Zale told Talori to wait there while he grabbed her some rations for the long swim and when he came back with them, she stuffed them in her bag and held his hands tightly for a moment with a worried expression on her face. "Are you really going to be okay without me?"
No but she didn't need to know that. As long as she was safe, that was what truly mattered. He would simply have to speed up his efforts so she could come home as quickly as possible.
"Do not worry about me. All that matters is that you are safe."
Talori didn't seem to believe him but let it go. He gently stroked her face and got out a knife to cut off some of her hair. "I'll need evidence of your supposed death. It will grow back."
Noble merfolk all had long hair. It was the day laborers who kept it short for the sake of convenience. Hers went down to the top of her tail. Cutting it to just below her shoulders should be enough to convince them.
