[A] Entering the Wasteland {Plot

Caspian stood at the entrance of the cave filled with trepidation. The rain was slowing, dying and it was about time. They had been hiding away inside the caves for? what, four days, five days? A week? He had lost count ? though he didn?t doubt someone knew. Still, even if they had only been holed away for a day, that was still a day far too long. All this time hiding from the rain had been a rather big waste. Caspian hadn?t been able to do much battle planning, nor had he been able to meet with anyone to discuss matters. Everyone seemed to be falling ill ? some seriously, and some not so much. Nevertheless, it had been a strain on everyone and no one had been in the mood to discuss upcoming battles, Caspian included.

It was almost time to journey back out into the open area around How; almost time to leave the cave. In fact, Caspian had already ordered everyone to start getting things together, ordered them to get ready to leave. The moment the rain stopped, they would be outside. He wasn?t concerned about it starting again any time soon ? he was surprised it had even managed to last as long as it had.

They needed to get outside. They needed the fresh air, and the space to set everything up again. They needed to get on with it ? they couldn?t win a war from inside a series of tunnels and caves. He stood there staring blankly out at the falling rain, a troubled sigh escaping him.

Had he done the Old Narnians wrong by not waiting for Aslan? By not waiting for help? Would they fail now, because of his impatience? Shaking the thoughts off, he knew he had to stop doubting himself, stop doubting their mission. This was what the great Lion Aslan would want; he would want his people restored to peace and safety? restored to their rightful ownership of Narnia. Granted, the doubts were lessening. It was only in those spare moments when he was all on his own that they came creeping back to haunt him. But he would conquer them; at least, he hoped so.

It was not a sudden noise that startled him from his thoughts; rather it was the lack of noise. Lack of rain falling and hitting the ground. He glanced up and looked outside, peering around for the sight of rain, the sight of little droplets hitting the massive puddles gathered on the ground. But there was nothing. The rain had stopped! Thank Aslan, the rain had stopped!

?The rain is done!? He shouted, the boyishness within him that had been long hidden away breaking free for a moment as he bolted from the entrance of the cave and ran farther in. ?The rain has stopped! Tell everyone! It?s time to get back outside and win this war!?

Everyone around him looked up, amused by the exuberance of the recently weary Prince. Still, as his news began to sink in, creatures all around him rose to their feet and followed him. Even the most ill among them wanted to get out into the air and survey the damage that the storm had done.

Chaos erupted as everyone jumped to their feet and followed Caspian to the entrance of the cave. It was such a lovely sight, to look out without the rain getting in the way. Caspian hurried from the cave and down towards the camp? and stopped short.

Eyes wide as he stared at the mess, he drew in a sharp breath. This was going to be a major setback. A major setback. Everything that they had been unable to bring with them was either gone, or so badly mangled that it was beyond repair. There was water positively everywhere ? the trenches that had been dug were now deep pools of the frigid stuff. They would have to start over.

Caspian turned back to survey his tired, sickened army and brought a hand to the back of his head. He only hoped that Miraz?s army suffered as badly as his. He coughed then, which took him very much off guard. It was a painful, wrenching cough that, while ending quickly, was a rather bad sign of things to come, he feared. Nevertheless, he nodded to some of the more able-bodied Narnians to start bringing out supplies. They needed to set everything up soon, so they could get back to work.