Roi Reads

After Shasta is taken away, Aravis takes control of the horses and tries to continue their journey. She soon encounters a familiar face in the crowd—Lasaraleen, an old friend. Recognizing each other, Aravis quickly joins Lasaraleen in her carrier, where she learns that her father is searching for her in the city. Lasaraleen helps Aravis disguise herself as a slave to sneak into the Tisroc's palace. Their plan is for Aravis to escape through the palace gardens. As they proceed, they hide behind a sofa when the Tisroc, his son Prince Rabadash, and Aravis' betrothed, Ahoshta, enter the room, leading to a tense moment of concealment. Roi discusses the contrast between Aravis and Lasaraleen's characters, highlighting Lasaraleen's superficiality and self-absorption. The episode also touches on themes of friendship and societal status.

Shasta manages to escape Tashbaan and heads towards the Tombs, the agreed meeting place with Bree, Aravis, and Hwin. When he arrives, he realizes he is alone as his companions have not yet arrived. As night falls, Shasta feels increasingly fearful, recalling tales of ghouls haunting the Tombs. His anxiety is somewhat alleviated when a cat appears and keeps him company, providing a sense of comfort amidst the eerie surroundings. During the night, Shasta is awakened by terrifying noises, but the cat remains by his side, which helps him stay calm. In the early morning, the cat is gone, and Shasta continues to wait for his friends. He decides to venture into Tashbaan to find food, all the while contemplating his next steps. Eventually, he spots Bree and Hwin being led by a strange man, which leaves him torn between fear and hope about whether this could be a trap or the reunion he’s been waiting for. Roi discusses Shasta's fears, how he bases his decisions on life experience rather than books, and speculates about the mysterious man and what will happen next.

King Edmund voices concern that rejecting the Prince's marriage proposal to Queen Susan could lead to their enslavement. They plan an escape from Tashbaan by inviting Rabadash to a feast on their ship, intending to sail away before the event. Shasta meets Prince Corin, who helps him plan his escape through a window, cementing their friendship with hopes of meeting again in Archenland.

This chapter begins with Shasta, Bree, Aravis, and Hwin heading into Tashbaan in their disguises. They travel through the crowded and filthy streets undetected until someone says to make way for the Narnian lords. As the Narnian lords pass, they grab Shasta and begin to ask where he has been. They have mistaken Shasta for the Prince of Archenland. The king keeps interrogating Shasta as they proceed down the street. They eventually end up in a beautiful room with a sofa with other Narnians. Shasta feels out of place and doesn't know what to do or how to respond.

Shasta, Bree, Aravis, and Hwin reach the outskirts of Tashbaan, the magnificent capital of Calormen. They prepare to enter the city, which they must do to continue their journey north to Narnia. They devise a careful plan to avoid drawing attention to themselves, as the bustling city is full of potential dangers and watchful eyes.

In this episode, Roi reads the first chapter of the book where we are introduced to Shasta, a young boy living in a small fishing village in Calormen. Shasta discovers that he is not the biological son of the fisherman who raised him. He overhears a conversation about being sold into slavery, which prompts him to flee. During his escape, he encounters a talking horse named Bree, who is also trying to escape from Calormen. Together, they embark on a journey towards Narnia and the North in search of freedom and adventure. The chapter sets the stage for their perilous journey, highlighting themes of identity, courage, and the quest for freedom. After the reading, Roi discusses the main events of the chapter, the characters' motivations, and speculates on what might happen next in their journey.

Shasta and Bree continue their journey northward, heading towards Narnia. Along the way, Bree shares his wisdom and knowledge about Narnia, and Shasta learns more about the land they are aiming to reach. During their journey, they meet another traveler, a girl named Aravis, who is accompanied by her own talking horse. Initially suspicious of each other, they soon realize their mutual goal of reaching Narnia and decide to travel together for safety. Roi discusses the unfolding story, character development, and the dynamics between the traveling companions.