Kaelen sat straight. His spine pressed against cold iron. His hands rested on the wolf heads. The rubies were warm now. His palms had worn them smooth by constant rubbing.
The hall stretched before him. Torches burned, smoke gathered near the ceiling. Men stood in rows. They watched him and waited for a descison.
He knew what they wanted. They wanted to make him a puppet but he would not allow that
Harwen cleared his throat.
"Your majesty. The monster attacks have increased, three more ships this week. The southern route is now closed no other kingdom is willing to trade with us."
Kaelen's jaw tightened.
"Then we fight."
Markus stepped forward. His scarred face was hard.
"Fight what, your majesty? We cannot see them, they move fast in water. We cannot reach them before they see us. They stay in deep water. They take our ships, our crews, our food. Then they disappear."
"Then we go to them."
Silence.
The nervous merchant touched his collar. His fingers shook.
