The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

"Gosh!" said Eustace. "It's getting hot in this sun. Are we nearly there, Sire?"
"Look," said Tirian and pointed. Not many yards away grey battlements rose above the
tree-tops, and after a minute's more walking they came out in an open grassy space. A
stream ran across it and on the far side of the stream stood a squat, square tower with
very few and narrow windows and one heavy-looking door in the wall that faced them.
Tirian looked sharply this way and that to make sure that no enemies were in sight. Then
he walked up to the tower and stood still for a moment fishing up his bunch of keys
which he wore inside his hunting-dress on a narrow silver chain that went round his neck.
It was a nice bunch of keys that he brought out, for two were golden and many were
richly ornamented: you could see at once that they were keys made for opening solemn
and secret rooms in palaces, or chests and caskets of sweet-smelling wood that contained
royal treasures. But the key which he now put into the lock of the door was big and plain
and more rudely made. The lock was stiff and for a moment Tirian began to be afraid that
he would not be able to turn it: but at last he did and the door swung open with a sullen
creak.
"Welcome friends," said Tirian. "I fear this is the best palace that the King of Narnia can
now offer to his guests."
Tirian was pleased to see that the two strangers had been well brought up. They both said
not to mention it and that they were sure it would be very nice.
As a matter of fact it was not particularly nice. It was rather dark and smelled very damp.
There was only one room in it and this room went right up to the stone roof: a wooden
staircase in one corner led up to a trap door by which you could get out on the
battlements. There were a few rude bunks to sleep in, and a great many lockers and
bundles. There was also a hearth which looked as if nobody had lit a fire in it for a great
many years.
"We'd better go out and gather some firewood first thing, hadn't we?" said Jill.
"Not yet, comrade," said Tirian. He was determined that they should not be caught
unarmed, and began searching the lockers, thankfully remembering that he had always
been careful to have these garrison towers inspected once a year and to make sure that
they were stocked with all things needful. The bow strings were there in their coverings
of oiled silk, the swords and spears were greased against rust, and the armour was kept
bright in its wrappings. But there was something even better. "Look you!" said Tirian as
he drew out a long mail shirt of a curious pattern and flashed it before the children's eyes.
"That's funny-looking mail, Sire," said Eustace.
"Aye, lad," said Tirian. "No Narnian Dwarf smithied that. 'Tis mail of Calormen,
outlandish gear. I have ever kept a few suits of it in readiness, for I never knew when I or