Mara tilted her head, studying him with a sharp, calculating gaze. "You're determined. I'll give you that. But determination alone won't get you far in these waters."
Arthur forced a faint smile, masking his skepticism. "That's why we need someone who knows the currents. Someone like you."
Mara chuckled softly. "Flattery. Don't waste your breath, surface-dweller. You're not the first with grand ideas who's come through here."
"Maybe not." Arthur replied. "But I intend to be the one who gets results."
She regarded him in silence for a moment before nodding slightly. "The rainfolks you're looking for didn't stay in Varem. They moved on, but not far. They'll be in the Deep Trench markets, places most surface folk wouldn't dare to tread. I'll guide you there."
Aleks stiffened, muttering under his breath. "Great. Just what we needed, another detour into dangerous waters."
