Everyone felt that they had been given what Eustace called a "respite".The witch had locked the door and told the people below to disturb her, so there was no danger of being disturbed for the time being.Their first priority, of course, was to deal with Pudgren's burned foot.They took a couple of clean shirts from the prince's bedroom, tore them into strips, and applied butter and salad oil from the supper table to make a pretty good burn balm.Once they had dealt with their burns, they all sat down, had a little refreshment, and then began to discuss plans to escape from the underworld.Prince Rylian explained that there were quite a few exits to the surface, most of which he passed through as he was taken out into the outside world again and again.But he had always been with the witches, and had never gone out alone, and he had to take a boat through the unseen sea to reach these exits.If he had gone to the harbor with three strangers instead of a witch and asked for a ship, no one could have predicted what the underground people would say.Most likely, they'll ask tough questions that are hard to deal with.At the same time, the new outlet for the invasion of the overland world was on this side of the sea, only a few miles away.The prince knew that the exit was almost complete, and that the excavation area was only a few feet away from the outer space, and that it was most likely complete by now.Maybe the witch came back to tell him about it, and was ready to attack.Having said that, even if it wasn't finished yet, it was estimated that even if they had dug down that route by themselves, they might have been able to dig it in a few hours, if they had reached there without any hindrance, and the excavation area had been left unguarded.But these are very difficult."
I think," Pudgren said, when he was immediately interrupted by Eustace."
Hey," he asked, "what's that sound?"
"I've been wondering for a while," said Jill.In fact, they had all heard the movement for a long time, and since it was gradually increasing in volume, they didn't know when they first noticed it.For a short time, it was just a vague restlessness, like a gentle wind, or the distant sound of a car coming and going, and then it intensified into a sound like the murmur of the sea, followed by rumbling and rushing streams.There seemed to be a voice of speech, and there was also a continuous roar rather than a human voice."
The lion king is above," said Prince Ruilian, "so that at last this silent land is no longer silent." ”He stood up, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtains, huddled around him and looked out.The first thing they noticed was a large red light.The red glow reflected a patch of red on the top of the subterranean world thousands of feet above them, so they could see the rocky ceiling, most likely hidden in darkness since the world was created.The red glow came from a far side of the city, causing many of the magnificent buildings to stand gloomily against the red glow.At the same time, the red light also shone on the many streets that led to the castle, where strange things were happening.The dense, silent underground people disappeared, and in their place, a single figure, or a figure of twos and threes, rushed forward.As if they didn't want to be seen: sneaking up in the shadows behind buttresses, or hiding in doorways, and then quickly walking through the clearing, hiding in new places.But the strangest thing of all, as anyone who knows goblins knows, is the sound.There were shouts and cries from all sides.At the same time, a low roar came from the harbor, which grew louder and louder, and had already shook the whole city."
What has happened to the underground," said Eustace, "is this their shouting," "it is almost impossible," said the prince, shaking his head, "I have never heard a single subterranean speak in such a loud voice in all the years I have been bound by magic.I don't doubt that it's something new. ”"Also, what is that red light over there," asked Jill curiously, "is something on fire?"
"I think it's probably the center of the earth that has erupted, forming a new volcano."
Even if we're in the middle, I don't think it's surprising. ”"Look at the ship," cried Eustace, "how can it be so fast, and no one is rowing," "look, look," cried the prince, "the ship has sailed far to the side of the harbor, and it is already in the street."
Behold, all the ships are coming into the city, my God, the sea is rising.The flood came.Praise Aslan, the castle is perched on high ground.The speed at which the sea is coming in is amazing. ”"Oh, but what is going to happen," cried Jill, "the water, the fire, and the people who are dodging in the streets. ”"I'll tell you what's going on.""
The witch has set a series of spells, so that whenever she is killed, her entire kingdom will collapse and shatter at the same time.If the witch knew that the guy who killed her would be burned to death, buried alive, or drowned in five minutes, she didn't care much about her own death. ”"To the point, Swamp Monster friend," said the Prince, "when our sword cut off the witch's head, it ended all her magic, and now the deep land is crumbling.We are witnessing the end of the underworld. ”"That's what it is, Your Highness," said Pudgren, "unless it should be the end of the whole world. ”"But isn't it possible that we're just staying here and waiting?"
asked Jill nervously."
This is not my strategy," said the prince, "I am going to rescue my horse, Black Charcoal, and the witch's horse, Snowflake, a noble beast, and it is worth finding a better hostess, both of whom are in the stables in the courtyard.After that, we had to hurry our horses to the high ground and pray that we would find an exit.In an emergency, a horse can carry two people, and if we ride a horse, we may be able to run through the flood. ”"Doesn't Your Highness put on armor," asked Pudgren, "I don't like the way those guys look," he pointed down towards the street, and everyone looked down.Many creatures were now approaching, and it was clear that they were all underground people coming this way from the direction of the harbor, but they were not like a crowd walking aimlessly, they behaved like modern soldiers on the attack, hurrying while seeking shelter, hoping not to be seen by the people in the castle."
I don't want to see that armor anymore," said the prince, "and riding in it is like being locked up in a movable dungeon that stenges of magic and servitude."
I'll bring the shield on. ”He left the room.A moment later, he returned, his eyes shining with a strange light."
Look, friends."
He raised his shield toward them as he said, "An hour ago, this shield was pitch black and without coats of arms; But now, look here" the shield has become as bright as silver, and on it redder than blood and cherries is the pattern of the lion king."
There is no doubt," said the prince, "that Aslan will be our excellent master, whether it intends us to live or die.Now, in my opinion, we should all get down on our knees, kiss Aslan's pattern, and shake hands with each other, just as true friends might be about to separate.Then let us go down into the city and go through this adventure that has been brought upon us. ”And they all did as the prince said.When Eustace shook hands with Jill, he said, "Goodbye, Jill, I'm sorry, I've been a coward and I'm so bad.I hope you get home safely. ”At the same time, Jill said, "Goodbye, Eustace, I'm sorry I used to be so stupid and annoying. ”This is the first time they have used the names they used to call each other at baptism, as people don't usually call each other that way in school.The prince opened the door, and they went down the stairs: three of them had unsheathed swords in their hands, and Jill had unsheathed daggers in their hands.The goblin retinue was gone, and the huge room at the foot of the prince's staircase was empty.The pale and gloomy lamps were still burning, and by the light they walked effortlessly through corridor after corridor, up staircase after staircase.The noise coming from outside the castle was not so easy to hear here, not as clearly as they had just heard in the room above.The whole house was lifeless, there was not a single movement, and it was empty.When they turned the corner and reached the ground hall, they met the first underground man, a white, fat, pig-looking fellow who was gobbling up the scraps of cold rice on the table.It screamed and screamed like a pig's cry and lunged forward under a bench, its long tail sweeping back, escaping Pudgren's grasp in the nick of time.Then, it slammed through the door on the other side, too fast for anyone else to reach.They came out of the hall and into the courtyard.Jill had attended a riding school during the holidays and happened to notice the smell of a stable, which in a place like the Underworld, would have thought it was a great smell, pure and earthy.At this moment, Eustace said, "Oh good fellow, look at that," and somewhere behind the castle walls, a magnificent firework rose rapidly, shattering into many green stars."
Fireworks."
Jill said in a confused voice, dazed."
Yes," said Eustace, "you know, you can't mistake the underground people for mere fun, and that must be a signal. ”"I'm sure that's not a good thing for us."
Pudgren said."
Friends," said the prince, "a man who begins to take great risks must say goodbye to hope and fear, or neither death nor deliverance can save his honor or his sanity."
Ho, my beauty, he's opening the stable door right now Hey, my old friend Black Charcoal, calm, now to whisper the snowflakes, you haven't been forgotten" Both horses were frightened by the bizarre lights and noises.Jill was so cowardly as she walked through one dark cavern after another, and she was not afraid to come between the two snorting animals.It was not long before she and the prince prepared the saddle and the brill for the horse.When the two horses were led to the courtyard, they shook their heads gently, looking in high spirits and spirits.Jill rides on the back of a snowflake, and Pudgren sits behind her; Eustace rode on Black Charcoal and sat behind the prince.With a loud sound of horses' hooves, they rode out of the gate and into the street."
Burns aren't a big deal, that's a good thing."
Pudgren said as he looked around, pointing to their right.There, less than a hundred yards away, the sea was already lapping against the walls of the houses."
Go forward," said the prince, "and the descent is steep, and the sea climbs only halfway up to the highest mountain in the city.For the first half hour, the sea is likely to be very close to us, but not any closer in the next two hours.Actually, what worries me more is that "he pointed his sword at a tall underground man with the fangs of a wild boar, followed by six men of different shapes and heights, who had just rushed out of a side street and quickly flashed into the shadows of the houses that no one could see.The prince led the group towards the reddish glow, but a little to the left, his plan was to bypass the fire and if it was, to ascend to the high ground, hoping to find a way to the new excavation area.Unlike the other three, the prince seemed to be a little complacent, and as he rode his horse, he whistled and sang a fragment of an old song, this one about Prince Colin, the thunderbolt boxer of Achinlan.In fact, he was overjoyed that he had finally been freed from his long magical bondage.In contrast, all the dangers seem to be just a game.Except for him, everyone else felt that it was a rather scary journey.Behind them was the sound of ships colliding and collapsing, and the rumbling of buildings collapsing.Above their heads, a large patch of red light reflected on the top of the underworld.And in front of it is the uncanny mysterious red light.The red light didn't seem to get any bigger, and from the same direction there was a constant stream of noise, screams, boos, laughter, screams, and roars.There are also all kinds of fireworks rising in the dark night sky, and no one can guess what they mean.Near them, parts of the city were illuminated by the red light, and a different light was illuminated by the lamps of the gloomy and silent goblins.However, there are still many places where neither light can reach, and those places are still pitch black.The figures of the Underground were constantly moving in and out, sometimes rushing forward, sometimes sneaking in and hiding, their eyes always locked on the travelers, and always trying to avoid each other's gaze.Some of them had large faces, some had small faces, some had large eyes like fish's eyes, some had small eyes like bear eyes, some had feathers, some had manes, some had long horns, some had fangs, some had noses like whips, and some had chin like beards.Sometimes, when they were too numerous or too close together, the prince would wield his sword and make a gesture to fight them.The creatures let out a strange whirring, squeaking, gurgling sound, and then screamed and quickly disappeared into the darkness.When the prince and his party climbed many steep streets, gradually moved away from the floodwaters, and were almost out of the city, on the inland side, the situation began to get worse.At this point, they were close to the red light, and were almost at the same level as it, but they still couldn't understand what the red light was.But in the light of this red light, they could see the enemy more clearly.Hundreds, maybe thousands, of the underground, all marching towards that red light.They marched and swarmed up, and when they stopped, they were confronted directly by the travelers."
Well, as I say," Pudgren said, "I think these guys are trying to intercept us from the front. ”"I think so," said the prince, "that we will never be able to break out of so many."
Listen to you, we rode forward to the house over there.As soon as we get there, Pudgren, you quickly slip into the shadows.Miss and I would take a few more steps.I have no doubt that some of them will be following us, and they will all be hiding behind us.And you, having long arms, if possible, when anyone passes by your ambush point, if you can do it, catch one alive, and we can get the truth from him, or know the reason why they are against us. ”"But will the others all flock to us and come to the rescue of the guy we caught," Jill asked in a voice that wasn't as calm as she was trying to control."
Then, miss," said the prince, "you will see us die around you, and you must have your own performance approved of the Lion King."
Now, good, Pudgren. ”The swamp monster slipped into the shadows like a cat.The rest waited anxiously for a minute or two before taking a few more steps forward.At this moment, a series of creepy screams suddenly erupted behind them, mixed with Pudgren's familiar voice: "Come on, it's not hurt, what are you shouting or do you want to get hurt, well, people will think I'm going to kill pigs." ”"Well done," exclaimed the prince with satisfaction, and at once he turned the black charcoal and returned to the corner of the house again."
Eustace," he said, "please take hold of Black Coal's head. ”Then he dismounted.The three of them watched silently as Pudgren pulled the guy he had caught into the light.It turned out to be a most unfortunate and poor little goblin, only about three feet tall.On the top of its head is a hard, small pink eye that resembles a cockscomb, and its mouth and chin are large and round, which makes its face look like a small hippopotamus.If they weren't in such a dangerous situation right now, they would have laughed out loud at the sight of its dignity."
All right, Underground," the prince said sharply, staring at the little goblin as he pointed his sword at its neck, "Tell me the truth, and I'll let you go."
If you dare to play tricks on us, then you are dead.Pudgren, you've been holding on to its mouth, how can it speak" "Indeed, and it can't bite yet," Pudgren said, "except for the silly and limp hands of your human beings, Your Highness, I would be covered in blood by now."
Even a swamp monster hates to be gnawed by it all the time. ”"You fellow," said the prince, with a sinister expression, to the goblin, "if you dare to bite again, you will kill Pudgren and make it open its mouth." ”"Oh yes," the underground man screamed, "let me go, let me go, it wasn't me, that's not what I did" "Didn't do anything," asked Pudgren."
Whatever the adults asked me to do, I didn't do."
The guy replied pitifully."
Tell me your name," said the prince, "and, what are you doing today," "Oh, beg you, my lords, beg of you, good gentlemen," the little goblin whimpered, "promise me not to tell Her Majesty anything I say. ”"Your Majesty, whom you call her," said the prince sharply, "is dead, and I have killed her with my own hands." ”"What," the little goblin cried out in surprise, and the ridiculous mouth opened wider and wider, "Dead, the witch is dead, and she was killed by the hands of the adult," and then it relieved itself, and let out a long sigh of relief, and added, "Oh, in that case the lord is a friend," and the prince withdrew his sword an inch or so.Pudgren sat the guy up.It looked at the four travelers with its flickering red eyes, giggled or two, and began to speak.t1706231537: