Bab 119: Know thy enemy, part 4

Whether Cael succeeded in appearing more approachable, or Pietro was simply too scared of the mages, but he let them in.

The shack was too tiny for five people, and there was only one three-legged stool to sit on—not hospitable at all. The wooden walls were dark with age. Bundles of garlic, onions, and dried fish dangled from the ceiling.

"We will wait for you outside. Have luck—you will need it," Niko said, gesturing for Myrna to follow.

With the two of them gone, there was enough space inside the shack to spread out a little. There also was enough space for Pietro to walk past Cael and Tarek and sit on the stool.

"Who do yer work for?" the fisherman asked, sneering.

Cael blinked and exchanged glances with Tarek. The dark-skinned mage made big eyes and shrugged.

"We are our own people, signore Pietro," Cael said. "We just want to find out why merfolk, after living in peace with humans for years, would now send a kraken after their ships."