“Jirdan,” he said.
“I am Adjudicator Alara Moritt, Jirdan. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Alara realized she had slipped into the posture she used to try and extort businessmen and sheepish nobles. She unsteepled her hands.
“Lady,” he said with a bow. The boy’s accent was thick, and his placement of emphasis in the word cut Alara’s ears. Still, she maintained her reserved poise.
“How big do you think the world serpent was, Jirdan?”
“Don’t know,” he said. He turned back to the shell and appraised it again with the look Alara had seen on his face before. “If it’s real, then it must have been bigger than the town. Can something really be that big?”
“Bigger than the town. Not incorrect.” Alara leaned forwards, resting her chin on her hand. “Most of the serpent’s body has rot
