"What exactly has The Dominion been doing?"
The dining room was silent for a moment, then Zarven spoke.
"Their first attack came without warning," Zarven said. "They struck several sections of The Wall together. By the time we understood what was happening, parts of it were already cracking."
Simon looked toward the golden barrier.
"They nearly destroyed it?"
"Yes. Without the four protectors, there would be no Vhal-Sar left to show you."
Zarven's voice remained steady, but Maelis lowered her eyes.
"The protectors forced them back before they could break through. We restored the damaged formations, and they repelled the next few attacks as well."
"But?"
"Now, most of our trouble comes from the beast tides."
"Beast tides?"
"Sea beasts. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, approaching the island together."
Simon frowned.
"The Dominion gathers them?"
