The boat headed out to sea, leaving the streets of Hacre behind it.The traffic in and out of the city continued, but seemed to give the ship a very large berth. Kersinta met Talion's eyes briefly, but didn't say anything, merely looking grateful for his presence.<br/><br/>As it moved out to the point where the city was just barely visible, a tower of water protruded from the surface ahead of the boat. Not ice, but liquid, flowing water which seemed to have been shaped and solidified into a structure. A fish swam through it unconcerned, bumping into an invisible barrier where it would fall into the air. Hunched, masked figures wearing nautiloid shells upon their back and patchwork armour on their front stood to attention on either side, their hooked spears ramrod-straight. They opened the doors to allow a blue-skinned woman to step out--Talion would recognise her as Lady Pearl.<br/><br/>"So, you finally came, oh bride of beauty incomparable." she said to Kersinta, not seeming to pay attention to anyone else--not even Talion, her eyes sliding off him. Despite the apparent praise, she spoke with as much warmth and approval as if she had been reading a shopping list. "My father waits keenly for you. You who have delivered her here, you will accompany her. If he approves, you will be given tokens of his benevolence, and sent back to shore, that you may spread the good news amongst his people. Once we are below, I trust I need not remind you that to speak out of turn will result in death, so control your awe when you behold the House of Azure."