Book excerpt: Whispers of the Deep, Echoes of Harmony. Beneath the waves, a peaceful coexistence shatters, drawing the students of the Institute into a desperate struggle to forge alliances with the enigmatic mermaids. Will they unravel the mystery of the Krakens' wrath in time to save both their worlds? "The Quest for the Kraken's Ink" plunges readers into the heart of a deep-sea mystery, where the calm waters of Eldavon's coast are troubled by unforeseen threats. As Penelope, Herja, Kaia, and their classmates embark on their fourth year at the Institute, their studies are disrupted by a violent upheaval from the ocean's depths. The arrival of mermaids on their shores signals the start of an unexpected alliance, challenging the students to navigate the turbulent waters of diplomatic relations. With the mermaids seeking refuge from a sudden, aggressive assault by Kraken, the students must balance the urgency of their quest for kraken ink—a crucial ingredient for their magical studies—with the pressing need to broker peace beneath the waves. Amidst this chaos, they confront their own prejudices, forge new bonds, and unearth secrets that lie hidden in the marine abyss. Can they restore harmony to the underwater realm and secure the future of their magical education, or will they be swallowed by the conflicts that divide land and sea? The Quest for the Kraken’s Ink is the fourth book in the Defenders of the Realm series.