In the clear blue waters the broad, dark shape of the manta ray swimming leisurely towards the blood in the water was clearly visible. The prodigious wingspan of the gentle giant might have been of more concern if its dark back wasn't crossed with golden tattoos over its scars; tattoos that shimmered in the sunlight as it skimmed along beneath the surface.
But as it came closer it seemed to shrink, wings shortening and body growing more slender as fishy hide melted into a muscular human torso and steely hair streamed back along dark brown skin. The golden scars remained, but it was a familiar merman who glided the rest of the way into the shallows and lifted his head out of the water to observe Maeve and her catch thoughtfully.
"They have gone deeper, and further out," he rumbled by way of greeting. "If they can. Many are still in torpor this season, with the cold."
But as it came closer it seemed to shrink, wings shortening and body growing more slender as fishy hide melted into a muscular human torso and steely hair streamed back along dark brown skin. The golden scars remained, but it was a familiar merman who glided the rest of the way into the shallows and lifted his head out of the water to observe Maeve and her catch thoughtfully.
"They have gone deeper, and further out," he rumbled by way of greeting. "If they can. Many are still in torpor this season, with the cold."
