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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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"Fool," began Rishda Tarkaan, but at once the Dwarfs began shout<strong>in</strong>g: "Come along,<br />

Darkie. Why don't you let him <strong>in</strong>? Why do you let <strong>Narnia</strong>ns <strong>in</strong> and keep your own people<br />

out? What have you got <strong>in</strong> there that you don't want your own men to meet?"<br />

Tirian and his friends could only see the back <strong>of</strong> Rishda Tarkaan, so they never knew<br />

what his face looked like as he shrugged his shoulders and said, "Bear witness all that I<br />

am guiltless <strong>of</strong> this young fool's blood. Get thee <strong>in</strong>, rash boy, and make haste."<br />

<strong>The</strong>n, just as G<strong>in</strong>ger had done, Emeth came walk<strong>in</strong>g forward <strong>in</strong>to the open strip <strong>of</strong> grass<br />

between the bonfire and the stable. His eyes were sh<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, his face very solemn, his hand<br />

was on his sword-hilt, and he carried his head high. Jill felt like cry<strong>in</strong>g when she looked<br />

at his face. And Jewel whispered <strong>in</strong> the K<strong>in</strong>g's ear, "By the Lion's Mane, I almost love<br />

this young warrior, Calormene though he be. He is worthy <strong>of</strong> a better god than Tash."<br />

"I do wish we knew what is really <strong>in</strong>side there," said Eustace.<br />

Emeth opened the door and went <strong>in</strong>, <strong>in</strong>to the black mouth <strong>of</strong> the stable. He closed the<br />

door beh<strong>in</strong>d him. Only a few moments passed - but it seemed longer before the door<br />

opened aga<strong>in</strong>. A figure <strong>in</strong> Calormene armour reeled out, fell on its back, and lay still: the<br />

door closed beh<strong>in</strong>d it. <strong>The</strong> Capta<strong>in</strong> leaped towards it and bent down to stare at its face. He<br />

gave a start <strong>of</strong> surprise. <strong>The</strong>n he recovered himself and turned to the crowd, cry<strong>in</strong>g out:<br />

"<strong>The</strong> rash boy has had his will. He has looked on Tash and is dead. Take warn<strong>in</strong>g, all <strong>of</strong><br />

you."<br />

"We will, we will," said the poor Beasts. But Tirian and his friends stared at the dead<br />

Calormene and then at one another. For they, be<strong>in</strong>g so close, could see what the crowd,<br />

be<strong>in</strong>g further <strong>of</strong>f and beyond the fire, could not see: this dead man was not Emeth. He<br />

was quite different: an older man, thicker and not so tall, with a big beard.<br />

"Ho-ho-ho," chuckled the Ape. "Any more? Anyone else want to go <strong>in</strong>? Well, as you're<br />

all shy, I'll choose the next. You, you Boar! On you come. Drive him up, Calormenes. He<br />

shall see Tashlan face to face."<br />

"O-o-mph," grunted the Boar, ris<strong>in</strong>g heavily to his feet. "Come on, then. Try my tusks."<br />

When Tirian saw that brave Beast gett<strong>in</strong>g ready to fight for its life - and Calormene<br />

soldiers beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g to close <strong>in</strong> on it with their drawn scimitars - and no one go<strong>in</strong>g to its<br />

help - someth<strong>in</strong>g seemed to burst <strong>in</strong>side him. He no longer cared if this was the best<br />

moment to <strong>in</strong>terfere or not.<br />

"Swords out," he whispered to the others. "Arrow on str<strong>in</strong>g. Follow."

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