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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)

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"Let me down, Edmund," howled Rabadash. "Let me down and fight me like a k<strong>in</strong>g and a<br />

man; or if you are too great a coward to do that, kill me at once."<br />

"Certa<strong>in</strong>ly," began K<strong>in</strong>g Edmund, but K<strong>in</strong>g Lune <strong>in</strong>terrupted.<br />

"By your Majesty's good leave," said K<strong>in</strong>g Lune to Edmund. "Not so." <strong>The</strong>n turn<strong>in</strong>g to<br />

Rabadash he said, "Your royal Highness, if you had given that challenge a week ago, I'll<br />

answer for it there was no one <strong>in</strong> K<strong>in</strong>g Edmund's dom<strong>in</strong>ion, from the High K<strong>in</strong>g down to<br />

the smallest Talk<strong>in</strong>g Mouse, who would have refused it. But by attack<strong>in</strong>g our castle <strong>of</strong><br />

Anvard <strong>in</strong> time <strong>of</strong> peace without defiance sent, you have proved yourself no knight, but a<br />

traitor, and one rather to be whipped by the hangman than to be suffered to cross swords<br />

with any person <strong>of</strong> honour. Take him down, b<strong>in</strong>d him, and carry him with<strong>in</strong> till our<br />

pleasure is further known."<br />

Strong hands wrenched Rabadash's sword from him and he was carried away <strong>in</strong>to the<br />

castle, shout<strong>in</strong>g, threaten<strong>in</strong>g, curs<strong>in</strong>g, and even cry<strong>in</strong>g. For though he could have faced<br />

torture he couldn't bear be<strong>in</strong>g made ridiculous. In Tashbaan everyone had always taken<br />

him seriously.<br />

At that moment Cor<strong>in</strong> ran up to Shasta, seized his hand and started dragg<strong>in</strong>g him towards<br />

K<strong>in</strong>g Lune. "Here he is, Father, here he is," cried Cor<strong>in</strong>.<br />

"Aye, and here thou art, at last," said the K<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a very gruff voice. "And bast been <strong>in</strong> the<br />

battle, clean contrary to your obedience. A boy to break a father's heart! At your age a rod<br />

to your breech were fitter than a sword <strong>in</strong> your fist, ha!" But everyone, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g Cor<strong>in</strong>,<br />

could see that the K<strong>in</strong>g was very proud <strong>of</strong> him.<br />

"Chide him no more, Sire, if it please you," said Lord Darr<strong>in</strong>. "His Highness would not be<br />

your son if he did not <strong>in</strong>herit your conditions. It would grieve your Majesty more if he<br />

had to be reproved for the opposite fault."<br />

"Well, well," grumbled the K<strong>in</strong>g. "We'll pass it over for this time. And now -" '<br />

What came next surprised Shasta as much as anyth<strong>in</strong>g that had ever happened to him <strong>in</strong><br />

his life. He found himself suddenly embraced <strong>in</strong>n bear-like hug by K<strong>in</strong>g Lune and kissed<br />

on both cheeks. <strong>The</strong>n the K<strong>in</strong>g set him down aga<strong>in</strong> and said, "Stand here together, boys,<br />

and let all the court see you. Hold up your heads. Now, gentlemen, look on them both.<br />

Has any man any doubts?"<br />

And still Shasta could not understand why everyone stared at him and at Cor<strong>in</strong> nor what<br />

all the cheer<strong>in</strong>g was about.<br />

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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