Caspian draws Duncan to a halt, and the look in his eyes is older by far than the face they're in: older and weary and full of grief. "Thee have not offended," he replies, falling without thinking into formality before he shakes himself out of it.

"You couldn't have known. Hardly anyone here does, except Susan and the Pevensies. I haven't had it in me to tell Reep."

It's selfish, perhaps, and weak, but he dreads having to tell that loyal and martial Mouse any part of this horrible story. "It'll break his heart."