Escape of the Gilleod (Patreon)

Deep under the shimmering surface of an ancient ocean reside many civilizations of Merpeople. Among their number are the Gilleod: A peace-loving population who eat sea grasses, shellfish and anenomes. They mostly stick to themselves and inhabit villages made in cliff walls at the edges of deep sea trenches. Their eyes are able to see in pitch black, murky waters and with their powerful paddle-shaped tails they can maneuver incredibly well. Their top swim speed is not overly impressive by other species' standards so they tend to stay near their rocky homes and seaweed forests where they can easily hide. Their natural predators are sharks and related - the Sharkhan. Many Gilleod have been taken as prisoners and slaves by the violent shark-men. Gilleod tails grow back quickly over a few weeks and captives often have these cut or bitten off by their captors. In this scene we find an older male Gilleod making an escape attempt from the Sharkhan's kingdom with a younger male who was recently captured and enslaved. They are denied clothing and access to weapons by their captors which will make their escape even more perilous and unlikely. Perhaps luck will be on their side and they will somehow manage to elude their pursuers and make it to the lower trenches they called home.