In an odd way, it's a blessing that Susan wasn't at Cair Paravel--Cair Nallins isn't as big or grand as her home, but it's lonely spot on the cape makes it a tempting morsel for pirates and raiders who have fallen on hard times since the Narnian navy grew large enough to defend the coast. It's lucky that one of them was at the castle, taking stock of supplies after the long winter and starting to replenish them, and Susan's glad that at least her siblings are not the ones in danger.
Staring out at the raiding ships on the water, knowing that already many of the enemy has disembarked to circle around them and block escape routes, Susan listens to reports and knows what must be done. Cair Nallins is not a military stronghold--it's barely more than a shrine for the local sea gods--and most of the warriors here were actually her guards and escort she brought with her. But, the walls were tall and thick, and there didn't seem to be catapults on the ships, let alone Greek Fire. She just hoped the messenger birds she'd sent would reach her siblings in time.
And in the meantime, she had work to do. "Go over the numbers of barrels of flour we have and calculate how many we will need to hold out before one of my siblings arrive with reinforcements. Once you have figured that out, bring the surplus to the outer gates. Should they charge the hold, light the barrels on fire and roll them in the direction of the attackers--when you do light them, they must be pushed away quickly, or you'll be caught in the explosion, do you understand? Good. Now, go."
She moved on from there, giving orders, and closely watching as the ships crept closer and closer. At last, she heard one of the gates open, a pause, and then an explosion farther off. Hopefully, that would make them think twice about getting close again.
But if it did not...
Susan's grip tightened on her bow, one arrow waiting to be notched; well, if the attackers thought that Susan the Gentle meant Susan the Coward then they were going to get a harsh lesson in underestimating the Narnian queen.
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Staring out at the raiding ships on the water, knowing that already many of the enemy has disembarked to circle around them and block escape routes, Susan listens to reports and knows what must be done. Cair Nallins is not a military stronghold--it's barely more than a shrine for the local sea gods--and most of the warriors here were actually her guards and escort she brought with her. But, the walls were tall and thick, and there didn't seem to be catapults on the ships, let alone Greek Fire. She just hoped the messenger birds she'd sent would reach her siblings in time.
And in the meantime, she had work to do. "Go over the numbers of barrels of flour we have and calculate how many we will need to hold out before one of my siblings arrive with reinforcements. Once you have figured that out, bring the surplus to the outer gates. Should they charge the hold, light the barrels on fire and roll them in the direction of the attackers--when you do light them, they must be pushed away quickly, or you'll be caught in the explosion, do you understand? Good. Now, go."
She moved on from there, giving orders, and closely watching as the ships crept closer and closer. At last, she heard one of the gates open, a pause, and then an explosion farther off. Hopefully, that would make them think twice about getting close again.
But if it did not...
Susan's grip tightened on her bow, one arrow waiting to be notched; well, if the attackers thought that Susan the Gentle meant Susan the Coward then they were going to get a harsh lesson in underestimating the Narnian queen.