Edmund and I walked with a satyr, all carrying olive branches, a sign of peace. "You think this will work?" I asked.
  
"If it doesn't, you ready to fight our way out? And then, ya know, run?"
  
I smiled. "Only with you by my side," I answered.
  
"Always," he responded.
  
The satyr smiled at me and nodded as we walked into the camp. Ed was taken in, looked at carefully, and finally taken to Miraz. The counsel sitting with the evil man falls silent and all look as Edmund is introduced and I walk in behind him. Eyes were on me and I resisted the urge to shift. I was used to being stared at, and Edmund seemed to fit back so easily into his role as king after so long of being away. Yes, we were both used to being stared down, having people listen to each and every word for any single tiny mistake that they can use against us. We were used to this. But I was also used to speaking. Used to being the main focus. I wasn't sure what to do with myself as I stood there, so I looked at the back of Edmund's head listening as he spoke.
  
"I, Peter, by the gift of Aslan," Edmund read off. "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 profusion of blood, do hereby challenge Miraz, to single combat upon the field of battle. The fight shall be until the death. The reward should be total surrender." Finally Edmund lowered the paper and looked over at Miraz casually. I looked over as well to see Miraz looking directly at me and I tensed in the slightest as I realized that he'd been watching me the whole time. Edmund looked down, rolling up the scroll as Miraz addressed him.
  
"Tell me, Edmund-" He began.
  
"King," I interrupted him. Miraz looked back at me, his eyes having wandered to Edmund. I offered a small nod, as if I hadn't disrespected him but he had disrespected me and I was forgiving him for it.
  
"Pardon me?" Miraz prompted, raising an eyebrow.
  
I didn't respond so Edmund looked up. "She simply meant that it's King Edmund, actually." Ed shrugged. "Just King there. Peter's the High King."
  
"I know, it's confusing," I sighed. Silence for a second, then Miraz simply continued talking.
  
"Why would we risk such a bargain if my army could wipe yours out?" Miraz asked. Tension.
  
"Haven't you already underestimated our numbers?" Edmund asked seriously, looking at everyone before him. He'd finally finished rolling up the scroll and now stood, addressing the men as equals. I found myself ghosting a proud smile. "Only a week ago, Narnians were 'extinct.'" Edmund looked at Miaz and Miraz seemed to be unsettled now.
  
"And so you will be again," Miraz finally sneered darkly.
  
"Well then you should have little to fear," Edmund pointed out casually.
  
Miraz busted up laughing. It was fake but still amused, as he did seem to be slightly genuinely amused. "This is not a question of bravery."
  
"So you're bravely refusing to fight a swordsman half your age?" Edmund sassed.
  
I bit back a smile desperately, though Edmund smiled mockingly at the 'king' quite openly.
  
Predictably taking the bait and glaring between Edmund and I, Miraz leaned forward. "I didn't say I refused," He told us slowly, carefully. I bit my tongue, basically forcing myself not to bust out laughing by pain. Man I missed Edmund...
  
"You'll have our support, your Majesty," a voice spoke up from the side. "Whatever your decision." We all looked over to see one of Miraz's men nodding, ready to support him. It was a loyal gesture, but accidentally mocking. Maybe if he'd said it to Edmund... But Miraz was not Edmund. He was not even Peter, he was worse. He was so prideful and demanding that instead of helping him and calming is mind, it fueled his anger. Which is what we wanted anyway.
  
Good for us. Bad for the man.
  
Another man, to Miraz's right, leaned forward. "Sire, our military advantage alone provides a perfect excuse to avoid whatever - " The poor man was cut off as Miraz shot to his feet, his chair screeching back and the men around him flinching. Edmund and I stood perfectly still, unfazed by the ridiculous man's anger.
  
"Excuse?" Miraz seethed. "I'm not avoiding anything!" The man who had spoken looked back at Miraz as anger and tension filled the open space as if it was the tiniest, enclosed room. Edmund moved a millimeter closer, sensing the sudden danger in the angry King. His eyes were trained on Miraz.
  
"I was merely pointing out that My Lord is well within his rights to refuse." He looked up and down Miraz then to Edmund and I as he spoke, shrugging as if surprised that Miraz would ever take offense to something he would say. And yet... And yet there was something off about that man. Something off in the way he looked at Miraz. IN the way his gaze held an almost secret emotion. Burning and... angry. As if he hated Miraz.But that made no sense. He looked at Edmund and me funny too. Like Edmund was his hope for something. Or, rather, the words that Edmund had delivered. He looked at me with a caution, his eyes lingering, holding my gaze for a second longer than a simple accident. It was purposeful.
  
I moved closer to Edmund.
  
"His majesty would never refuse," the man standing by the entrance now spoke. "He relishes he chance to show the courage of their leader." This one I kind of liked. He was messed up like everyone here, evil and twisted, but not completely. He looked at Miraz with slight doubt and hesitance and maybe slight disdain, but loyalty. He was loyal, so he wouldn't do anything, but his thoughts had strayed a few times to actions he wouldn't dare admit. I knew a doubting man when I saw one. This man doubted. But he was loyal all the same.
  
Admirable, but unfortunate.
  
Edmund, who'd turned to face the man that had just spoken, now faced Miraz again, knowing he'd won and just wanting to get back.
  
"You," Miraz finally said, raising his sword to point it at Edmund. "You better hope your brother's sword is sharper than his pen." He paused before shifting his sword to point at me. "And you." Instantaneous lack of motion. Everyone froze. "Keep it in check."
   
My hands balled to fists. I couldn't prove it, but he'd insulted Edmund.