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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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"I cannot set myself to any work or sport today, Jewel," said the K<strong>in</strong>g. "I can th<strong>in</strong>k <strong>of</strong><br />

noth<strong>in</strong>g but this wonderful news. Th<strong>in</strong>k you we shall hear any more <strong>of</strong> it today?"<br />

"<strong>The</strong>y are the most wonderful tid<strong>in</strong>gs ever heard <strong>in</strong> our days or our fathers' or our<br />

grandfathers' days, Sire," said Jewel, "if they are true."<br />

"How can they choose but be true?" said the K<strong>in</strong>g. "It is more than a week ago that the<br />

first birds came fly<strong>in</strong>g over us say<strong>in</strong>g, Aslan is here, Aslan has come to <strong>Narnia</strong> aga<strong>in</strong>.<br />

And after that it was the squirrels. <strong>The</strong>y had not seen him, but they said it was certa<strong>in</strong> he<br />

was <strong>in</strong> the woods. <strong>The</strong>n came the Stag. He said he had seen him with his own eyes, a<br />

great way <strong>of</strong>f, by moonlight, <strong>in</strong> Lantern Waste. <strong>The</strong>n came that dark Man with the beard,<br />

the merchant from Calormen. <strong>The</strong> Calormenes care noth<strong>in</strong>g for Aslan as we do; but the<br />

man spoke <strong>of</strong> it as a th<strong>in</strong>g beyond doubt. And there was the Badger last night; he too had<br />

seen Aslan."<br />

"Indeed, Sire," answered Jewel, "I believe it all. If I seem not to, it is only that my joy is<br />

too great to let my belief settle itself. It is almost too beautiful to believe."<br />

"Yes," said the K<strong>in</strong>g with a great sigh, almost a shiver, <strong>of</strong> delight. "It is beyond all that I<br />

ever hoped for <strong>in</strong> all my life."<br />

"Listen!" said Jewel, putt<strong>in</strong>g his head on one side and cock<strong>in</strong>g his ears forward.<br />

"What is it?" asked the K<strong>in</strong>g.<br />

"Ho<strong>of</strong>s, Sire," said Jewel. "A gallop<strong>in</strong>g horse. A very heavy horse. It must be one <strong>of</strong> the<br />

Centaurs. And look, there he is."<br />

A great, golden bearded Centaur, with man's sweat on his forehead and horse's sweat on<br />

his chestnut flanks, dashed up to the K<strong>in</strong>g, stopped, and bowed low. "Hail, K<strong>in</strong>g," it cried<br />

<strong>in</strong> a voice as deep as a bull's.<br />

"Ho, there!" said the K<strong>in</strong>g, look<strong>in</strong>g over his shoulder towards the door <strong>of</strong> the hunt<strong>in</strong>g<br />

lodge. "A bowl <strong>of</strong> w<strong>in</strong>e for the noble Centaur. Welcome, Roonwit. When you have found<br />

your breath you shall tell us your errand."<br />

A page came out <strong>of</strong> the house carry<strong>in</strong>g a great wooden bowl, curiously carved, and<br />

handed it to the Centaur. <strong>The</strong> Centaur raised the bowl and said,<br />

"I dr<strong>in</strong>k first to Aslan and truth, Sire, and secondly to your Majesty."<br />

He f<strong>in</strong>ished the w<strong>in</strong>e (enough for six strong men) at one draught and handed the empty<br />

bowl back to the page.<br />

"Now, Roonwit," said the K<strong>in</strong>g. "Do you br<strong>in</strong>g us more news <strong>of</strong> Aslan?"

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