Chapter 17: Day 21

It was strange to be this early in the morning and still felt like she was working. In a matter of fact, today was her day off. She should be relaxing, shop around the market and visiting her grandfather.

But she could not stop wondering how was Turtle doing. Her mind was constantly having flashback of him grabbing his stomach and vomiting every last bits of his inside out. So Rainbow was not surprise to found herself standing at the entrance to the Garden of Wounded first thing in the morning.

But what surprise her was there were two dragonet hiding behind a boulder just at the edge of the garden. They were no larger than Turtle's size and one of them she thought she was familiar with. Rainbow swam over to the boulder and flashed.

"Prince Cerulean?"

"Oh, Rainbow. Hi. I was just-" The other dragonet jostled Prince Cerulean's shoulder. "-Hey. It's fine. She knew about it last time. We can trust her."

"So, she's the one who took care of Turtle? I see. I'm Octopus." The other dragonet said.

Turtle's other brother. How wonderful. Rainbow took a glance towards inside the garden. She saw through between the corals was Turtle, laying on a bed sleeping.

"I guessed you two are worried about him too, huh?" She said.

"Yes, he looked really awful. I saw you carried him away. So we figure he must be at the Garden of Wounded." Prince Cerulean said.

"What happened to him? I thought you said that she said he was okay. Now, he looked as if he almost dies." Prince Octopus said.

"He just ate something wrong. He was… having bad stomachache for the whole afternoon yesterday. It had got worse since then." She said.

"I heard Abalone was poisoned from his food too. Was Turtle the same? I thought the assassin only goes for female dragonets. Are we targeted too?" Prince Cerulean said.

"No, no. The turtle was not poisoned. He… had food that wasn't fresh. That's all."

"Oh… so we're safe?" Prince Cerulean said.

"We're always safe, jellyfish. Who would want to bother with the princes. We can't inherit the throne." Prince Octopus said.

"Maybe you can't." Rainbow said. "But your lives are important too. For one, your parents cared about you-"

"Dad does." Cerulean said and Octopus nodded in agreement. Rainbow continued.

"And you have your brothers. They worried about you too. So don't think your lives are worth any less. Understand?"

They nodded in unison.

Through the cracks, Rainbow saw Turtle was puking again. Even though nothing came out of it, he was breathing hard and fast. He must be in great pain. Was it worth it just to skip the Talons of Power?

"Shame that we wouldn't able to take part of the ceremony. I do like to see whether I have any power." Cerulean said.

"Fat chance. I heard that if you had it, you would already have known it." Octopus said.

"Huh? Aren't both of you suppose to attend the ceremony? "

"We were. But because Turtle is sick. They think that we might leak whatever secret to him so that he can prepare for it." Octopus rolled his eye. "Prepare for what? You can't fake animus magic. You either have it or you don't- Yuck. Did he just puke something out of his mouth. Moons, I hope never get sick like that. Ever." Octopus turned to her and said. "Rainbow. I don't like promises cause dad always breaking them. But swear to me that you wouldn't let anything bad happened to him. He's maybe a lazy goof ball, but he's my brother. And…"

"And he won't be there if it weren't for us-" Cerulean said.

"Shut up. Don't tell her that!" Octopus said.

"I kinda already did."

" What! "

An argument erupted between the two brothers, but Rainbow can't help but to smile at them. To think that not one but two of Turtle's brother still care for him. If only Turtle knew about them.

"Why don't we go inside and see Turtle? You don't need to talk to him. Just have a closer look." Rainbow said.

"We can't, can we?" Cerulean said.

"Of course we can't, squid-brain. We don't want to let Turtle see us, remember? If he sees us and let anyone know. We could be in big trouble." Octopus said and turned towards the garden. "Besides, I have seen enough. If she's right, then I don't think Turtle is in any danger. Let's head home."

Octopus was already a couple swim strokes away before Cerulean flashed her goodbye and followed his brother.

"Oh, one more thing." Cerulean turned back and flashed. "Secret." He shook the tip of his tail to her.

She shook hers and not long after, both of them disappeared from her sight.

As for her, it's time to enter the garden. She righted herself and swam through the entrance of the garden.

The garden radiated its usual gloom with more patients filled the beds from the war. Healers were attending them left and right, carrying remedies and bandage across the walkway. Families gathered around their injured relative trying to soothe them. One had a blue female SeaWing, with oddly red coloured fins, webs and wings, had a stump for her front talon and scarred empty eye socket, laid on bed while a green male SeaWing with a claw-like burn scar on his cheek tended to her. Even though both of them had severe burn injuries from their horrific experiences, Rainbow could feel that still there was tenderness and love between them. The flashes from the green were slow and calming while the blue occasionally nodded back in response. Even in war, their love still prevailed.

There seem to be more dragons than usual around here. She silently wished them well as she swam by and continued her way to Turtle. But where was Prince Turtle? He should be right around here just as she saw him from outside. Now in the middle of the garden, he seemed to had disappeared into the deep sea.

"He's there." Came weak flashes from her right pointing to a group of healers that surrounded a patient.

"Grandpa."

"Go attend to him. I know you wanted to." Her grandfather gave her a reassuring smile.

With his approval, she swam towards the healers. They were surrounding a bed flashing towards each other. They were discussing something to do with the illness at hand but she did not care. She went around the side and saw Turtle was on the bed. His tired eyes and heavy breathing suggested that he had a terrible night. He still managed to gave her a smile when he saw her.

"Morning, T- Prince Turtle." Rainbow flashed.

"Morning to you t-" He belched again before he could finish his words.

"I'll let you rest for the time being."

Across the bed, the healers were staring at her. They must be wondering why she would dare talk to him when he was still being punished.

"You must the one bringing him here last night." One of the healers said. "I know you're worried about him, but we have to advise you to keep your distance with him."

"Why was that?"

"We believe his disease might be contagious. We have never seen anything like this. Continuous vomits. Muscles pain. Restlessness." The other healers nodded their heads in unison.

"Aren't those symptoms of food poisoning?"

"We have considered that, but we tried applying the same remedies, but he couldn't even swallow them." The healer shook his and continued. "I'm afraid we have to move him to somewhere else. Or he might infect everyone else in this vicinity. Just to be safe."

"It's just food poisoning. Wouldn't that be unnecessary?"

"How can you be so sure?"

She could. But she could not say. Not while exposing the Turtle's intention of making himself sick. So, she moved closer to Turtle and said.

"They are going to move you some place else. They think you're… really sick."

"Better… That way." He simply flashed.

After one final reassurance from her, she moved away. The healers would begin their preparation to move him away from the garden to some secluded place. She promised him she would visit him there once everything had settled down. She would have to ask the healers where they would move Turtle to after they have made their decision.

While she waited, she saw there were another group of healers a few beds away behind her. Though the bed had fewer healers than the ones attending to Turtle, she thought she saw a familiar face was lying on the bed. She swam a little aside to find out the patient was Princess Moray. She, too, was breathing heavily but not as hard as Turtle.

"I will be fine. I promised." Moray flashed to the surrounding healers. "Just leave me alone for a few hours then return for my medicine later."

"Princess Moray?" Rainbow flashed as the healers dispersed.

"Rainbow. What a pleasant surprise. Maybe not so surprising given what had happened yesterday." Her eyes hinted towards Turtle. "So, how is he?"

"Could be better, luckily is not the worst of it." Rainbow said.

"Food poisoning?"

Rainbow nodded and hoped that Moray didn't ask any further. She didn't. She just stared at Turtle, wondering.

"How about you? How did you end up here?" Rainbow asked.

"I'm trying something new in my food. And this happened." Moray pointed to her neck. There specks of white appeared in her gill. "I think it is allergy of some sort. It's a little swollen, but it should over in a couple of hours."

"That's awful. I hope you can get well soon." Rainbow said.

"Most definitely. I am just glad that I wasn't at the council meeting right now. I'll let you in on something, but everyone seems to know it already. The queen and my father aren't on good terms. They have different takes on the kingdom's defence. So, the whole council was just he and she speaking out their minds while the others suffered internally until the meeting ended."

"Good for you then?"

"It was great. Extra time to rest and think about the things I can do for the queen. Couldn't ask for more. Up until the point I get bored."

"I see. Alright. I still wished you a speed recovery. Princess Moray."

"Thank you. Oh, I hope you still remembered to keep my little cousin there safe. Wouldn't want anything happened to my favourite cousin."

Rainbow nodded and excused herself. Finally, she was able to sit down beside her grandfather and gave her fullest attention to him.

"Took your time." Her grandfather Bony said.

"Had a little catching up with Princess Moray. How are you?" Rainbow asked.

He smiled and just he was about to flash something. He lounged forward and began to cough.

"Rest. Don't force yourself." Rainbow gently held his talon. "There's no need for you to talk if you're tired."

Her grandfather shook his head and said.

"I do find myself easily tired nowadays. But couldn't let myself sit here, and you do all the talking. You got to let me practise my flashing scales or else I might forget how."

"It's not like you can forget that, it's like breathing, sure you can't forget how to-" Rainbow interrupted herself and said. "Sorry. That's kinda distasteful. I shouldn't have-"

"It's alright. But you shall face a punishment. And the punishment shall be: listen to my story for all my nostalgia purposes." He said.

"Sound like a reward to me, but I'll bite." Rainbow chuckled and settled herself neatly which prompted him to start his story.

"It's the continuation of the story I last told. The Rainbow garden. Lazuli made the garden in order to prove to others that coral reefs are essential to the kingdom. That And gardening are not 'peasants' duty, but rather, it should be the kingdom's priority. But I didn't tell what happened to her afterwards. So we'll start from there." Her grandfather took a deep breath and continued.

"After having created the coral garden, not only has amazing aesthetic. The population of the marine life grew too. SeaWings suddenly find themselves with a surplus of food and more dragons began to migrate near the palace to stay. The Deep Palace was brought to a new height of prosperity and happiness. With solid evidence of her theory, Lazuli was being praised and dragons began to take seriously of gardening. The Queen even began to mandate the gardening lesson at that moment to honour her contribution.

"But then, other nobles were not so happy about it. They believe Lazuli was aiming for a seat in the council table." He said

"The rich and powerful with their rotten heart." Rainbow said.

"So it seems. One day, when Lazuli was planning to show the queen a new garden around the palace. The envious nobles acquired a poisonous coral and mixed them within the garden. By the time she realized it. It was too late. The queen had already entered the garden and nobles' pointing-claws had accused her of treachery. In the heat of the moment, the queen had made the decision to execute her and get rid of the gardens in the Deep Palace.

"It was only through her good deeds, that the dragons in the palace were willing to secure a safe passage for her to leave the Deep Palace. Lazuli, together her family, vanished into the deep sea. Disappeared from the eyes of the public. No one have seen here ever since."

"No one?" Rainbow said.

"Well, I do know some dragons who told her tale differently but otherwise very few knew the truth." Her grandfather turned and stare towards the surrounding corals. "Funny thing is that the queen ordered to destroy the gardens but here we are, surrounded by some of her works. I guessed even those who were blinded by greed and envy, they couldn't deny the fact that corals are essential to us. Her legacy shall live on." Her grandfather talon suddenly went to her cheek and caressed them. "Her eyes as well."

"Huh?"

But she was interrupted his coughing. He coughed and coughed. It felt as if the coughs last longer than last time? But it was definitely longer than she liked it to be.

"No used telling you that I'm fine." He finally said. "Why the long face?"

"It's just that you won't able to fulfil your dream. Your coral project." She said.

"Don't be so quick to assume. Besides, the healers told me I probably still have a few moons ahead. Who says I couldn't have done it?" He shifted on his and continued. "Enough about me. I'm interested to know how your little prince ended up at just a few beds down this garden. What's the story?"

"It's kind of a long story…"

Rainbow told her grandfather what had happened throughout the past week. Turtle had tried to sneak around the palace in order to learn more about 'Talons of Power'. Then, his plan to escape the ceremony by eating those rotten foods. But she stumbled upon her own words when she tried to skip the sharks. Her grandfather was sharp as ever caught on it, and she had to explain.

"Sharks! You were chased by sharks? Are you hurt? By the moons-" His flashes was interrupted by the sudden coughs, and she quickly apologized and soothed him by stroking his back. "Rainbow. Oh, Rainbow. Look at you. Are those bite marks on your wing? If I knew that bringing you here would mean all these dangers, I wouldn't have done so. How would I be able to explain to your parents that you were eaten by sharks while trying to take care of me."

"I'm sorry. I wouldn't let it happen again, I promised." She said. Imagine what he would do if she let slip the beating she received on previous days. He would just grab her and swam straight to home. With no hope of recovery.

"I know. You're a sensible dragon." He paused a while and said. "You know it's kind of weird for anyone to avoid the ceremony. Don't you think? Had he ever told you why he did it?"

Rainbow shook her head. Last time she tried, Turtle froze up and stop talking. She didn't dare to give that a second try.

"Well, in any way. Isn't it obvious?" Her grandfather stood up, shielded his flashing scales with one wing and leaned towards her. "He's an animus dragon."

"How could that be possible? How did you know?" She asked.

"I don't. But with the information to give, I'm able to piece together something that's almost certain that he is the one." He laid back down on the bed. "Let's say that everyone wants to know whether they have animus power in them or not, right?"

Rainbow nodded. He continued.

"Since it's basically cost nothing for anyone to get themselves tested. And if they found out they are indeed an animus dragon then they could have all the wealth, fame and power of the whole kingdom. So naturally, everyone would line up their dragonets for the ceremony to have a chance on it.

"Now, lets assume a dragon already knew they do not have the power. Whether they attended the ceremony didn't affect them because they would just continue living their life as usual. But the council insisted it because they were afraid they might overlook anyone who has power. Especially in the times of war.

"So you, an ordinary SeaWing, knowing that the council would make a fuss if you don't attend. Wouldn't you just obediently attend the ceremony, just to avoid the trouble?"

Rainbow nodded slowly, trying her best to understand them.

"On the other hand, if you're an animus SeaWing, the decision of attending the ceremony would be life-changing. If you attend, everyone knows of your ability. Your deeds and name as an animus dragon shall go down into history, but whether as a famous or infamous dragon. We'll shall see."

"Then why?" She asked. "Why would anyone want to hide their power? You can do so much good with it. You can cure diseases and injuries. Making the new palace as amazing as the Summer palace. Make something that dragons no longer have to starve in this world."

"My child." He chuckled. "If only the world have two of you for every evil dragon in this world. The world would such a peaceful place.

"Remember what I said about the war? Yes. I have no doubt that the council would use the animus dragon to win the war. If what I heard about animus magic is true then, they will be a lot of death. One flick of a finger. One breath of words. A whole tribe shall disappear from the face of Pyrrhia. Given the magnitude of this war, I'm afraid that there won't be just one tribe disappearing from such a war."

"That's… terrible. Who would even think of doing so?" She said.

"I heard the IceWing and the NightWing were sworn enemies. Both of them once had animus dragons on their side. It's a miracle that either of them are still alive. Or maybe that's why the NightWings just mere myth because the IceWings made them so." Her grandfather shrugged. "So back to my reasoning…

"We know that if you don't have it, it doesn't matter if you attended the ceremony, life goes on. But if you do have it, then avoiding the ceremony makes sense. Do you get it now: Why you-know-who most certainly has it?"

"But doesn't that means his power would be revealed anyway since he didn't attend the ceremony. Some dragons would definitely know that he didn't attend the ceremony. Like Whirlpool." She said.

"Not necessary. I knew because you told me he was deliberately avoided the ceremony. If you were to told me he was sick and missed the ceremony. I wouldn't bat an eye. His self-made sickness is the key to mask his true intent. Ah, to have such a bright mind at such a young age." He said.

Turtle. An animus dragon. Prince Turtle. She could not believe at first, but it all makes sense now. How the strange coral flies, and he healed her injuries with a blanket. Wait. Did that also mean that he saved her from the sharks too? There was not any huge octopus to squirt a huge black mist of ink to the sharks. That must be magic too.

"Grandpa, do you know this means? We can finally make you healthy. No more coughing. No more visiting healers. All I need to do is ask him for it and-"

But he shook his head. "Rainbow. My lovely grandchild. I know you would. But-" He lifted his talon to hers and grasp them gently. "This is not just about me. It's about him. For whatever reason, he had already his decision. Maybe it was the war, maybe it was all the responsibilities of being an animus dragon that was crushing him, or maybe and most likely: it was the recent 'mistake' he had made. I wouldn't know. But I do know he isn't ready for the world to know he is an animus dragon. So please… Don't make him do it."

"But grandpa, you don't have much time. The healers couldn't cure your sickness. He's the only hope."

"My time has come. I'm an old dragon. Living over hundreds of years. My eyes had witnessed generations after generations of dragon flashed by me. It had been a wonderful life." She felt his talon tighten on hers. "It's only fair that I leave the future to the young ones."

"It's not fair to me." She burst out. "I have tried everything. Everything to save you, grandpa. Now there is an animus, we can make you well. Make you healthy. He can even make young again."

"No, stop." He gave a cough before saying. "Immortality. Everyone thought they want immortality but once they had it. They will demand more. Strength of a mountain. Eyes of an eagle. And more, and more. Until the endless spiral of desires consumes everyone, including themselves. What I wanted is just a fulfilling life. Just a few more moons in my meagre life to work on my project and finished it."

Rainbow wanted to convince him. To say anything just to make him agree to use animus magic. But there was something between her and her phosphoresce scales stopping her from flashing them. Choices. The horrible dilemma of either dooming her grandfather to his fate or Turtle into the war. She now held two of her most cherish dragons' fate in her talon and she must choose between them.

"I know it's selfish of me, but you need to keep this as a secret. If not for the sake of the world, then for the sake of the little prince. Hm?"

For a long time, she stared into her grandfather's eyes. Those familiar kind and trusting eyes that she grew up with. She finally gave him a nod and laid down beside him. They talked and talked, until the night fell upon them, and she fell asleep beside him. One by one, the fluorescent corals lit up around them as he placed one wing around her as she slept for the rest of the night.