Prologue (a year before the current events of chapter 1) Queen Tidal was resting. She often did these days, moving had become a struggle for her. Her dark purple scales had turned into a glass like white, and her eyes were almost always glazed over. Everyone was aware of the Queen's sickness, and that someday soon the next queen would have to serve the kingdom, despite her age. Each seawing dragonet was raised with fear, and was taught how to hide it. In school each dragonet would be tested on to see what they excelled in. Ones that failed would be banished to the Town of Darkest Fathoms, where their knowledge wouldn't Brush the surface of another dragon's ears. Sardine knew something was off when her mother called her to the throne room. She was always told to stay away, that she may mess something up or touch something she wasn't supposed to do. When she arrived in Queen Tidal's throne room, Tidal was leaning against a large throne post, the same blank expression that Sardine had grown to love. It asserted dominance and fear over the dragon Queen Tidal put her gaze on. Today, that gaze was placed on Sardine. There was a weakness, though in Tidal's eyes. She seemed upset, which was rare. Queen Tidal raised an eyebrow at the guards, weakly flashing in aquatic, "I will call you back if I need your help." The guards nodded, and quickly swam away, leaving Sardine alone with her mother. "Are you okay?" Sardine flashed at her mother, swimming a little closer. "Yes, my Amethyst, but it hurts me to see you with such worry in your eyes." Tidal replied. Sardine looked away. The last time Tidal called her that was the day her father was lost... What was this about? "What is it?" Sardine responded hesitantly. "I'm dying, amethyst." Tidal blinked. Sardine sighed, she knew this.. She always had. But it still hurts to hear it. Tidal smiled, "The seawing family has a reputation, and if I die, you need to be the one to do it." Tidal's smiled was deceiving, and it took a minute for Sardine realize that. When she finally did, It felt like an icewing had suddenly just frozen the world around her. Sardine's brain was pulsing; was she serious?? She was trained, sure, but not trained like this! This was just brutal. "I'm sorry, Sardine, this isn't a choice. You will announce it to the kingdom later," Tidal glared. Sardine swam out of the throne room, tears streaming down her face and disappearing with the storm of bubbles behind her as she sped through the hallways. The rest of the day passed quickly; it felt like too much. The world was shattering and breaking like eggshells and her talons. Sardine went to her classes like usual. No one knew half of what she was facing or the struggle; could she really do it? She was sent to prepare for a ‘speech’ –as they called it; but Sardine knew it was far worse– a little bit past noon. She had just finished eating her lunch when the guards came into the cafeteria, ushering her out. Her brain couldn't comprehend it. The other dragonets whispered, quickly looking away when she glanced at them. She was only 4 years old! Sardine was taken to a room off the side of the council room. Her stylist came in, cleaning her scales and putting on jewelry. They hugged her. They must have known…
Finally, she was sent out onto the podium. Her mother already sat upon the ledge, looking out at the kingdom. In Front of them stretched glittering scales of blue, purple, greens and cyans. Every seawing Sardine had ever known was here. Drift, the seawing from her study group, the only one that hadn’t treated her like a snob. Lapis, the kind librarian that always had the best scrolls that she could read. Tanzanite, Sardine’s personal best friend, the only one that was always there for her, no matter the struggle. They would have to watch a murder at the talons of what would then become their own queen. How could you feel safe knowing that? The speech started immediately once Sardine showed up. She did her best to keep her face as blank as possible (like her mother). Tidal had managed to pull herself together, and there was a lively purple tint to her scales. Probably a powder of some kind. Sardine didn't listen to the announcements, and just waited for when her mother would nudge her with her tail or give her some sign, so she would know it was time. It felt like everything was too slow and too fast. The air felt thick and heavy, barely getting into Sardine's throat. Sound wasn't there. Sardine didn't hear the cheering, the roaring, the laughing. The colors were blurred, and Sardine imagined that she felt like how her mother felt every day. Tears were streaming down her face, she could tell. No one dared to point them out. The dragons who could see her face must have been so confused, in such a happy announcement there wasn’t meant to be tears. Sardine breathed deeply, trying to get a hold of herself. But she heard her mother whisper to her, far too loud, "it's time." Sardine stepped forward, looking at her mother, trying not to think about it. "I, Princess Sardine, challenge Queen Tidal to the throne of the Sea Kingdom."
