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Occasionally, the ground here would feel a bit unsteady as the flood waters shifted, but Raul was getting used to it. According to Diego Redwater, these regions would eventually return to their normal sea levels. In theory, anyway.

He and his brothers did not have to wait long before their kin began to take notice of them--of their frozen passengers, specifically. Raul wasn’t terribly concerned about the onlookers. He was glad Aru had decided to join the second group of reinforcements, alongside Lord Zeff and the others, because it meant that he could rely on the reaper to take care of the more difficult conversations for him.

Perhaps that wasn’t good, though. Perhaps he needed more practice with such things. His evening talks with Donald Elias--the covert agent of Atreya whom he’d personally rescued--had been putting new thoughts into his head about this kind of work.

About the kind of role he should be fulfilling for his brethren.

The Rainlords of Sair were not exactly known for their subterfuge. Not in the modern day, anyway. In ancient times, that was how his Arman ancestors were able to match the terrible might of the Lyzakki hordes.

Perhaps someone needed to revitalize that ancient spirit.

Even if it went against their more modern sensibilities?

Agh.

Young and inexperienced. Raul had to keep reminding himself. He shouldn’t get ideas above his station.

And yet, when he saw the Lord Elroy emerge from the small crowd of onlookers, Raul Blackburn couldn’t help but feel like he shouldn’t just sit back and let Arumoro handle everything again.

Lord Zeff certainly had a presence to him that made the others give way--even Raul’s own brothers, somewhat. Lakefire, even Raul himself, for that matter.

But the man had also been behaving a bit strangely, too. Enough to pique Raul’s curiosity, at least, which somehow rendered him less intimidating.

Just a little, anyway.

“What in the world?” said the Lord Elroy as he began walking alongside the Triplets. Axiolis was floating just behind him. “How did you boys find all this?”

To Raul’s silent chagrin, Aru still managed to respond before him. ‘Raul and I stumbled upon them. They were half-sunken.’

Lord Zeff’s steely gaze locked onto Raul. “You and Raul, eh?”

Raul might’ve felt unsettled if this hadn’t become a regular occurrence, as of late. “Yes, ensir,” he said. “Figured we should take them to the main building and let you elders decide what to do next.”