When they were all in their places, the President introduced Raphael, who repeated his adventures with the Giant Sorcerer and urged them to aid him.
‘For,’ he said, ‘if my search for an entrance to the castle fails, in the name of Gæa I shall tear apart the ocean floor and bury the Sorcerer beneath the sea which otherwise he would surely dare to make his own.’
‘Ah,’ echoed the multitude, who stared at him out of round unlidded eyes. Raphael was about to continue his speech about the rescue of Cassandra, which secretly he thought very fine indeed, when swarms of little fish suddenly flashed through the assembly and darted into the green weeds that skirted the base of the surrounding cliffs. Several of the larger fish stirred hungrily, while the President looked annoyed.
‘Mr. Equerry,’ he demanded ponderously, ‘what is the meaning of this interruption?’
‘I shall try to find out, Your Excellency,’ answered the sea horse as he was tossed on the wave of the President’s double-chinned displeasure. But even as he spoke more fish streamed through the gateway to the great chamber, and swept the council amphitheater. Then shadows appeared struggling at the entrance, and fine sand clouded the water. No one said a word, but fear spread through the water in mysterious waves.
Suddenly from the shadows between the cliffs, Raphael saw a strange form appear, a creature with massive legs and arms, in whose round head gleamed two goggle eyes. This thing advanced slowly and, bending over, picked up a black cable from the ocean floor.
When the monster saw the gathering, it stopped and peered stupidly about, balancing on one squat, steel-ribbed foot. Then with slow strides it drifted back the way it had come.
‘Mr. Equerry,’ shouted the President in a shrill voice, ‘summon the Admirals of the North and South Atlantic. Instruct Rear Admiral Swordfish and Rear Admiral Sawfish to pursue the enemy and drive him from the sea. In the meantime, the meeting is adjourned.’ He turned nervously to Raphael. ‘I need a good blow of fresh air. I feel as though I had been down at least five hours.’
He lifted his immense head toward the surface, and without another word rose like a black cloud.
