"That's not funny," he grumbled in frustration, using the back of his hand to brush away the water droplets from his mouth after they had been unexpectedly splashed onto him. "I told you already that I'm not fond of the water," he muttered with a frown.

Alasdair had always detested pranks. He found them childish and had no room in his heart for finding amusement in such antics. It reminded him of the meaningless tricks played by his regiment back in the kingdom he once served, where he was often the unwilling recipient. However, he never dared to retaliate, fearing that it would only fuel the rumors against his family. But none of that mattered now.

A scabbard lay beside him on the ground where he sat, just close enough to where he could grab for it if needed, just far away enough to not distract him by what the sword would mean to him now. It's too important to disregard the role in his life, but now it's been tainted with stains invisible to the eye. Now forbidden to step foot in the kingdom he once vowed his life to, Alasdair found himself just on the outskirts, deep in the forest, with nothing but the armor on his back, a pouch with some coin, and his family sword as he sat on the shores by darkened waters of the lake.

"I'll find a way, I can't just stay here." he answered the merperson's inquiry of his future as an ex-knight, his gaze falling on the tail that swished softly beneath the waters, already grumbling before being splashed again. "I wouldn't mind the long journey to find a new place of residence. One where I'm no longer defined by what's been said of my history. No one outside the kingdom of Arlydan would know of my past, or simply my name for that matter. It would be a rather favorable fresh start."