The Last Battle

Tirian immediately targets Rishda, who scrambles away from him. Nearby, the rest of Tirian’s band leaps into action, including Farsight, who swoops down from high above. Because Rishda quickly escapes Tirian’s reach, Tirian turns his attention to Shift, who has yet to fully comprehend what is going on. Tirian picks Shift up, throws him into the stable, and then locks the door so he cannot get out. Moments later, a green light emanates from the stable and the earth shakes. Everyone hears a terrifying noise come from within, which sounds birdlike. From above, Farsight can see that Rishda is just as surprised as everyone else by what is happening.

Then, Narnian animals begin to rush to Tirian’s side. In particular, a group of dogs excitedly join him, as do the boar, a bear, and mice. However, most of the other animals cower and do not join Tirian because they fear Tashlan’s wrath. Tirian asks where all the Narnian horses have gone. The animals explain that they are tied up down near the mines because the Calormenes have been using them for work. Tirian sends the mice to go and gnaw through the ropes binding the horses. 

Once everyone has taken a side, the battle properly begins. Rishda orders the Calormenes to drive the Narnians into the stable, hoping to offer them as sacrifices to Tash. From afar, Farsight notes that Rishda is attempting to get on Tash’s good side after assuming he did not exist. Farsight is skeptical that Rishda’s plan will work.

Tirian, Eustace, and the others rush to meet the Calormene force, as Jill pelts them with arrows from afar. The first Narnian push is largely successful, though the Calormenes begin beating a drum to call for backup. Midway through the fight, the Narnian horses charge up the hill to help Tirian. However, before they can reach the Calormene force, the dwarves shoot them with arrows and kill them. When Tirian asks the dwarves why they would kill the horses, they insist that they are out for themselves alone and do not want to kneel to any king or deity. Tirian attempts to get them to change their mind, but they hold firm.

Tirian continues fighting the Calormenes. While many more Calormenes are falling in battle than Narnians, the Calormenes have far greater numbers and even more keep showing up. Internally, Tirian already thinks he has been beaten, though he does not show weakness to his men. Instead, he soldiers on, ordering his side to fight and until he gives the signal to retreat. Eventually, the Calormenes grow too numerous and the Narnians take too many casualties, so Tirian orders his force to retreat to a white rock where they can make their final stand.