15.05.2015 Views

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

"Surely, Sire," said Reepicheep, "there is no question about that? It is very pla<strong>in</strong>ly part <strong>of</strong><br />

our quest to rescue these three lords from enchantment."<br />

"I th<strong>in</strong>k the same, Reepicheep," replied Caspian. "And even if it were not so, it would<br />

break my heart not to go as near the World's End as the Dawn Treader will take us. But I<br />

am th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the crew. <strong>The</strong>y signed on to seek the seven lords, not to reach the rim <strong>of</strong><br />

the Earth. If we sail east from here we sail to f<strong>in</strong>d the edge, the utter east. And not one<br />

knows how far it is. <strong>The</strong>y're brave fellows, but I set signs that some <strong>of</strong> them are weary <strong>of</strong><br />

the voyage and long to have our prow po<strong>in</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>Narnia</strong> aga<strong>in</strong>. I don't th<strong>in</strong>k should take<br />

them further without their knowledge an consent. And then there's the poor Lord Rhoop.<br />

He's broken man."<br />

"My son," said the star, "it would be no use, even though you wished it, to sail for the<br />

World's End with men unwill<strong>in</strong>g or men deceived. That is not how great unenchantments<br />

are achieved. <strong>The</strong>y must know where they go and why. But who is this broken man you<br />

speak <strong>of</strong>?"<br />

Caspian told Ramandu the story <strong>of</strong> Rhoop.<br />

"I can give him what he needs most," said Ramandu. "I this island there is sleep without<br />

st<strong>in</strong>t or measure, and sleep <strong>in</strong> which no fa<strong>in</strong>test footfall <strong>of</strong> a dream was ever heard. Let<br />

him sit beside these other three and dr<strong>in</strong>k oblivion till you return."<br />

"Oh, do let's do that, Caspian," said Lucy. "I'm sure its just what he would love."<br />

At that moment they were <strong>in</strong>terrupted by the sound <strong>of</strong> many feet and voices: Dr<strong>in</strong>ian and<br />

the rest <strong>of</strong> the ship company were approach<strong>in</strong>g. <strong>The</strong>y halted <strong>in</strong> surprise whey they saw<br />

Ramandu and his daughter; and then, because these were obviously great people, every<br />

man uncovered his head. Some sailors eyed the empty dishes and flagons on the table<br />

with regret.<br />

"My lord," said the K<strong>in</strong>g to Dr<strong>in</strong>ian, "pray send two men back to the Dawn Treader with<br />

a message to the Lord Rhoop. Tell him that the last <strong>of</strong> his old shipmates are here asleep -<br />

a sleep without dreams - and that he can share it."<br />

When this had been done, Caspian told the rest to sit down and laid the whole situation<br />

before them. When he had f<strong>in</strong>ished there was a long silence and some whisper<strong>in</strong>g until<br />

presently the Master Bowman got to his feet, and said:<br />

"What some <strong>of</strong> us have been want<strong>in</strong>g to ask for a long time, your Majesty, is how we're<br />

ever to get home when we do turn, whether we turn here or somewhere else. It's been<br />

west and north-west w<strong>in</strong>ds all the way, barr<strong>in</strong>g an occasional calm. And if that doesn't<br />

change, I'd like to know what hopes we have <strong>of</strong> see<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Narnia</strong> aga<strong>in</strong>. <strong>The</strong>re's not much<br />

chance <strong>of</strong> supplies last<strong>in</strong>g while we row all that way.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!