“MASTER Horse, Master Horse, ” said Tirian as he hastily cut its traces, “how came these aliens to enslave you? Is Narnia conquered? Has there been a battle? ”
“No, Sire, ” panted the horse, “Aslan is here. It is all by his orders. He has commanded—”
“'Ware danger, King, ” said Jewel. Tirian looked up and saw that Calormenes (mixed with a few Talking Beasts) were beginning to run toward them from every direction. The two dead men had died without a cry and so it had taken a moment before the rest of the crowd knew what had happened. But now they did. Most of them had naked scimitars in their hands.
“Quick. On my back, ” said Jewel.
The King flung himself astride of his old friend who turned and galloped away. He changed direction twice or thrice as soon as they were out of sight of their enemies, crossed a stream, and shouted without slackening his pace, “Whither away, Sire? To Cair Paravel? ”
“Hold hard, friend, ” said Tirian. “Let me off.” He slid off the Unicorn's back and faced him.
“Jewel, ” said the King. “We have done a dreadful deed.”
“We were sorely provoked, ” said Jewel.
“But to leap on them unawares—without defying them while they were unarmed—faugh! We are two murderers, Jewel. I am dishonoured forever.”
Jewel drooped his head. He too was ashamed.
“And then, ” said the King, “the Horse said it was by Aslan's orders. The Rat said the same. They all say Aslan is here. How if it were true? ”
“But, Sire, how could Aslan be commanding such dreadful things? ”
“He is not a tame lion, ” said Tirian. “How should we know what he would do? We, who are murderers. Jewel, I will go back. I will give up my sword and put myself in the hands of these Calormenes and ask that they bring me before Aslan. Let him do justice on me.”
“You will go to your death, then, ” said Jewel.
“Do you think I care if Aslan dooms me to death? ” said the King.“That would be nothing, nothing at all. Would it not be better to be dead than to have this horrible fear that Aslan has come and is not like the Aslan we have believed in and longed for? It is as if the sun rose one day and were a black sun.”