One week later, at night, a pristine white linen tablecloth covered the long table in the dining room of the Lord's Residence.
Candlelight flickered, making the fragrant, fall-off-the-bone beef ribs look even more tempting. Silver plates held honey-drizzled muffins and cheese, and the air was filled with the aromas of wine, meat, and burning pine resin.
Everyone except Veylin was there.
"Burp!"
Ora Stonebeard stuffed a large chunk of roast meat into his mouth, washed it down with a hefty gulp of ale, and belched rudely. Grease coated his reddish-brown beard.
"Ha! I finally figured it out!"
His booming voice echoed through the dining room, successfully drawing everyone's attention.
"Those little critters' horns are fucking useless if they jab straight on! Those beasts' scales are too hard and slippery!" He excitedly waved the beef bone in his hand, spraying spittle everywhere.
"But! If the swarm comes in from the side at just the right angle, they can pry open the gaps between the scales like opening a tin, then stab straight into the tender flesh!"
He looked around smugly, his gaze sweeping over every face as though he expected applause.
"That little lass Sarah listens well, too. She never argues with me. If I tell her to go east, her bugs won't go west."
Ora spoke with the pride of someone who had tamed a wild beast. "The two of us are the best partners now."
He believed he had completed the most crucial part of the plan. Without his warrior's instincts and Sarah's swarm, this battle would be impossible.
He believed he had found the key to victory and waited for looks of amazement or admiration.
Instead, the only response was Leo clearing his throat somewhat nervously.
"Hey! Little mage." Ora pointed the beef bone at him. "What about