Cuthbert's jaw drops, and Susan can't help but giggle at the look on his face. "He's got you dead to rights, 'Bert," Alain murmurs, and Cuthbert throws back his head and laughs, bright and ringing, before he lowers himself into a bow, leg extended and triple-tapping his throat.

"Cry yer pardon, sai Aslan," Cuthbert tells the Lion as he straightens once more. "I guess it's possible some of the lessons Ro' tried to drum into my head all these years about when to keep quiet stuck after all. But aye, we'd hold palaver with you, and that gladly."