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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)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

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"Be quiet, youngster," said Bree. "You're spoil<strong>in</strong>g the story. She'll tell us all about the<br />

letter <strong>in</strong> the right place. Go on, Tarkheena."<br />

"<strong>The</strong>n I called the maid who was to go with me to the woods and perform the rites <strong>of</strong><br />

Zardeenah and told her to wake me very early <strong>in</strong> the morn<strong>in</strong>g. And I became merry with<br />

her and gave her w<strong>in</strong>e to dr<strong>in</strong>k; but I had mixed such th<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> her cup that I knew she<br />

must sleep for a night and a day. As soon as the household <strong>of</strong> my father had committed<br />

themselves to sleep I arose and put on an armour <strong>of</strong> my brother's which I always kept <strong>in</strong><br />

my chamber <strong>in</strong> his memory. I put <strong>in</strong>to my girdle all the money I had and certa<strong>in</strong> choice<br />

jewels and provided myself also with food, and saddled the mare with my own hands and<br />

rode away <strong>in</strong> the second watch <strong>of</strong> the night. I directed my course not to the woods where<br />

my father supposed that I would go but north and east to Tashbaan.<br />

"Now for three days and more I knew that my father would not seek me, be<strong>in</strong>g deceived<br />

by the words I had said to him. And on the fourth day we arrived at the city <strong>of</strong> Azim<br />

Balda. Now Azim Balda stands at the meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> many roads and from it the posts <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Tisroc (may he live for ever) ride on swift horses to every part <strong>of</strong> the empire: and it is one<br />

<strong>of</strong> the rights and privileges <strong>of</strong> the greater Tarkaans to send messages by them. I therefore<br />

went to the Chief <strong>of</strong> the Messengers <strong>in</strong> the House <strong>of</strong> Imperial Posts <strong>in</strong> Azim Balda and<br />

said, `O dispatcher <strong>of</strong> messages, here is a letter from my uncle Ahoshta Tarkaan to<br />

Kidrash Tarkaan lord <strong>of</strong> Calavar. Take now these five crescents and cause it to be sent to<br />

him.' And the Chief <strong>of</strong> the Messengers said, `To hear is to obey.'<br />

"This letter was feigned to be written by Ahoshta and this was the signification <strong>of</strong> the<br />

writ<strong>in</strong>g: `Ahoshta Tarkaan to Kidrash Tarkaan, salutation and peace. In the name <strong>of</strong> Tash<br />

the irresistible, the <strong>in</strong>exorable. Be it known to you that as I made my journey towards<br />

your house to perform the contract <strong>of</strong> marriage between me and your daughter Aravis<br />

Tarkheena, it pleased fortune and the gods that I fell <strong>in</strong> with her <strong>in</strong> the forest when she<br />

had ended the rites and sacrifices <strong>of</strong> Zardeenah accord<strong>in</strong>g to the custom <strong>of</strong> maidens. And<br />

when I learned who she was, be<strong>in</strong>g delighted with her beauty and discretion, I became<br />

<strong>in</strong>flamed with love and it appeared to me that the sun would be dark to me if I did not<br />

marry her at once. Accord<strong>in</strong>gly I prepared the necessary sacrifices and married your<br />

daughter the same hour that I met her and have returned with her to my own house. And<br />

we both pray and charge you to come hither as speedily as you may that we may be<br />

delighted with your face and speech; and also that you may br<strong>in</strong>g with you the dowry <strong>of</strong><br />

my wife, which, by reason <strong>of</strong> my great charges and expenses, I require without delay.<br />

And because thou and I are brothers I assure myself that you will not be angered by the<br />

haste <strong>of</strong> my marriage which is wholly occasioned by the great love I bear your daughter.<br />

And I commit you to the care <strong>of</strong> all the gods.'<br />

"As soon as I had done this I rode on <strong>in</strong> all haste from Azim Balda, fear<strong>in</strong>g no pursuit and<br />

expect<strong>in</strong>g that my father, hav<strong>in</strong>g received such a letter, would send messages to Ahoshta<br />

or go to him himself, and that before the matter was discovered I should be beyond<br />

Tashbaan. And that is the pith <strong>of</strong> my story until this very night when I was chased by<br />

lions and met you at the swimm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> the salt water."

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