Dedicated to David and Douglas Gresham 1 Shasta's Escape is an adventure story that takes place in the golden age of the kingdoms of Narnia and Calmen and the part of the region between the two countries.At that time, the kingdom of Narnia was under the rule of the Supreme King Peter, and his younger brother and two younger sisters were also the king and queen under his throne respectively.At that time, very far south from the kingdom of Calmen, there was a small harbor on the vast coast, where lived a poor fisherman named Ashish, and a boy named Shasta, who called him Daddy.Most of the time, Ashish would take a boat to fish every morning, and in the afternoon, he would load his catch in a wagon, pull it on a donkey, and walk a mile or so to sell it to the villages to the south.If the fish sells well that day, he will come home with a more amiable attitude, and there is nothing wrong with Shasta; However, if his fish does not sell well, he will take the opportunity to vent his anger on Shasta, cursing him or even beating him up, anyway, he has an excuse to trouble Shasta, because Shasta has many things to do every day, such as mending fishing nets, washing nets, cooking dinner, and cleaning the dilapidated house where the two of them live together, and it is easy to find fault with him.Shasta had no interest in anything in the south, for he had been to the village with Ashish once or twice before, and he knew full well that there was no fun there.The people of that village were no different from his father in their dress and manners, dressed in dirty robes, wooden shoes with their toes upturned, turbans around their heads, scruffy beards, and slow speech, uttering boring nonsense.But the far north fascinated him, for he had never heard of anyone who had ever been there, and he had been warned against it.When he was home alone, he always looked north while mending his nets, longing to know what was there.However, as far as the eye could see, there was nothing but a grassy hillside and the ridge that he could see along the hillside, only a clear blue sky, and occasionally a few birds flying high in the sky.Sometimes, if Ashishh happened to be nearby, Shasta would ask curiously, "Dear father, what is the place behind that hill?"
and if Ashishh was in a bad mood, he would slap him in the face, give him a resounding slap in the face, and scold him to hurry up and do his job.However, if it happened to be when he was in a good mood, he would assume the posture of a preacher and say, "I say, son, don't worry about such things that have nothing to do with our lives.A great poet once said: The mind must be used in business to make a fortune; All curiosity and concern for other things is like driving a stupid boat towards a poor reef. ”Shasta was convinced that the other side of the hill must be hiding some joyful secrets, but his father was intent on hiding the truth from him.In fact, however, Ashish replied because he knew nothing about the north.He never cared about any of this, knowing that he was a very realistic person, and would never bother with such things that had nothing to do with him.One day, a stranger from the south arrived at the door, and this man was unlike anyone Shasta had ever seen before.Under his crotch he rode a zebra with a beautiful mane fluttering in the wind, a tail of shiny fur flicking to and fro, and the stirrups and bridles were inlaid with silver.The tip of his helmet protruded from the top of his silk turban, just in the middle of the turban.He wore a piece of chain mail, a curved knife from his waist, a spear in his right hand, and a round shield with copper blocks on his back.He had a swarthy face, but Shasta didn't think there was anything to make a fuss about, for the people of the Calemon Kingdom wore such a face, and to his surprise, the man's beard was dyed blood-red, and his beard was slightly curled and shimmering, and at the same time he gave off a burst of oil.Based on the gold ring on the stranger's arm, Ashish clearly knew that the person in front of him was "Taikan", that is, the Great Prince.He hurried forward, bowed and knelt down in front of Tykan, his head so low that his beard touched the ground, and he gestured for Shasta to kneel down as well.The stranger offered to stay here for the night.The fisherman did not dare to refuse, and hurriedly agreed.They brought the best food in the house and put it in front of Tykan for dinner, but he didn't even look at it.As for poor Shasta, as in the old days when guests arrived, the fisherman gave him only a large piece of dry bread and sent him out of the house.Whenever this happened, Shasta slept in the little hut with the donkey.But it was still early, and it was not his usual time to sleep, so Shasta simply sat down, put his ear to a crack in the wooden wall, and listened intently to the adults.Shasta had never known that eavesdropping on people outside the door was wrong.Next, he heard the following conversation."
Now let's talk, then, Master.""
I'm going to buy that boy from your house," Tykan said. ”"Ah, my noble lord," replied the fisherman, and Shasta, from the tone of his flattering speech, could imagine the greedy look on his face when he said this, "your servant, though he is poor, thinks that it must be of great profit and value to sell his own flesh and blood, his only son, into slavery?
”"That is what is said," said the guest coldly, "and a poet has said that he who tries to deceive the wise and sensible has exposed his back until the scourge comes.You are a lot of old people, but you are full of lies.Look at your own face, which is as dark as mine, and the child is born white and beautiful, it is impossible for your child to know at a glance that he is from the far north, and is the same kind of man who has been criticized but is handsome to the Gentiles. ”"As the saying goes," said the fisherman, "the sword can be resisted by a shield, but the eyes of wisdom can see all defences, and you know, O formidable honorable guest, that I am too poor and penniless, and that I have never had a marriage or an heir in my life.But in the very year that the great and majestic Tisrock wished him eternal life and began to rule the land for the benefit of the people of Calmen, one night, when the full moon was in the sky, and the bright moonlight poured through the window into my room, perhaps by the arrangement of the gods, I could not sleep peacefully that night.So I got out of bed and walked out of my hut for a walk on the beach.In the moonlight, I gazed at the endless sea, breathed in the cool and fresh air, and lifted my tired spirits.After a while, however, I suddenly heard a sound, like the sound of a boat paddling on the water, getting closer and closer to me.Immediately afterward, I vaguely heard a faint cry.A few moments later, a small boat was brought ashore by the tide, and there was nothing in the boat except a scrawny man who had died of hunger and thirst, who seemed to have just died, because his body was still warm, a completely shriveled water bladder, and a little boy who was still alive.Needless to say, I said at the time, these must have been the two unfortunate survivors who had escaped from the wrecked ship, probably because of the foresight and arrangement of the gods, so that the old man could not eat or drink, and fed the child sparingly, so that he could survive, while he himself could not bear the hunger and thirst and died before he landed.For we must remember that the gods are not stingy in rewarding those who help the poor, and my compassion induces my servant to have a soft heart" "Put aside your boastful nonsense," Tykan interrupted him impatiently, "you have taken this child, and all I have to know is enough for him to earn ten times more worth of his daily work for you than the bread he now eats every day."
You just tell me how much money you're going to sell him for.I'm sick of your nagging, never-ending nonsense. ”"You yourself have said it very wisely," continued Ashish, with a grimace, "that the value of this child's labour is immeasurable to me, and that a fixed price must be considered, for once I have sold the boy, it is undoubtedly necessary for me to buy or hire a boy to do the work which he is now doing." ”"I'll buy this kid with you for fifteen klichen."
Tykan said."
Fifteen," cried Ashish, in a tone that was both angry and plaintive, "fifteen Klishin are going to buy me the support of my old age and the pleasure in my eyes for just a small amount of money, please don't mock me, an old man with a gray beard, even if you are a tykan."
My asking price is seventy cleshins. ”Hearing this, Shasta stood up and walked away lightly.He'd heard what he wanted to know.Before that, he had heard the village adults haggling in public, and he knew how the deal was done.So he was pretty sure that Ashish would sell him for a price well above fifteen klishin and far less than seventy klishin, but he was afraid that there would be a lot of bargaining between him and Tykan, and it would take hours to come to an agreement.But don't think that Shasta feels the same way you do at this moment, because if we accidentally hear our parents talking about selling us into slavery, we will surely be filled with sadness and despair.In fact, Shasta is no surprise to him.One thing is for sure, his present life is no better than that of a slave, and as far as he knows, a stranger of high standing on a tall horse would have treated him better than Ashish; On the other hand, he was very emotional when he heard the story about being found in a small boat, but at the same time he was deeply comforted, because no matter how hard he tried, he could never love the fisherman, and he also knew that a child should love his father deeply, so this incident had always made him sleepless and deeply guilty.But now, it was clear that he was not related to Ashish at all, which made him completely relieved of the burden in his heart."
Well, then I could be anything," he fantasized there, "maybe I'm a son of Tykan myself, or maybe I'm the son of Tithrock, who wishes him to live forever, or maybe the son of some god." ”As he thought about it seriously, he happened to be standing on the grass outside the hut.Night was fast approaching, and already a star or two had begun to hang in the sky and twinkle continuously, but in the west, the afterglow of the setting sun was still clearly visible.The stranger's horse was not far away, loosely tied to an iron ring in the wall of the donkey barn, and was grazing with its head down.Shasta walked slowly towards it, then patted it lightly on the neck, it was still busy munching on the tender grass, not even noticing Shasta's arrival.At this moment, another thought jumped into Shasta's mind."
I wonder what the character of this Tykan is," he exclaimed, "and it would be wonderful if he were an amiable man, and in the mansion of a great nobleman, the slaves did almost nothing, and every day they wore splendid costumes and ate great fish and meat; Perhaps he will take me to war, and I will save his life in the war, so that he will most likely release me as a free man, or perhaps he will adopt me as his adopted son, and give me a mansion, a chariot, and a beautiful suit of armor.However, he could also be a fierce and terrible fellow, who would chain me up and drive me to the fields.I wish I could know the truth, but how can I know this, I bet the horse would, if only it could tell me. ”The horse slowly raised its head, and Shasta stroked its satin-smooth nose and whispered, "Old friend, I wish you could speak." ”Then he thought he was dreaming, though his voice was very low, for he did hear it, and the horse said, "I can indeed speak." ”Shasta was startled, staring desperately at the horse's big eyes, and his own eyes were about as wide as theirs."
How the hell did you learn to speak?"
he asked, holding back the shock in his heart."
Be quiet, don't speak so loudly."
The horse replied, "In my hometown, almost all animals can talk. ”"Where's that place you said," he asked curiously."
In the kingdom of Narnia," replied the horse, "the paradise of the kingdom of Narnia, the mountains of Narnia are covered with heather, and the hills are full of thyme.The Narnia River is thick, the glittering streams in the canyons, the mossy caves, and the sound of dwarfs banging and thrashing in the depths of the forest.Oh, how fresh and sweet the air is in Narnia, and living in Narnia for an hour is like living in Calmen for a thousand years. ”With that, the horse neighed, and it sounded like a long sigh."
And how did you get here?"
asked Shasta, confused."
Kidnapped," said the horse, helplessly, "it could be said that it was stolen, or captured, whatever you like."
I was a foal under a year old at the time, and my mother warned me not to go beyond the southern slopes, not to enter Achinland or beyond Acchinland, but I didn't take her words to heart.By the mane of a lion, I paid the price for my stupidity.Over the years, I have been reduced to a slave to humans, I have hidden my true nature, pretending to be mute, and looking as stupid as other horses. ”"Why don't you tell them who you really are?"
asked Shasta, puzzled."
I'm not so stupid, why should I tell them that if they find out that I can speak, then they will most likely send me to the bazaar for exhibition, and they will watch over me more carefully than before, and then my last chance of escape will be ruined."
The horse replied."
Then why?"
said Shasta, who asked again, but was interrupted by the horse."
Now it seems," it said, "we must not waste our time on inconsequential questions, for you want to know the state of my master, Tekan Anradin, and if so, I will tell you the truth."
He's a bad fellow, but not bad for me, for treating a horse too badly won't lead to much of it, but I'm more inclined to suggest that you just fall to the ground and die tonight than if you arrive at his mansion tomorrow and become a human slave. ”"Then I'd better run away."
Shasta was shocked when he heard this, and his face turned pale."
Yes, you're right.""
But why don't you run away with me?"
"Are you going to run away with me?"
asked Shasta, feeling a little surprised."
Yes, if you can run away with me," said the horse eagerly, "it will be an opportunity for both of us, and you know, if I run away alone, without even a man on horseback, then everyone who sees me will say, 'Ah, it's a lost horse.'"
Then he would do everything he could, desperately chasing me after me, and only when a rider rode on top of me did I have a chance to get through the layers of obstacles, and that's where you helped me.On the other hand, you humans can't get very far with your stupid legs until you're overtaken.You human legs are ridiculous, but riding on me, you can leave any horse in this country far behind.That's where I can help you.Speaking of which, I'll ask you again, I guess you know how to ride a horse" "Oh, of course I do," said Shasta proudly, "at least, I've ridden a donkey before." ”"What have you ridden?"
the horse asked rhetorically, very contemptuously.At least, that's what it means, in fact, it's expressed in a kind of screaming "what to ride hahahaha." ”When talking horses are angry, they involuntarily reveal more of the horse's tone as they speak."
In other words," it continued, "you don't know how to ride a horse at all."
This is very bad for us, and it seems that I will have to teach you on our way.If you don't know how to ride a horse, will you fall off it?"
"I think anyone can fall off it." ”Shasta replied with a shrug."
I mean, can you fall off a horse and climb up again without crying or making a fuss, and then fall off the horse again, and fall like this, and climb up again, and still be able to do it without being afraid of falling?"
"I'll try to do it." ”Shasta said a little unconfidently."
What a poor little animal," said the horse, in a very gentle tone, "I have forgotten that you are but a foal, and I will hurry up and train you to be a good rider."
Now, until the two people inside are asleep, we must not leave.In the meantime, we can develop a workable plan.My Tykan is going to the great city of the north, and he is going to the court of Tisrock, which is located in the city of Tashban," I said," said Shasta's voice, "Shouldn't you say that you wish him a long life?"
"Why," said Ma disdainfully, "I am a free Narnia, why should I have to speak like a slave or a fool, I don't want him to live forever, and I know that he cannot live forever, whether I wish it or not."
Don't talk a word of Southern nonsense between you and me.Now, let's get back to our plans.As I said earlier, my human master is on his way to the northern city of Tashban. ”"That means we'd better flee south, right?"
asked Shasta."
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I don't think so.""
Come to think of it, he always thought I couldn't speak, just as stupid and ignorant as his horses.Now, if I really think I am, I'll be back in my stable or pasture when I'm lost.It was a two-day journey south to his mansion.He's supposed to be looking for me there.He certainly never dreamed that I would go north on my own terms.Besides, he might have thought that someone had seen him riding by in the last village, and had followed me all the way to stealing me. ”"Oh, that's wonderful," said Shasta happily, "and then we'll head north."
I've always longed to go north. ”"You will crave it for granted," said the horse, "and that's because of the blood in your body, I'm sure you're a true northern race, but don't speak too loudly, I sense they're going to fall asleep soon." ”"I'd better crawl back slowly and take a good look."
Shasta suggested."
That's a good offer," said the horse, and then told him, "be careful, don't get caught." ”It was now dark and quiet, except for the sound of the waves crashing on the beach, which Shasta didn't pay any attention to, for he had been hearing it day and night for as long as he could remember.When he walked into the hut, there was not a single light coming through.He listened intently at the front door for a while, but did not hear anything.As he walked around to the only window, a second or two later, he heard the familiar loud snoring of the old fisherman.If he could leave without a hitch, then he would never hear this snoring again, and he was very happy to think about it.He held his breath and felt a little sorry, but the feeling of sorry was far less intense than the feeling of happiness.Shasta walked gently through the meadow to the donkey shed, groped his way to a place where he knew the key was hidden, opened the door, and retrieved the saddle and the bridle, which had been locked there for the night.He lowered his head and kissed the donkey's nose: "I'm sorry, we can't take you away." ”He said with some reluctance."
You're finally back," said the horse anxiously as he returned, "I'm beginning to worry about what has happened to you," "I've taken your things out of the barn," Shasta replied, "and now, can you tell me how I'm going to put them on for you," and for the next few minutes Shasta was busy, careful not to make a clanging sound, and the horse replied, "Tighten the belly strap a little tighter," or " A little further down and you'll see the buckle", or "You need to shorten the stirrups a little bit".When everything was ready, it said, "Now, in order to look like that, we have to attach the reins, but you don't have to use it, just tie it to the front bend of the saddle."
Remember, it has to be tied very loosely so that my head can swing as much as I want.Ah, you have to remember that you can't touch the reins. ”"So, what the hell are they for?"
Shasta asked, puzzled."
Normally, they are meant to show me the way," replied the horse, "but I will lead the way, and you will have to sit on the sidelines."
By the way, there's one more thing, I won't allow you to scratch my mane. ”"But, I said," Sasta pleaded, "if I can neither grasp the reins nor your mane, then what can I grasp," and "you clamp my body with your knees," replied the horse, "and that is the secret of a good rider."
Clamp my body with your two legs, as tightly as you want; Sit up straight, as straight as a stick of fire, with your elbows inward, and I ask you by the way, what are you going to do with those spurs?"
”"Then you can unload them and put them in saddlebags, and sell them when we get to Tashban.Are you ready, then now you can roll over and come up. ”Ma said."
Oh, you're frighteningly tall."
The first jump up failed, Shasta said a little breathlessly."
I'm a horse, but I'm just a horse.""
But from the way you try to climb up on me," replied the horse, "it seems that any one would have thought that I was a haystack, but this time it is much better, now sit up straight, and remember what I told you to clamp your legs, for I was the first to win the race when the cavalry charged."
As a result, I was amused when I thought about the fact that you were carrying you on your back that looked like a bag of potatoes.Anyway, now let's go," it said, chuckling softly without malice.They began their night journey with great caution.First, they walked towards the south side of the hut, until they reached the small river that ran towards the sea, and then deliberately left a clear hoof print on the beach facing south.But once they reached the middle of the shoal, they turned and waded upstream, to a point about a hundred yards inland than the fisherman's hut, and then chose a suitable shoal with a lot of gravel that left no footprints, and walked out of the north shore.Then they continued slowly northward, until the fisherman's hut, the tree, the donkey shed, and the brook, in fact, all that Shasta knew had sunk into the gray summer night, and became more and more blurred in the darkness of the night.They go uphill.Now that they had reached the top of the mountain range, it was the edge of the world that Shasta knew, and he couldn't see what lay ahead, but it was a place of great sight, green grass, and boundless, desolate and lonely, and free."
Hey," said the horse, as he looked around, "this is a great place to gallop," and "oh, let's not run too fast," said Shasta, who hurried to stop him, "I can't gallop yet, I don't know how to horse, please tell me, I don't know your name yet." ”"Brihihi, Briny, Briny, Haha."
Ma replied."
It's too long for me to ever come out with."
Shasta said, "Can I simply call you Brie?"
"Well, if you can only call me Brie, then I can only say yes." ”"So, what should I call you?"
said, "My name is Shasta." ”He replied."
Well," said Brie, "well, your name is the hardest to pronounce."
Now, though, get ready for our ride, which is much easier than the trot you only know, because you don't feel the bumps and bumps.Clamp your knees tightly, look between my ears, look straight ahead, don't look to the ground, and if you think you're about to fall, clamp your legs tighter and straighten your waist.Are you ready, then now head towards Narnia and the North"t1706231537: