"After the land dwellers killed Taliel, the 'Northwind Beacon,' and the Sea Elf Kingdom fell, those of us who survived formed Hunting Bands large and small to stay alive in this cruel ocean. We roamed the seas, pursuing and killing marine prey for meat..."
Once the circumstances were clear, Shahualin reverted to her cold Sea Elf hunter persona. She secured the tailor shop's windows and doors with swift, silent movements.
After hanging up the closed sign, she tilted her head toward the stairs, signaling for the two of them to follow. All three then went upstairs and shut the door to speak in private.
The second floor was slightly more spacious than the first, though its ceiling sloped. At Renato's current height, he could stand upright near the windows, but had to duck slightly farther inside.
The furnishings were all neatly arranged. A single bed stood by the window, its bedding clean and smooth. On a low table beside it sat half a glass of water and a worn leather-bound booklet, with a charcoal pencil worn to a stub beside the booklet.
In a corner stood a large wooden tub full of water. The places where fingers had gripped its rim were worn smooth and pale. Its surface lay still as a mirror, reflecting the slanted roof beams.
A faint salty, fishy smell hung in the air, seemingly coming from the tub. Perhaps it contained seawater?
Shahualin did not respond with silence when Renato asked about what had come to light during the argument downstairs. Clearly, after that series of emotional outbursts, the Sea Elf spy understood that information had already leaked. Trying to keep everything secret now was pointless.
And after hearing Selina recount Renato's accomplishments in White Harbor, Shahualin fully acknowledged the Black-Armored Swordsman's abilities.
So, after only