'Impossible!' Hindrad roared, inciting the anger of the crowd and the elders of his faction. 'Simply impossible!'
Wingreig added, 'How dare you state such a thing?!'
'SILENCE!!!' Raztol roared, letting loose some wild energy to disperse the chaos. 'We must listen carefully! I understand the threat of Flood Dragons personally!'
As everyone was forced to give up their contending thoughts, Raztol lifted his tail for all to see. There were a few patches of scales that were discolored, even looking more brittle and fragile. 'This is evidence of the Flood Dragon threat!'
While the crowd's woes were beginning to subside and shift to subtle fear, Lunara understood the meaning of those scars. She questioned, 'How long ago did you contend with Flood Dragons?'
'It was just before I became a consul. That was the time when I took a leave of absence to explore the nearby regions. Facing a duo of Flood Dragons was one of the many experiences that I'll never forget. It was due to my loss that I wanted to explore and learn more of the world…' explained Raztol. 'To put it in terms that every hydra will understand, the only foe more perilous would be the Ancient Crustacean.'
Such an announcement startled even the consuls, who didn't want to believe such a thing.
'But how can we trust them?!' argued Hindrad. 'That human threatened me with death, yet we're allowing him to freely stay as an honored guest?! Such an act would never be done among allies!'
'I stand by my words. Flood Dragons are our equals in strength. Of that, I'm certain,' claimed Raztol. 'As for the man and his allegiances, he's kept all thoughts to himself across this meeting. Apart from the moment of laughter, which wasn't as disrespectful as your sudden interruption with permission, Hindrad, the man has shown control. Also, I find it hard to believe that he's against hydras given his alliance with Lunara.'
'But, Head Raztol, can we even trust Lunara?' questioned Wingreig. 'For all we know, Lunara may be working alongside the Flood Dragons given her unwillingness to live among us in Glacier Reef. Does she have any proof otherwise?'
'A good question… Lunara, do you have any proof to support your allegiance to your people?' asked Raztol with a soft yet solemn face.
The goddess shook her head. 'You'll have to trust me. I'm familiar with them, however, and I believe they won't cause harm to the people so long as they too are allowed passage to Glacier Keep, and both Jack and I are present here.'
'But how can we trust you so easily?' reasoned Wingreig. 'Without proof or even a willingness to join us, how can our people trust the word of a deserter?'
'I…'
'If you have nothing else to say, I think this meeting is over. I agree that a policy for foreign visitors may be necessary, but I see no reason to allow guests until then. For now, those two creatures should wait beyond the trench.'
'Elder Wingreig, that--'
'Don't interrupt an elder! That's a rule that existed even when you were here last, no?' Wingreif claimed harshly. 'Elder Hindrad, do you second that motion?'
'I do.'
'And I overrule it,' stated Raztol. 'Until we create a policy, they'll be allowed stay within the reef. Consider it motivation to come to a conclusion sooner rather than later.'
'Fine…' Elder Wingreig frustratedly sighed. 'Then let's vote on how Lunara shall be treated from now on. Unless she agrees to join the labor force, I see no reason to allow her back into the reef. Also, I see no reason for a deserter to be considered a guest.'
'I second that motion.'
'And I will overrule it.'
It became clear to Jack, Lunara, and Lina just how contentious those three were under the surface, giving Artrat's earlier words some validity.
Raztol sighed, 'For the time being, consider these three as my personal guests. Until a policy on visitors is passed, that will not change!'
Disregarding the mumbling of some elders and crowd members, Head Raztol continued, 'Though Lunara has no evidence to prove her allegiance to our people, there is also no evidence of her being a foe of our people. I see no reason to blindly accuse her as such. Unless you have some evidence against that?'
'May I?'
'Yes, since you asked this time.'
Hindrad glared and bared his fangs toward the party. 'I was bombarded and threatened by them from the moment they met me minutes ago. And--'
'You also tried to forcefully expel them from the trench without a proper hearing.'
'Shut up, Artrat!'
Shrugging, Artrat stated his case, 'Head Raztol, had I not interfered, then Elder Hindrad would've been abused and slaughtered by the man beside Lunara. However, that is only because Elder Hindrad wished to turn away Lunara and deny this very meeting, as well as remove both of those humans without hearing them out. This was the reason that the man acted out, taking matters into his own hands. Do we not respect strength anymore? Or have we allowed some to get too fat and comfortable to understand strength clearly?'
'Artrat, you--'
'If I were in such circumstances, I too would act out against you, Hindrad,' stated Raztol, stunning the audience. 'I understand the animosity you hold but I see that it was brought upon you by your own actions. To my understanding, this man has a grievance against you personally and not our people as a whole. Am I right to assume so?'
Happy for a chance to speak, Jack stepped forward and took a bow. 'You're absolutely correct, Head Raztol. My name is Jack, feel free to call me by name.'
'Jack… It is an interesting name… I believe it's only fair that we question you and not Lunara given the development of the meeting. Would you mind?' Raztol asked kindly.
'I'm more than willing to cooperate. As Lunara said before, I'm here to help protect not only her but the hydra race as a whole. Also, I must say that your development of Glacier Reef is astounding and beyond anything that we humans on the surface could've imagined.'
'Thank you.' Accepting the compliment with a chuckle and a nod, Raztol continued, 'Then, please explain your exact purpose here and how that led to our consul being bullied by a small human.'