~Naaru Dominion, Deephome~
Within the waters of Deephome, Danassa sat on her throne of whale-bone. Another, younger and far poorer, mermaid was infront of her, clutching several engraved tablets of stone. The High-Mother broke the silence: "[Speak scribe, and do not attempt to deceive me with fanciful tales.]" She gripped a spear of bone with her webbed hands while glaring at the commoner before her.
The scribe nervously smiled with her pointed teeth and said: "[Uhm, but of course High-Mother. We have come to the conclusion that these 'skimmers' are not beasts, but constructions of intelligent races. We als-]"
"[I thought I had told you not to deceive me with fanciful tales.]"
The scribe cringed at the accusation: "[I haven't been! Look!]" The scribe began to frantically show the high-mother of several carvings of ships, humans, and satyrs on hunks of stone. "[All of these drawings are done by different scribes, do you truly believe that one such as me would be able to convince so many to undertake such a lie?]" The scribe pointed to a carving of a ship: "[These things are not... natural to say the least, what else but intelligent beings could construct such a device?]"
The High-Mother relaxed the grip of her spear: "[Perhaps... you are right.]" She paused for a brief moment then continued, "[However, I still want to know more about these beings and these ships before I take great action. You may go, scribe.]" Never had someone left Danassa's chamber so quickly. Afterwards, she looked over the several carvings of the ships and its inhabitants for several hours. Finally she came to a decision, and called her son Aeo to her chambers. The dutiful Aeo arrived within minutes and quickly prostrated himself before Danassa. She simply said: "[Rise, my son Aeo.]"
Aeo, a young merman covered with the bones of slain merfolk, did as he was bid: "[Yes, High Mother?]"
In Danassa's heart she felt a great pride for this son, but she betrayed none of these feelings outwardly as she decreed: "[Aeo, you are to sink one of these... skimmers, and bring one to me for further study. Is this understood?]"
Aeo who so desired to please Danassa replied: "[Yes, Great High Mother, I will not fail you.]"
"[Then go, take as many Naaru as you need. The future of our race may hang in the balance.]"
~Naaru Dominion, off the coast of Fristreek~
Some time later, after Aeo had gathered a school of fifty Naaru, he had found a target. Off of the coast of Fristreek, there was a ship sailing towards the Kingdom of Marmon for the high feast. Perhaps out of some unfortunate twist of fate, Aeo had targeted the ship of Lady Sara. In all honesty however, it was quite deliberate. Aeo had passed several opportunities to seize a ship, for who sought to please the High-Mother, wanted to seize the grandest ship he could. And what was more grand than a ship of a great noble? Not that he knew that it possessed anyone of importance, he simply recognized the ship for being as impressive as it was.
And thus, under a full moon, Aeo began his assault of the vessel. Well trained and disciplined, Aeo commanded that his men do not speak before they strike, remain in formation, and never breach the surface of the water. The school dived deep into the ocean, and rose directly under the vessel. In one swift charge their spears were driven into the wood with an audible crunch, and water began to flow into the ship. Those asleep aboard the ship had a rude awakening, the battle had begun.
