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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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Lucy was sitt<strong>in</strong>g on the K<strong>in</strong>g's right and Aravis on his left. K<strong>in</strong>g Edmund sat at one end<br />

<strong>of</strong> the table and the Lord Darr<strong>in</strong> faced him at the other. Dar and Peridan and Cor and<br />

Cor<strong>in</strong> were on the same side as the K<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

"Your Majesty would have a perfect right to strike <strong>of</strong>f his head," said Peridan. "Such an<br />

assault as he made puts him on a level with assass<strong>in</strong>s."<br />

"It is very true," said Edmund. "But even a traitor may mend. I have known one that did."<br />

And he looked very thoughtful.<br />

"To kill this Rabadash would go near to rais<strong>in</strong>g war with the Tisroc," said Darr<strong>in</strong>.<br />

"A fig for the Tisroc," said K<strong>in</strong>g Lune. "His strength is <strong>in</strong> numbers and numbers will<br />

never cross the desert. But I have no stomach for kill<strong>in</strong>g men (even traitors) <strong>in</strong> cold<br />

blood. To have cut his throat <strong>in</strong> the battle would have eased my heart mightily, but this is<br />

a different th<strong>in</strong>g."<br />

"By my counsel," said Lucy, "your Majesty shall give him another trial. Let him go free<br />

on strait promise <strong>of</strong> fair deal<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the future. It may be that he will keep his word."<br />

"Maybe Apes will grow honest, Sister," said Edmund. "But, by the Lion, if he breaks it<br />

aga<strong>in</strong>, may it be <strong>in</strong> such time and place that any <strong>of</strong> us could swap <strong>of</strong>f his head <strong>in</strong> clean<br />

battle."<br />

"It shall be tried," said the K<strong>in</strong>g: and then to one <strong>of</strong> the attendants, "Send for the prisoner,<br />

friend."<br />

Rabadash was brought before them <strong>in</strong> cha<strong>in</strong>s. To look at him anyone would have<br />

supposed that he had passed the night <strong>in</strong> a noisome dungeon without food or water; but <strong>in</strong><br />

reality he had been shut up <strong>in</strong> quite a comfortable room and provided with an excellent<br />

supper. But as he was sulk<strong>in</strong>g far too furiously to touch the supper and had spent the<br />

whole night stamp<strong>in</strong>g and roar<strong>in</strong>g and curs<strong>in</strong>g, he naturally did not now look his best.<br />

"Your royal Highness needs not to be told," said K<strong>in</strong>g Lune, "that by the law <strong>of</strong> nations<br />

as well as by all reasons <strong>of</strong> prudent policy, we have as good right to your head as ever<br />

one mortal man had aga<strong>in</strong>st another. Nevertheless, <strong>in</strong> consideration <strong>of</strong> your youth and the<br />

ill nurture, devoid <strong>of</strong> all gentilesse and courtesy, which you have doubtless had <strong>in</strong> the<br />

land <strong>of</strong> slaves and tyrants, we are disposed to set you free, unharmed, on these conditions:<br />

first, that-"<br />

"Curse you for a barbarian dog!" spluttered Rabadash. "Do you th<strong>in</strong>k I will even hear<br />

your conditions? Faugh! You talk very largely <strong>of</strong> nurture and I know not what. It's easy,<br />

to a man <strong>in</strong> cha<strong>in</strong>s, ha! Take <strong>of</strong>f these vile bonds, give me a sword, and let any <strong>of</strong> you<br />

who dares then debate with me."<br />

Nearly all the lords sprang to their feet, and Cor<strong>in</strong> shouted:

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