But in the secret and magical chamber at the heart of the How， King Caspian， with Cornelius and the Badger and Nikabrik and Trumpkin， were at council. Thick pillars of ancient workmanship supported the roof. In the centre was the Stone itself.a stone table， split right down the centre， and covered with what had once been writing of some kind： but ages of wind and rain and snow had almost worn them away in old times when the Stone Table had stood on the hilltop， and the Mound had not yet been built above it.
They were not using the Table nor sitting round it： it was too magic a thing for any common use. They sat on logs a little way from it， and between them was a rough wooden table， on which stood a rude clay lamp lighting up their pale faces and throwing big shadows on the walls.
“ If y o u r Ma j e s t y i s e v e r to u s e t h e Ho r n ， “ s a i d Trufflehunter， “I think the time has now come.” Caspian had of course told them of his treasure several days ago.
“We are certainly in great need，” answered Caspian. “But it is hard to be sure we are at our greatest. Supposing there came an even worse need and we had already used it？”
“By that argument，” said Nikabrik， “your Majesty will never use it until it is too late.”
