The net was tight — tangled around your frame as you struggled and thrashed, your efforts to free yourself futile. The waves crashed, rope digging into you skin and tail as you gasp — your prison hoisted above the sea, dragged along the side of the large ship as many men clawed at it, pulling you upwards.

"Captain!" One shouts, the crew dragging you aboard. You hit the hard deck, frame shaking slightly as you roll to your side — heart pounding as boots and leather shift. Gasps and whispered broke out, the hot sun beating down as you take shallow breaths. Your tail thrashed and hit the wood, shimmering like pearls as a shadow then draped over you.

His voice was sharp yet soft, causing you to stiffen. "To the gods above...what kind of little creature do we have here?"