“A King who has just won a great battle can usually establish himself without the help of a performing lion，” said Nikabrik. There was a fierce growl， probably from Trufflehunter.
“And anyway，” Nikabrik continued， “what came of the Kings and their reign？ They faded too. But it’s very different with the Witch. They say she ruled for a hundred years： a hundred years of winter. There‘s power， if you like. There’s something practical.”
“But， heaven and earth！” said the King， “haven‘t we always been told that she was the worst enemy of all？ Wasn’t she a tyrant ten times worse than Miraz？”
“Perhaps，” said Nikabrik in a cold voice. “Perhaps shewas for you humans， if there were any of you in those days. Perhaps she was for some of the beasts. She stamped out the Beavers， I dare say； at least there are none of them in Narnia now. But she got on all right with us Dwarfs. I‘m a Dwarf and I stand by my own people. We’re not afraid of the Witch.”
“But you‘ve joined with us，” said Trufflehunter.
“Yes， and a lot of good it has done my people， so far，” snapped Nikabrik. “Who is sent on all the dangerous raids？ The Dwarfs. Who goes short when the rations fail？ The Dwarfs. Who.？”
“Lies！ All lies！” said the Badger.
