The crew of the Hydronomus heaved the ropes over after dropping anchor at the rather sleepy port village.  All aboard the ship were agog at the lackadaisical demeanor of the villagers.  It was also apparent they were quite human, and there was no indication of any of the infamous Lizard Folk that Narina had been tasked to find.<br/><br/>"So, this was all a mistake after all...I knew it."  Captain Nyra snorted, looking over her shoulder at Narina, with some small amount of smugness.  "Do you see any of these legendary Lizard Men?  I don't.  All I see are a gaggle of ordinary villagers and dock-hands."<br/><br/>"You again speak out of turn, good Captain.  These are not the ones we have come to contact.  They are the servants who dwell above the waves.  Our own aquatic denizens have confirmed as much long before our arrival.  And it is past time our mermaid scout arrived to give her regular report.  What could be keeping her this long?"  Narina fretted.<br/><br/>"Maybe she's in trouble.  I told you we should have come in here with a Destroyer and showed these fish-heads who's...."<br/><br/>"ENOUGH!"  The High Priestess turned, glaring at the Captain, her eyes glittering with rage.  "You would do well to beware the wrath of a patient woman, Captain Nyra!  It was your eminent skill as a seafarer that the Tyrant Queen sought, not your insolent and facile opinions!  Need I remind you that it was the Queen, herself, who pardoned you of all the crimes you'd committed as a pirate prior to your naval command?  Shall I present your head on a platter to the Tyrant Queen when my mission here is complete, so that you may complain to her directly?  Is that as we would wish it?<br/><br/>The muscular female Captain gave no reply but her sullen look spoke volumes.  She was not accustomed to being spoken to thus, not even by a High Priestess, and the wheels of her mind turned with dark thoughts.  It was clear that Narina did not know the half of what Nyra had done during her notorious career as a freebooter...no one did and lived, except for her crew, and their loyalty was without question.<br/><br/>For several moments no words were spoken between the two.  The crew continued to set about their work, offloading empty urns and casks and securing the ship in port.  Captain Nyra's silence implied her consent to the High Priestess's wishes.<br/><br/>"That's what I thought."  Narina replied, walking over toward the gangplank as it was swung down.  "Now, I am going ashore and I don't expect your crew to start any fights with these people or you'll have me to answer to.  Is that clear, Captain?"<br/><br/>"......yes."  Came Nyra's reply, between clenched teeth, watching the haughty High Priestess debark, and sending 12 of her muscular female and futa crew to accompany her.  "Oh, I've got my eye on you, bitch."  Nyra hissed softly, toying with the hilt of her dagger.<br/><br/>High Priestess Narina wore her religious headdress and sandals, but nothing else as she stepped onto the modest wooden pier.  The weather was clearing up, with only a few clouds in the sky, and the sun had only just gone down.  The night air smelled delightful...the salty ocean waves making a tranquil sound as they lapped at the shore.  The little village was decorated with shells and lit by colorful lamps which gave the entire place a sort of dreamy quality.  Behind the High Priestess strode a dozen big, well-muscled, tough looking women and futas.  Their hair was cut short, in defiance of the Amalorian tradition of long hair, and they sported numerous tattoos which were also frowned upon.  They wore boots and tight-fitting trousers and simple halter-tops.  Some wore bandannas, while others had on broad belts.<br/><br/>