Velin turned to Tristan, his voice steady.
"Send all the Sea Beasts from the last capture to Master Valerius, dead or alive."
"Also, inform Elvin to take the Casters and assist the Master."
Tristan acknowledged the order and hurried away.
Baron Kroo, who had just taken a large swig of wine, nearly choked on hearing this.
He opened his mouth, the fat on his cheeks jiggling.
"Sea Beasts? Lord Velin, you mean those shelled creatures? We're on the brink of destruction! What's the use in studying them?"
Inside the council hall, the other nobles grew restless, the panic they had just suppressed resurfacing.
"That's right! We should be gathering all our Alchemists to make another batch of depth charges!"
"What can those things do? Become our dinner?"
Velin offered no explanation.
He sat back down and picked up a grain reserve inventory, as if the impacts from below were nothing more than raindrops on a windowpane.
