There were still a few of them, after all was said and done: Telmarines who had not been able to take advantage of the Lion's offer, who lived too far out in the wilds to have known about the last great battle until well after it was all over. Telmarines who saw their fortunes change overnight, and were terrified of reprisal from those whom they had written off as fantasy and legend all their lives.

"The farm's on the edge of the Western Woods, near the Lantern Wastes" Caspian said, pointing it out on the map. "Lord Valaros has been trying to clear the woods away since he retired from the court, and now of course the Dryads want the land back. Of course, the Dryads say the land has been theirs since the beginning of time, but it's awfully hard on Valaros, who put more than a little blood, sweat, and tears into building up his retirement."

Reepicheep, sitting up on the table with his sword across his knees, twirled a whisker and said: "That would be a job for a Diplomat, I think; not a job for a Knight. I hope you're not telling me this so you can send me to handle the problem."

"That's exactly why I'm telling you all this. Look, Reep, what with one thing after another, there's no-one else left to send - except some of the Telmarine lords who stayed behind, and while I don't doubt they would do their best to be fair, the Dryads aren't going to see it that way."

"What about Cornflower? He's a good Old Narnian, and good with the Dryads."

"He's a Minotaur. Valaros is scared enough as it is."

"Hmph. Well, maybe he should be scared."

"Reep, if the thought of keeping the peace out there frightens you-"

"Frightens me!" The Mouse Knight drew himself up to his full height (not that it came to very much) and glared fiercely at his King. "Frightens me! I ask you, have I ever quailed before any challenge set before me? Am I not your bravest Knight? Frightens me indeed! If you were not my King I should teach you a sharp lesson for that. Send me, if you will; only I should prefer it if there were some monster to put down at the end of the quest."

Caspian looked away at Reepicheep's glare - and hid a smile. Reepicheep really was the best and bravest Man - well, Mouse - in the new Narnian court, and the most loyal of companions; but it could often be startlingly easy to pull his strings.

"You don't have to broker an agreement between the two parties," the young King replied. "I know quite well where your strength lies. All that I ask is that you keep them from killing each other, until I can send a suitable Judge or Diplomat to handle the case."

If Reepicheep had harboured any sense of uncertainty earlier, he never showed it; but Caspian thought he seemed somewhat better pleased with this new restatement of his mission. The Mouse swept a low bow and said: "Your wish is my command, your Majesty; I shall depart for the Western Woods at daybreak tomorrow."