“What is it then?” Caligo demanded in a deep, rusty, baritone whisper.

        “This dragon attack – " Morlique started to whisper, when he was suddenly interrupted by the sight of the wizard’s long, shriveled, blackened hand shooting up in a sudden halting gesture.

        “Do you think we do not know about the incident with the mudbird?” the wizard hissed.  This was a rhetorical question.  Everybody knew the wizards had magic-mirrors and seeing-eye crows and listening-lizards everywhere in the kingdom.  “Elders have been known to stray into the kingdom on a monthly basis, have they not?”

        “Yes, my Lord, but...

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