Chapter 24
The army arrived sooner than they had expected. The king had scouts tracking their progress, and they had prepared as best they could. But it still wasn't enough time.
Now, gathered on the ramparts, Ayron watched the huge army encircling the castle.
Tiny campfires, like thousands of small fireflies, dotted the plains to the north and the forest to the south and west. What disturbed him the most, however, were the catapults. Tall towers with long, wooden arms–they loomed ominously on the horizon.
Ayron could only hope and pray that Aslan would give them the strength, endurance, and courage they would surely need.
~o~o~
It was at dawn the next day when they saw just who was leading the opposing army.
A tall, dark-haired man–accompanied by two others–rode up to the far end of the drawbridge on a black horse. He was dressed in full armor with the visor of his helmet down, his surcoat emblazoned with the insignia of a red wolf. The two on either side of him were in plain chainmail.
Ayron watched them pensively as the silence stretched on. Everyone watched and waited for someone to make the first move.
Then a murmuring began at the back of the crowd as Narnians moved aside to let someone through. King Araven moved forward to the edge of the parapet and looked down at the three figures. Reuel and Lilliana came and stood beside their father as he began to speak.