They say they know you, m'lady… well, one of 'em does. Ta other is dumb-like. Not deaf mind you, cuz he follows what t'other says, but there ain't nobody home if you understands."
Jaxom lay beside his brother trying to quell the shivering that had racked him from day one. His hand was clammy and slick as he held the warm slack of Flaxom's fingers.
"Gerard, everyone says they know me," came a lighthearted voice that sounded like a sweet ocean breeze.
"Yes m'lady. But this one, he said to remind you of the boat 'n the dunking and m'lord Eric missing his mark?
"Oh?" said the sweet voice. "That's a likely story," a tinkle of laughter. "The only time I've ever fallen out of a boat was…" and her voice died away.
"You alright m"lady?"
"You said there were two?"
"Twins maybe, brothers for sure. One's got nothin' goin' on but breathin' and the other doesn't look like he's very well," the Gerard voice said. "I'd 'a had them marched right back out the gates for tespassin' in the stables but, well, I was once a vagrant myself. I'd 'a not bothered you, but you did come along and the bit about the boat was an odd 'un."
Jaxom closed his eyes and pressed his forehead into the warmth of Flaxom's side. He wanted nothing more than to sink deep into the fragrant hay and give over to the deep sleep that seemed to be beckoning. But he couldn't leave Flaxom, not when he didn't know if his brother was still somewhere lost inside that human mind.
For one thing, his twin-sight was still clear. Jaxom used it even now to watch the lady look at them, watched her see the distinct gold ring in Flaxom's left eye, the one that matched Jaxom's on the right. Ariel matched that unblinking gaze for a long time; so long that Jaxom thought he could actually feel her looking at him. He broke the connection and waited.
Jaxom didn't know what to expect from Triton's daughter, but she was the only creature now that knew them.