A low silence followed when the sea behind them vibrated once more, stronger this time. Several figures farther down the shore suddenly jerked unnaturally, their heads snapping toward the dark water all at once.
The raven servant noticed immediately. "Master."
The creature lifted a hand slightly, silencing him. His gaze never left Arthur. "What is your solution?"
Arthur hesitated, eyes bright in calculation. "You stabilize the vessel through attachment."
The raven servant stared at him blankly. "What?"
Arthur exhaled slowly through his nose. "The transformation feeds on instinct first. Hunger. Fear. Violence. That's why they decay so quickly," His eyes moved briefly toward the sea. "But the vessels that retain emotional anchors survive longer."
"Emotional anchors," the raven servant repeated flatly. "That sounds ridiculous."
"You think I'm joking because you've never watched it closely enough."
The creature remained silent.
