THALASSACANIS FAMILLIARIS (Common: Kelphound, Seadog)
An amphibious mount speculated to to have been evolved from a raoellid that spent much of its time near the coast and was domesticated by the mers in the area. Kelphounds exist in many morphs and forms to fit various jobs mers have for them, not-unlike dogs.

Cistern is a bit on the larger side at 5'11'' and participates actively in battle as much as he carried her there, dealing nasty bites and wrestling smaller wilders to the ground with his sheer bulk. Cistern makes a wide variety of sounds - howling, whistles, clicks, chattering and barks - that Azahara seems to have learned to translate and when underwater, is capable of basic communication of directions. Azahara and Cistern are incredibly close, considered the poster-child of her pod's warrior-companion bonds, acting almost like siblings. Cistern is fiercely protective of her and can be territorial and possessive of her in the face of new people and especially, romantic partners though he's well-enough behaved to not act aggressively.

Cistern is vain and prideful, every bit as addicted to hard work as his partner and can get impatient with too much down-time.