Master Of None

The three moved quickly to the place that Clara had sent them. The small group of cloaked individuals had stopped in the middle of the road when Walker came in to view. " I am Leon, first son of the merfolk king. I am here on my rite of succession to stand as a representative of the merfolk and our home." The man that stepped forward was the first merfolk Walker had seen. 

Years ago the merfolk had been considered monsters like the mindless lizardmen of the swamps. But now, they were refined people that lived in and out of the oceans. The silver blue scales reflected the light and showed off the spiny fins on the man's arms and legs. The webbed feet and hands proved more than anything that they were meant to swim. On top of their head instead of hair were longer finds that sprawled down the merfolks' spines. They wore the cloaks as a practice when they came on land since they wouldn't normally wear anything when underwater. It would impede their swimming unless it was specially forged armor. 

"I am Walker. I came to meet you. I see you have brought a few others with you on your journey. I can get someone to show them to a resting area and beds. We can also have meals made if you need food before we meet with the other leaders." There was not even a flinch as Walker took in the sight of the merfolk uncovering their faces and hands. 

"That sounds agreeable. I apologize for our appearance. We merfolk have no issue with the cold, but the air is too dry. If you could provide wet towels for us, it would help." Walker knew that this was an easy solution and made sure that he would ask an assistant the moment they walked in to the Genesis building. 

"Follow me and I will make sure you get what you need. My little sister Midnight and party member Su will be able to help you as well." Sue and Midnight nodded in greeting before they tinder to head inside. There was a lot that Walker wanted to ask but he had no reason to pry in to the life of the merfolk just yet. First, he would make sure they had a comfortable place to rest. Then he would start a conversation, He was sure the other leaders wouldn't be ready for some time anyways. 

The walk was slow and silent since it seemed the merfolk were not as fast on their feet as a human. This was understandable since they spent their time in the water and not on land. "I hope your journey here was smooth." The small attempt to make conversation seemed to go over Leons' head until he eventually spoke up. 

"We had a little trouble roaming the swamps so we went around them. Originally we would have gotten here earlier. My father would normally attend thee events but there were pressing matters. I am proud to come and represent my people." There was an unspoken sense of confidence and strength when Leon expressed his pride in this task. Walker could only imagine how it would make someone feel. 

"If you ask at the summit some may assist you on your journey back. This is about joining together and making a better future. I know that this is far from the ocean, but there is a river nearby that we might be able to work in to some form of transportation. If I remember correctly your people work with a lot of port towns so boats are a common means of transportation." The solution that Su had thought it was very plausible. 

Unfortunately, Leon looked downcast hearing this. "I would take pride in that bond my people have with fishermen and their boats. But we are unable to protect them now and they stay within their harbors. As you may know, the demons are acting up in the oceans. The plague the demonic kraken is too large for us to leave guards around towns." This was the first Walker and Su were hearing this. It felt as if they had no knowledge of the world where the merfolk come from. 

"There will be many kingdom leaders and new items from other countries here during the summit. If you present your problems there is a high chance that someone can help." Walker was wise not to immediately promise to help himself. He knew that he would need to plan something like this out even if he wanted to. The true issue was the water which he could not breathe in. The issue was better pitched to a council. 

"I will make my plea in time. For now, I am impressed by this city. I have been lucky to receive education about the surface in depth. I know there are multiple races creating these buildings. It is rare to see such architecture. My people heavily rely on living coral which we grow in to our homes. I always related it to the way elves guide nature in to their homes. But this is a mix of stone and what appears to be elven design." Leon was very well educated to gather so much. The merfolk behind him made surprised faces as they heard him speak on these topics. This was news to them as well. 

"You are correct. So far the demi-humans and forest elves are in an alliance with the human kingdom. But the dwarves sent a great deal of assistance and are most likely to join fully in to an alliance. It is just a matter of conversation. I hope you will do the same. There is a lot to look forward to in the future." The merfolk looked at Walker in awe. They didn't know these things had already begun to take shape. 

They would have spoken further, but there was a strange sound shaking the air around them and Walker was put on guard. 

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