"Mermaids?" Jake said, the pieces clicking together.
"You sent them to test us."
"Of course. When I heard a flying ship had arrived in Baenil asking about me, I wanted to know what I was dealing with before engaging directly. The mermaids were reconnaissance that happened to turn violent when you defended yourselves, which told me useful things about your capabilities."
Elisabeth's tone remained conversational, as though they were discussing the weather rather than the tactical precursors to what might become lethal combat.
"Then I positioned myself at the inn where I knew you'd go for lodging, gathered more information in a context where your guard was down, and confirmed my assessment that you're clever and competent but also young enough to be distracted by a pretty face asking friendly questions."
Jake felt his jaw tighten at the accurate assessment, and Elisabeth's smile suggested she'd noticed the reaction and found it amusing.
