We found ourselves walking through the encampment towards the Baray a while later. The sound of familiar giggles and splashes of water reached our ears from a distance. There, swimming slowly and delicately, was a school of mermaids. Once they saw us, the mermaids waved their hands in delight.
"Little lord of the sea is coming hither! O with our fairest lady!" one of the Machas cried out. They giggled and gathered together as Samudra nodded to me to go to them. I looked back to the half-fish and half-maidens then took a deep breath.
Samudra had told me they knew everything about the aquatic world, and I must seek the secret from them. When I reached the stone edge of the pool, they swam over to me. Their sharp eyes shone with flirty mischief.
"Good maidens of the sea, I come here to ask
