Wanderers of the Waves
Thirty-First Day of the Tenth Month 292 AC
You stay silent, curious more about Vellamo herself and the company she keeps than fiends scattered across the Seven kingdoms and perhaps beyond. The answer is swift in coming... though not quite in the manner you you had anticipated. Instead of words the sorceress changes, no mere unraveling of a glamor but a transmutation of the flesh: her skin takes on a faintly greenish tint, her hair ripples free of its bindings to fall in a wave of lustrous black over her shoulders. Her charming smile now reveals a row of sharp white fangs...
It is a testament too all the uncanny things your friends have seen in your journeys that none react beyond a curious blink from Vee and a considering look from Ser Richard, likely weighing the peril she represents again in his mind... something stirs at the back of your mind, more than a dream, less than memory:
children of cold northern waters, rarely seen by fire loving wyrms and their offspring, yet that very rarity drove one particular magus to acquire a pair. You could have done without the knowledge of what she did with them.
"I am glad to see those born of sea and earth can still find common ground against the horrors from beyond the boundaries of the world," you offer, truth and platitude both.
"Not even a flinch..." Vellamo tsks. "Could you not have at least pretended to be shocked?" she asks with mock-petulance.
"Will burning curiosity as to how you came to be in your current circumstances satisfy you my lady?" you ask.
"My people were driven south by an ancient foe whose name I will not utter here." The cold wind rattles the boards with a sudden gust, making her pause for a wary moment before hurrying on.
"Many sought shelter on coasts further north where only the rude tribes of those who call themselves 'Free Folk'. Perhaps they have even come to rule there..." she does not appear to think much of the notion. "Among us as among men there are those with greater daring and grander dreams. Those of my kindred dared the deep waters to pass around the Shadow of the Wall and came at last to more civilized lands. From fishermen's tales and seaside rumors we learned of those among these lands most bound to the sea and we sought them out... offering fealty for the chance to walk among the men of White Harbor untroubled."
"Pray go not take this as casting aspersions upon your lord... but I find it as surprising as I do gladdening that you were taken in so readily," you question her gently.
"Exiles will know their own and welcome them at need." she shrugs. Seeing that you are not convinced she adds. "We did not show ourselves at once, but worked to aid the city in secret, then slowly unveiled our secret. Some know us merely as traders and fishermen who bring strange wares to port, others as sorcerers and diviners and only a few for our true nature."
"So what d'you want?" Vee asks bluntly, her Common far from perfect but understandable enough. You suspect she is playing the role of the 'little savage' girl intentionally, for while she has little patience for sparing with words she is not without cunning. A question you could have never asked directly without giving offense is far more forgivable from her. Perhaps she is interested in the tale... perhaps she merely wishes to finish your business in white Harbor so you can get a decent night's sleep.
Regardless Vee's purpose stands fulfilled soon enough. Vellamo explains that some of her more ventursome kin would wish to look upon lands and seas further south, but warm waters are too dangerous to swim in all day, yet they cannot stay in human guise for weeks or months on end. "Perhaps a journey to your lands will cool their ardor..." she finishes.
It does not escape your notice that such a exchange will also give House Manderly eyes and ears in Sorcerer's Deep, perhaps even sorcerers, for you do not know how many of the selkies share the arcane talents shown in the crafting of the wards.
What do you answer?
[] Accept the "visitors" without asking for anything beyond goodwill in exchange
[] Demand a price
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[] Write in
OOC: Whoever guessed mermaid for Vellamo was close.