ALPHA - IC - The Tone of Madness - Part 1

[Metastachydium]

Morkhut slowly rises as he half-listens to the captain's little speech. He found being stashed away behind closed doors positively insulting; however, the company on board was unsavory enough indeed, or most of it anyway. He wouldn't trust some frail little mammal with a frail little mind to understand that this mission is of greater importance than succumbing to some heated impulses. These creatures don't even have the excuse of being real predators.
These three, the dragon, the bearman and especially the eager half-blood he can live with, on the other hand, and work with, even. Their interests overlap with his – there's no need to watch for ulterior motives, or to engage in fruitless debate with ignorant know-it-alls who callously dismiss the facts of the matter. These three have the same benefit that he has (and they bear the same curse): they know the Tone is real.
The voyage, therefore, could easily have been a lot more unpleasant than it ultimately turned out to be, even given the conditions that the captain has very good reasons to apologise for. I am a hard one to gut, captain. the towering crocodile rumbles addressing the man as he walks past him and out through the door. I can appreciate the consideration, never the less. As well as the discretion, of course.