Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven The Pace Has Accelerated

Quick as lightning, Rishda "Tycan" sprang back, out of reach of the king's sword.He was not a coward, and he would fight Tirian and the dwarfs alone if need be.But he couldn't handle the eagle, and he couldn't handle the unicorn either.He knows how the eagle flies up to your face and pecks your eyes out, and hides you with its wings so you can't see.He had also heard it from his father (who had met the Narnian army in the war): No one can defeat a unicorn unless he shoots an arrow or uses a spear, because when a unicorn comes at you, Stand up on its hind legs, and then you have to deal with its hooves, horns and teeth at the same time.So Rishta ran into the crowd, stood there and shouted:

"Listen to me, obey my command, warriors of Tithroc (may he live forever). Listen to me, all loyal people of Narnia, or Tashlan's wrath will fall It's up to you!" While this was happening, two other things were happening at the same time.The ape did not recognize the danger of the situation as quickly as the Taycan.For about a second or two, it was still squatting by the campfire, staring at the new beasts.Then Tirian sprang on the wretched creature, picked him up by the scruff of the scruff, and rushed back to the stable, crying, "Open the door." Poggin opened the stable door.

"Go in and drink your own medicine, Shift!" said Tirian, throwing the Ape into the darkness of the stable.But as the dwarf slammed the door again, a blinding turquoise light shone from the stable, the earth shook, and there was a strange sound—a clucking yell, as if some The hoarse cry of a strange bird.The beasts whimpered, wailed, and cried out. "Tashran! Cover us from sight!" Many beasts fell, many hid their faces under wings or feet.At this moment, no one but the eagle with the best eyes of all creatures noticed "Tycan" Rishda's face.The clairvoyant eagle knew immediately from what it saw: Rishta was just as surprised as everyone else, almost as frightened as everyone else. "One is gone," thought the eagle, "who appealed to the gods whom he did not believe in. What would he do if the gods did come?"

The third thing that happened at the same time was the really beautiful thing that night.Every human-speaking dog in the assembly (fifteen in all) came jumping and barking joyfully to the King.Most of them are very big dogs, with thick shoulders and thick jaws.The pack of dogs is like a huge wave hitting the beach and almost knocking you over.Because, although they are dogs that can talk to humans, they are dogs that show their dog nature as much as possible: they all stand up on both feet, put their front paws on people's shoulders, and lick people's faces with their tongues , and they all said at once: "Welcome! Welcome! We're determined to help, help, help. Tell us how, how, how, how-how-how?"

It was such a touching scene that it made you want to cry; for at last the scene they had been looking forward to had finally come to pass.A moment later, when some small animals (a mouse and a mole, and a squirrel or something) came rattling along, squeaking happily, and saying, "Look, look, here we come." After that , when the bear and the boar came too, Eustace began to think that maybe, after all, things might go well.But Tirian looked around and saw only a handful of beasts that were already in motion. "Listen to me! Follow my command!" he called. "Have you all become cowards since I became your king?"

"We, we dare not," whimpered a dozen voices, "Tashlan will be furious. Block Tashlan for us." "Where are all the horses that speak human?" asked Tirian. "We've seen, we've seen," squeaked the Mouse, "the Apes made them work. They were all very tired--worked under the hill." "You little ones," said Tirian, "you little ones who can nibble and bite and crack hard shells, run down the hill as fast as you can hop and hop, Go see if the horses are on our side. If the horses are on our side, break the ropes with your teeth until the horses are free, and you bring them up here. "

"I'm willing to help, Your Majesty." There was a whispered reply, and with a flick of their tails, these little guys with sharp eyes and sharp teeth ran away.Tirian smiled affectionately as she watched them go, but it was time to think of other things. Rishda "Tycan" was giving orders. "Rush forward," said Rishta, "and if you can, take them all alive and throw them into the stables; or drive them into the stables. When he and everyone are in the stables, we will set fire to the stables." Burn the stables and make them a sacrifice to the great god Tash."

"Haha!" Eagle said to himself, "he's hoping to win Tash's pardon for his infidelity this way." The enemy line—half Rishta's army—is advancing now, Tee Lian barely had time to give the order. "Jill, strike on the left flank, and shoot arrows as hard as you can before the enemy gets there. The boar and the bear follow her. Poggin is on my left, and Eustace on my right. Jewel holds the right flank. Puzzle stands on Jewel. Beside, fight with your hooves. Clairvoyant eagles, circle the sky and strike. You dogs, stand behind us. When the sword fight begins, you rush into the enemy. Aslan protect us!"

Eustace stood there, heart beating wildly, wishing, wishing, that he would be bold and brave.He had never seen anything that chilled his blood like a procession with black faces and shining eyes, though he had seen a wyvern and a sea serpent.The enemies were fifteen Calormenes, a Narnian talking bull, Slinky the fox, and Raggle the satyr.Then to his left he heard a pop, whoosh, and a Calormene soldier fell; then another pop, whoosh, and a satyr fell . "Ah, well shot, daughter!" came Tirian's praise; and then the enemy came upon them. Eustace could not remember what happened for the next two minutes.It was all like a dream (the kind you have when you have a high fever).He finally heard Rishda "Tycan" shouting in the distance.

"Retreat. Withdraw there; regroup." Then Eustace regained consciousness, and saw the Calormene soldiers running back in panic to their friends.But not all ran back.Two lay dead on the ground, one by Jewel's horn, the other by Tirian's sword.The fox lay dead at his feet, and he wondered if he had killed it himself.The bull fell too, Jill's arrow caught him in the eye, and the boar's tusks split his flanks.But we also have losses.Three dogs were killed, and a fourth hobbled behind the lines on three legs, whimpering.The bear lay on the ground, moving feebly.Perplexed at last, he murmured in his throat, "I-I don't-understand." Then, like a child falling into sleep, the big head fell peacefully to the grass, never to move again. up.

In fact, the enemy's first attack failed.Eustace did not seem to be enjoying it; he was very thirsty, and his arm ached badly. When the defeated Calormene soldiers returned to their commander, the Dwarves began to laugh at them. "Have you fought enough, Darkskin?" they cried. "You don't like fighting? Why do you great Tarkhans send you to die instead of fighting yourself? Poor Darkskin!" "Dwarfs," cried Tirian, "come and fight with your swords, not with your tongues. There is still time. Dwarfs of Narnia, I know. You fight well . Come back and serve your country." "Ah!" mocked the Dwarf. "I don't think so. You're big liars just like the rest of the lot. The Dwarfs always fight for the Dwarfs. We don't want any kings. Phew!" And the drums began to sound. Here it comes: this time it is not the small drum of the dwarves, but the bull-hide drum of Calormene.The kids hated the drumming from the start.Bang, bang, bang, bang.But if the children understood the purpose of the drumbeat, they would hate it even more.Tirian understood that there were other Calormenes somewhere near, and that the sound of the drum meant that Rishda the Tarcan was calling for help.Tirian and Jewel looked at each other in annoyance.They had just begun to count on their complete victory tonight, but if a new enemy came, it would all be over.Tirian looked around in despair.There were a few Beasts of Narnia standing with the Calormenes, whether out of treachery or out of genuine fear of Tashlane.The others were sitting motionless, watching intently, as if they were going to fight on that side.Now, however, the beasts are fewer in number and form smaller packs.It was clear that several of the beasts had slipped away during the fight.The terrible drum beat continued: bang bang bang bang bang bang bang.Then another sound joins the drumming. "Listen!" said Jewel. "Look!" said the eagle.After a few moments, there was no doubt as to what it was.More than twenty human-speaking horses, their hoofs rumbling like thunder, shaking their heads, their nostrils flared, and their manes shaking, are rushing up the mountain.The gnawing and gnawing little ones had done their work, and the horses came in droves to support. Poggin the Dwarf and the children opened their mouths to cheer, but there was no sound in the cheer.The air was suddenly filled with the sound of booming bowstrings and swishing arrows.Dwarfs shooting arrows—Jill couldn't believe her eyes for a moment—the dwarfs were shooting arrows at the horse.Dwarves are deadly archers.The horses rolled over one after another.None of these noble horses reached the king. "Piggy," screamed Eustace, jumping on his feet in rage, "filthy, treacherous little bastards." Even Jewel said, "I'll catch up to these dwarves with my The horn pierces ten?" But Tirian, looking stern as a stone, said, "Stand still, Jewel. Darling (this is to Jill), if you must cry, turn Turn your face away, and be careful not to wet your bowstring with your tears. Be still, Eustace, and don't swear like a cook. Warriors don't swear. A polite word or a strong blow is the only language a warrior has. .” But the dwarfs jeered at Eustace: "You're surprised by this, little fellow, eh? You think we're on your side, don't you? Don't be afraid. We don't want nothing." Talking horses. I don't want you to win more than the other gang. You can't keep us cheated. Dwarfs always fight for dwarves." Rishda "Tycan" was still addressing his troops, no doubt making arrangements for a second attack, probably counting on committing his entire military force to the vanguard.The drums of war continued to ring.Then, to their dismay, Tirian and his friends heard a faint echo of a drum that seemed to come from far away.Another Calormene force had heard Rishta's signal and was coming to his aid.Tirian had given up all hope now, but you couldn't tell from his face. "Listen," he whispered in a calm tone, "we must attack now, before the vile enemy over there is reinforced by friendly troops." "Consider, Your Majesty," said Poggin, "we have the solid plank wall of the stables behind us here. If we go forward, shall we not be surrounded, and shall we not have a knife between our shoulders?" Is it sharp?". "I'll talk like you too, little man," said Tirian. "Isn't it their plot to drive us into the stables? The farther we are from your deadly gate, the better." "The King is right," said the Eagle, "to get out of this wretched stable at all costs, and whatever monsters may dwell in it." "Yes, let's get out of the stable," said Eustace, "I've grown to hate the stables." "Okay," said Tirian, "now look to our left. You see a large stone, shining white in the firelight like marble. First we will attack the Calormenes, miss, move Get to our left, and shoot arrows as quickly as you can into their ranks; Fly over the left, eagle, and hit them in the face. Meanwhile the rest of our men charge upon them. When we approach the enemy, Jill, if you shoot one of your own by mistake, you can no longer shoot arrows. You can go back to the white stone and wait. The rest of you, even when you are fighting, keep your ears open. We must get the arrows in a few minutes. They fought and fled, or they couldn't beat them at all, for we had fewer men than them. When I called back, you ran to meet Jill at the big rock, behind which we'd have a cover, There's a moment to catch your breath. Now, Jill, let's go." Jill felt terribly alone, and she ran about twenty feet forward, right leg outstretched, left leg out, arrow on the string, and she wished her hands weren't shaking so much.Her first arrow flew swiftly at the enemy and flew away over the enemy's head.She said: "This arrow was shot badly." But she hit the second arrow immediately. She knew that the important thing was the speed of the arrow, so as not to catch him off guard.She saw something big and black, and it flung itself in the face of the Calormene soldier.That's the clairvoyant eagle.At first a soldier, then others, dropped their swords and raised their hands to shield their eyes.Then one of her arrows hit a soldier, and another hit a Narnia wolf, who seemed to join the ranks of the enemy.But she had to stop after a few seconds of ejaculation.Tirian and his companions charged on the enemy as if in a 100-meter race, swords flashing, boar's tusks and Jewel's horn rushing, and the dogs howled and howled.Jill was surprised to see how unprepared the Calormene soldiers seemed to be, and she did not realize that this was what she and the eagle had done.When an army is shot with sharp arrows on one side and pecked at by eagles' beaks on the other, it is seldom that the army can keep a steady look at the front line of battle. "Ah, well played! Well played!" Jill yelled.The king's army took the road and broke into the enemy's line.A unicorn picks people up with its horn like you pick up hay with a fork.Even Eustace (who, after all, knew very little about fencing) seemed to Jill to fight well.The dogs were biting the throats of Calormene soldiers.The battle is well under way.Victory was at last in sight—Jill felt a dreadful shudder: she saw a strange thing.Although every time the sword of Narnia strikes, some Calormene soldiers will fall down, but the number of Calormene soldiers does not seem to decrease at all.In fact, the number of soldiers on the other side actually increased compared to when the battle started.Troops are added every second.They came running from all directions.They are new Calormene soldiers.These newly arrived soldiers have spears.The enemy soldiers came in a large group, and Jill couldn't see her comrades.Then she heard Tirian's voice shouting, "Retreat! To the White Stones!" The enemy had been reinforced.The drumbeat has done its job.