The days continued to pass in a blur of training and discovery.
Elowyn's magic continued to evolve, slowly but surely. The raw power she had felt when first tapping into the water's pulse was beginning to grow more controlled, more refined. She could summon water with a thought now, shaping it into delicate spheres or walls that shimmered like liquid glass. But with each lesson, she realized how much more there was to learn. The magic was vast, as endless as the ocean itself, and she felt like a child trying to navigate its depths.
Zephar, her instructor, was patient but firm, pushing Elowyn harder each day. The lessons were draining—mentally, physically, and emotionally—but there was a quiet satisfaction in knowing she was making progress.
Combat training had been just as intense. Korrin had no intention of allowing her to fall behind, and Elowyn had quickly realized that her sharp instincts needed a great deal of refining. Her swordsmanship was growing stronger, and with each passing session, her endurance and skill were tested. Thorn, ever watchful, would sometimes step in to offer subtle corrections or silent encouragement. When his presence lingered near her during practice, his gaze would cut through her concentration like a current, steady and grounding.
Yet, despite the hard work, there was always a moment when her thoughts would wander to him—his quiet support, his intensity, the way he had become her anchor in this strange new world.
The afternoon sun filtered through the windows of Elowyn's chambers, casting dappled patterns on the stone floor. After a morning spent in intense combat training and a brief session with the royal magician, Elowyn was ready for a break—though her thoughts were still heavy with the weight of her responsibilities.
She wandered through the palace corridors, her mind drifting as she passed through the lavish hallways adorned with intricate coral sculptures and shimmering sea glass. The soft murmur of voices reached her ears as she neared the kitchens, and she paused, hearing the familiar hum of conversation.
Two servants, an older woman and a younger man, were standing near the kitchen entrance, talking in low voices as they sorted through baskets of fresh kelp and sea herbs. At first, Elowyn intended to pass by unnoticed, but something in their conversation caught her attention.
"... I swear, Tomas saw it," the younger servant was saying, his voice tinged with excitement. "Saw it, right there beneath the waves, reflecting in the water like it was some kind of mirage."
The older woman snorted in disbelief. "A mirage? You've been listening to too many old stories, boy. The Coral Castle isn't real—just a myth to keep the children entertained."
The younger man leaned in, lowering his voice. "I don't care what you say, I believe him. Tomas said he saw it one night while he was out on a delivery—deep beyond the kelp forests, near the southern current. He said he saw the whole thing—glowing, shimmering coral towers, stretching toward the surface. It wasn't just a reflection of the moonlight or the reef. He said it was real—and when he got closer, when he swam toward it to get a better look, it vanished. Like it was never there."
Elowyn's pulse quickened as she stepped a little closer, unable to pull away from their conversation. The Coral Castle? Was it real? Or was this another tale spun to entertain the palace staff?
"Impossible," the older woman muttered, shaking her head. "No one's ever found it. It's just a story told to keep people wondering, hoping. If it was real, someone would have seen it long before now."
The young servant, however, wasn't deterred. "I'm telling you, Tomas saw it. He swears by it. He said he thought he was just imagining things at first—saw a flash of something underwater, something shining beneath the water's surface. But then, when he got closer, he could see the towers clearly—so real, so close. So he swam up to the surface to get a better look, thinking he'd finally found it. But when he broke the surface to see more, it vanished—just disappeared into the mist."
YOU ARE READING
Clouds Over the Sea
FantasíaElowyn has always been drawn to the sea. The waves call to her in ways she cannot explain, their rhythm echoing in her veins. Raised by her father after her mother's mysterious disappearance, Elowyn's life has been defined by unanswered questions-ab...
