Swamped

"That's wet as in the sea," the speaker continues. "If you're the sort who loves to hear stories of the merfolk, well, I think you'll find tonight's show very interesting. But if you want to know any more than that, you'll have to stay and watch!"

With a flourish, they step off the stage. The lights dim, and the curtain rises.

You think you spot someone getting up, but it's too dark to be sure who it is. Perhaps it's part of the show? Or perhaps they're informing somebody else that it's started.

Well, the informant's probably better prepared to deal with that than you are. You might as well watch the show - apparently, the first scene is one of the new ones.

There's only one actor on the stage. They're holding up a mask - the traditional sort of mask for portraying a god. This one is very clearly Nual.

"People of Port Sarvakken!" the actor cries out. "Know this - Matilda Laikenne had my blessing! By turning against her, you defied me!"

You've never seen one of these scenes before, but you've heard about them. Plays sometimes try to shame local leadership by presenting their acts as against the will of the god with the most influence. It only occasionally works.

Complaining about their treatment of one woman years ago seems odd, especially as you don't recall hearing that she was formally punished. But it could make sense if the actor sharing her name really is a relative.

Still, there's something much more specific that seems strange about the scene.