"Oh my father, the joy in my eyes," said the young man, speaking first, muttering very quickly, with a sullen look, and not at all recognizable to Tithrock, as he had spoken, the joy in his eyes, "may you live forever, but you have destroyed me completely."
If you had given me the quickest single-deck galleon at sunrise, if I had risen to chase after the hateful Gentile ship at the first sight of it from its place, perhaps I would have caught up with them.But you persuaded me to see them off first, and see if they were just looking for a better anchorage around the headland.Now, a whole day has been wasted, and they are gone, and I can't catch up with the hypocritical woman, that" Here he also adds many descriptions of Queen Susan, but those words are really not very good, so it is better not to repeat them.Of course, this young man was none other than Prince Rabadash, and the hypocritical woman he referred to was Queen Susan of Narnia."
Calm your emotions, my son," said Tisrock, "the wounds of the loss of a guest are easily healed in the heart of a shrewd-minded host." ”"But I want her," cried the prince, "I must have her, or I will die."
If I had not been able to get her hypocritical, proud black-hearted woman, the daughter of an old dog, I would not have been able to sleep, and I would have eaten nothing scented, for her beauty blinded my eyes.I must get this Gentile Queen. ”"A gifted poet said it well," said the Chancellor, raising his face from the dusty place on the carpet, "and it is wise to drink a few sips of the spring of reason in order to quench the fire of young love." ”This remark seemed to infuriate the prince."
Dog thing," he roared, kicking the Chancellor several times in succession, "to dare to quote the poet to me.I can't bear it anymore with so-called proverbs and verses all day long, and I'm afraid Alaves won't feel sorry for the minister at all.""
My son, in any case, stop playing the old and learned minister; Just as expensive jewels are not worth their value even if they are thrown into a dunghill, old age and judgment should be honored, even if they exist in the lowly of our subjects.So stop by and tell us about your wishes and plans. ”"Oh, my father, it is my wish and my plan," said Rabadash, "to gather your invincible army at once, invade the abominable land of Narnia, sweep the country with fire and sword, annex it to your boundless empire, and slay their supreme kings and his royal bloodline, except Queen Susan."
Because I want her to be my wife, but she must first learn the bloody lesson" "My son, I see," said Tisrock, "but not a single word you say can convince me to go to war with Narnia." ”"If you were not my father, O long-lived Tithrock," said the prince through gritted teeth, "I would say that these are the words of a coward." ”"O most angry Rabadash, if you are not my son," replied his father, "when you say such things, your life will be shortened, and your death will be slowed down." ”When he said these words in that cold, calm tone, Alaves felt creepy."
Oh, my father, but why," said the prince, his tone became much more respectful, "why should we think again and again about the punishment of Narnia, which is like hanging an idle slave or sending an exhausted horse to be dog food."
It's also less than a quarter of the size of your smallest province.In five weeks, it only takes a thousand spears to sweep it away.It is an anachronistic stain on your empire's borders. ”"There is no doubt indeed," said Tisrock, "that this little Gentile nation claims to be free, which is tantamount to idleness, indiscipline, profitlessness, and a dislike of the gods and of all who discern the truth." ”"So why should we tolerate a country like Narnia to continue to exist and never conquer it for so long," Rabadash asked."
Oh, enlightened prince, know this," said the Chancellor, "that until the year when your noble father began his beneficial and eternal reign, the land of Narnia had been covered in snow and ice, and ruled by one of the most powerful witches. ”"I know this well, talkative minister," replied the prince, "but I am also well aware that the witch is long dead, and that all the snow and ice have melted away without a trace, so that the kingdom of Narnia is now healthy, fresh, fruity, and delicious." ”"Oh, most learned prince, this change is undoubtedly the result of the powerful magic of evil men, the same people who now call themselves kings and queens of the kingdom of Narnia."
The minister said."
I do think," said Prince Rabadash, "that the cause of this change is the change of the stars and natural factors. ”"All of this," said Tisrock, "is a matter for the learned to debate."
If it were said that such a drastic change, killing the old witch, etc., would have been without the help of powerful magic, then I would never have believed it.There are many things to be expected in that land, and there are mainly devils who look like beasts but talk like people, and monsters that are half human and half beasts.Usual reports say that the Supreme King of Narnia's wish for the gods to abandon him was supported by an ugly and unforgivable demon who would appear as a lion.Therefore, it is an ignorant and foolish venture to attack Narnia so easily, and I am determined not to let the outstretched hand not retract and let things go beyond my control. ”"What a blessed kingdom of Calmen," said the vizier, raising his head again, "the gods are happy to bestow upon their king to be careful and attentive, and yet, as the irrefutable and resourceful Tisrock has already said, it is a very painful thing to force oneself to stand by and watch this delicious meal of Narnia.The talented poet said, "But at this moment Akhosta noticed the impatient movement of Prince Rabadash's toes, and he stopped abruptly and fell silent.""
It's a very painful thing," Tisrock said in his deep, calm tone, "and every morning the dazzling sun is dark in my eyes, and every night my sleep never refreshes me, because I never forget that Narnia is still a free kingdom." ”"Oh, my father," said Prince Rabadash, "I tell you a way to do it, by means of which you can stretch out your arm and take Narnia into the palm of your hand, and if this attempt fails, withdraw your hand unharmed. ”"Oh, Rabadash, if I can think of a solution for me," said Tisrock, "you are my best son." ”"Oh, father, then listen.Just tonight, I will lead only 200 men across the desert.Things have to be done so that everyone thinks you don't know anything about where I'm going.The next morning, I will arrive at the gates of the castle of King Lunn of Achingland in Anwad.They have always coexisted peacefully with us, and must have been defenseless, and before they could rise up to resist, I took Anwad.Then I'm going to ride through the pass above Anwad, through Narnia, to Kyle Pallavel.At that time, the Supreme King will not be there; When I left them, he was already preparing to fight the giants of the northern border.I'll find Kelparavel, preferably to see the gates of Kelparavel wide open, and I'll ride into the city, and I'll be cautious, courteous, and do everything I can to make the Narnians shed less blood.All that remained was to sit back and wait for the Splendid Crystal carrying Queen Susan to enter the harbor, and as soon as her feet set foot on land, I seized my lost bird, threw her into the saddle, and galloped all the way back to Anwad. ”"My son, but it is unlikely that things will turn out like this," said Tisrock, "and when you take this woman captive, there will always be a death between you and King Edmund," and "they are but a small team," said Prince Rabadash disapprovingly, "and I will order ten of my men to disarm him and tie him up."
But I will restrain his manic desire to bleed, so that there will be no cause for a deadly war between you and the Supreme King. ”"So, what if the Brilliant Crystal arrived at Kyle Paraville before you did," Tisrock asked."
My father, judging by the direction of the wind, that's not going to happen."
Prince Rabadash replied."
Oh.Last note, my resourceful son," said Tisrock, "you have made it clear how all this action will get you that woman, but you have not made it clear how you will help me get the kingdom of Narnia." ”"My father, nothing escapes the eyes of your wisdom, and though my men and I are flying through the realm of Narnia like an arrow off the string, we will occupy Anwad forever.Once you're in control of Anwad, you'll be at the gates of Narnia, and your forces stationed in Anwad can grow little by little until they reach a huge size. ”"It's a comprehensible and far-sighted statement, but if this plan fails, how do I retract my outstretched arm?"
asked Tisrock."
You could say that I acted without your knowledge and against your will, without your permission, and that it was a strong love and a young impulse that drove me to do so."
The prince replied."
What if the High King asks for the return of the foreign queen, his own sister," Tisrock asked."
Oh, my father, I'm sure he wouldn't make such a request.Although a woman would fantasize about rejecting such a marriage, Peter the Supreme King was a prudent and sensible man, and he did not want to lose the honor and advantage of a royal marriage like ours, and he would see his nephew and grandson sitting on the throne of Calmen." ”Tisrock said in a tone that was even more dry than usual."
Oh, my father, oh, the joy in my eyes, and," said Prince Rabadash after a moment of awkward silence, "we are going to write a letter, as the Queen said, that she loves me, and therefore does not want to return to Narnia."
Because women are known to be fickle, like a weather vane, they can change.Even if they didn't fully believe what the letter said, they didn't dare to rush to Tashban to snatch her back. ”"Oh.O enlightened and wise minister," said Tisrock, "give your opinion on this peculiar suggestion." ”"Long live Tisrock," replied Akhosta, "I am not unaware of the emotional power of fathers, and I have often heard that sons are far more precious than rubies in the eyes of fathers."
This matter may endanger the life of this noble prince, how dare I speak freely to you?"
”"Because if you don't do it now, you're going to see that the danger is at least as great." ”"Yes."
The poor man groaned in his heart, "Oh, most sensible of all, Tice know, first of all, that from the beginning the danger of the prince was not as great as it appeared.For the gods did not give the Gentiles a discreet light, and their poetry was not as full of fine proverbs and salutary aphorisms as we are, and all about love and war.Therefore, in their opinion, there is nothing more noble and admirable than this crazy adventure" because Prince Rabadash began to kick him again when he heard the word "crazy"."
Stop, my son," said Tisrock, "and as for you, Honorable Chancellor, whether he stops or not, you must not interrupt your gushing opinion.For, for it is more appropriate for a person who respects etiquette to endure a slight inconvenience with a steadfast attitude. ”"Yes."
The vizier replied, squirming to shrink himself a little rounder, keeping his ass away from Prince Rabadash's toes, "It seems to them that such a risky action, especially taken out of love for a woman, seems forgivable, if not disrespectful.So, if Prince Rabadash unfortunately fell into their hands, they would never kill him.It may even be the case, although his attempt to snatch the queen has failed, but after witnessing his extraordinary bravery and fiery passion, perhaps the queen will fall in love with him. ”"That's a good idea, you sassy old man," said Prince Rabadash, "very well, and at any rate you have something good in your ugly head." ”"The praise of my lords is the light in my eyes," said Akhosta, "and secondly, O dear Tisrock, your reign is endless, and with the help of the gods, it is very possible that Anwad will fall into the hands of Prince Rabadash.If that's the case, we'll be choking Narnia. ”A long pause followed, and the room became so silent that the two girls barely dared to breathe.Finally, Tisrock spoke."
Go, my son," he said, "do as you have planned."
But don't expect me to give you any support.If you are killed, I will not avenge you; If the Gentiles put you in prison, I will not ask for your release.And, whether you succeed or fail, if you spill an extra drop of Narnia's blood without necessity, triggering a war between the two countries, I will no longer favor you, and your brother will take your place in Calmen.Now, there you go.Be sure to act quickly and confidentially, with luck.May the unyielding and irresistible god Tash bring power to your sword and spear. ”"Yes."
Prince Rabadash replied loudly, kneeling down and kissing his father's hands, and then rushed out of the room.Much to Alaves' disappointment, Tisrock and the Chancellor remained there, leaving her in terrible bondage, unable to move."
Oh, O minister," said Tisrock, "can you be sure that none of the living knows of the meeting that the three of us have here to-night?"
"My master," replied Ahoshta, "no one can possibly know.The reason for saying this is that I proposed it and received your Majesty's approval.The reason why the meeting was held in this place of the Old Royal Palace was because no meeting had ever been held here before, and no one from the royal family had the opportunity to come here. ”"Then I'll be relieved," Tisrock said, "and I'll make sure he's going to die within an hour as soon as it's known."
O prudent minister, so do you, forget about it.From my heart, and from your heart, forget all the plans of Prince Rabadash that we know.He left without letting me know or with my consent, and I don't know where he went, all because of his irritability, recklessness, and youthfulness.As for the time when I heard that Anwad had fallen into his hands, no one would have been more shocked than you and me. ”"Yes," Akhosta said."
That is why even in your most secret heart would never have thought that I was the most ruthless of fathers, that I should send my eldest son on an errand that would almost cost him his death, and you must be glad that I did so, even to you, who have never loved Prince Rabadash, for I have seen the depths of your heart.""
O immaculate Tisrock," said the Chancellor, "I love neither Prince Rabadash, nor my own life, nor bread, nor water, nor sunshine compared to you. ”"Your moral sentiments," Tisrock said, "are noble and upright."
I don't love these things in comparison to the honor and power of my throne.If Prince Rabadash succeeds, we will occupy Achingland, and, perhaps, Narnia in the future.If he fails, I will have eighteen sons; As the king's eldest son, Prince Rabadash is beginning to behave dangerously.More than five Tisrocks in Tashban died in their prime, all due to their eldest sons, and the shrewd princes grew weary of the years they had waited for the throne.It is better for him to calm his blood abroad, than to be agitated like he has nothing to do at home.Ah, illustrious minister, as a father, I am drowsy with excessive anxiety, and I beg the musicians to come to my bedchamber.But, before you lie down and rest, to chase back the letter of pardon I wrote to the third cook, I feel a palpable symptom of indigestion in my stomach. ”"Yes," the minister replied respectfully.He crawled backwards to the door with his hands and feet, and then stood up, bowed deeply, and withdrew.Despite this, Tisrock sat silently on the couch until Alaves began to worry if he had fallen asleep.But at last, with a creaking sound and a sigh, he lifted up his massive body, made a gesture for the slave to walk in front of him with a candle, and walked out.The door closed behind him, and the room was once again dark, and the two children were finally able to breathe freely again.t1706231537: