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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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"Splendid or not," said Thornbut, "I have the strictest <strong>order</strong>s from K<strong>in</strong>g Edmund to see to<br />

it that your Highness is not <strong>in</strong> the fight. You will be allowed to see it, and that's treat<br />

enough for your Highness's little years."<br />

"Oh what nonsense!" Cor<strong>in</strong> burst out. "Of course I'm go<strong>in</strong>g to fight. Why, the Queen<br />

Lucy's go<strong>in</strong>g to be with the archers."<br />

"<strong>The</strong> Queen's grace will do as she pleases," said Thornbut. "But you are <strong>in</strong> my charge.<br />

Either I must have your solemn and pr<strong>in</strong>cely word that you'll keep your pony beside m<strong>in</strong>e<br />

- not half a neck ahead - till I give your Highness leave to depart: or else - it is his<br />

Majesty's word - we must go with our wrists tied together like two prisoners."<br />

"I'll knock you down if you try to b<strong>in</strong>d me," said Corm.<br />

"I'd like to see your Highness do it," said the Dwarf.<br />

That was quite enough for a boy like Cor<strong>in</strong> and <strong>in</strong> a second he and the Dwarf were at it<br />

hammer and tongs. It would have been an even match for, though Cor<strong>in</strong> had longer arms<br />

and more height, the Dwarf was older and tougher. But it was never fought out (that's the<br />

worst <strong>of</strong> fights on a rough hillside) for by very bad luck Thornbut trod on a loose stone,<br />

came flat down on his nose, and found when he tried to get up that he had spra<strong>in</strong>ed his<br />

ankle: a real excruciat<strong>in</strong>g spra<strong>in</strong> which would keep him from walk<strong>in</strong>g or rid<strong>in</strong>g for at<br />

least a fortnight.<br />

"See what your Highness has done," said K<strong>in</strong>g Edmund. "Deprived us <strong>of</strong> a proved<br />

warrior on the very edge <strong>of</strong> battle."<br />

"I'll take his place, Sire," said Cor<strong>in</strong>.<br />

"Pshaw," said Edmund. "No one doubts your courage. But a boy <strong>in</strong> battle is a danger only<br />

to his own side."<br />

At that moment the K<strong>in</strong>g was called away to attend to someth<strong>in</strong>g else, and Cor<strong>in</strong>, after<br />

apologiz<strong>in</strong>g handsomely to the Dwarf, rushed up to Shasta and whispered,<br />

"Quick. <strong>The</strong>re's a spare pony now, and the Dwarf's armour. Put it on before anyone<br />

notices."<br />

"What for?" said Shasta.<br />

"Why, so that you and I can fight <strong>in</strong> the battle <strong>of</strong> course! Don't you want to?"<br />

"Oh - ah, yes, <strong>of</strong> course," said Shasta. But he hadn't been th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> do<strong>in</strong>g so at all, and<br />

began to get a most uncomfortable prickly feel<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> his sp<strong>in</strong>e.

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