(POV: Caspian)
Caspian shifted in his seat, testing the cold bite of the chains around his wrists.
They didn't budge.
"Okay… then would you mind loosening these a bit?" Caspian said, lifting his hands slightly.
"Also… I'm curious. The other two — tell me about them?"
Kismet didn't hesitate.
With a simple flick of his fingers, the chains loosened — enough for Caspian to move.
"Sure."
Kismet leaned back in his chair, arms resting on the sides.
"They're dead."
Caspian blinked.
"Dead? How?"
Kismet's expression stayed flat, almost bored.
"Outlings killed them."
The word hung in the air like a faint echo.
"They hunt the strong ones first," Kismet continued.
"The ones who might become a threat… they let them grow a little, test their limits, then remove them before they become a real problem."
Caspian frowned slightly.
Does he know the future…? Did he read the novel too?
No… He doesn't sound like it. He talks like someone who's lived through it.
