Ocean's Breath Plateau times could be much worse

A free woman? Unfettered by the will of the sea? How strange. It seemed only fitting for a coastal wolf to align themselves as the Nereides did; yet when she responded, Tryphon was glad. Her eagerness to learn about him was a bit off-putting, but only because he wasn't accustomed to others showing any semblance of care for him — not now, not since he'd failed his last family.

This was different. They were alone together, and she was not obligated to look after him. They were unaffiliated with one another. So then why did she ask? Why did she care? His brow creased, and he responded with the same low and lethargic tone as he always spoke: I have nothing for you, the boy bartered, as he could not fathom why this woman would offer her services for free. No food, no power, and no intention of owing a debt — and as Tryphon thought of these things, he bristled against the sea wind.

He turned from her and stared out at the dark band of sea in the distance, but then dropped his gaze to his paws, and quietly admitted,
The sea... Makes me ill.