"Well, I think, there are flaws in that argument," Batinkog said. "For one, should we trust a man that is evaluating his own self worth? It would be an opinion better presented by your peers. Besides, who carries more diplomatic weight than the leader of the Sea Serpents himself? Would his presence not go to show more our discontent than anyone else? Would they really risk offending us, after the reputation that we have built up?"
Vale and Penelope shared a look. It was as if they were witnessing a possession, or something of the sort. Had they walked in on Batinkog then, and not heard Vol's request, they would have assumed he was a different man entirely, and they would have wondered where their round-faced and quiet new recruit had disappeared to.
Vol grinned his triumph, seeing Harland struggle to find a counterargument. "Aye, he's not bad, you'll be coming with me, Batinkog."
