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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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"Father! Can I box him? Please."<br />

"Peace! Your Majesties! My Lords!" said K<strong>in</strong>g Lune. "Have we no more gravity among<br />

us than to be so chafed by the taunt <strong>of</strong> a pajock? Sit down, Cor<strong>in</strong>, or shaft leave the table.<br />

I ask your Highness aga<strong>in</strong>, to hear our conditions."<br />

"I hear no conditions from barbarians and sorcerers," said Rabadash. "Not one <strong>of</strong> you<br />

dare touch a hair <strong>of</strong> my head. Every <strong>in</strong>sult you have heaped on me shall be paid with<br />

oceans <strong>of</strong> <strong>Narnia</strong>n and Archenlandish blood. Terrible shall the vengeance <strong>of</strong> the Tisroc<br />

be: even now. But kill me, and the burn<strong>in</strong>gs and tortur<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> these northern lands shall<br />

become a tale to frighten the world a thousand years hence. Beware! Beware! Beware!<br />

<strong>The</strong> bolt <strong>of</strong> Tash falls from above!"<br />

"Does it ever get caught on a hook half-way?" asked Cor<strong>in</strong>.<br />

"Shame, Cor<strong>in</strong>," said the K<strong>in</strong>g. "Never taunt a man save when he is stronger than you:<br />

then, as you please."<br />

"Oh you foolish Rabadash," sighed Lucy.<br />

Next moment Cor wondered why everyone at the table had risen and was stand<strong>in</strong>g<br />

perfectly still. Of course he did the same himself. And then he saw the reason. Aslan was<br />

among them though no one had seen him com<strong>in</strong>g. Rabadash started as the immense shape<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Lion paced s<strong>of</strong>tly <strong>in</strong> between him and his accusers.<br />

"Rabadash," said Aslan. "Take heed. Your doom is very near, but you may still avoid it.<br />

Forget your pride (what have you to be proud <strong>of</strong>?) and your anger (who has done you<br />

wrong?) and accept the mercy <strong>of</strong> these good k<strong>in</strong>gs."<br />

<strong>The</strong>n Rabadash rolled his eyes and spread out his mouth <strong>in</strong>to a horrible, long mirthless<br />

gr<strong>in</strong> like a shark, and wagged his ears up and down (anyone can learn how to do this if<br />

they take the trouble). He had always found this very effective <strong>in</strong> Calormen. <strong>The</strong> bravest<br />

had trembled when he made these faces, and ord<strong>in</strong>ary people had fallen to the floor, and<br />

sensitive people had <strong>of</strong>ten fa<strong>in</strong>ted. But what Rabadash hadn't realized is that it is very<br />

easy to frighten people who know you can have them boiled alive the moment you give<br />

the word. <strong>The</strong> grimaces didn't look at all alarm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Archenland; <strong>in</strong>deed Lucy only<br />

thought Rabadash was go<strong>in</strong>g to be sick.<br />

"Demon! Demon! Demon!" shrieked the Pr<strong>in</strong>ce. "I know you. You are the foul fiend <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>Narnia</strong>. You are the enemy <strong>of</strong> the gods. Learn who I am, horrible phantasm. I am<br />

descended from Tash, the <strong>in</strong>exorable, the irresistible. the curse <strong>of</strong> Tash is upon you.<br />

Lightn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the shape <strong>of</strong> scorpions shall be ra<strong>in</strong>ed on you. <strong>The</strong> mounta<strong>in</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>Narnia</strong> shall<br />

be ground <strong>in</strong>to dust. <strong>The</strong>-"

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