A rumble went up from Council, some approving “yeas” mixed with disapproving grunts.
“I realize my father did not always receive appreciation for his ideas, yet his proposals were for change. To better our worlds, to unite merfolk as one. To pit us against our own sufferings rather than creating more by battling the humans.”
From the opposite end of Council, a queen rose. “I am Queen Quinanai of the Xiulan Region of Hai Ho Shang. We cannot cease battle against humans. The humans actively attack our merfolk whenever we are seen at the surface.”
“For how long have you attacked the humans, dragged their boats to the ocean bottom?” Calista asked. “In the Region of Soumatsunai, the humans have grown more aware of the Kappa; thus, they are actively hunting them, forcing the Kappa into unnecessary battle. Many regions are currently experiencing these same issues. There needs to be action from Council in order to help merfolk survive. These are the words my father would have spoken.”
“And yet, your father died in one such unnecessary battle, did he not? With the Hai Ho Shang, if I remember properly.” Queen Tethys rose from her throne, and her sub-mate, King Ecthelion, joined her, demonstrating their staunch rule over all merfolk. “I will not allow Council to be commandeered by a new queen whose region is in such a state of disarray. Until the Region of Arelia is returned to a satisfactory state, they will no longer be permitted to speak at Council.”
She glared at Calista. “Your father was not a great king or even merman. He had words, and nothing else. He died for nothing, leaving Arelia to fall. Your mother abandoned her seats with no intention of return. I will not allow those faithful to Council to be subjected to a new queen who cannot control her own region.”
Calista wanted to scream out her challenge of Queen Tethys’s reign, but held it in, letting it fester into the power she needed to defeat the Queen. She bowed her head and said, “I apologize, my queen.” Calista sat down and sealed her lips.
Under the table, Jergen grasped her hand. Knowing he stood with her no matter what only increased her strength and resolve. She remained silent through the rest of Council as the other regions begged for – and did not receive – help from Queen Tethys.
C ouncil ended after a quarter-cycle, relieving Calista of her pained silence. She found it most difficult to listen to the troubles of the others and the Queen not granting them relief.
With Jergen trailing her, she wandered into the hallway, where her guard waited. They joined her and followed them to the Grand Hall, where the queens and kings dined post-Council.
When they arrived at Arelia’s table, a member of the Queen’s Guard waited for them, blocking their access. “Queen Tethys has requested that Arelia’s table remain empty until Arelia is restored,” he said.
Calista did not embarrass; it was not her nature. Yet, the obvious ploy to ensure she did not speak with the other queens worked. Queens and kings at other regions’ tables stared at her, awaiting her reaction. Queen Namiso, amongst a couple others, appeared sympathetic. Calista had, after all, been banished from the Grand Hall after assisting them in their plights.
“As it is,” Calista said to the guard, lowering her head in acknowledgment. She turned to Jergen and her own guard. “We shall dine elsewhere tonight before retiring.”
“Queen Tethys has your proper carriage awaiting you for your return to Arelia,” the guard said.
Never had a region been forced out of Caethas immediately after Council ended. Calista had suppressed her disgust for the actions of the Queen, but no more. She puffed out her chest and squared her shoulders, as her voice boomed throughout the hall. “Arelia welcomes the queens and kings of my fellow regions to visit in the next thirty cycles to resume trades.”
“I thought you understood that you were to send representatives to the other regions in order to resume trades.”
Calista turned to see Queen Tethys and King Ecthelion descending the steps into the dining area.
“My ruling was clear, was it not?” Queen Tethys asked.
“Yes, my queen, your ruling was clear. I will send representatives, but I have chosen to host any queen or king who wishes to visit Arelia.”
Queen Tethys walked up to Calista, her hooked nose inches from Calista’s face. “Did you, now? You must desire to return to the sea, as your mother and father before you.”
“I desire the best for Caethas and all regions, my queen.”
“Then, you shall promptly take your leave and allow the real rulers over the regions to dine.”
Calista smiled and curtsied. “My queen.” She whipped around and exited the hall, then outside to the awaiting carriage.
Jergen leaned into her after they entered the carriage. “You do not wish to announce your challenge?”
“Patience, my good sub-mate. Though it might appear as the right time, patience is key to the new rule. We must await Silent Night, as the law of Caethas dictates. Then, after Queen Tethys has returned to the sea, we will change everything.”
T hey returned to Arelia in silence, but Calista used it to compound her ire for Queen Tethys. The way Council had gone shocked Calista that the entire kingdom wasn’t in the same ruins as her kingdom. More merfolk would die throughout the oceans, their kind would eventually fall, and Queen Tethys would end up ruling over nothing more than bones and scales.
And, she seemed to prefer it that way.
The following cycle, in front of her court, Calista rose from her throne to address her subjects, renewed in her quest to defeat Queen Tethys. It had been a long night scheming with Jergen, but still, she did not want to disappoint her subjects, who expected more from her taking the throne.
“I have returned from our first Council in many cycles. We are on the path to restoring Arelia to greatness; however, Queen Tethys has not stood by us. She has denied us relief in our time of suffering, much as I expected her to. Her reign has become apathetic and worthless to all merfolk.”
The subjects murmured and groaned, and Jergen held up his hand to silence them.
“I have also learned of the plight of the other regions. Humans are attacking some regions at a steady rate, resulting in many merfolk returning to the sea. Queen Tethys has refused aid to any region, no matter how small their needs.”
Limalorai, one of her subjects and a mermaid she grew up with, stepped to the front of the court. “Permission to address the Queen?”
“Permission granted.”
“Should Arelia also be concerned with humans attacking?”
Calista did not want to alarm her subjects, but fear could invoke change. “I believe we should, Limalorai. I know that our region has much to worry about, much to deal with, but if Queen Tethys will not assist the regions currently suffering, we must do more to help our fellow merfolk and remain on alert ourselves.
“I suggest we minimize our surface activity until then. My father was the best sub-mate to rule with his queen in all of Arelia’s history. We all agree on this. His idea was to stop attacking humans to save both our kinds. He spoke widely of this to whoever would listen. Many approved of his ideas.
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