Hailong coiled atop the raised platform, his deep-blue slit pupils slowly sweeping over those below. "Eel King's concerns are valid. We will send a few of you south with the youngsters to guard them along the way and arrange their settlement. The rest will assemble with me on the East Sea's central line."
At these words, a low murmur immediately stirred below.
Silver-Scale Ribbonfish spoke first, a note of caution in his voice. "Lord Hailong, we must choose carefully whom to send to the South Sea. They must be able to hold the situation in hand without weakening our forces on the central line too much."
Black Tortoise nodded slowly. "Ribbonfish is quite right. The South Sea may be distant, but it is still one of our escape routes. Those we send must be reliable and capable of adapting to unforeseen circumstances."
Red Claw waved an enormous pincer and said in a muffled, booming voice, "If you ask me, Eel King is the best choice. He was the one who wanted people guarding the rear. Send him to watch over the South Sea himself, and surely he can rest easy?"
Eel King's slender body twisted sharply at those words, and displeasure colored his voice. "Red Claw, what are you implying? I suggested leaving people to guard the rear as a precaution, not because I cling to life and fear death!"
"Enough." Hailong's deep voice quelled their argument. "I will make the decision."
The kings fell silent, their gazes returning to the raised platform.
Hailong kept his slit pupils on those below. After a moment of silence, he said slowly, "Eel King, Black Tortoise, Red Claw, the three of you will accompany the youngsters to the South Sea."
The three powerful sea soul beasts whose names had been called wore different