The door to the wagon burst open and Otto flinched back as the sun blazed into his eyes. Gauntleted hands appeared and unlocked his handcuff from the wagon and hauled him out. He was set roughly on his feet and marched across the grass to a white tent. Around him, he could see the army setting up to attack. Moving the catapults into position as men on horseback rode up and and down the lines. The sounds of shouting, clanging steel and the clink of armour as prevalent as Otto was tugged forwards. The telmarines were positioned on the edge of the forest. On the other side of the clearing, Otto could see the tomb. Narnians surrounding it. Archers positioned on the stone levels, watching the enemy. Otto wanted to run to them, but the soldier on either side of him kept him moving towards the tent.

The tent was a high roofed structure with only one side assembled. It was nestled back in the wood, hidden safely in the trees. It was held up by wooden polls and rugs covered the grass. Facing the temple was a horseshoe assembly of temples. Miraz was sat in a ornate wooden throne at its head. The man was dressed in a dark set of armour much like the one Caspian wore. Around him sat what Otto guessed for be members of the King's council. They all wore fine clothes and the tables in front of them were occupied with goblets of wine and plates of food. They were talking amongst themselves but quieted as the soldiers shoved Otto to his knees before them. Otto raised his head and glared at Miraz. The man, who Otto was starting to hate with a passion, merely smirked.

"This is the boy", one of the council members asked. He was a elderly man with white hair. He looked at Otto in disbelief. "He doesn't look like much. Are you sure that he is the Narnian King's right hand".

"Kings and Queens", Otto corrected loudly. "Narnia has two kings and two queens. And you should offer them some respect".

The council members laughed as if this was a ludicrous suggestion. "They are children", one objected.

"We do not bow to savages. Those narnian's are nothing but animals", another spat.

"The only two savages I see here are the ones wearing finery", Otto snarled. "Savages who think they are better than others. You are the invaders. This is not your land. You are led by a king who would murder his own family in cold blood for the throne". The more he spoke, the more Miraz's face grew harder. He waved a hand and a one of the soldiers struck Otto across the face, cutting off his words. The blow reopened the sword wound on his cheek and blood began dripping down his face. He could feel the swelling bruises from yesterday sting painfully. He couldn't hide the noise of surprise and pain from his lips. Miraz smiled.

"Beware betrayal betrayer", Otto muttered as he spat blood. "A man who betrays everything will be betrayed himself. Cause who would follow a liar?" He smiled maliciously, the blood on his face making him seem wild and mad.

"Gag him", Miraz sighed. "I no longer wish to listen to a child". A hand grabbed Otto by the hair and wretched his head back. He struggled as a piece of cloth was tied around his mouth. It tasted like dirt, stinging his sore face. Otto glowered through his hair. His eyes bruised and dark on his discoloured skin. The council paid him no heed. They resumed their conversation and eating. Talking loudly at each other as Otto knelt in the corner. The position made his knees ache and the scent of food made his stomach rumble.

After a while the captain of the guard entered the tent. He crossed round the table and bent down the whisper in Miraz's ear. Miraz nodded and got up, following the captain out of sight. "Move him out of sight", one of the council members ordered. He was a man, younger than Miraz but still past his middle age, with a head of dark curls and a beard which was whitening at the edges. He looked at Otto as if he was something disgusting that the cat dragged in. Obediently, the soldiers pulled Otto up by his shoulders and dragged him round the tent and to a tree nearby. They dropped him and Otto immediately fell to the floor. He used his bound hands to push himself up and sat cross legged in the dirt. The two soldiers guarding him standing on either side, a clear barrier between him and his escape.

Otto sat back and watched the bustle of the campsite. Soldiers and servants were wandering round completing various tasks. Otto leant his head against the tree in exhaustion, shutting his eyes. He wasn't sure how long he dozed for but a kick to the leg woke him up. He had barely opened his eyes before the soldiers were once again pulling him to his feet and half tugging, half dragging him along. Otto grumbled under the gag, rolling his eyes.

They brought him back to the tent. Otto's eyes widening as they approached. A giant and a centaur were standing outside, hands holding white flowers. The centaur was the dark haired one, the general, from the attack on the castle. He looked up as Otto was dragged closer, expression just as shocked at Otto's. The soldiers moved him past and into the tent. As soon as he entered, Otto let out a muffled yell. Edmund was standing facing Miraz and the councilmen. He was dressed in full silver armour, a red tunic with a lions head over his chest. Edmund turned and gasped as Otto was forced to his knees on the floor before him. Edmund's eyes took in Otto's dismal state. The bruises and cuts on his face. The dirt of his clothing and grime on his bare feet. Hands manacled before him and mouth gagged.

Miraz waved a hand in Otto's direction, obviously pleased with Edmund's horror. "Why should I accept your king's challenge prince Edmund? I have you knight held hostage. I could kill him right here and now if I wanted. You're at a disadvantage".

"King", Edmund retorted angrily, brows furrowing. "It's king Edmund. Peter is the high king but I am a king within my own right and expect you to address me as such".

Miraz blinked, taken back by the sudden change in Edmund's demeanour. From polite and smug, to angry and downright hostile. "Very well, King Edmund. Why should I bother with your challenge? Do you really not value your friend's life?"

"What? Like you value your family's?" Edmund raised an eyebrow, a smirk lifting his lips. Otto wanted to laugh as Miraz visibly bristled. "If you don't want to, that's fine. You're old and Peter's only sixteen. The humiliation of losing to someone less than half your age must be daunting", Edmund continued. He rolled up the parchment in his hands and inspected it with a bored expression. Otto was giggling. He always underestimated Edmund's sharp tongue.

"I doubt that braver"- Miraz began.

"So you're bravely avoiding a fight against a sixteen year old?" Edmund interjected.

"We follow whatever the king decides", one of the council members voiced.

The curly haired council member who had ordered for Otto to be taken away earlier, leant over. "It's understandable if the king is not willing to get involved in combat", he added. Miraz's face grew red.

"I will take the challenge", he bellowed. "Tell your king Peter that I hope his sword is sharper than his brain".

Edmund smirked and tucked the parchment into his belt. "Now. We demand for our knight to be returned to us".

"I have already accepted your challenge", Miraz growled. "Why should I further indulge you?"

"Take it as a show of good faith", Edmund shrugged. "A challenge is supposed to be fair. Trying to use the life of one of our own as leverage or blackmail, well it's hardly equal fight. Not that we would need to threaten any of your men to win. You would probably let them die without further thought".

Miraz was visibly grinding his teeth together, fists clenched in anger. "Fine", he spat. "Unchain him! You may take him and get out of my sight".

The soldiers at Otto's side bent down and removed his handcuffs. As soon as his hands were free, Otto pulled down his gag and took several deep breaths. Edmund fell to his knees at his side and helped him to his feet. He nodded his head at the telmarine council and began helping Otto out of the tent. "Are you okay?" Edmund asked as they began walking back through the woods towards the tomb.

"Not too bad", Otto grunted. Now that he was putting weight on them, his legs felt like jelly. He grunted as his bare feet landed on a twig. "Nothing broken. Could do with some food and water though. I'm bloody starving".

Edmund chuckled. The giant and the centaur reached their side. "Could you carry him?" Edmund asked. The centaur nodded and together, they managed to lift Otto onto his back. Otto groaned as the movement irritated some of his bruises. Slowly, the centaur began moving, walking at an even pace in order not to jar his injuries too much.

"Thank you", Otto sighed. "What's your name?"

"Glenstorm my Lord", the centaur replied. "I thank you for your bravery. You saved many of our friends".

"Don't mention it", Otto muttered, embarrassed by the praise.

"We thought you were dead Otto", Edmund said as he walked next to them. His gaze was fixed on the tomb fort before them. Otto smiled slightly, as best he could with his bruised and cut up face. He leaned over and ruffled Edmund's hair.

"It's not the worst fight I've followed your brother into and I doubt it will be the last. So don't blame yourself for it. I chose to follow you and Peter. The consequences are mine to bear".

Edmund nodded but didn't say anything more. When the reached the entrance to the tomb, he helped Otto climb down from glenstorm's back. He pulled otto's arm over his shoulder and helped him limp down the ramp inside. Glenstorm and the giant following after him. As they entered underground, Otto breathed out a sigh of relief. It felt like he was home.

"Otto!" Peter was sprinting across the room, face full of worry. He stopped a few feet away, looking him over. "You're alive! I'm so sorry". Otto let go of Edmund as Peter pulled him into a hug. He leaned heavily on the other boy, laughing at the sudden warmth.

"It's not your fault Pete. Things happen in battle".

"But I was a terrible friend. I am so sorry". The words were muffled against his shoulder. Otto smiled and patted the other boy on the back.

Peter pulled away as other delighted shouts echoed. The others realising that he was back. Caspian and Susan jogging out of the tunnels. Lucy came barrelling up. Otto gasped slightly in pain as she embraced him. She quickly jumped back, face falling as she took in his battered state. "Oh Otto what did they do to you?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle", Otto joked with a smile. Caspian and Susan stood at the side watching him. Otto's eyes linked with Caspian's. The prince wearing a torn expression.

"I'm so glad you're back", Susan smiled at him, redirecting his attention. She reached out and took his hand, giving it a squeeze. "Come on. Let's get you fixed up".

Otto nodded and took a step forward. Almost instantly he stumbled, feet too sore to support much weight. Caspian was at his side, catching him and pulling him upright. Otto let out a deep sigh. "Thank you".

"I'm sorry that my people have treated you this way", Caspian muttered sadly. His accent soft and grief stricken.

"Just make sure that when you take back your throne, you get a new council", Otto grimaced. Caspian laughed darkly as he began helping Otto walk towards the tunnels. His taller frame making it easier for him to bare Otto's weight. The Pevensie children walking silently around them like a protective shield. Their presence was comforting, soothing the fear that had been dwelling in Otto's gut.

He closed his eye, leaning further against Caspian. Yes, he had come home.

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