Chapter 1
Tashbaan, one year after the defeat of the White Witch
The streets of Tashbaan were crowded as usual, and the rotting stench of waste mingled with the smell of spices and exotic foods which drifted up from the city streets. Beggars pleaded for alms in the streets while the tarkaans and tarkheenas of Tashbaan were carried along on litters. Great towers rose from the streets, and the sparkle of gold was seen everywhere, but not all was as peaceful as a casual onlooker might assume. War was brewing in Tashbaan.
All the great tarkaans of Calormen had been gathered together by the Tisroc for reasons that they themselves could only guess, and while all of the commotion of the city clamored above, and people went on with their lives, a secret counsel was gathered in a place deep under Tashbaan. The secret counsel room had been constructed long ago when Calormen first rose up from the sand of the desert. It was carved into a vein of rock that was far below the surface of the city. A long table had been carved there at the room's making, with chairs untouched by the passage of time. There was only one way down there, and a full battalion of the elite royal guard patrolled the secret entrance that was only known to the greatest tarkaans of Calormen.
The tarkaans first passed under an immense stone archway. On it were carved images of Tash and the great blood sacrifices of old. Dried blood encrusted the indents in the archway, cursing anyone who passed under it without the permission of the Tisroc.
After passing the archway, the tarkaans walked down a great flight of stairs that had passages branching off into different directions, leading to various traps. A few ended abruptly — dropping out into chasms that were littered with sharp rocks and the bones of other intruders. Some passageways led to the dens of ferocious animals that gnawed on their past victims, longing to have their hunger satisfied, but only occasionally having that wish fulfilled. Others led to deaths too terrible to describe, but only one way led to the counsel chamber of old.
The tarkaans entered this passage, and before long came to the great counsel chamber where they took their appointed places. Then, the Tisroc entered, followed by two units of his secret order. They were clothed from head to toe in pitch black, with only a slit at the eyes. They were armed with two scimitars; one was about a foot and a half longer than the other. They also had short bows slung across their backs, and knives concealed in their boots. The Tisroc took his place at the table and began to speak.
The Tisroc spoke with a voice that grated like a sword being drawn across another. It had a dark tone to it that struck fear into the bravest of men.
"The time has come for our nation to ascend to its full greatness," the Tisroc said slowly. "The Witch in the land of Narnia has been overthrown. Narnia and Archenland are now safe to assault. I know that the passes between Archenland and us are well guarded, but this will not present a problem. At this very moment, my scouts are investigating the underground pass that I have found. They are almost sure it leads all the way through the mountain. Though, even if it doesn't, we can easily mine the rest of the way through. You all have five days to gather your armies west of the tombs outside of Tashbaan."
His very tone resonated with extreme hatred for the northerners. It was a tone that made it difficult to disobey, but one man who was braver than the rest stood and spoke out. His voice was one that most men would gladly follow to hell and back.
"Why should we assault Narnia and Archenland? We are at the height of our empire! Why can't we stay here and build our nation into a peaceful and prosperous one?"
The Tisroc turned to him with a glare on his face that set the bravest in the room to shaking, and then he made a small gesture with his right hand to the two guards who were standing before him. Two arrows pierced the heart of the man who had spoken out before the gesture had been completed.
"Does anyone else agree with him?" asked the Tisroc.
No one moved.
"Then assemble your armies. We march in five days, and may the curse of Tash be on anyone who does not have the full amount of troops or delays in any fashion. Forward for the glory of Tash! The barbarian dogs of the North will be destroyed, and Calormen will take its rightful place as the ruler of all!"
The Tisroc completed his instructions, and struck off the head of the one who had spoken out. Blood spilled onto the floor and splattered onto the tarkaans.
"This will make a nice addition to my collection," said the Tisroc. "Soon, very soon, the lands of Narnia and Archenland will be soaked in the blood of their own people."