Shengshan received the messenger with outward calm. Inside his guts were a knot of anxiety. Everything had been going too well. He read the contents of the mana pearl.

“We lost a patrol.” He announced to the room.

“That is hardly news.” Fengli responded. “We lose patrols all the time.”

“This patrol was heading towards the mana disturbance the nautlimages sensed.” Shengshan added.

“What happened?”

“We don’t know. We lost contact and they never returned.” Shengshan replied. He nervously flirted some water from his jet.

Fengli settled in the water. His mouth moved as he pushed water past his gills. “That isn’t much to go on. Standard patrol?”

“Yes. A land walker with flying support.” Shengshan replied. “We’ve never lost a full patrol before.”

“We should send a bigger force to investigate.” Fengli muttered. “We must know what that disturbance is. The ley lines for the entire region are being twisted.”

“I concur with your assessment.” Shengshan agreed. “Instead of a larger force; however, I think a more stealthy approach may be in order.”

Another nautilus floated into the chamber. Shengshan greeted the newcomer.

“Thank you for joining us Lolo.”

“Thank you for inviting me. Shengshan. Fengli.” Lolo replied. He nodded his head at each creature in turn.

“We don’t need your kind here.” Fengli snorted. He swished his fins in agitation.

“No, I think you do.” Lolo replied. “Force is not the only answer in this situation. “When faced with the unknown, it is wisdom to be cautious.”

“Caution is for the weak.” Fengli retorted.

“And how many of your kind have found their way to the land walker’s nets?” Lolo inquired. “Hmmm. Did you know they just make soup of the fins they steal?”

Fengli snapped his teeth in frustration. “May you choke on your ink.”

“Are you tasty Fengli?” Lolo teased. “What type of soup will they make of you now?”

“Enough.” Shengshan interjected. “We are not here to trade petty insults. We are here to investigate the land walkers.”

“Fine.” Lolo and Fengli agreed.

“I have developed a way for the nautli-mages to fly in the air.” Lolo said proudly. “The spell also solves the breathing problem.”

“Can you apply this magic to everyone?” Fengli asked. “You aren’t the only one who wants vengeance.”

“Perhaps, but the nautili have an advantage.” Lolo explained. “We don’t need to carve the runes upon our flesh. The spell can be easily adjusted on the fly.”

“I see.”

“Regardless, we have a battalion of nautli-mages willing to venture onto land.” Lolo explained.

“What of the freshwater water breathers?” Shengshan asked.

“Bah, we don’t need their kind.” Fengli added. “We can do this on our own.”

“Remember Fengli, they have been just as harmed as us.” Lolo said. “But the plain water they swim in makes it difficult for us to interact. The nose breathers may be able to help but no one really trusts them.”

“Keep working on the other water breathers.” Shengshan said. “Also, we approve the next mission. We must know what is happening up there.”