CHAPTER THIRTEEN THE FIGHT AT ANVARD（第3/3页）

"By your Majesty's good leave," said King Lune to Edmund. "Not so. " Then turning to Rabadash he said, "your royal Highness, if you had given that challenge a week ago, I ll answer for it there was no one in King Edmund s dominion, from the High King down to the smallest Talking Mouse, who would have refused it. But by attacking our castle of Anvard in time of peace without defiance sent, you have proved yourself no knight, but a traitor, and one rather to be whipped by the hangman than to be suffered to cross swords with any person of honour. Take him down, bind him, and carry him within till our pleasure is further known."

Strong hands wrenched Rabadash s sword from him and he was carried away into the castle,shouting, threatening, cursing,and even crying.For though he could have faced torture he couldn t bear being made ridiculous.In Tashbaan everyone had always taken him seriously.

At that moment Corin ran up to Shasta,seized his hand and started dragging him towards King Lune. "Here he is, Father, here he is,"cried Corin.

"Aye,and here thou art,at last," said the King in a very gruff voice."And hast been in the battle, clean contrary to your obedience. A boy to break a father s heart ! At your age a rod to your breech were fitter than a sword in your fist, ha !"But everyone, including Corin, could see that the King was very proud of him.

"Chide him no more, Sire, if it please you,"said Lord Darrin."His Highness would not be your son if he did not inherit your conditions. It would grieve your Majesty more if he had to be reproved for the opposite fault."

"Well, well," grumbled the King."We'll pass it over for this time.And now—"

What came next surprised Shasta as much as anything that had ever happened to him in his life. He found himself suddenly embraced inn bear-like hug by King Lune and kissed on both cheeks. Then the King set him down again and said,"Stand here together, boys, and let all the court see you. Hold up your heads. Now, gentlemen, look on them both. Has any man any doubts ?"

And still Shasta could not understand why everyone stared at him and at Corin nor what all the cheering was about.