Trial Ride : Sea Horses, Sigils, and Mild Panic

The sea outside the window… dimmed.

Something huge had just parked outside the gate.

A carriage.

A literal sea carriage.

It looked like someone smashed a luxury limo into a temple altar and dragged it down here. Smooth black glass, metal bits shaped like coral, some weird glowing symbols crawling across the sides. And the best part?

It was floating.

And pulling it?

Two giant sea-horses. Not even kidding.

They were massive — like dolphin-sized, but with serious gym energy. Blue and silver scales, these wild kelp-like manes flowing behind them, and holy symbols stamped all over their sides like fancy racing stickers.

Kaelen let out a whistle. "Temple-bred. Haven't seen those in years. Usually reserved for big rituals. Or royals."

"…They're here for me?"

Alyssira didn't look at me. "That's the point. Appearances matter more than truth in temple courts."

"…Meaning?"

She finally glanced over. "Meaning they're not sure what you are yet. But they'd rather look prepared than uncertain."

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The inside was... not what I expected.

It didn't smell like sea beasts or old coral. It smelled clean. Polished. Like something that didn't belong underwater.

The seats were soft — not slimy or scaled — more like leather from the surface, treated with something to stop it from rotting down here. Silver threads stitched along the seams, spelling out old charms I couldn't read. The water inside felt thinner somehow, like the whole space was wrapped in a magic spell to let us breathe and move like it was dry land.

Kaelen dropped into the seat next to me with all the grace of a smug cat, clearly making himself at home.

"Still smells like nobles," he muttered.

I ran a hand along the embroidery. "So… this is sea-forged?"

"Partly," Alyssira said, settling on the opposite side. "Bits came from the elves and surface traders. But the sea builders are the ones who shaped it, and the Arc Seer sealed the magic into the structure. It wouldn't last five minutes down here without them."

Kaelen snorted. "Translation: stitched with overpriced magic and old debts."

The door shut behind us on its own.

A second later, the seahorses pulled.

I nearly fell back as the whole carriage surged forward, cutting through the sea like it weighed nothing.

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A shimmer trailed behind us, like the sea itself was parting to make way. Outside, coral ridges and glowing fish zipped past in a blur.

I pressed a hand to the wall. "This is… faster than anything I've seen underwater."

Across from me, Alyssira watched quietly. "The Temple doesn't send this kind of transport without reason. And with the Tidefather's eyes on the trial... they're making sure everything looks impressive."

"Impressive for who?"

"For the guardian watching. For the seers judging. And maybe… to see if the stories about you hold any weight."

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The sea outside went weirdly quiet.

Like someone hit mute on the current.

Even Kaelen stopped tapping his tail.

"We're close," Alyssira said, sounding far too calm for someone dragging me into a trial.

I leaned forward — and yeah, there it was.

The place looked like a giant underwater stadium had crash-landed into a coral reef. Massive rings of stone, carved into a hill, with glowing runes spiralling up the sides like someone got a bit too excited with sea graffiti.

The actual arena? A huge, flat circle in the centre, with ridges around it like a sunken amphitheatre. Pillars of light marked the edges, flickering with magic, and I was pretty sure I saw a statue that was either a guardian or someone's very dramatic ancestor.

Kaelen let out a whistle. "Tidegrove Amphitheatre."

"It's where trials are held," Alyssira added. "Big ones."

Great. Just what I needed. A full audience.

The sea-horses slowed, and the carriage glided into place like it'd done this a thousand times.

Waiting outside? An entire squad of temple guards in polished coral armour. One swam forward, clearly rehearsed.

"Elara of the surface," he said — loudly — "you are summoned for the Sealorn Trial. The Arc Seer and the Lord Guardian awaits."

The door opened with a click.

Alyssira gave me a look. "You'll need to walk. Calmly."

Easy for her to say. She wasn't the one getting judged by ancient fish priests.

Still, I nodded, stepped out — and immediately regretted it.

The second my foot touched the ground, the whole place shifted. Not physically. Just... the air. The weight of it. Like someone had turned their attention straight at me.

Kaelen stuck close, for once not saying anything.

And I was suddenly very aware of how loud my own heartbeat was.

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I took one step forward, felt my knees wobble, and nearly face-planted into the glowing sand.

"Nope," I muttered, gripping Kaelen's arm. "I can't. I'm still half waterlogged, jittery, and full of whatever fish-ghost energy was in that carriage. If I try walking that ramp, I'll collapse in front of everyone and die of embarrassment."

Alyssira frowned. "There's no shame in—"

A trumpet sound blared from somewhere above us.

Correction: not a trumpet. A loud, high-pitched screech followed by clanging bells and what sounded like someone yelling "WHEEE" from a very concerning height.

Everyone turned.

A blur shot through the outer ring of the amphitheatre — zigzagging past guards and nobles like a drunken jellyfish.

And then—

"Make way, make way! Outta the way, you crusty ceremonial sea cucumbers!" came a familiar, squeaky voice.

Kaelen groaned, "Please tell me that's not—"

A streak of pink shot into view and slowed just enough not to crash into the platform.

"Oh, thank the sea gods," Kaelen muttered. "It is."

"HELLO, FAVOURITE MARKED GIRL WHO CAN'T SWIM LONG DISTANCES," Piphi sang.

She twirled in the water once, completely ignoring the wide-eyed acolytes on either side of the steps. Her fins sparkled like usual — overly dramatic — but what caught my attention was that she wasn't wearing her hat and jellyfish pouch but the necklace. A chain of tiny pearl loops with bright pink starfish threaded between them, like something ripped off a decorative curtain and enchanted with confidence.

I stared at her and she stared back.

"What?" she said. "I'm not showing up to a divine trial looking basic."

Kaelen snorted. "You never do."

Piphi tossed her head like she'd just won an underwater fashion show. "Anyway. I heard the royal carriage was a bit too slow for your big moment. Thought I'd save you the embarrassment of arriving late and flopping out in front of the elders."

Alyssira spoke straight away. "She's authorised for escort duty. The route's cleared."

"See?" Piphi beamed. "Legit."

"Wait, you're my ride?"

"Obviously." She spun back around and lowered her body. "Now come on. You've got a trial to fake-confidence your way through."

I gave Kaelen a look. "You're not coming?"

"Different entrance," he said. "Seers don't like distractions."

Piphi muttered, as I carefully climbed on. "He's not even good at being quiet."

Kaelen gave her a mock bow. "Break no temple laws."

She winked. "No promises."

I climbed onto Piphi like a tipsy crab trying to do ballet.

"Bit more graceful, darling," she muttered. "The nobles are watching."

"Yeah? Let them. I nearly face-planted twenty minutes ago. I'm already winning."

She snorted and adjusted her fins. "Hold on tight. Don't mess up the starfish."

With a flick of her tail, we shot forward — fast enough to make my stomach regret every bite of the food I'd eaten before coming here. The current whooshed past us as she zipped through a narrow coral-lined corridor, the temple guards barely keeping up.

"Do you always go this fast?" I shouted over the current.

She cackled. "Wouldn't be the fastest royal courier if I didn't! Besides, dramatic entrances are the trend, didn't you hear? Don't be nervous, you'll be fine. Probably."

"That's very reassuring," I muttered, adjusting my grip as the current around us thickened.

We turned into a wide channel shaped like a tunnel, lined with glowing shells and crystal fins. A moment later, the tunnel opened up into the largest underwater hall I'd ever seen.

And yeah—this was dramatic.

A massive circular arena spread out below us, carved right into the sea rock. Dozens of merfolk hovered on layered platforms that curved around the arena in tiers, watching. No cheering, no whispers. Just silence and stare-downs. It was a bit like walking into a courtroom, a cathedral, and a shark pit—all at once.

Right in the centre was the trial ring. Pale stone floor, symbols etched across it.

Piphi pulled up beside it and floated calmly.

"Well, hero girl. Showtime."

I gave her a look. "You sure I won't fall over this time?"

"No promises," she winked, flicking her tail again. "Now go. Head up, shoulders back. Don't let them smell fear."

I slid off, feet landing on the smooth stone with a soft thud. At least it wasn't slippery. Small wins.

Kaelen had already taken his spot on one of the upper platforms. I spotted him leaning on a railing, pretending to be bored, but I caught the small nod he gave me.

I stepped forward slowly, trying to act like I was ready for whatever they threw at me. My heartbeat was loud in my ears. My legs felt weirdly floaty.

The air—or water, technically—changed. Everything quieted even more. The trial ring lit up slightly under my feet.

Alyssira appeared beside me like she'd been summoned by sea magic. "You're fine. Just follow the steps. Say nothing unless spoken to. And no swearing."

"What if I swear in my head?"

"That's encouraged."

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, onto the glowing circle at the centre of the ring.

And that's when the voice echoed out.

"Elara of the Mark. You are called to the Sealorn Trial by order of the temple and the tide. Step forward and be judged."

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