The throne room was populated with mer nobility. Male and female mers in resplendent jewellery and polished scales made for a bright sight.
Being watched by so many hostile eyes had Syryn's skin crawling. The mage looked straight ahead, looking to the world like he wasn't bothered by his imprisonment and humiliation.
"Your majesty," the leading guard paid his respects as he bowed to the king.
The purple mer nodded and his gaze turned to Syryn. Strong hands pushed the mage to his knees, forcing him to look up at the king from a position of abasement.
"Do you understand the difference, human?" The king asked him.
Syryn stared straight ahead without answering. He was jabbed between his shoulder blades by one of the guards. The mage grunted in pain but otherwise remained composed.
"Your liberator, Syryn the human," the King told his subjects. The mer king spoke without much emotion. His eyes were like deep pits of darkness on a stoic face.
