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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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only the w<strong>in</strong>d would catch that standard and spread it out. <strong>The</strong>y're over the ridge now,<br />

whoever they are. Aha! I've seen the banner now. <strong>Narnia</strong>, <strong>Narnia</strong>! It's the red lion.<br />

<strong>The</strong>y're <strong>in</strong> full career down the hill now. I can see K<strong>in</strong>g Edmund. <strong>The</strong>re's a woman<br />

beh<strong>in</strong>d among the archers. Oh! -"<br />

"What is it?" asked Hw<strong>in</strong> breathlessly.<br />

"All his Cats are dash<strong>in</strong>g out from the left <strong>of</strong> the l<strong>in</strong>e."<br />

"Cats?" said Aravis.<br />

"Great cats, leopards and such," said the Hermit impatiently. "I see, I see. <strong>The</strong> Cats are<br />

com<strong>in</strong>g round <strong>in</strong> a circle to get at the horses <strong>of</strong> the dismounted men. A good stroke. <strong>The</strong><br />

Calormene horses are mad with terror already. Now the Cats are <strong>in</strong> among them. But<br />

Rabadash has reformed his l<strong>in</strong>e and has a hundred men <strong>in</strong> the saddle. <strong>The</strong>y're rid<strong>in</strong>g to<br />

meet the <strong>Narnia</strong>ns. <strong>The</strong>re's only a hundred yards between the two l<strong>in</strong>es now. Only fifty. I<br />

can see K<strong>in</strong>g Edmund, I can see the Lord Peridan. <strong>The</strong>re are two mere children <strong>in</strong> the<br />

<strong>Narnia</strong>n l<strong>in</strong>e. What can the K<strong>in</strong>g be about to let them <strong>in</strong>to battle? Only ten yards - the<br />

l<strong>in</strong>es have met. <strong>The</strong> Giants on the <strong>Narnia</strong>n right are do<strong>in</strong>g wonders . . . but one's down . . .<br />

shot through the eye, I suppose. <strong>The</strong> centre's all <strong>in</strong> a muddle. I can see more on the left.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are the two boys aga<strong>in</strong>. Lion alive! one is Pr<strong>in</strong>ce Corm. <strong>The</strong> other, like him as two<br />

peas. It's your little Shasta. Corm is fight<strong>in</strong>g like a man. He's killed a Calormene. I 'can<br />

see a bit <strong>of</strong> the centre now. Rabadash and Edmund almost met then, but the press has<br />

separated them -"<br />

"What about Shasta?" said Aravis.<br />

"Oh the fool!" groaned the Hermit. "Poor, brave little fool. He knows noth<strong>in</strong>g about this<br />

work. He's mak<strong>in</strong>g no use at all <strong>of</strong> his shield. His whole side's exposed. He hasn't the<br />

fa<strong>in</strong>test idea what to do with his sword. Oh, he's remembered it now. He's wav<strong>in</strong>g it<br />

wildly about . . . nearly cut his own pony's head <strong>of</strong>f, and he will <strong>in</strong> a moment if he's not<br />

careful. It's been knocked out <strong>of</strong> his hand now. It's mere murder send<strong>in</strong>g a child <strong>in</strong>to the<br />

battle; he can't live five m<strong>in</strong>utes. Duck you fool - oh, he's down."<br />

"Killed?" asked three voices breathlessly.<br />

"How can I tell?" said the Hermit. "<strong>The</strong> Cats have done their work. All the riderless<br />

horses are dead or escaped now: no retreat for the Calormenes on them. Now the Cats are<br />

turn<strong>in</strong>g back <strong>in</strong>to the ma<strong>in</strong> battle. <strong>The</strong>y're leap<strong>in</strong>g on the rams-men. <strong>The</strong> ram is down. Oh,<br />

good! good! <strong>The</strong> gates are open<strong>in</strong>g from the <strong>in</strong>side: there's go<strong>in</strong>g to be a sortie. <strong>The</strong> first<br />

three are out. It's K<strong>in</strong>g Lune <strong>in</strong> the middle: the brothers Dar and Darr<strong>in</strong> on each side <strong>of</strong><br />

him. Beh<strong>in</strong>d them are Tran and Shar and Cole with his brother Col<strong>in</strong>. <strong>The</strong>re are ten -<br />

twenty - nearly thirty <strong>of</strong> them out by now. <strong>The</strong> Calormen l<strong>in</strong>e is be<strong>in</strong>g forced back upon<br />

them. K<strong>in</strong>g Edmund is deal<strong>in</strong>g marvellous strokes. He's just slashed Corrad<strong>in</strong>'s head <strong>of</strong>f.<br />

Lots <strong>of</strong> Calormenes have thrown down their arms and are runn<strong>in</strong>g for the woods. Those<br />

that rema<strong>in</strong> are hard pressed. <strong>The</strong> Giants are clos<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> on the right - Cats on the left -

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