Raen and Oshurus returned with the red robes of Arelia. Calista and Jergen rotated until their backs faced the attendants, who then draped the robes over their shoulders. They turned again and raised their arms so the attendants could tie the robes for them, a custom of Council.
When they finished, Sachiel said, “I believe this carriage is ready for you.” He gestured to the plain white carriage waiting beside the preparation building.
Calista smiled out of frustration. “That carriage is used for a queen’s guard, not for the queen and king themselves. I will not have my rule of Arelia downplayed or undermined because it is too much for you to retrieve the proper carriage for my region.”
“Y-yes, Queen Calista. Once more, I apologize. I have been Master Attendant for only a minimal number of cycles. I was truly not prepared for your arrival.”
“You have now apologized twice,” she said. “Should you do it once more, I will have to discuss your position – and your future in it – directly with Queen Tethys.”
“Th-that… that will not be n-necessary.” He snapped his fingers, and Raen rushed to his side. “Raen, please escort Queen Calista’s guard to the city to retrieve the proper carriage for Arelia.”
“My guard will not leave my side, Sachiel. You are dangerously close to a third apology.”
“Of course, of course. Raen, you will ride in the carriage to the city and retrieve her carriage. You will return it here, posthaste, or you will be sent to the Region of Rupraenem to serve the Rusalkas.”
Rupraenem was located in the coldest of waters north of the humans’ Russia, and the Rusalkas were the hardest of all mermaids to serve. They were prone not only to drown human men in oceans and lakes but also to kill mermen servants and sub-mates who even slightly erred.
Raen hustled to the waiting carriage, and it soon swallowed him up and rolled toward the city, pulled by banished Ipupiara mermen from the Region of Idecezia, near the humans’ Brazil.
“Might you invite us to wait in the preparation building?” Jergen asked Sachiel.
Sachiel’s face scrunched up in confusion once more. It was not normal for a king to address the queen’s needs; the queen always spoke for herself. Calista did not mind; Jergen speaking out of turn allowed them to retain the mystery surrounding her new rule of Arelia. If word got back to Queen Tethys – and it would – the Queen would not recognize her as a threat to the throne, but consider her weak, perhaps as weak as her mother. It perfectly suited Calista’s plans.
“Yes, King Jergen,” Sachiel said. “Oshurus, please escort the queen, king, and queen’s guard into the reception hall and grant their every request.”
“I will only have Kaspar accompany us,” Calista said. “Laiken and Bao will remain in your company until our carriage arrives.” Leaving two of her guard with Sachiel would keep him frightened and ensure he remained attentive.
Calista and Jergen followed Oshurus into the preparation building, down a corridor, and into the reception hall. Normally intended for large parties arriving for Queen Tethys to host, their footsteps echoed in the elaborate, empty room.
When they seated themselves at a table, Kaspar standing at the doorway, Oshurus asked, “What might I provide the queen and her king?”
“You may take your leave, attendant.” She flicked her hand toward the door.
Oshurus bowed and exited the hall. Kaspar followed him out, but Calista knew he would stand guard outside the hall.
“You are making your presence known, my queen,” Jergen said, raising her hand and kissing her knuckles.
“As intended,” Calista said. “What do you make of Sachiel? Shall I keep him on once I defeat Queen Tethys?”
Jergen laughed and shook his head. “We should send him to Rupraenem, as he is eager to send his lower attendants there. He might enjoy it himself.”
“Ruthless,” she said, leaning in for a fiery kiss. “It is too bad we do not have time for more.”
“Tonight, my queen.”
“You’re right, Jergen. After we have made our entrance at Council and announced our intentions, we will have plenty of time for much more, indeed.”
W hen her carriage arrived at Council, an attendant opened the door for them. Jergen exited first, as per custom, followed by Calista. Her guard immediately joined them, having rode in a separate carriage.
Calista raised the sides of her robes to ascend the steps leading to the building. She heard gasps from the Queen and King of the Region of Soumatsunai of the Kappa Merfolk, and Calista detoured over to them.
After they exchanged bows, Calista announced herself and Jergen. In turn, Queen Namiso introduced herself and her sub-mate, King Tamesuko. The four bowed once more to each other before speaking.
“Queen Calista,” Namiso said, “we were not expecting anyone from the Region of Arelia at Council. Has your mother returned to the sea?”
“Four cycles ago,” Calista said. “I am here to reclaim our seats at Council.”
“Very good,” Namiso said. “It has been too long since we have had representation from Arelia. I am eager to hear your vision for the future of your region.”
“It shall be discussed at Council. How is the Region of Soumatsunai?”
“The humans have become more aware of us in recent cycles. It used to be only the humans of fishing vessels, primarily the ones that attacked our tuna for their consumption. Now, it seems the humans have started specifically hunting for us. We cannot withstand this type of attack.”
The Kappa merfolk always had a harder time hiding, as their merforms were that of large, green, human-esque figures with webbed hands and feet. They never blended into their environment, unlike the Ipupiara with their seal-like heads or the El Hombre Caim?n with heads of an alligator. They were also more active at the surface than any other merfolk, making it easy for humans to find them.
Instead of pointing out their flaws, Calista said, “That is abhorrent. How many Kappa have you lost in the last thirty cycles?”
“Approximately fifty.”
Calista absorbed the information. Her father would have ranted at the queen and king at overexposing themselves and pleaded for them to remain below the surface. Calista believed the loss of Kappa life could assist in her quest to challenge Queen Tethys.
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