better that that, far better, dazzlingly.” She teased.

He turned his head to her and grinned, “I just don’t want them to faint.” He joked and laughed when his sister rolled her eyes.

“Hey, some boys are staring at you too.” Said Caspian jovially.

“Yeah, I know. Let’s get out of here.” She said. “Let’s!” Caspian agreed.

They galloped their horses and rode to the nearest parts of the woods, yet kept distance because of what they have heard about the haunted place. Telmarines feared woods and seas.

After spending a long time there and having food what they have brought, they rode back to the castle.

Once when they dismounted, they walked to inside.

“Wasn’t it wonderful? We should probably go like that twice in a week, what do you think Cery?” asked Caspian and waited for her cheering response.

“Cery?” he called softly, turning back he saw his sister isn’t with him.

Instead he found her on the spot they dismounted, shaking off her cloak after taking it off. Her face was frowned and looked worried.

Caspian catch up to her asking, “Cery, what’s wrong? A touch of concern in his vioce.

“I-It’s my necklace, it’s missing.” She panicked.

Caspian let out a sigh of relief and chuckled, “That’s it? Oh you really worried me!”

“You don’t understand, I’ve lost what you gave and promised to keep it forever with me.” Cerlesta said with a touch of sadness in her voice.

“Oh come on, you don’t need worry about it. It’s just a necklace and I can always buy one for you.” Cerlesta’s frown melted into a slight grin at hearing her brother’s words.

“Besides, at least you managed to keep it for nearly 4 years.” Caspian added with a smirk.

.....

At that night, the professor woke up both the prince and princess and led them to the very top, to the roof of the great tower where they’ve always talked about all Narnian stuff. But this time, their topic was Narnia, yet a different one. Also it was a part of astronomy lessons.

“What’s going on Doctor?" Asked Caspian sleepily.

“Why in the dead of night?" asked Cerlesta controlling her yawns.

“Tonight, you are going to watch a great conjunction that happen in the heavens once in a great while. And you both may never ever will live to see it. It’s a great pleasure watching.” Explained the professor as they climbed the steps to up.

“Are we the only ones who know about this and watching?” asked Cerlesta in a whisper as they reached the roof. Caspian rolled his eyes.

“Yes my dear, only us.” Said the professor as he locked the door.

Then pointing to the two great stars, (which were shining wide and bright than the other ones) he said,

“Tarva, the lord of victory salutes Alambil, the lady of peace. They are just coming to their nearest.”

The three of them stood awe-stuck, eyes fixed upon the two stars, trying their best not to blink.

“Now" said the Professor after watching it, "you have seen what no man will live to see nor will see again.” 

“Is that a sign or anything?” asked Cerlesta.

“I’m not sure your highness, but I have a strong feeling that….it does". Said the professor.

“So do I .” said Caspian softly as determination taking over him.

.....

Two months passed, and in January 29th, Caspian turned 18. There was a grand feast held at the castle including balls and tournaments in the honor of his birthday.

On next month was Cerlesta’s birthday. No party was planned, they decided to celebrate it in a common way with family.

Caspian wanted to buy a necklace for her. But was not pleased with the idea of taking one from the jewel room. So he went to the market and purchased a silver chained blue crystal necklace, which was better than the one he gave her 4 years ago.

Days passed and finally it was the night before her birthday. After dinner, Caspian and Cerlesta said ‘good night’ to each other and went to their rooms. After closing the door behind him, Caspian took that necklace from his golden chest; he put it inside a Velvet pouch and placed it beside him as he slept. He couldn’t wait to give her the necklace and hear her commenting. Smiling, He fell asleep, imagining her happy face.

Not sooner than 1-2 hours, Caspian was wakened up in sudden panic, gasping as he felt a cold rough hand over his mouth. Seeing it is professor Cornelius,

Caspian let out a sigh of relief as he removed the professor’s hand from his mouth and turning to side, he mumbled sleepily,

“5 more minutes.” His hand got the pouch with necklace and held it in his palm.

“You won’t be watching the stars tonight, my prince.” Said professor in panic. Caspian turned his head towards the professor and sensed something was wrong.

“Come. We must hurry.” Said the professor and grabbed him out of bed with him towards Caspian’s wardrobe. Caspian get the cover off him but never left the pouch. His heart began to race as he saw the professor’s hurry.

“Professor, what’s going on?” asked Caspian.

Professor stopped and turned to him, “Your aunt has given birth……..to a son.” He whispered.

Caspian’s eyes grew wider in shock of realizing the trouble he is now in. He stood frozen. Professor got inside Caspian’s wardrobe and opened the door to a secret passage way.

“Come.” He then whispered to Caspian.

Caspian glanced down at the pouch in his hand, “I have to get Cery!” he said. But suddenly a sound of someone’s approach caught in his ear.

"Get inside,” whispered the professor. Caspian quickly got in without making a noise, closed the door in front of him leaving a gap in between and looked through it.

He saw some soldiers with crossbows entering his room led by General Glozelle. All of them aimed their bows at Caspian’s bed. He couldn’t believe what he was witnessing, though he feared his uncle’s action towards him if his cousin is a boy. He watched without breathing. With a nod from Glozelle, arrows began to fire towards the bed.

“CERLESTA!!!!” His mind screamed as he thought about the safety of his sister. There’s no way he can get pass those soldiers to get her nor can go around the corridors once he get out through his wardrobe way. Because they shared one suit and surely these men with catch him.

Caspian followed the professor climbing the stairs down.

“Professor, wait! I have to get Cery!” whispered Caspian.

“My prince, you don’t have to worry about her. She’ll be safe, you know how much dearly she is to Miraz. He would never harm her.” Professor whispered back.

Suddenly they heard footsteps approaching. They quickly hid themselves in the shadow of nearby wall. It was a guard. After that guard passed, they both ran across the hallway and soon reached down at the weapon chambers.

Caspian put that pouch to his pocket and put on his mail shirt, gloves and tied his sheathed sword around his waist. Professor gave him a cloak and walked him to his horse.

“I’m not leaving her here, I can’t!” complained Caspian.

“Your highness, but you can’t risk yourself. If you go back up there, you won’t survive and….She’ll never see you again, neither will you, if you get caught by those men while you go around the corridors to save her. Now the important thing is your life, you’re the one who’s in danger, not she..” professor trailed off.

“I promised her to take her for a ride and celebrate her birthday outdoor, just me and her. But now….it will be the first promise I’ve ever broken to her.” Caspian hung his head down.

Professor had already prepared Caspian’s horse Destrier.

“If you run for your life now, you will see her again. You two will be missing each other for now only, then it might turn out for good. Beside you don’t know where you are going so, it will be little harder if she goes with you, you see, she’s a girl and is safe here.” Said the professor.

Caspian sighed in defeat, “Alright, but please do me a favor then,” Caspian took the pouch from his pocket and lend it to the professor and said, “Give this to Cery, tell her my wishes and tell her that I promise to come back, somehow.”

But the professor shook his head, “No my prince, it’s better if you give her yourself and please forgive me, it is better if I don’t tell of you to her. I’m afraid she won’t believe me because she wouldn’t imagine that of Miraz.”

“But she will! Uh! It’s okay, my uncle must never learn that you helped me. But if he ever dares to lay a hand on my sister to harm her, he’ll pay for it.” Said Caspian gravely as he hopped onto his horse.

“You must make for the woods.” Told the professor.

“The woods?” Caspian asked, utter shocked cause no one has ever been to there.

“They won’t follow you there.” Professor said and took something out of his cloak,

“It has taken me many years to find this,” and handed it over to Caspian, which Caspian took and tied onto his belt. “Do not use it except at your greatest need.” Professor warned.

“Will I ever see you and Cery again?” asked Caspian sadly as a wave of emotion taking over him at mentioning his sister’s name.

“I dearly hope so, my prince. Don’t worry about her, she’ll be fine despite the shock of you missing.” The professor assured him. Caspian nodded.

“There is so much more I meant to tell you. Everything you know is about to change.” Said the professor. Caspian’s face grew serious at hearing this.

He was about to ask something but suddenly they heard someone yell,

“CLOSE THE DRAWBRIDGE!!!!”

Caspian startled and prepared to take off.

“Now Go.” Whispered the professor and patted the horse to run.

Caspian rode forth, survived the guards’ blows and ran off from the castle, his home.

There was only one thing that was in his mind, ‘Cerlesta, his little sister’.

Soon he heard the sound of fireworks behind him,

‘Cery must have wakened now. What will become of her when she couldn’t find me in my room?’ Caspian thought.

He stopped ridding and looked back to his home.

“A SON! A SON! QUEEN PRUNAPRISMIA HAS THIS NIGHT GIVEN KING MIRAZ A SON!”Caspian heard someone yell.

He saw the fireworks, guiltiness overwhelming as he looked at his home, at the thought of leaving his ever precious little treasure behind.

“I’m so sorry Cery, I have to do this now or….you might never have a brother anymore. But don’t worry, I’ll come back for you, you have my word!” said Caspian, his words went harder as he spoke.

Then his eyes fell to the soldiers who rode towards him from the palace gate.

"I love you, don’t get me wrong!”

With these last words, Caspian rode afar, afar from his uncle for his life to the woods where he have never been to.