“What"s your crewmate do?”
“Surveillance, reconnaissance, covert operations.”
“Excellent—a captain to lead the ship and a first mate to keep the crew at their nets. You"ll need courier networks, covert shore parties, safe harbors, supply ferries and false-bottom sea chests. You already have a few red herrings to throw to the Lord Emperor"s sea lions, eh?”
Guarding Bear smiled.
“Good. What do you say, Bears—permission to come alongside?”
The Brothers Bear glanced at each other for a quick consultation. "He"s a slimy eel, but long as we know that, eh?" Guarding Bear whispered.
Nodding, Brazen Bear said, “Permission granted, Lord Oak.”
Grinning and standing, Aged Oak stepped off his dais and walked toward them, past the ring of Arrow Warriors and past the dead man.
"What the Infinite
