The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

- do you know what I'll do? I'll rush out into that passage and scream. Then we'll both be
caught."
"But we shall both be k-k-killed!" said Lasaraleen. "Didn't you hear what the Tisroc (may
he live for ever) said?"
"Yes, and I'd sooner be killed than married to Ahoshta. So come on."
"Oh you are unkind," said Lasaraleen. "And I in such a state!"
But in the end she had to give in to Aravis. She led the way down the steps they had
already descended, and along another corridor and so finally out into the open air. They
were now in the palace garden which sloped down in terraces to the city wall. The moon
shone brightly. One of the drawbacks about adventures is that when you come to the most
beautiful places you are often too anxious and hurried to appreciate them; so that Aravis
(though she remembered them years later) had only a vague impression of grey lawns,
quietly bubbling fountains, and the long black shadows of cypress trees.
When they re"ached the very bottom and the wall rose frowning above them, Lasaraleen
was shaking so that she could not unbolt the gate. Aravis did it. There, at last, was the
river, full of reflected moonlight, and a little landing stage and a few pleasure boats.
"Good-bye," said Aravis, "and thank you. I'm sorry if I've been a pig. But think what I'm
flying from!"
"Oh Aravis darling," said Lasaraleen. "Won't you change your mind? Now that you've
seen what a very great man Ahoshta is!"
"Great man!" said Aravis. "A hideous grovelling slave who flatters when he's kicked but
treasures it all up and hopes to get his own back by egging on that horrible Tisroc to plot
his son's death. Faugh! I'd sooner marry my father's scullion than a creature like that."
"Oh Aravis, Aravis! How can you say such dreadful things; and about the Tisroc (may he
live for ever) too. It must be right if he's going to do it!"
"Good-bye," said Aravis, "and I thought your dresses lovely. And I think your house is
lovely too. I'm sure you'll have a lovely life - though it wouldn't suit me. Close the door
softly behind me."
She tore herself away from her friend's affectionate embraces, stepped into a punt, cast
off, and a moment later was out in midstream with a huge real moon overhead and a huge
reflected moon down, deep down, in the river. The air was fresh and cool and as she drew
near the farther bank she heard the hooting of an owl. "Ah! That's better!" thought
Aravis. She had always lived in the country and had hated every minute of her time in
Tashbaan.