Kerrigan tugged the black vesper cape from the captain, not caring to be gentle. He emitted a low moan but showed no promising signs of coming to. She shoved the cape into the damp knapsack Mae had fished out from their hoard.

"While I'm gone, what will become of him?"

"Surely you do not care for that wretch," Lotus snarled. They had snaked to the edge of a pool behind the giant rock, where their captive was tied. The crowd of Sirens - the clan - watched pensively from rock pools and ledges. Water dripped bit by bit into several pools, orchestrating a soothing melody to the collective tension.

"He can hang in the cold and wait," Undilla stated. Amal at her side stared softly at the captive.

"If he comes to, we shall feed him," she said. "If there is any hope of an exchange, it will be a life for a life."

Lotus snorted with frustration.

"You are uselessly hopeful. We all know even if he returns to his pack, they will seek us out."

"If an exchange can be made," Undilla cut in for Amal, "then soon after we move out."

Several Sirens audibly expressed their displeasure. Kerrigan could feel it as if it was the air she breathed. The clan was in distress. Moving meant abandoning their coves, their network of tunnels, the hoard of debris - their treasure. Abandoning home meant parting with stability and content, and Kerrigan knew exactly how that felt.

"Unless, that is, they attack the moment they receive their man," Lotus pointed out.

Kerrigan interrupted before Undilla could speak. "Then the clan moves before the exchange. I could oversee the captain's return to shore, but insist Circe to be released into the ocean first."

Lotus crawled around the rock, the muscles of her scarred arms rippling. Her gaze was fixed pointedly on Kerrigan.

"You would do this?"

"Yes."

"And when you are alone, afterwards?"

"Look, this could go any way. There's no telling what I can do for you, what will happen... but let us focus on the now, and Circe, and how in debt you'll be to me if this all ends well."

I like your style sister.

"I have a plan and it's quite straight forward. I will go to shore, find the harbour. There will no doubt be heavy knight presence there; guards for trading ships, maybe military. And where there are knights, there's a knight commander. I will find them and show them this cape, and inform them of the current situation and our peaceful offer. I shall insist an exchange to be made before the sun touches the horizon. So you need to move that man," she pointed at the captain, "by then to Little Valley. I am assuming it has a clear view of the shore."

"Yes," Lotus replied.

"Then I will insist they send a man on a row boat to retrieve him, bring him back to shore - before it even touches the sand I will have Circe set on her way to you."

"And if they do not agree to this?"

"Then I shall use my mark, attempt to free her myself. She will likely be stored on ship as they load it up with who knows what else. She could reach the water in seconds. It means my existence there will be known, something I'd hoped to avoid. In truth I wanted to build my new home there, but perhaps I still can, in the distant mountains. Even if I have to burn my way through the King's army first. It'll be invigorating to say the least."

Undilla approached.

"I admire your strategic mind," she said. Lotus gave a nod. "And we are very grateful for your willingness."

"If all does end well," Lotus declared, "we shall indeed be in debt. If all does not end well, and I plead to any old or new god that may have their ears pricked that this will not be the case, odds against us or no... this clan will know you did all you could and will hold you with highest regard. But," Lotus crept forward, her tone hardening, "let us not rejoice bravery too soon. I'd hate to fill up your head with grandeur before I have laid eyes on my daughter."

Something about Lotus sank like teeth into Kerrigan. Perhaps it was the hint of gratitude that still managed to sound threatening. Or the scars, the piercing gaze, or the feeling that they wanted so badly to unleash their anger, tear Kerrigan to shreds, and missile through the waters to draw blood from the Hunt themselves.

Kerrigan had known the Hunt would crawl into her life again. There was no avoiding it, like there was no avoiding the setting sun. Her home had fallen to ashes merely a week ago - her own rage was still bubbling. The years of knowing what they did in the city, what the King decreed, what he paid for, and how the non-human life around her suffered, and now this. The years of doing nothing, fearing discovery, a war, a witch hunt, and it was already at her doorstep.

Kerrigan knew it was time for change. 

It was time to struggle outside of the shadows.