Jack took his time in answering and Hadama took that time to enjoy his own drink and consider the dark-haired human, calmly patient. The answer earned a slow nod from the mermanta, an acknowledgment that he had heard as he considered it and turned the words over in his mind.
It was not a position the Mer had needed in the past. Perhaps, with times changing as they were, it might become one he should consider for his own people in the future.
Though 'his own people' had become a much wider net in recent days and he sipped his own liquor-sweetened coffee thoughtfully. The question Jack asked could be taken more than one way, but Hadama took his best guess and met the man's eyes squarely, his words simple and straight to the point. "Maeve is stepping down as Queen. Until a new human ruler is found to take her place, then yes. I will hold land and sea." Until Maeve was ready to return, or another felt the calling to lead the landfolk.
Longer, if fate was unkind and no leader among the humans could be found.
"Do you wish to remain on the council of Torchline?" Under the leadership of a stranger. The leadership of a Mer. Hadama would need the advice of the human councilmembers if this was to work, but he wouldn't begrudge any of them choosing to resign given the circumstances.
It was not a position the Mer had needed in the past. Perhaps, with times changing as they were, it might become one he should consider for his own people in the future.
Though 'his own people' had become a much wider net in recent days and he sipped his own liquor-sweetened coffee thoughtfully. The question Jack asked could be taken more than one way, but Hadama took his best guess and met the man's eyes squarely, his words simple and straight to the point. "Maeve is stepping down as Queen. Until a new human ruler is found to take her place, then yes. I will hold land and sea." Until Maeve was ready to return, or another felt the calling to lead the landfolk.
Longer, if fate was unkind and no leader among the humans could be found.
"Do you wish to remain on the council of Torchline?" Under the leadership of a stranger. The leadership of a Mer. Hadama would need the advice of the human councilmembers if this was to work, but he wouldn't begrudge any of them choosing to resign given the circumstances.
