The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis

lowest possible whisper, “Get down. Thee better.” She said thee for see not because she had a lisp but because she knew that the hissing letter S is the part of a whisper most likely to be overheard. Tirian at once lay down, almost as silently as Jill, but not quite, for he was heavier and older. And once they were down, he saw how from that position you could see the edge of the hill sharp against the star-strewn sky. Two black shapes rose against it: one was the stable, and the other, a few feet in front of it, was a Calormene sentry. He was keeping very ill watch: not walking or even standing but sitting with his spear over his shoulder and his chin on his chest. “Well done,” said Tirian to Jill. She had shown him exactly what he needed to know.

    They got up and Tirian now took the lead. Very slowly, hardly daring to breathe, they made their way up to a little clump of trees which was not more than forty feet away from the sentinel.
    “Wait here till I come again,” he whispered to the other two. “If I miscarry, fly.” Then he sauntered out boldly in full view of the enemy. The man started when he saw him and was just going to jump to his feet: he was afraid Tirian might be one of his own officers and that he would get into trouble for sitting down. But before he could get up Tirian had dropped on one knee beside him, saying:
    “Art thou a warrior of the Tisroc’s, may he live forever? It cheers my heart to meet thee among all these beasts and devils of Narnians. Give me thy hand, friend.”
    Before he well knew what was happening the Calormene sentry found his right hand seized in a mighty grip. Next instant someone was kneeling on his legs and a dagger was pressed against his neck.
    “One noise and thou art dead,” said Tirian in his ear. “Tell me where the Unicorn is and thou shalt live.”
    “B—behind the stable, O My Master,” stammered the unfortunate man.
    “Good. Rise up and lead me to him.”
    As the man got up the point of the daggernever left his neck. It only traveled round (cold and rather ticklish) as Tirian got behind him and settled it at a convenient place under his ear. Tremblingly he went round to the back of the stable.
    Though it was dark Tirian could see the white shape of Jewel at once.
    “Hush!” he said. “No, do not neigh. Yes, Jewel, it is I. How have they tied thee?”
    “Hobbled by all four legs and tied with a bridle to a ring in the stable wall,” came Jewel’s voice.
    “Stand here, sentry, with your back to the wall. So. Now, Jewel: set the point of your horn against this Calormene’s breast.”
    “With a good will, Sire,” said Jewel.
    “If he moves, rive him to the heart.” Then in a few seconds Tirian cut the ropes. With the remains of them he bound the sentry hand and foot. Finally he made him open his mouth, stuffed it full of grass and tied him up from scalp to chin so that he could make no noise, lowered the man into a sitting position and set him against the wall.
    “I have done thee some discourtesy, soldier,” said Tirian. “But such was my need. If we meet again I may happen to do thee a better turn. Now, Jewel, let us go softly.”
    He put his left arm round the beast’s neck and bent and kissed his nose and both had great joy. They went back as quietly as possible to the place where he had left the children. It was darker inthere under the trees and he nearly ran into Eustace before he saw him.
    “All’s well,” whispered Tirian. “A good night’s work. Now for home.”
    They turned and had gone a few paces when Eustace said, “Where are you, Pole?” There was no answer. “Is Jill on the other side of you, Sire?” he asked.
    “What?” said Tirian. “Is she not on the other side of you?”
    It was a terrible moment. They dared not shout but they whispered her name in the loudest whispers they could manage. There was no reply.
    “Did she go from you while I was away?” asked Tirian.
    “I didn’t see or hear her go,” said