Tide's Story

6

They arrived at the deep palace a few days later. The guard hadn't said a word the whole trip, but Tide had been glad to be able to talk to their friends. Terra was incredibly anxious, continuously going on and on about 'don't use your powers'. Lilly was learning a lot at Jade Mountain Academy, and despite being only a few days old, the accidental super-genius spell Tide had cast allowed her to attend as a student. Nocti and Topaz both missed Tide like crazy, and the three had been talking almost constantly. Tide had been flicking between everyone's heartbeats.

The Queen greeted Tide at the entrance of the palace. "Finally, you're here. What's your name again, boy?" She flashed in Aquatic.

Tide hesitated. "T-Tide, your majesty. And I, uh, I'm not a boy."

She huffed. "Whatever." She began to lead them through the palace, wrapping a wing around them in a way that would be seen as comforting, but Tide could feel the tension, the silent threat. "Once you finish that list, you will remain here to do any spells that I, or any high-up dragon, requests. You will have a guard with you at all times. Until you finish that list, your schedule will be strict. One spell an hour, every three hours you are allowed to go for a swim or a flight. Once the list is finished, you will be allowed to come and go as you please, like a normal Seawing, but always with a guard." She stopped in front of a large, ornate door. "You will be staying here."

Tide nodded and swam inside, hearing the door slam shut behind them. There was already a guard inside, with orange patterns and deep blue scales. Tide inclined their head at him. "Excuse me sir... Do you know where my mother is? Could I speak with her?"

The guard frowned. "What's her name? There is a plague going around, remember. That's half the reason you're here."

Tide's heart skipped a beat. Surely their mother was okay. "Lyonsia."

The guard furrowed his snout. "Dead. Died just two days ago. I'll take you to her grave in... three hours. Anyway, you'd better get to work."

Tide sucked in a breath, trying not to cry. Even though they were submerged in salt water, Tide didn't want there to be any chance that the other Seawing would see them crying. They nodded tightly, and pulled out the list, desperately scouring it for a small spell while their heart thundered against their rib cage.

'Tide?' The earring buzzed, and Topaz's voice was transmitted through. 'Are you alright?'

'No.' They said, a choked sob escaping. 'My mother is dead.'

They heard Topaz gasp. 'Oh, moons, Tide... I wish I could hug you right now...'

Noctiflora's voice suddenly interrupted. 'What? And they still expect you to do magic?'

'Yep. I have to. I... I'm about to. Right now, I mean.'

'Tide, no! What have I told you? You shouldn't use your magic!' Terra.

'Terra. I don't have a choice. Now shush, all of you, you should be in class.'

The buzzing went obediently silent. Tide could feel Terra's heartbeat, thumping almost as hard as their own. He wouldn't be happy.

"Enchant the next three Seawing eggs to hatch animus dragons." Tide said, their voice muffled by the water. It was the smallest spell, yet still was significant enough to keep Queen Piper happy.

They felt themself shoved up against a wall. Due to this, Tide didn't have time to register any physical changes they felt. The guard had his talons on their shoulders.

"What the hell are you doing? That's a big spell." He growled.

"The others are bigger!" Tide flashed in a panic.

He frowned at the dragonet. "...I see." The guard reluctantly let them go. He swam back to his post at the door.

"What now?" Tide asked. They knew they had to wait an hour before doing another spell.

"You wait."

"Oh." Tide gently poked themself in the soft part of their talon with a claw. It was a little cold, but no worse than the rock floor in Jade Mountain, and about as malleable as a plank of wood. They didn't feel any worse for wear on the inside, either, which was reassuring.

As they lay down on the rock ledge that was clearly meant to be a bed, they sighed. It was going to be a long day.

716 words

(please help I don't know what to do next)