Enter the dungeon.

You, Candy, Snow, and Kailani rise up and traverse the shifting currents of polished halls decorated by tapestries and what almost appears to be plants growing straight from the tiles, yet they glow with varying colours to further illuminate the path with numerous doorways, though not far away is a single merfolk guard armed with trident--your first obstacle on the way to the prison which holds the Witch of Decay. To make matters more complicated, it's one of the two who were previously guarding the front gate, and not the man who was understanding. This gruff and armoured guard furls his brow with a stare that feels like a pre-emptive strike.

Kailani is the first to speak. As a notable member of this society and protector of the people, she swims up closer and salutes. "Greetings. Our party is on an important quest, and we're seeking access to the dungeon in order to speak with a prisoner."

The man grunts. "Is that right?"

There's a pause. Perhaps he isn't on your side. "It's important," you add. "It concerns the Witch, and we need to make sure the people here are safe."

But the merfolk raises his hand in a gesture to halt. "Queen Iri informed me of this. Come." And without saying anything more, he turns and begins to swim slowly towards a door built into the end of the hall.

You look to each other and shrug before following.

He pushes the door open. On the other side is a staircase descending down a spiral. "If the queen trusts you, then I trust you," he says, though his tone doesn't match his words. Personality issues aside, he's providing you aid.

"You must care about her greatly to be so suspicious," says Snow.

But he merely grunts again and gestures towards the doorway. "Go now."

"Aww. He's a softie," says Candy, paddling up to him. She plants her hands on her sides and shakes her hips. "So is there a Mrs. Grumpy?"

You take her by the arm and pull her as you move with the rest. "Let's not piss off the person helping us."

"Don't get jealous. You know you're the one who can handle me best," she says before honking her nose. With a grin on her face, she allows herself to be dragged backwards through the water as the party descends into the dungeon.

It's quite the chamber to behold. Two floors of two dozen cells are easily accessed when everyone swims, though this is the largest room you've been to in the palace. There are a number of folk bound behind metal bars, though there's one in particular you've searching for in hope to see her before she sees you. As said before, it might be best for the others to speak with her first. It's likely she carries quite the vendetta against you.

You perch up at the edge of the upper level and give Snow a nod. "Can you find her?" you ask quietly.

"There she is!" Candy shouts with a finger pointed downward. She laughs with joy as she darts towards the location.

"B-But he tasked me to--" Snow grumbles and then follows behind.

Kailani stays, however. "It's best we don't all go. Plus she might recognize me. I was there too."

"Good call. Everything going on is suspicious enough." You perk up your ears and listen closely. From this angle, you can just barely make out a dark figure lurking in the cell.