Chapter 8 Chapter 8 In Tithrock's Chamber of Secrets

"Ah—my father, the—joy of—in—the—eyes—in my—eyes," began the young man, muttering, fast, unhappy, not at all what he called Teece Rock was the joy in his eyes. "Longevity be to you, but you've wrecked me completely. If you'd given me the fastest galleon at sunrise, if I'd chased that damned Gentile's ship the first time I saw it go out, Might have caught them already. But you advised me to see them off first, and see if they just groaned around the sea for a better anchorage. A whole day's been wasted now. And they're gone—gone— —so we can't catch up! That false woman, that..." Here he adds so many adjectives to Queen Susan that it would be utterly indecent in print.For, of course, the young man is Prince Rabadash, and the false woman is of course Susan of Narnia.

"My son, calm down your emotions," said Teesrock, "for the wounds of a guest's departure are easily healed in the mind of a wise master." "But I want her," cried the Prince, "I must have her. If I don't get her, I'm going to die. She's the false, proud, black-hearted daughter of an old dog. I don't I can't sleep, I eat no food, no taste, and my eyes are darkened because of her beauty. I must get the queen of the foreign lands." "A poet of genius has well said," said the Prime Minister, lifting his dusty face from the rug, "that to quench the fire of young love, it is desirable to take a deep drink from the fountain of reason."

This seemed to anger the prince. "Dog," he growled, kicking the Prime Minister's ass several times, "don't quote poets at me. Maxims and verses are thrown at me all day long, and I can't take it anymore!" I don't think Aravis felt sorry for the Minister at all. Teesrock was obviously lost in thought, but after a while, when he noticed what was happening, he replied calmly: "My son, at any rate, do not kick old and learned ministers; as costly jewels keep their value even if hidden in a dunghill, so old age and prudence are to be honored , even if they exist in the insignificant of our subjects. Therefore kick no more, and tell us your wishes and proposals."

"My father, it is my wish and my proposal," said Rabadash, "that at once you muster your invincible army and invade the damned land of Narnia, and sweep the country with fire and sword, It has absorbed into your infinite empire, killed its high king and his royal family, and spared only Queen Susan because I must make her my wife, although she must learn a bitter lesson first! .” "I see, my son," said Teesrock, "what you say will not induce me to openly fight Narnia." "Tithrock, who lives forever, if you were not my father," said the prince through gritted teeth, "I would say it is the language of a coward."

"O most excitable Rabadash, if you were not my son," replied his father, "when you say this, you will be short-lived, and your death will be slow. ’ (The cold, calm tone with which he said these words made Aravis shudder. "But why, my father," said the Prince, this time in a much more respectful tone, "why should we think twice about punishing the kingdom of Narnia? You don't have to think about it as much as slaves or send worn-out old horses for dog food. This country is not a quarter of the size of your smallest province. A thousand spears can be used in less than five weeks. Conquered. An unseemly stain on the frontiers of your empire."

"Undoubtedly," said Tithrock, "these little Gentile nations profess to be free (that is to say, idle, disorderly, profitless), and abhor the gods and all who see." "Then why do we allow a country like Narnia to go on and not conquer it for so long?" "You know, enlightened Prince," said the Prime Minister, "that before the year when your noble father began his effective and eternal reign, the land of Narnia was covered with ice and snow, and ruled by one of the most powerful Witches rule." "I know that very well, my garrulous Prime Minister," answered the Prince, "but I also know that the Witch is dead, and the snow and ice are gone, so that the kingdom of Narnia is now fresh and healthy, and full of fruit and delicious food."

"Learned Prince, the change is no doubt brought about by the mighty magic of those villains, who call themselves King and Queen of Narnia." "I do think so," said Rabadash, "that the change is due to the change of the stars and the action of nature." "All this," said Teesrock, "is a matter of debate among learned men. I would never have believed that such a great change, killing the old witch, etc., could have been accomplished without the aid of powerful magic. Such magic and sorcery can be counted on in that land, where there are mainly demons (who look like beasts but talk like humans) and half-human, half-beast monsters. The usual reports say that Na The High King of Nia (may all the gods forsake him) was backed by a demon. Ugly in appearance, irresistible in his deeds of crime, he appeared in the form of a lion. Therefore, it was a dangerous thing to attack Narnia. And a dubious risky move, I am determined not to get to the point where I can't get my hand out."

"Blessed is the Kingdom of Calormene," said the Prime Minister, raising his head again, "The gods gladly bestow prudence and deliberation upon their kings! Yet, as Teesrock, the irrefutable and resourceful, has said, it is terribly frustrating to be compelled to put off such a meal as Narnia. Pity. The genius poet said..." But at this point, Ahosta noticed the impatient movement of the prince's toes, and he suddenly fell silent. "It is very regrettable," Teesrock said in his deep, calm voice, "every morning the sun is dark in my eyes, and every night my sleep is not so good. Makes me wake up refreshed, because I'm always thinking that Narnia is still free."

"My father," said Rabadash, "shall I show you a way? By which you can reach out and seize Narnia, and if it doesn't go well, take Narnia without harm." Get back." "Ah, Rabadash, if you could figure it out for me," said Teesrok, "you would be my best son." "Father, listen. This very night, at this very hour, I'm going to cross the desert with only two hundred men. It's gotta be done. You're supposed to have no idea what I'm doing. Next morning , I came to the gates of Anwad in Archenland, King Lunn's fortress. They lived peacefully with us, and were unprepared, and I took Anwad before they made a move. Then I'll gallop over the pass above Anwad and drive straight into Narnia to Cair Paravel. The High King won't be there; he's ready to attack the giants on the northern border when I leave them. Likely I'll see the gates of Cair Paravel thrown wide open, and I'll ride in, and I'll be prudent, courteous, and do what I can to save Narnia blood. The rest Just sat and waited for the 'Brilliant Crystal' to come into port, and Queen Susan was on board, and as soon as her feet landed, I caught my stray bird, flung her into the saddle, and I will gallop, gallop, and gallop back to Anwad."

"And yet, my son, it is probable," said Teesrock, "that either King Edmund, or you, would have lost his life in taking this woman, would he not?" "They are a small company," said Rabadash, "and I will order ten of my soldiers to disarm and bind him and I will restrain the violent desire to bleed him, so that you and the Supreme King There will be no reason to fight between them." "What if the Splendid Crystal reaches Cair Paravel before you?" "Father, according to the wind conditions, I don't think the boat will arrive early."

"One last question, my resourceful son," said Teesrock, "you have made it clear how all this action will get you that woman, but how it will help me in my victory over Narnia, and you will not I didn't make it clear. "My father, this will not escape your eyes: though I and my horse fly like an arrow from a bow through Narnia, yet we shall hold Anwad forever. Occupying Anwad, you are sitting firmly at the gates of Narnia, and your garrison can gradually increase to a great advantage." "Very discerning and insightful. Yet if it all miscalculates and fails, how do I retract my outstretched arm?" "You can say that I did it on my own. You didn't know it, and you violated your wish, and didn't get your approval. It was strong love and youth that drove me to this point." "What if the High King had asked us to send back that foreign woman, his sister-in-law?" "My father, be sure he will not make such a request. Although women's fantasies have rejected this marriage, Peter the Supreme King is a prudent and sensible man. He will not lose our relationship with us. The glory and the benefits of a royal marriage, and he shall see his nephew and grandson sit on the throne of Calormene." "If I really lived forever (as you no doubt wish), he wouldn't see the situation," said Tethrock, in a tone even dryr than usual. "My father, the joy in my eyes, and," said the Prince after an awkward silence, "we shall write as if the Queen said she loved me and did not want to go back to Narnia. Because, everybody You know, women are fickle, like a weathercock changing direction with the wind. Even if they didn't fully believe these letters, they wouldn't dare to come to Tashbaan with arms and take her back." "Enlightened and wise Prime Minister," said Tithrock, "please give me your advice on this novel proposal." "Long live Tithrock," Ahoshta replied, "I am not ignorant of the affectionate power of Gushi Town. I have often heard that a son is more important than a ruby ​​in the eyes of his father." Precious. How dare I presumptuously state my humble opinion to you on such a matter as may endanger the life of this high-spirited prince?" "No doubt you will venture to state it," replied Teesrock, "because, you will find, the dangers of not doing so are at least as great." "When you are ordered, do as you are told," whimpered the perplexed Prime Minister, "O most reasonable Tithrock, then, first, know that the prince's danger is not as great as it seems. For the gods do not Give light to the prudence of the Gentiles, whose poetry is not so full of fine proverbs and useful maxims as ours, but of love and war. Nothing, therefore, seems to them so mad as this The adventure is more sublime and more admirable—phew," because the Prince kicked him again when he heard the word madness. "My son, don't kick," said Tithrock, "and you, worthy Prime Minister, whether he kicks you or not, in any case don't interrupt your eloquent discourse. For, for the solemn and gentle There is nothing more fitting for a courteous man to endure minor inconveniences with firmness and invariance." "When you are ordered, you do," said the Prime Minister, wriggling, rounding himself a little, keeping his hips a little further from Rabadash's toes. "A venture like this, especially for the love of a woman, seems excusable, if not honorable, in their eyes. So, if the prince's misfortune befalls them hands, sure they won't kill him. Nay, it might even happen that, though he failed in trying to take the Queen, yet the Queen might fall in love with him, seeing his great valor and passion at its peak. he." "That's a good point, you nagging old man," said Rabadash, "a very good point, after all, into your ugly head." "The praise of the Lord is the light in the eye," said Ahoshta, "Your reign, O Tethrok, has no end. Secondly, with the help of the gods, it is very important for Anwad to fall into the hands of the prince. Possibly. If so, we have Narnia by the throat." There was a long pause in the discussion, and the room became so still that neither girl could breathe.Finally Tithrock finally spoke. "Go, my son," he said, "and follow the plan you have spoken. However, do not expect me to give you support and encouragement. If you are killed, I will not avenge you. Bonnie put you in prison, and I will not rescue you. And, success or failure, if you shed one more drop of Narnian blood than necessary, thereby causing open war between the two nations, my favor will never be It falls upon you again, and your elder brother shall take your place in Calormene. Go now. Do it swiftly, secretly, and smoothly. May the unyielding, irresistible power of Tash be upon you On your sword and spear." "When you are ordered, you do," cried Rabadash, knelt down to kiss his father's hands for a moment, and then rushed out of the room.Aravis was now terribly bound, and to her great disappointment Tithroc and the minister remained. "Minister," Tithrock asked, "can you be sure that no one alive knows about the meeting of the three of us here tonight?" "My Majesty," replied Ahosta, "it is unlikely that anyone will know. For this reason, I propose, and with the sanction of the infallible Majesty, that we shall meet in this room of the old palace, There's never been a meeting here before, and no one in the family has ever had a chance to be here."" "That is all right," said Teesrock, "and if any man finds out, he must be dead within an hour. Prudent minister, you must forget it too. I, from my heart, also Wipe out of your heart all the prince's plans as we know them. He went, but I don't know, I don't have my consent, and I don't know where he is, it's all because of him Youthful, violent, reckless, disobedient. No one will be more surprised than you and me to hear that Anwald has fallen into his hands." "When you hear an order, follow it," Ahosta said. "That's why it would never occur to you (even in your most secret heart) that I, the hardest of all fathers, should send my eldest son on a mission that would almost amount to sending him to his death. You are happy, you don't love the prince. Because I see the depths of your heart." "Impeccable Teathrock," said the Vizier, "I love neither the Prince, nor my own life, nor bread, nor water, nor sunshine, than my Majesty." "Your sentiment," said Teesrock, "is noble and right. I don't love any of these things compared with the glory and power of the throne. If the prince succeeds, we shall have Archenland." and perhaps Narnia later. If he fails, I have eighteen sons; and Rabadash, in the old manner of the king's eldest son, is beginning to be dangerous. Tashbaan There were more than five Tithrocs in it, all died prematurely, and did not enjoy their days, for their eldest son, the enlightened prince, became impatient for the throne. He calmed his blood abroad, Much better than having my blood boil with nothing to do in the country. Ah, excellent Prime Minister, as a father, too much anxiety makes me sleepy. Please ask the musicians to come to my bedroom. But before I lie down , to get back the pardon we wrote to the third cook. I feel obvious symptoms of indigestion in my stomach." "When you hear an order, you obey it," said the prime minister.He landed on his hands and feet, crawled backwards to the door of the room, then stood up, bowed as if, and withdrew.Even at this time, Tithrock sat silently on the couch until Aravis began to worry that he might have fallen asleep.But at last, with a creak and a sigh, he raised his bulky form, and gestured for the slave to walk before him, holding a candle.Then he walked out.The door slammed shut behind him, and the room was dark again, and the girls were able to breathe again.