The Crowncap Guard waited in a chamber too small for the creature it was becoming.
Its central body stood taller than Nethren. Dark fungal plates layered its chest and shoulders, while a crown of pale caps spread above a head that possessed no visible eyes. Amber light moved through the seams between the plates whenever the surrounding network carried information toward it.
The creature had been purchased new rather than converted from one of Nethren's surviving followers. Eternal-soul protection bound it to Nethren's dungeon and ensured that destruction would not become permanent loss.
Protection did not make it experienced.
Max entered the temporary chamber with Hizon and stopped outside the range marked on the floor. Nethren stood beside a cluster of cords connected to the creature's feet.
"Show him the difference between a signal and a command." Hizon said.
Nethren pressed one hand against the network.
