“A tournament?”

Edmund looked positively alight at the idea; Susan couldn’t figure out if this had logic behind it or just a way for the boys to be boys. Peter looked as though he had a reason behind it however, so Susan could do nothing but hear him out.

It was the monthly meeting of the Narnian rulers, where it was all business and no play. Not exactly their definition of fun, but they all took their job seriously and did it well, so they almost always ended productively. But this tournament thing the High King had just brought up…It was very sudden.

Across the table from the High Queen and his sister, Peter Pevensie leaned forward, both his elbows on the table. “Hear me out, Su,” the young king said, almost pleadingly. Susan crossed her arms and gave him a look that plainly said, ‘I intended to. Now talk.’ Peter grinned then looked at his two other siblings, who were also waiting. Peter figured Lucy was only interested in it for the aspect of meeting new people and cheering on her friends, but he knew Edmund would want to join for more…manly reasons.

“First and foremost,” he started, still leaning on the table. “…I’m dying for some entertainment!” Typical reactions followed: the youngest two snickered and Susan gave him a dry look. Chuckling, Peter shook his head. “I’m joking, Su. But I do have reasons! Good ones, honest.” He grinned, seeing as Susan still didn’t look interested. “Now that we’ve defeated the last of the White Witch's followers, we’ve been recognized as a powerful country and worthy opponent. We need to find a way to make allies and help other countries see that we’re good; and what better way than to invite them over into our country, host them for a while, entertain some and give the others a chance to participate in a competition! Sort of like an icebreaker.”

The younger Pevensies already appeared taken with the idea, however Susan wasn’t that easy to persuade. She could understand where he was coming from however…

Seeing Susan teetering, Peter kept talking. “I’ve got it all thought out. We could have different divisions, separated by ages (though of course we’d have to alter some of those rules from time to time). We’d have healers on the spot constantly, food served to the spectators, and at the end of the day have a relaxed sit down with the leaders of the other countries to become allies.” He raised his eyebrows and smiled – he was a bit proud of this idea.

Edmund and Lucy tore their eyes away from Peter to look at Susan, who was still looking thoughtful. “We’d have to make sure they aren’t offended if beaten though…,”

“We could just invite the nobles from other countries a few days before the competition begins to find out if they were like that,” Edmund piped in. “If necessary, we could make sure they win until it gets too obvious.”

Susan nodded slowly, despite the fact that she disliked pampering spoiled beings. As long as they got good allies, she supposed…

All eyes were on Susan, waiting…

“Well, I suppose it’ll be ok.”

Grins split on all three faces and Edmund even let out a joyous whoop. They were going to have a tournament! “Alright then,” Peter exclaimed, grinning at his sister. “I suppose we should start setting it up then.”

“But what about a name?” Lucy inquired, looking between Susan and Peter. “We’ll need a name for the tournament, right?”

Peter nodded, crossing his arms and looking solemn. “A name would be good.” The four lapsed into silence, each one thinking of a name that would fit nicely. A few suggestions were made over the course of a few minutes, yet nothing fitting came up.

“Well, what about, um…The Mythril Unicorn?” Lucy suggested, trying to find something symbolic of Narnia and fighting.

“Who would want to join a fighting tournament with the word ‘unicorn’ in the name?” Edmund shot down, sneering at his little sister.

“Anyone who’s not as thickheaded as you,” she promptly retorted before Peter shushed them both.

“Don’t start, you two,” he warned. Susan, who had been the most silent, suddenly looked up.

“The Lion’s Claw,” she stated, one fisted hand plopping in the other.

The three other Pevensies looked at her, then Lucy giggled. “It’s perfect!”

Peter nodded, smiling and content. “It’s a fitting name, Su!”

Susan smiled then looked at Edmund. “Manly enough for you, Ed?”

Edmund snapped his jaw shut then nodded, crossing his arms. “It’s a good name.”

The two eldest siblings exchanged triumphant grins before Peter placed his hands on the table and said, “Then let’s start the preparations for the Lion’s Claw tournament!”

Instantly the two were up and running. Lucy exclaimed, “I’ll start the invitations!” as she ran off, while Ed was yelling, “I’ll begin the weapon inventory!” The other two watched them disappear, blinking, before laughing.

“Then I do pronounce this meeting over,” Peter said with a grin, standing up and pulling all his papers together.

“I think it was a productive meet, majesty,” Susan answered, grinning and standing as well. “Good idea,” she complimented.

“Good name,” he replied just as easily. “Now then, I suppose we should make sure our younger siblings aren’t raising a panic with the other creatures with their excitement.”

Susan chuckled softly and nodded. “I’ve got Lucy.”

“And I’ve got Ed. See you at dinner, Susan.” The high rulers smiled and departed, going to stop the other two from completely loosing their sanity.

So let the games begin.

Months will pass before the entire tournament is ready to open and the castle prepared for the guests who will be staying there. News of the Narnian tournament spread quickly and almost every single invitation sent out was sent back with a promise to be there. Everyone is excited – this would be the first tournament since the start of the Golden Age, so it had to be a big and grand event.

Which is just what a few were counting on.

Unbeknownst to the rulers of Narnia, betrayal has already begun. A royal family along the borders of Narnia and Ettinsmoor have agreed to appear for the tournament and have entered four family members into it. But what they do not know is that this ‘family’ is not related at all; it’s a school practicing the dark arts. It’s founder was a great follower of the White Witch and because of that, was greatly blessed by her – when she was alive. Now she is dead and they have lost what they thought to be the greatest Queen and teacher to ever walk the Narnian lands. Naturally, the only answer for that is revenge.

The head of the school plus four students are coming to the games with nothing to loose and everything to gain. They have been trained in the ways of assassins and black magicians, and very formidable opponents. The four leaders of Narnia will fall to them and this was just the opportunity needed to make it look like an accident.

To the Death never sounded so literal.