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The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

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"Pah!" said Nikabrik. "A renegade Dwarf. A half-and-halfer! Shall I pass my sword<br />

through its throat?"<br />

"Be quiet, Nikabrik," said Trumpk<strong>in</strong>. "<strong>The</strong> creature can't help its ancestry."<br />

"This is my greatest friend and the saviour <strong>of</strong> my life," said Caspian. "And anyone who<br />

doesn't like his company may leave my army: at once. Dearest doctor, I am glad to see<br />

you aga<strong>in</strong>. How ever did you f<strong>in</strong>d us out?"<br />

"By a little use <strong>of</strong> simple magic, your Majesty," said the Doctor, who was still puff<strong>in</strong>g<br />

and blow<strong>in</strong>g from hav<strong>in</strong>g walked so fast. "But there's no time to go <strong>in</strong>to that now. We<br />

must all fly from this place at once. You are already betrayed and Miraz is on the move.<br />

Before midday tomorrow you will be surrounded."<br />

"Betrayed!" said Caspian. "And by whom?"<br />

"Another renegade Dwarf, no doubt," said Nikabrik.<br />

"By your horse Destrier," said Doctor Cornelius. "<strong>The</strong> poor brute knew no better. When<br />

you were knocked <strong>of</strong>f, <strong>of</strong> course, he went dawdl<strong>in</strong>g back to his stable <strong>in</strong> the castle. <strong>The</strong>n<br />

the secret <strong>of</strong> your flight was known. I made myself scarce, hav<strong>in</strong>g no wish to be<br />

questioned about it <strong>in</strong> Miraz's torture chamber. I had a pretty good guess from my crystal<br />

as to where I should f<strong>in</strong>d you. But all day - that was the day before yesterday - I saw<br />

Miraz's track<strong>in</strong>g parties out <strong>in</strong> the woods. Yesterday I learned that his army is out. I don't<br />

th<strong>in</strong>k some <strong>of</strong> your - um - pure-blooded Dwarfs have as much woodcraft as might be<br />

expected. You've left tracks all over the place. Great carelessness. At any rate someth<strong>in</strong>g<br />

has warned Miraz that Old <strong>Narnia</strong> is not so dead as he had hoped, and he is on the move."<br />

"Hurrah!" said a very shrill and small voice from somewhere at the Doctor's feet. "Let<br />

them come! All I ask is that the K<strong>in</strong>g will put me and my people <strong>in</strong> the front."<br />

"What on earth?" said Doctor Cornelius. "Has your Majesty got grasshoppers - or<br />

mosquitoes - <strong>in</strong> your army?" <strong>The</strong>n after stoop<strong>in</strong>g down and peer<strong>in</strong>g carefully through his<br />

spectacles, he broke <strong>in</strong>to a laugh.<br />

"By the Lion," he swore, "it's a mouse. Signior Mouse, I desire your better acqua<strong>in</strong>tance.<br />

I am honoured by meet<strong>in</strong>g so valiant a beast."<br />

"My friendship you shall have, learned Man," piped Reepicheep. "And any Dwarf - or<br />

Giant - <strong>in</strong> the army who does not give you good language shall have my sword to reckon<br />

with."<br />

"Is there time for this foolery?" asked Nikabrik. "What are our plans? Battle or flight?"

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