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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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Before the sun set someth<strong>in</strong>g did happen. Shasta was sitt<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the shadow <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Tombs when he looked up and saw two horses com<strong>in</strong>g towards him. <strong>The</strong>n his heart gave<br />

a great leap, for he recognized them as Bree and Hw<strong>in</strong>. But the next moment his heart<br />

went down <strong>in</strong>to his toes aga<strong>in</strong>. <strong>The</strong>re was no sign <strong>of</strong> Aravis. <strong>The</strong> Horses were be<strong>in</strong>g led<br />

by a strange man, an armed man pretty handsomely dressed like an upper slave <strong>in</strong> a great<br />

family. Bree and Hw<strong>in</strong> were no longer got up like pack-horses, but saddled and bridled.<br />

And what could it all mean? "It's a trap," thought Shasta. "Somebody has caught Aravis<br />

and perhaps they've tortured her and she's given the whole th<strong>in</strong>g away. <strong>The</strong>y want me to<br />

jump out and run up and speak to Bree and then I'll be caught too! And yet if I don't, I<br />

may be los<strong>in</strong>g my only chance to meet the others. Oh I do wish I knew what had<br />

happened." And he skulked beh<strong>in</strong>d the Tomb, look<strong>in</strong>g out every few m<strong>in</strong>utes, and<br />

wonder<strong>in</strong>g which was the least dangerous th<strong>in</strong>g to do.<br />

CHAPTER SEVEN<br />

ARAVIS IN TASHBAAN<br />

WHAT had really happened was this. When Aravis saw Shasta hurried away by the<br />

<strong>Narnia</strong>ns and found herself alone with two horses who (very wisely) wouldn't say a word,<br />

she never lost her head even for a moment. She grabbed Bree's halter and stood still,<br />

hold<strong>in</strong>g both the horses; and though her heart was beat<strong>in</strong>g as hard as a hammer, she did<br />

noth<strong>in</strong>g to show it. As soon as the <strong>Narnia</strong>n lords had passed she tried to move on aga<strong>in</strong>.<br />

But before she could take a step, another crier ("Bother all these people" thought Aravis)<br />

was heard shout<strong>in</strong>g out, "Way, way, way! Way for the Tarkheena Lasaraleen!" and<br />

immediately, follow<strong>in</strong>g the crier, came four armed slaves and then four bearers carry<strong>in</strong>g a<br />

litter which was all a-flutter with silken curta<strong>in</strong>s and all a-j<strong>in</strong>gle with silver bells and<br />

which scented the whole street with perfumes and flowers. After the litter, female slaves<br />

<strong>in</strong> beautiful clothes, and then a few grooms, runners, pages, and the like. And now Aravis<br />

made her first mistake.<br />

She knew Lasaraleen quite well - almost as if they had been at school together - because<br />

they had <strong>of</strong>ten stayed <strong>in</strong> the same houses and been to the same parties. And Aravis<br />

couldn't help look<strong>in</strong>g up to see what Lasaraleen looked like now that she was married and<br />

a very great person <strong>in</strong>deed.<br />

It was fatal. <strong>The</strong> eyes <strong>of</strong> the two girls met. And immediately Lasaraleen sat up <strong>in</strong> the litter<br />

and burst out at the top <strong>of</strong> her voice.<br />

"Aravis! What on earth are you do<strong>in</strong>g here? Your father-"

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