The healing chambers of the Azure Depths had become Osa's favorite place in the entire palace. Not because of the advanced medical techniques or the blessed pools that could mend nearly any injury, but because of the way water seemed to sing here. Each drop carried its own melody, harmonizing with others to create something that felt more like music than magic.
This morning, he'd arrived early for his lesson with Master Nerida, hoping to practice the new cleansing technique she'd shown him yesterday. But as he entered the main chamber, he realized he wasn't alone.
A creature no larger than his palm was tending to the small coral garden that decorated one corner of the room. At first glance, it looked like a tiny humanoid made of living water, but as Osa watched more carefully, he could see delicate fins along its arms and what appeared to be gills along its neck. Its movements were precise and purposeful as it guided droplets of healing water to the roots of struggling plants.
