"All right, hurry up." Al set a leisurely pace through the temple. He had time to think. Whatever had killed Vernasus had not been present at the scene. Just a lot of dead bees and wasps. Al had been slightly around the corner, behind Swiftbeak, when the beast had leaped forward...but no, he hadn't possibly had enough time to do anything. The wound had been different from the slash of talons or bite of a beak anyway.<br/><br/>Coming into the dining hall, Al saw that a table had already been moved into place for Swiftbeak. Taking his own position near enough to watch him, Al looked around at the slowly gathering monks and guards. He wondered how many of them had been personal friends of Vernasus. Well, it was best not to dwell on black feeling when in service to the beesiah. Vernasus had obviously died protecting his hives and this temple. Maybe thoughts instead should turn to apprehension of the man or beast that had caused this.