elder nelson 's jaw clenched at being cut off , but he stated calmly , `` elder fergus and i have found a few of the mages and elementals you have as commanders to be lacking in leadership skills , and we were informed queen ruckler had a few potential candidates to take their- '' `` ah , yes , '' ezra interrupted him again , and i peered at my boots to keep from laughing when elder nelson 's veneer cracked and his bronzed face flushed in anger , his mouth beginning to open , surely to bawl him out for being so ill-mannered to an elder , but ezra continued speaking , ignoring him .