He studied the woman in turn, taking in her own scars and the curious whorls of ridged skin over what could be seen of her arms and shoulders. Her frame was spare but strong, and her green eyes were clear and sharply intelligent in her freckled face.
A warrior, perhaps. Or at the very least, a survivor.
One who was, it seemed, rather out of touch with the world, and Hadama inclined his head in acknowledgment of that information. "The corruption is called the Void," he rumbled. lifting the golden seed from his pouch and holding it up so she could see it more clearly. "There is a tree in the Suvahasi. Its seeds are... unusual. We hope that they may slow the Void's advance." There had been no announcement made, only a sense that the tree itself was of Caido - and its appearance seemed to be a direct response to the Void's encroachment through the Wilds.
Sometimes hope was all they had.
But her question caught him off guard, so rare was it these days. His solemn expression did not change but he did pause to gather his thoughts before answering, inclining his head in courteous greeting. "I am Hadama," he confirmed. "King of the Merfolk, and co-ruler of Torchline." There had been a time when he had been King of both, but that had been over a year ago. Emerald eyes once more settled on the stranger, calm and patient, but making no assumptions that the introduction would be reciprocated. In Torchline especially, people needed their privacy.
Though whether she was some new agent of the Family was yet to be seen.
A warrior, perhaps. Or at the very least, a survivor.
One who was, it seemed, rather out of touch with the world, and Hadama inclined his head in acknowledgment of that information. "The corruption is called the Void," he rumbled. lifting the golden seed from his pouch and holding it up so she could see it more clearly. "There is a tree in the Suvahasi. Its seeds are... unusual. We hope that they may slow the Void's advance." There had been no announcement made, only a sense that the tree itself was of Caido - and its appearance seemed to be a direct response to the Void's encroachment through the Wilds.
Sometimes hope was all they had.
But her question caught him off guard, so rare was it these days. His solemn expression did not change but he did pause to gather his thoughts before answering, inclining his head in courteous greeting. "I am Hadama," he confirmed. "King of the Merfolk, and co-ruler of Torchline." There had been a time when he had been King of both, but that had been over a year ago. Emerald eyes once more settled on the stranger, calm and patient, but making no assumptions that the introduction would be reciprocated. In Torchline especially, people needed their privacy.
Though whether she was some new agent of the Family was yet to be seen.
