He inclined his head in weary gratitude for the Ancient's offer to deliver a letter. It would be faster than 'porting back to Torchline, penning it, and then finding a raven to send it all the back across the world. And time was suddenly and very starkly of the essence there, where an unwanted moon sat brooding in their waters, bleeding violet scars across their sky, and twisting flowers and animals alike.
The offer of a half-eaten sandwich was so unexpected that the mermanta blinked in bemusement for several long seconds before he reached for it. "Thank you," he rumbled, as gracious as if she had handed him a fancy truffle. He considered the contents for only a moment before beginning to eat while she answered his question, the sandwich disappearing in three large bites.
"Mmmh. The west was not as fortunate," he said solemnly when he finished, while she searched her pockets. "The second moon... fell. It landed in the Arclight, making a new island. Its waves destroyed Torchline's ports. Everything along the coast... gone." There was a tightness at the corners of his eyes, a stoic facade being pushed to its limit. "Many died. We are still counting."
His distant, numb gaze refocused on the Grounder in front of him and he drew a breath, shaking off the visions of memory. "Mm. To Danta, Theocrat. If there is aid the Grounds can spare Torchline is in need. Our skyport was destroyed. If you can send ships with supplies, we would be grateful. Tell them to avoid the new island. From Hadama, King."
The offer of a half-eaten sandwich was so unexpected that the mermanta blinked in bemusement for several long seconds before he reached for it. "Thank you," he rumbled, as gracious as if she had handed him a fancy truffle. He considered the contents for only a moment before beginning to eat while she answered his question, the sandwich disappearing in three large bites.
"Mmmh. The west was not as fortunate," he said solemnly when he finished, while she searched her pockets. "The second moon... fell. It landed in the Arclight, making a new island. Its waves destroyed Torchline's ports. Everything along the coast... gone." There was a tightness at the corners of his eyes, a stoic facade being pushed to its limit. "Many died. We are still counting."
His distant, numb gaze refocused on the Grounder in front of him and he drew a breath, shaking off the visions of memory. "Mm. To Danta, Theocrat. If there is aid the Grounds can spare Torchline is in need. Our skyport was destroyed. If you can send ships with supplies, we would be grateful. Tell them to avoid the new island. From Hadama, King."
