Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen Duel

After breakfast, Peter spoke: "Friends, Aslan and two girls, Queen Susan and Queen Lucy, are nearby. We don't know when it started to move. Naturally, it knows How to grasp the opportunity, but at the same time, it hopes that we can also see the opportunity and make a difference. Caspian, do you think we have enough strength to fight the decisive battle with Miraz's army?" "I am afraid we are not strong enough, Your Majesty," answered Caspian.He liked Peter very much, but he always felt clumsy when he was with him.Caspian felt strange and novel especially when the two kings, whose ages were very different, sat together.

"Okay then, I'll challenge him to fight him one-on-one." Peter said calmly.No one here has thought of this idea. "Let me come," said Caspian, "and I will avenge my father." "No, you're wounded. Besides, he won't mind your challenge, or he'll laugh at you. I mean, we've all seen you as king and warrior. But in his eyes , you're just a child." "But Your Majesty, will he accept your challenge? He is well aware that he has a strong army." It was the Badger who spoke, sitting next to Peter and watching him silently.

"Yes, he is likely to reject me. But there is still a possibility. Even if he does refuse to fight, we will still send envoys to deal with him. At this time, Aslan will lose no time and deal a fatal blow to the enemy. .We can also take this opportunity to inspect the troops and strengthen the fortifications. I must issue a challenge, and I will write it right away. Sir, do you have a pen and paper here?" "A scholar is never short of such things, Your Majesty," replied Dr. Knells. "Excellent, let me dictate." The doctor was busy rolling out the paper and sharpening the pen.Meanwhile, Peter leaned back in his chair, eyes slightly closed, thinking of the wording of such gauntlets that he ordered to be written in the golden age of Narnia in the distant past

"Write it like this." He finally opened his eyes and turned to Knells. "Are you ready, Doctor?" The doctor picked up the pen, leaned over the paper, and silently wrote down the letter of war dictated by Peter word by word: "Peter, by the gift of Aslan, by the election of the people, by the ancient tradition, and by the illustrious exploits of war, in the name of the High King of Narnia, the Lonely Isle and Cair Paravel lord of , and fearless knight of Aslan's tent, to the son of Caspian VIII, once Lord Protector of Narnia, and now self-proclaimed King of Narnia, His Excellency Myrods. Doctor, do you remember Come down yet?"

"Your Majesty Miraz, comma, greetings," the doctor murmured and repeated while scribbling, "Okay, Your Majesty." "Next," Peter ordered, "I have been sent by the beloved Aslan to travel here, and it has been confirmed that: first, Prince Caspian is the legal heir to the throne of Narnia. Second, Your Excellency has committed a double mortal sin--the murder of your brother Caspian IX, the usurpation of the throne, and the reign of terror. For this I declare war on Your Excellency on behalf of the righteous forces of Narnia. To avoid unnecessary bloodshed, to avoid this war There are too many casualties and all kinds of misfortunes that may be caused. I personally challenge you. If you are willing to meet me with swords and guns, I will be very honored.

"The person who submits the letter of challenge is my venerable brother Edmund, the King of Narnia in history, and the Great Knight of the Stone Table. He has the right to make all decisions on my behalf regarding the various conditions that your Excellency proposes for the duel. At Aslan's Fort, the twelfth day of the first month, the first year of Caspian X." "That's enough," Peter let out a long breath. "Now, we need to choose two guards to go with Edmund. I think the giant can be counted as one." "He? He's not very bright, you know," said Caspian.

"That's true," said Peter, "but any giant, if he keeps his mouth shut and silent, he will be noticed. Besides, it will increase his sense of honor and responsibility to be entrusted with a heavy responsibility. Who will the other send?" "In my opinion," said Trumpkin, "if you're looking for a warrior who can kill with his eyes, Rat General Reepicheep is the one." "Judging from the stories about it, it can indeed do that." Peter said with a smile, "If only it was a little taller, the enemy will be finished before it gets in front of it. "

"Send Centaur Granstorm," suggested Trufflehunter, "no one ever made fun of him." An hour later, on the enemy's line of defense, Golo and Sopi, two noble officers of Miraz, were walking in front of the battle, picking their teeth with a matchstick, and it seemed that they had a very pleasant breakfast.They looked up by chance, and were startled to see the centaur and the giant coming towards them from the woods.They had already experienced the power of these two behemoths during the battle, but it was difficult to tell who was the one walking in the middle.Indeed, after meeting Aslan and being enlightened by its immortal energy, Edmund has changed a lot from appearance to temperament, becoming more mature and handsome, full of vitality and awe-inspiring righteousness.Even if his classmates saw him at this moment, they probably wouldn't be able to recognize him right away.

"What are they doing here?" Golo said, "Want to make a surprise attack?" "I look like envoys," Soapy speculated. "You see, they are holding green branches. They are probably here to surrender." "There was no sign of surrender on the face of the man walking between the giant and the centaur. Who is he? Not like that boy Caspian." "Of course it wasn't him," said Soapy. "I daresay he was a ferocious bull. I don't know where the rebels got him. We brothers are here to say that this man is better than Mirosz." Much grander. Look at his armor! Our blacksmiths don't know how to do that!"

"I bet he came to fight, and he definitely didn't come to surrender." Goluo said. "Why?" Sopi was puzzled. "We already have the enemy army in our hands. Miraz will not give up our advantage foolishly to fight a duel with someone who doesn't know the details." Maybe they lured him, or forced him to do so. "Golo said in a low voice. "Keep your voice down," said Soapy, looking around alertly, "let's move aside so that the sentries won't hear you... Now, can you speak more clearly?" "What would happen if the king accepted the challenge to fight alone with the chief of the enemy?"

Golo whispered to his companion, "Either he kills the other party, or he is killed by the other party, right?" "That's right." Soapy nodded. "If he kills the opponent, we win the war." "Of course. But if..." "If the king is killed, we can still defeat the enemy without him. Needless to say, everyone knows that Miraz is not an upright and wise monarch. At that time, we have won the battle, but there is no king ..." "Your Excellency, you mean that we can rule this land more conveniently without a king?" Golo's face became very ugly. "Don't forget, we were the ones who put him on the king's throne. He's been rich and rich all these years, and what have we got? How much gratitude has he shown us?" "Don't go any further," interrupted Soapy, "you see we've been summoned to the king's tent." When the two of them came to the king's tent, they saw Edmund and two guards sitting outside the tent, enjoying the wine and cakes brought by the servants.Apparently, they had handed over the letter of challenge, and the king was considering how to reply.The two noble officers scrutinized their opponents at such a close distance, and couldn't help feeling a palpitation. Of course they also saw Miraz in the tent.His brows were tightly furrowed, his face was flushed, and he was obviously angry. "Here! Look what this is!" he said through gritted teeth, throwing the gauntlet at them from the other side of the table. "Look what my precious nephew sent me!" "My lord," Golo said, "if the young man we saw outside the tent is the King Edmund mentioned in the letter, I think he is a dangerous knight and must not be underestimated." "King Edmund? Pooh! Do you also believe the old woman's nonsense about Peter and Edmund?" "I only trust my eyes, Your Majesty." Golo replied. "Hmph, what you said is meaningless," Miraz said dissatisfiedly, "As for how to answer this challenge, maybe we have the same opinion?" "I do think so, Your Majesty." "What do you think." "Absolutely refuse. I think it's the most sensible thing to do," Golo said, "because although no one has ever called me a coward, I can honestly say that in a life-and-death struggle against a young man like that There will be no peace. If, and quite likely, his brother, the High King, is more valiant and dangerous than he is, then, for the sake of your precious life, it is better to leave him alone." "Presumptuous!" exclaimed Miraz, "that's not the kind of advice I want to hear, no! You think I'm asking you if I should be afraid of this man named Peter (and it's hard to say whether there is such a man) )? Do you think I'm afraid of him? I just want to hear your opinions on whether there is a need for a duel given that we are in an advantage." "Your Majesty, my only advice is to refuse the challenge," Golo said, "That strange knight has a murderous look on his face." "You're here again!" At this moment, Miruoz was completely irritated, "Do you want me to show the same cowardice as you?" "It doesn't matter what His Majesty says." Goluo stepped back humbly. "Golo, you talk like an ignorant old country lady!" Miroz said, turning to Sopi, "Echen Sopi, what do you think about this matter? How should we answer this letter?" Book?" "No answer, Your Majesty." Sopi, who had been standing silently by the side, said, "This is the best strategy, no answer! Since Your Majesty did not explicitly reject the enemy's challenge, others will not be concerned about His Majesty's honor and Courage to express any doubt." "Damn it!" Miraz yelled, jumping up from the chair. "Are you bewitched today too? Do you think I'm making excuses for refusing the challenge? You might as well call me a coward to my face." Seeing that they had achieved their goal, the two ministers pretended to be respectful and said nothing more. "I see," Miruoz finally said after staring at them for a while, "you two cowards, but you treat me as useless as you! Find a reason to refuse, but you can't find a reason Well, are you still soldiers? Are you Telmarines? Are you men? If I refuse the challenge (although I have good reasons for doing so, and my experience, my feeling I've been told I should) and you'll think, and make others believe, that I refuse the challenge out of cowardice, won't you?" "At His Majesty's age, no one would call it cowardly to reject the challenge of a vigorous young fighter." "So, I'm half buried in the ground and dying, isn't it?" Miraz growled, "I want you to see it with your own eyes, my lord! Your mother-in-law's advice has the opposite effect! I originally planned to Reject this challenge, but now I announce that I formally accept it. Did you hear me, I accept it! You are the ones who should be ashamed!" "We express our deepest concern for His Majesty's safety..." Before Goluo finished speaking, Miruoz had already walked out of the tent.They winked at each other and laughed silently when he announced his decision to fight loudly to Edmund. . "I know that if you provoke him, he will accept the challenge," Golo said. "But I will not forget that he called me a coward! He will pay for it!" The news that the messenger brought back spread like wildfire, causing excitement in Fort Aslan.Edmund and one of Miraz's captains jointly marked out the field for the duel, laid a boundary stake and circled it with a rope.The two sides will send three people to stand at both ends of the dueling field as assistants and notaries in the duel.Meanwhile Peter was busy trying to convince Caspian that he was not alone, that they were fighting a just war.Suddenly, a rough, sleepy voice sounded beside them: "Your Majesty, can you listen to me?" Peter turned around and saw clearly that it was an older big brown bear. "Your Majesty, it's my big brown bear, Your Majesty." "I know you, and I know you're a good man, I'm sure of that," said Peter kindly to it. "Yes, I am a kind bear." The big brown bear paused and continued, "I want to remind Your Majesty that our family has always been the assistant to the duel. You must have made arrangements for it?" "Don't send him as an assistant," whispered Trumpkin to Peter. "Yes, he is good-natured, but as a notary, he will embarrass us. He will whimper when the duel is not over." Sleep well. It also sucks its paws - in front of its enemies!" "Ha! I can't help it," said Peter, "but it's all right—the Bear family has that privilege. I don't know why, but I can't remember much else from the past." .” "Your Majesty, please allow me." The brown bear said again. "It's your right," said Peter, "to appoint you as assistants. But you must remember that paw-sucking is not allowed on that occasion." "Of course not." The brown bear happily agreed and walked away. "Look, it's sucking again!" Trumpkin said to Peter, pointing to the back of the brown bear.The brown bear quickly pulled its paws out of its mouth, pretending to be nonchalant, and looked at its position on the dueling field. "Your Majesty!" A shrill voice came from somewhere nearby.Peter looked around for a long time, only to find General Mouse standing on the ground with his head up. "Ah—it's Reepicheep, what's up?" "Your Majesty, my life is at your disposal, but my honor belongs only to myself." Reepicheep said this, with a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Your Majesty, I have the only trumpeter in our army among my subordinates. I thought I would be selected to fight, but I was disappointed, and the morale of my troops was also demoralized. If you can choose me for a duel this time Assistant, my subordinates will surely feel at ease." Then suddenly there was a thunderous sound above them, the foolish laughter of the giant Wembweger.It wasn't until Reepicheep gave him a hard look that he realized his gaffe, and immediately shut his mouth, holding back a grimace.Peter frowned and replied to General Mouse: "I'm afraid it won't work. Some people are afraid of mice..." "I've noticed that, Your Majesty." "It's not fair to Miraz," Peter continued, "We can't deliberately arrange an assistant in the duel field that might affect his mood and courage." "Your Majesty is the embodiment of honesty." General Mouse bowed gracefully, "I didn't think carefully about this matter... I heard someone laughing just now. If anyone here wants to take me If you are happy, then I will be waiting for you at any time—my sword is not a vegetarian." Reepicheep's gunpowder-filled declaration brought a moment of silence.In the end, it was Peter who spoke first: "The giant Wembweger, the brown bear, and the centaur Granstorm will join me in the duel as assistants. The duel will start at two o'clock in the afternoon, and dinner will be served on time at twelve o'clock."