The Rusalki

Syndra was standing on the shores of Lake Sargon with Captain Ryul in silence. After he told her of the Gilnan Queen's response to the meeting, she elected to come here immediately. She had a suspicion of who they were going to meet, but it wasn't until she pulled herself out of the lake, long hair covering her face, that it was confirmed. Praetor Svetlana, the same one she met over 10 years ago.

"Ah, Praetor Svetlana. I haven't seen you in a long time." Syndra said, approaching her.

"Oh? Have we met?" Svetlana asked. "Think I'd remember meeting a Princess."

"How about a Fairy King?" Syndra said back. "One you told that the rus aren't spirits."

Svetlana paused. She knew exactly who she told that to. She pulled back the hair covering her face, and looked at Syndra carefully with her pale blue eyes. Eventually, she nodded.

"Yes, your soul smells the same. Had no idea you were a Princess, though. Interesting. No matter. Queen ordered we help you."

Svetlana turned back toward the lake and started yelling in the strange language of the rusalki. Soon, dozens of them emerged from the lake, forming up behind Svetlana.

"Captain Ryul, we at disposal. Will brief on nature of rus, what can and cannot." Svetlana said in stilted, broken elven. She then paused, and resumed speaking in Gilnan. "Please tell me you understand Gilnan. My elven is terrible."

Captain Ryul smiled. "Yes, I can speak Gilnan just fine. I'm a Border Guard, after all."

Svetlana looked visibly relieved, as the prospect of speaking more elven was daunting to her.