Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Roadside Distress

Near noon the next day Shasta was awakened by something warm and soft moving over his face.He opened his eyes and found himself gazing at a long horse face: the horse's nose and lips almost touched his.He remembered the exciting events of the previous night and sat up.But when he sat up he moaned away "Why, Bree," he said breathlessly, "I'm in terrible pain. All over. I can't move." "Good morning, little one," said Bree, "I'm sure you're going to feel a little stiff. It can't be a fall. You've only fallen a dozen or thirteen times, and it's all about being nice and soft and On the springy turf, it's almost a pleasure to fall on this turf. Only once can it be awkward, torn by the thorns of the thorns. No, the riding itself wears you out first. You have breakfast What, I already had breakfast."

"Oh, I hate breakfast, I hate everything," said Shasta, "I tell you I can't move." But the horse rubbed him with its nose and scratched him tenderly with its hooves, and at last he had to Woke up.Then he looked around to see where they were.Behind them was a coppice, and in front of them was a turf fringed with white flowers, which descended to the top of a cliff.Far below them lay the sea, the crashing of the waves was very faint.Shasta had never seen the sea from such a height before, nor had he seen such a vast sea, nor had he even dreamed that it had so many colors.The coast stretches out on both sides, headland after headland, and you can see the white foam of the waves breaking on the rocks at the tip of the headlands, but you can't hear it because it's so far away.Seagulls flew overhead, heat shivered on the ground, it was a scorching hot day.But Shasta's main attention was on the air, and he could not think of anything that was missing until at last it dawned on him that there was no fishy smell in the air.For of course he could not live without the smell of fish, whether in the house or among the nets.The fresh air was so wonderful here and all his old life seemed so far away that he forgot for a moment his scars and aching muscles.He said, "Well, Bree, you haven't mentioned breakfast, have you?"

"Yes, I mentioned," replied Bree, "I thought you'd find something in the saddlebag. The saddlebag is over there in the tree, and you last night—or rather this morning— Hang it up." They inspected the saddlebags, and it turned out to be a delightful piece of meat pie, if only a little dry and stale, a heap of dried figs, a large block of greenish cheese, a small bottle of wine: and some money, about forty in all. Shasta had never seen so much money in Kristian's sight. Shasta sat down painfully and cautiously, with his back against the tree, and began to eat the meat pie, while Bree kept him company with mouthfuls of grass.

"Isn't it stealing to spend the money?" asked Shasta. "Oh," said the horse, looking up with a mouth full of grass, "I never thought about it. A free horse, a talking horse, should never be stolen, of course. But I think we're right to spend the money .We are prisoners and captives in enemy country. This money is captured, spoils of war. Besides, without this money, how are we going to get your food7 I think, you like everyone, don't Willing to eat natural foods like grass and oats." "I can't eat it." "Ever tried it before?"

"Yes, tried. I can't swallow it at all. If you were me, you couldn't swallow it either." "You're quirky little creatures, you humans," Bree remarked. When Shasta had finished his breakfast (which was the best breakfast he ever had), Bree said, "I think I'm going to have a good roll before I re-saddle." It said Stop and start rolling. "Comfortable, very comfortable." it said, rubbing its back against the turf and dangling on all fours in the air. "You ought to roll too, Shasta," snorted it, "that's the most refreshing thing."

But Shasta laughed and said, "You look ridiculous when you're on all fours." "I don't look ridiculous at all," Bree said.But at that moment it suddenly rolled over on its side, looked up at Shasta, and was panting a little. "Does it really look ridiculous?" it asked in an impatient voice. "Ridiculous, yes," answered Shasta, "but what's the big deal?" "Do you think," said Bree, "that it's possible that talking horses never do such things, that it's a stupid and rude trick I learned from the dumb horses? If I'm caught in Narnia when I get back to Narnia, A lot of mean bad habits, that would be dreadful. Shasta, what do you think, honestly, don't take my feelings into account. What do you think of a real free horse—a horse that talks? — roll over?"

"How should I know? Anyway, if I were you, I don't think I should be troubled by it. We must get to Narnia first. Do you know the way?" "I know the way to Tashbaan. After this is the great desert. Ah, we'll find our way through the desert anyway, don't be afraid. Well, then we'll see the mountains to the north. Think! To Narnia, and when we go north, nothing will stop us. But I am glad to go around Tashbane. You and I are safer away from the city." "Can we avoid the city?" "Then we'll have to go a little way inland, and then we'll have to go into the plowland and take the road and I don't know the way. No, we'll walk along the coast anyway. From here on, in the hills we Nothing but sheep, hares, seagulls, and a few shepherds. By the way, let's get going, shall we?":

Shasta's legs ached badly as he saddled the horse and climbed up, but the horse took good care of him and walked a soft trot all afternoon.As dusk fell they took a steep path into a valley, where they found a village.Shasta dismounted before entering the valley, and walked into the village to buy some bread, onions, and radishes.The horses wandered in the dark near the fields, and met Shasta on the far side of the village.This approach became the rule for the next few nights. It had been a great few days for Shasta, and every day seemed to be better, for his muscles were stronger and he fell less often.Even when training was over, Bree said he sat on the saddle like a sack of flour. "Even if you sit still, little one, I'd be ashamed to be seen sitting on top of me on the road." Despite his brusqueness, Bree was a patient trainer.No one teaches riding as well as a horse.Shasta learned to trot, canter and jump, even when Bree stopped suddenly or swayed unexpectedly from side to side--movements that Bree told him might have to be done at any time during a fight. —he can still sit rock-solid in the saddle.Now, of course, Shasta begged Bree to tell of the battles and wars in which he had carried the Tarkan on his back.Bree then told of the hasty marches, the wading of the rapids, the charges and fierce battles between cavalry and cavalry, when the horses fought as hard as the soldiers, fierce stallions trained to bite and kick, and Stand up on your hind legs at this moment, so that when the sword or ax slashes at the enemy, the entire weight of the horse and cavalry is on the opponent's helmet.But Bree refused to talk about the war as often as Shasta wished. "Don't mention that, little one," it always said, "that was Teesrock's war, and I was only in it as a slave and a dumb beast. Put me in the Narnia war, and I'll To fight as a free horse among my own people. These are the wars worth talking about. Narnia and the North Braha-hanIbru-hu}"

Shasta soon understood that when he heard Buzao's call it was time to get ready to gallop. Week after week they trudged on, through bays and promontories and rivers and villages that Shasta could not remember.The moonlit night after this they were on their way—they slept during the day and set out at dusk.They had left the hills behind and were crossing a vast plain with a wood half a mile to the left.The sea was almost far to their right, blocked by low sand dunes, and they had been walking slowly for about half an hour, sometimes trotting and sometimes loafing.Bree stopped suddenly. "What's the matter?" asked Shasta.

"Sh-shh," said Bree, craned his neck to look around, and flapped his ears. "What sound do you hear? Listen carefully." "It sounded like another horse--between us and the wood," said Shasta, after listening for a while. "That's another horse," Bree said. "That's a situation I don't like." "Perhaps a peasant happened to be riding late," said Shasta, yawning. "No way!" Buzao said, "that's not the sound of a peasant riding a horse. It's not the footsteps of a peasant's horse either. Can you make out the sound? That horse's footsteps are handsome, and the rider is a real man Rider. I'll tell you the truth, Shasta. There's a Taykhan at the edge of the wood. He's not a warhorse--the horse's footsteps are much heavier, it's too light. He's a good thoroughbred , dare I say it."

"Oh, now it's stopped, whatever it is," said Shasta. "You're right," said Bree, "and why did he stop as soon as we stopped? Shasta, my boy, I'm sure someone's after us like a shadow at last." "What shall we do?" whispered Shasta, in a lower voice than before. "Do you think he can hear us and see us?" "He can't see us as long as we stay quiet in this light," answered Bree. "Look there's a big cloud coming up. When that cloud covers the moon, we'll hurry up." Flee to the right, down to the coast. In case of the worst, we can hide among the dunes." They waited until the cloud covered the moon, and headed for the shore, at first a leisurely pace, then a trot. The clouds were larger and thicker than they first appeared, and the night soon became very dark.Just as Shasta was saying to himself in his mind, "Now we must be nearly reaching those dunes," his heart beat to his mouth, for suddenly from the darkness ahead came a frightening voice, It was a long growl, melancholy and very savage.Bree turned immediately and began to gallop inland again, as fast as he could. "What's this?" asked Shasta breathlessly. said Bree the Lion, neither slowing down nor turning his head. After that, there was only Mercedes-Benz through and through, and Mercedes-Benz for a while. At last they splashed across a broad but not deep stream, and stopped at Bree, on the opposite bank.Shasta noticed that he himself was shaking and that a cold sweat was breaking out all over his body. "The water, perhaps, will keep the beast from smelling us," breathed Bree, recovering a little, "now we can walk a little slower." As they trotted along Bree said: "Shasta, I'm ashamed of myself. I'm as frightened as Picalormen's usual dumb horse. I really am. I don't feel like it at all." Talking horses. I don't care about swords and spears and arrows, but I can't stand--these animals. I think I'm going to trot a little more." It was no wonder, however, that it was galloping again a minute later, for the growling sounded again, this time from the direction of the woods to their left. "Two lions," lamented Bree. They galloped for several minutes, and when the lion's voice ceased, Shasta said, "Hey, the other horse is galloping beside us now." "That's even better," breathed Bree. "Tykhan on horseback—must have a sword—to protect us all." "But, Bree!" said Shasta, "we'd be better off killed by lions if we were caught. If they were caught, they'd hang me up for stealing horses." He was not as afraid of lions as Brie was, for he had never met a lion as Brie had. Bree just snorted and didn't answer, but he did turn right.Strangely, another horse, Siping, also turned left.So shortly, between them The distance increases.But at this moment, there were two more lion roars, one on the right and one on the left.The two horses began to move closer.Apparently, the Lions are also moving closer.The roars of the beasts on both sides were terribly close, as if they could easily catch up with the galloping horses.Then the clouds parted, and the strangely bright moonlight made everything as if it were day.Two horses and two riders galloped almost side by side, leg to leg, as if they were racing.Brie did say later that he had never seen such a good game at Calormen. * Shasta was at a loss for what to do now, and he began to wonder whether the lion would kill you soon, or would it tease you like a cat teases a mouse, and he wondered how badly lions hurt people.At the same time, he pays attention to everything (as individuals sometimes do when they are extremely frightened).The other rider he saw was a small, thin man in armor (on which the moonlight shone) and riding with dignity.He has no beard. There was a flat and shiny east storefront in front of them.Shasta didn't have time to think about what it was when he splashed it, and he found that half of his mouth was filled with salt water.It turned out that this shiny thing was a long bay in the sea.Both horses were swimming and the water was up to Shasta's lap.There was an angry roar behind them, and Shasta looked back, and saw a monstrous, shaggy figure crouching by the water's edge, but there was only one lion. "We must have thrown off the other lion," he thought to himself. The lion clearly didn't think it was worth wading to catch its prey anyway, and it didn't want to drink a few mouthfuls of sea water while chasing them.The two horses, walking side by side, were now in the middle of the harbour, and the opposite bank was clearly visible.The Taycan didn't make a sound either. "But he's going to talk," thought Shasta, "and he's going to talk as soon as we're on land. What shall I say? I've got to start making a story." Then, suddenly, two voices beside him spoke. "Oh, I'm so tired," said a voice. "Shut up, Hwin, don't be a fool," said another voice. "I'm dreaming," thought Shasta, "I can swear to God the other horse is talking." The two horses soon ceased to swim and began to trot.Accompanied by the sound of sea water rushing down from their sides and tails, and the sound of eight hooves stepping on the pebbles, they stepped out of the harbor and set foot on the beach far away.To Shasta's astonishment, Nataikan showed no sign of wanting to ask a question.He didn't even look at Shasta, but seemed eager to gallop off.Bree, however, immediately blocked the other horse's path with his shoulder blade. "Bru-ho-ha," it snorts, "wait a minute I hear you, I hear you. There's no use pretending, ma'am. I hear you. You're a talking horse A horse. A Narnia horse like me."' "If it's a Narnian horse, it's none of your business," said the strange rider fiercely, with his hands on the hilt of his sword.But the voice that uttered these words had betrayed something of the truth to Shasta. "Why, she's only a little girl," he cried. "If I'm a little girl, what have you to do with me?" snapped the stranger. "You're just a boy: a rude, ordinary little boy—a slave, probably, who stole his master's horse. Son." "That's all you know," said Shasta. "He's not a thief, little Tekshina," Bree said. "At least, if there was any stealing, you might as well say I stole him. But it's none of my business. You wouldn't expect me to be here In a strange country, meet a lady of my own race and not talk to it. It is quite natural for me to talk to it." "I also think it's quite natural," said the mare. "I wish you would shut up, Hwin," said the little girl. "Look at you getting us into trouble." "I don't know what trouble it is," said Shasta. "Go as fast as you like. We won't keep you." "No, you can't keep me," said the little girl. "How quarrelsome these humans are," said Bree to the mare. "They're as bad as asses. Let's talk about something reasonable. I think your story, madam, is about the same as mine: Captured as a boy - spent many years in slavery among the Calormenes." "That's true, sir," said the mare in a melancholy hiss. "And now, perhaps—fleeing?" "Hwin, tell him to mind his own business and not mind his own business," said the little girl. "No, I don't want this, Aravis," said the mare, closing her ears, "this is my escape, just like yours. I am sure that a horse as noble as yours would not betray us. We all trying to escape, to Narnia." "Of course we are," said Bree, "of course you guessed it.A little boy, in rags, in the middle of the night, riding—or barely riding—a war horse, a situation that could only mean fleeing or something.Meanwhile, if I may say that, well-born Tekshina, alone in the night, in her brother's armor--anxious to let everyone mind his own business, don't ask her any questions-- Oh, if there wasn't a ghost in it, you'd just call me a fool. " "Well," said Aravis, "you've guessed it. Herwin and I were running away. We're trying to get to Narnia. Oh, so what?" "Why, then, why don't we go together?" said Bree. "Ms. Hwin, I am sure you will accept the help and protection I may be able to offer you in your journey!" "Why do you keep talking to my horse and not to me?" asked the little girl. "Forgive me, Tekshina," said Bree (pushing her ears back a little), "but it was a Calormene conversation. Herwin and I, we are free Narnia Horse, I guess if you ever get to Narnia you want to be a freeman too. In that case Hwin is no longer your horse. You might be said to be It's man.' The little girl wanted to speak, but shut up again.It was obvious that she had never seen things from this point of view in the past. "I still don't understand," said the little girl again after a moment's silence, "that there are so many arguments in the matter of walking together. Is it more likely that we will attract attention if we go together?" "Less less likely to attract attention," said Bree, and the mare said, "Oh, let's go together. I'll feel more comfortable. We're not even sure of the path. A warhorse like her, she knows." There are far more things than us." "Come on, Bree," said Shasta, "let them go their way. Can't you see they don't want us? "We need you," Hwin said. "Well," said the little girl, "Mr. Warhorse, I don't mind going down with you, but what about the boy? How do I know he's not a spy?" "Why don't you just say that I can't climb up to you?" "Be quiet, Shasta," said Bree. "Tekshina's question is very reasonable. Tekshina, I'll vouch for the kid. He's been a loyal friend to me. He's certainly not Narnians are Archenlanders." "That's all right, let's go together." But she said nothing to Shasta.It was obvious she wanted Bree, not him. "Excellent!" said Bree. "Now there's a lot of water between us and those horrible beasts, and you two will unsaddle us, and we'll all rest and hear each other's stories, will you?" Both boys unsaddled the horses, and the horses ate some grass, which Aravis ate from the saddlebags, which was a rather fine meal.But Shasta was pissed, and he said no thanks, he wasn't hungry.He tried to put on what he thought was a very noble and strong manner, but the fisherman's hut is often not a good place to learn the noble manners, and the consequences were dire.Half aware that he hadn't succeeded, he became more annoyed and embarrassed than usual.At the same time, the two horses got along very well.They remembered the same place in Narnia: "the great meadow above the beaver dam," and found that they were second cousins.This made the relationship between the two even more uncomfortable, and Bree finally said: "Tekshina, tell us your story now. But there is no need to rush-I am feeling at ease now Mile." Aravis spoke at once, sitting quite still, with a tone and style quite different from her usual one.For in the kingdom of Calormene story-telling (whether true or fabricated) was taught, just as English boys and girls were taught to write prose.The difference is that people want to hear stories, and I've never heard of anyone who wants to hear prose.