A Different World

4th Chapter: A King, an Usurper and a Prince

"Past many months of travel lays the lake Obersee. Next to it is Rathaus, the village of the humans. There is a castle with the same name and there the Kings of Arosa have lived since the beginning. For generations all creatures lived peacefully in the whole land. But then, in the times of my Grand-grandfather, Counselor Javier murdered the King and usurped the throne. For some time it was rumored that the Queen was able to flee with her son who was but five-years-old, but that was so long ago that many doubt the truth of such a tale.

"The Usurper Javier changed all of the Balance of Creatures. He does not care how the talking beasts are treated as long as his ridiculously high taxes are paid by the humans. The humans were soon forced to turn to stealing from the other creatures."

"Can we do nothing to help you?" I asked.

"It would, no doubt, end in failure," Puddleglum stated dismally.

"Yes. Without the help of Aslan we have no chance," Agamemnon answered. "The last words we have from him are 'Help will come' and 'Peace will return before the generation of Javier dies', but I am already the third generation born since he took the throne."

I asked, "Who is Aslan?"

Both Puddleglum and Agamemnon stared at me in astonishment. It surprised me that both of them knew, each from a different world, knew who Aslan was.

"You have never heard of Aslan?" Puddleglum asked. "He is the Highest King of Narnia, the Son of the Emperor-over-the-Sea.…he made all worlds…and died in the traitor's stead."

"But…" I was confused. "I have never heard of him…"

"That is because he has different names in some worlds," Puddleglum replied. "Who is he in yours, I wonder?"

"Would anyone be willing to help me clean up?" Agamemnon's wife asked.

We complied, but for the rest of the day that we helped on the farm, I had plenty to think about. There was only one person I could think of who died in a traitor's stead and was the Highest King of all.

Could it be that the Christ is called Aslan in this world? I wondered time and time again. What can I do to help? Why have I been sent? Has he a purpose for me here?

In the evening we ate a tiny meal and went to bed. The bed was strange. Just a pile of straw where everybody found a spot.

----

In the night I had an important dream.

A golden Lion faced me. I had seen a lion in the Holy Land, but this one was the size of a tower and his eyes looked knowing, somehow. I wanted to run away and scream (very knightly, I know), but I couldn't move or speak at all.

"Fear not, son of Adam. I am Aslan."

As strange as it sounds, I calmed down immediately. So Aslan is a lion. And the Christ in our world. If He was the one who had brought me here, then I was in good hands. Or paws.

"You have been summoned to play an important role. Tomorrow Prince Chanokh will come to this house. He is in search of assistance. Agamemnon will not trust him, but you will know him by his first words. He will ask for help in my name. You and the Marsh-wiggle will go with him."

----

Suddenly I was being shaken awake by Agamemnon.

"Mathew, wake up! You are needed," Agamemnon said anxiously. "There is a human before the door, and he is armed!"

The prince, already? I was excited. I rushed to the door and opened it, but before me, instead of the prince I had been expecting, stood a vagabond with his knife drawn.

"Life or money" he snarled. This was getting repetitive.

I drew my sword. That was enough, for at once glance his eyes widened and he turned and ran quickly away. I had to smile.

In the distance I could see the sun rising above the horizon, so I didn't return to the 'bed' but helped with breakfast. I noticed a glimmer in Puddleglum's eyes when we greeted each other that morning. What had he dreamt?

Near mid-morning, a man came into sight on the road. The prince? This time I was doubtful. We would soon know. As he approached us, I could se that he was sprinting. He was definitely more noble in bearing than our early morning visitor, but for safety I drew my sword before he reached us.

He was breathing hard when he reached us, but managed to exclaim, "For the love of the Lion, help me! They are almost upon me!"

Puddleglum took charge: "Most noble knight, it would be an honor for us to do so."

He led him to the house, and I grinned, thinking that Puddleglum must have had a dream from Aslan too to respond in such a way. Agamemnon protested but I held him back: "We will have to stop his pursuers."

Agamemnon was terrified. "I have seen tricks such as this. He will eat my children and my wife and share the plunder with his 'pursuers'."

"No, Agamemnon," I consoled him gently. "You have naught to fear from this man. The prince has returned."