The Tidefather's Envoy

It was almost peaceful.

For once, there were no whispers, no dreams, no glowing scrolls or talking dolphins. Just me, Kaelen, and a half-eaten plate of sea-root fritters that tasted way too delicious to be legal.

He was lounging near the ceiling again, tail flicking and trying to balance a jelly-fruit slice on his nose. "You know," he said, "I could've been a royal messenger. Imagine me with a badge."

"You'd eat the scrolls."

He smirked. "Maybe just nibble the corners."

A knock echoed against the chamber wall.

Not a casual knock. A formal, sea-smooth, slow one.

Kaelen and I exchanged a glance.

"Not another dolphin, right?" I muttered.

He floated down in a slow spin. "If it is, I'm hiding."

I got up and pulled open the door.

This time, it wasn't a dolphin. Or a guard.

It was a woman.

No — a mermaid actually.

She was unlike the other sea folk I'd seen so far. Her scales shimmered like moonlight, fading from pale lilac to deep silver-blue at the fins. Her long silver hair floated behind her, braided with some sort of pearls, but beautiful. A sheer veil of coral silk was draped over her shoulders, almost ceremonial — not meant to conceal, but to command respect.

Her expression was composed, but not cold. Her eyes were a soft tide-gray, rimmed with traces of sleep — or maybe secrets.

She placed one hand over her chest and bowed slightly. "I'm Alyssira. Temple envoy of the Eternal Tidefather. I've come to escort you."

I asked. "Escort me where?"

"To the Sealorn Trial," she said calmly. "You are summoned early."

Kaelen had already floated behind me, hovering just slightly above the ground with a protective curl in his tail.

"Tidefather? That's… new," I mumbled.

The words had barely left my mouth when Kaelen grabbed my wrist with his tail and yanked me gently to the side, and whispered.

"Do not say things like that, he's the god of the sea. The one they all worship. They're... extremely protective about it. Questioning their god or even saying anything against him is like asking to be fed to the abyss."

"You could've told me sooner!"

"Didn't think you'd walk into a temple representative and start doubting their deity in the first five seconds."

Alyssira pretended not to hear the exchange. But her eyes had narrowed slightly.

I cleared my throat and tried to act polite. "Sorry. I've just... never met a temple envoy before."

She gave a soft smile. "Few do. Fewer still return with all their questions answered."

That... didn't sound entirely comforting.

A shimmer floated forward behind her — a parcel wrapped in transparent sea-film, glowing like it had been kissed by stars.

"This was made for you," Alyssira said. "Woven in the temple under the first moon's tide. It bears both land-born thread and sea-forged silk. Designed to protect your soul — and your form — during the trial."

Kaelen's sarcasm vanished completely.

I reached out and touched the fabric. It was impossibly light — softer than a ripple, strands of sea magic that felt… watchful.

"Thank you," I said.

Alyssira nodded. But even as she spoke of faith and duty, her eyes kept returning to me — not with reverence, or suspicion. But with something else.

Something close to doubt.

A hidden doubt she clearly wasn't allowed to voice.

But it was there.

And I had a feeling it might one day become something more.

✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧

Alyssira unfolded the bundle she carried — and it definitely wasn't a gown.

It was what looked like... a jumpsuit.

A fitted one. Sleek, sleeveless, and sculpted in flowing sea-silk that shimmered with shifting blues and moonlit greys. The bodice hugged like a corset, silver threads climbing like coral vines up the torso, while the lower half flared like elegant pants, moving with the grace of drifting water.

And it exposed my shoulder.

Specifically, the sigil.

"This is what I'm wearing?"

Alyssira nodded, already helping me out of my current outfit. "It was tailored in the upper currents — based on land-wear, but blessed with sea magic to be worn here in the ocean realm. Your form must not be hidden for the trial."

I held it up. "It's… sleeveless."

"Yes."

"Tight. Very tight from what I am used to. And that definitely looks like a corset."

Alyssira gave a faint smile. "I've heard land-folk favour these when trying to look... impressive."

"I've never worn anything like this."

"You've never faced the sea like this, either," she replied softly.

When I hesitated, she gently added, "It's not meant to shame you. The Trial watches your heart — but the ocean reads your skin. Your sigil must be visible. And your spine… must stay proud because what you bear on your shoulder is no small thing."

Reluctantly, I let her dress me.

The fabric felt strange against my skin — soft, but cool, like liquid metal. She moved behind me, tightening the corset strings with gentle hands. Then, she tied two slender cords around my upper arms, each ending in a small pearl charm.

"You carry it well," Alyssira said after a moment. "Not everyone could."

She began braiding my hair next — weaving in tiny silver beads shaped like droplets. 

"I've never been to the lands," she said suddenly, as she worked. "But I've studied their customs. Their clothes. Their dances. The ones who wander the shores… they dress like this when facing things they cannot name."

I laughed under my breath. "Well, that's fitting."

She circled around to face me and adjusted my hair from the front one last time.

For a moment, she just looked at me — and this time, there was something wistful in her eyes.

"You look like the sea before a storm," she whispered. "Beautiful and dangerous. Let them see both."

Kaelen floated into view the moment Alyssira finished adjusting the final bead.

His eyes swept over me — once, twice — and then he gave a long, slow whistle.

"Well," he said, flicking his tail lazily, "either you're about to conquer a kingdom… or crash a royal masquerade."

I narrowed my eyes. "Not helping."

"I'm just saying," he grinned. "If the sea doesn't bless you, half the nobles might."

Alyssira gave him a faint, disapproving look. "Kaelen, hush."

Then she turned to me, tone gentle but firmer now. "Listen closely, Elara. The Tidegrove Amphitheatre isn't just a trial ground — it's sacred. Royals will be watching. The Arc Seer will likely be present. So will at least three temple seers. One mistake, one wrong word about the gods, and they'll take it as blasphemy."

I stiffened. "Good to know."

"And the Tidefather," I asked slowly, "what kind of god is he?"

A sharp flick of Kaelen's tail pushed him between us. His voice dropped to a whisper. "Don't say that too loudly."

He leaned in. "He's the Sea's god — or at least, the one they worship now. Some say he rose after the old goddess vanished. He speaks through the Arc Seer… and no one dares question his will. Even thinking too much can get you watched."

"Watched?"

Kaelen just tapped a finger to his temple. "By those who dream on his behalf and whisper everything to him in secret."

Alyssira's expression faltered, just slightly. But she composed herself quickly. "The best advice I can give you is this: say as little as you must. Bow only when others do. Do not speak unless addressed. Let the sea speak for you through the Trial."

I nodded, swallowing hard. "Got it. Say nothing, smile rarely, and hope I don't drown."

"You'll be fine," Kaelen said, tone softer. "Just… try not to offend any ancient sea powers while you're at it."

"Thanks, that really narrows it down."

Alyssira pressed a warm hand to my shoulder — her fingers brushing my sigil.

"You were chosen by something older than even the Tidefather," she whispered. "They may not know that… but I think the sea does."

And with that, she led me to the door.

✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧✧𓂃⋆༶⋆𓂃✧