-ˋˏ *.·:·  CHAPTER ONE ·:·.* ˎˊ-
— THE NEW HEIR —

2306 | TELMAR — The dark night sky was unusually calm. Silent and clear, twinkling stars littered the sky, forming odd constellations that only the centaurs of the old ages could truly decipher. The trees swayed a little in the cold breeze, rabbits and deer wandered a bit away from the castle in peace over the fields, completely unbothered and happy.

Inside the castle, however, it was a completely different story. Screams and pants had been filling the hallways since the late afternoon when Miraz's wife, Lady Prunaprismie, gave birth to his firstborn. And that's exactly why Caspian had to disappear, flee and save himself from death. Because if the prince were to stay in the castle, he would be forced to let go of his last breath that very night.

When Professor Cornelius however, heard of the big news, he immediately stormed into Caspian's bedroom to wake him up with a shake on his shoulder. "five more minutes." Caspian mumbled, nuzzling his sleepy head back into his soft feather pillow. "You won't be the stars tonight, my prince." Said the professor and shook Caspian again, but this time a bit harder. "Come on, we have to hurry."

Caspian, who was now in a state of panic when he heard the words of his professors, was a little more awake and now stood up, allowing Professor Cornelius to pull him through the room and into his wardrobe. "Professor, what's going on?" Caspian whispered, furrowing his eyebrows as he stumbled in his closet.

"Your aunt has given birth ... to a son." That simple phrase was all Caspian needed, to piece the puzzle together. Now that Miraz had his own heir, Capsian was just in the way.

He took a shaky breath and suddenly some of the Miraz' men stormed into his room, surrounding the bed in which he had slept peacefully just a few moments ago. Without hesitation, they shot their sharp arrows where he was meant to be, which made Caspian flinch as he watched through the small crack in the wardrobe door.

It wasn't long before the soldiers realized that Caspian was not in his room and therefore they disappeared just as quickly, in a hurry, perhaps in the hope of catching him on his escape and stopping him ... to kill him.

But then Caspian was shocked again when he suddenly found his best friend at the end of the pitch-dark secret passage. She also looked completely tired and scared at the same time, but he could tell that she was trying to hold back her tears. She had been waiting for the two of them, but why?

"Star?" Caspian asked, completely confused as well as horrified, before the professor pulled the two into the armory. The girl was pale as a sheet. "Father, I don't understand, why do I have to leave as well?" she asked, as he wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "You have to trust me, my little Star and leave the castle. You have to stay strong. And you Caspian too."

The two children nodded and collected their weapons and other important things, that they could carry with them – a sword and chain mail for Caspian. For Star, a couple of daggers, a compass and a telescope. They then quickly followed him out of the room and down a spiral staircase until they came to the horse stables.

"You must make for the woods." Said the professor serious, while Caspian carefully helped the girl up on the horse so that she could sit behind him. "They won't follow you there." both just nodded, not wanting to waste any more time with questions. Cornelius again, turned to his daughter and handed her some kind of package. "It took me many years to find this. Do not use it except at your greatest need." he warned them.

The two could only assume that it was some sort of relic from the Golden Age, that he had taught them about in one of his lessons. Now it was Caspian and Star's turn.

"Are we ever going to see you again?" He asked with a certain degree of sadness in his voice. Star could hardly open her mouth, she had so many worries. What if this really was the last time?

"I sincerely hope so, my dears." he replied and put a warm hand on each of their arms. "There is so much more that you need to know." and then he said the words neither of them understood at the time. "You two are part of the prophecy. The stars, the sea and the sun are on your side!"

The girl wanted to ask what he meant, but instead they suddenly heard the shouting of Miraz' guards in the distance. "CLOSE THE GATES!" And with that, the professor let go and slapped the horse's back lightly to force the two of them to flee. Caspian rode the horse as fast as instructed across the castle grounds and towards the dark woods.

"Hold on tight." He said to Star, before she closed her arms tightly around his middle, so tight that he realized how truly afraid she was. She even wanted to close her eyes, hoping that it was all just some bad dream, and that she only fell asleep in the meadow, next to Cas. "I'm with you, don't worry." he said shortly, while he was forced to accelerate. He felt her grip tightening, but that didn't bother him in the least. Caspian just wanted the two of them to be safe as soon as possible. "You and me." he whispered, but this time rather to himself.

She said nothing, but tried to be brave in this moment, so she just nodded back so that Caspian felt it at his back. And before any of them could continue, Star realized that the Telmar soldiers were getting closer and closer as the two approached a river. Caspian seemed to have noticed too, because he did not hesitate for a moment and sent the horse straight into the water. Star watched as the soldiers tried to cross the border too, but when one of them was washed away, many of them stopped and watched their prince get away. Caspian had turned around as soon as they were back on solid ground.

"CAS!" Star warned in panic, when she realized that the two were riding straight into a thick branch, while Caspian was still looking back. Her realization came too late, however, as both were thrown to the ground.

The two hit the forest floor pretty hard, even though it was covered in leaves. The last thing Star could see was the horse flailing away, she could hear his hoof steps receding from them. Before Caspian even opened his eyes, he called her name, just to make sure that she was still with him. But she was too weak to answer, she was already taking off slowly.

The boy turned his head to the side and then saw her lying next to him. She had small branches in her dark hair and also, the beautiful silk nightgown from her was now decorated with small cuts and tears. And as if by instinct, Caspian grabbed her hand, simply to show her that he was still with her – and that he'd never leave her. He took it in his and didn't let go.

No matter what would happen next ... if they were found they would die together.

Star felt a stabbing pain in her stomach, which made a tear escape her eye, but then she slowly felt the warmth in her hand instead. It was the only thing that took away her fear at that moment. She turned her head too, Caspian was next to her, holding her hand. With this thought, she closed her dark eyes and, just like Caspian, she lost her consciousness shortly afterwards ...