The Horse And His Boy

The day begins with Shasta seeing the glorious island city of Tashbaan for the first time. He is in such awe that Bree must encourage him to move forward. When the city’s trumpeters blow the signal to open the gates, the four move with the vast crowds across the river and into the city. A soldier at the entrance chides Shasta, saying “Hey! Horse-boy! You’ll catch it if your master finds you’ve been using his saddle-horse for pack work” (57). This alerts the four that they might be discovered. They mingle as best they can, moving through the poorer areas of town and making their way upward to the top of the hill where there are expensive houses, temples, and government structures. Though Shasta is pretending to lead, it is Bree behind him who nudges him in the proper direction. When important people move through the streets, criers call out for ordinary people to move out of the way.

When they are very near the crest of Tashbaan, a different group of people passes by them: Narnians who are dressed in woodland clothes, laughing and joking. As this group passes, they see Shasta at the front of the crowd.