“I am sorry to hear that,” she said to Namiso. “I cannot imagine what Arelia would do with such a great loss. Am I correct that this will be a topic at Council, and one you have raised before?”
Namiso nodded.
“How has Queen Tethys alleviated your plight?”
“Our cries have not been answered. I will fight again at Council to receive the assistance we need.”
“Yes, you must,” Calista said. “Have any other regions stood up for your needs?”
“No, they have not. They, too, have similar problems, and they are afraid to stand up to the queen. Queen Tethys says that each region must remain on their own. That we must look for ways to limit our contact with the humans.”
“My father would have told you to find ways to work with the humans,” Calista said, remembering the last Council they attended. “Queen Namiso, I will join you in your fight. Together, we must also unite to appeal for the needs of the other regions, as well. We will make sure Queen Tethys hears you and responds appropriately.”
Namiso’s hands wrapped around Calista’s. “Thank you, good queen. You do not know us, yet you empathize with us. We can only wish that Queen Tethys acts in the same manner.”
“I’m sure she will,” Calista said, knowing full well if the queen had not helped in the past, she would not at this Council, either. She could feel Jergen’s inner smile at their stroke of good fortune. She thought it would take much longer to discover a crack in the queen’s rule.
I nside Council, Calista and Jergen stood behind the table reserved for Arelia. The tables, twelve in all, faced the thrones of Queen Tethys and her sub-mate, King Ecthelion. The two walked into Council, the Queen’s Guard in front and back of them.
The queens and kings from all regions bowed when they reached their thrones, then waited for them to sit before taking their own seats.
Queen Tethys sat tall, her neck raised, long dark hair cresting her strong shoulders. Her thin lips were pressed firmly together under her aquiline nose, and her dark eyes gazed over the room. “Council is seated,” she said with a gruff voice, “and Council commences.” She stared at Calista for a long moment. “Queen of the Region of Arelia, please rise with your sub-mate. May the throne shine upon you.”
Calista and Jergen rose and bowed to their queen. “I am Queen Calista of the Arelia Region of Merfolk. This is King Jergen, Sub-Mate to the Queen of the Arelia Region of Merfolk. We are grateful to be accepted under your reign.”
Queen Tethys did not allow any emotion to penetrate her stern expression. “The Council seats of Arelia have been empty for many cycles, ever since your father returned to the sea.”
“Yes, good queen,” Calista said. “My mother abandoned the seats after my father’s death. I am here to reclaim them since she, too, has returned to the sea.”
After a deep intake and release of breath, Queen Tethys responded. “I welcome you to Council, Queen Calista and King Jergen. I am eager to hear of Arelia’s state since you have ascended as your mother’s heir to the throne.” Her lips set into a hard line, as if she was already scheming a way to reject their return to Council and force them out of their seats.
“Of course, my queen. As you know, Arelia declined under my mother’s rule after my father’s death. Our trades with other regions dried up. Our merfolk are in crisis. We humbly request representatives from each region to come to Arelia to resume our trades. We also request Council to attend our court to help repair our region.”
“Your region fell into disarray because of a weak queen. Do you agree?”
“I do, my queen. I will not follow on her path.”
Queen Tethys glanced at her sub-mate, then returned her gaze to Calista. “The Region of Arelia will find their way out of ruin through their own efforts. You will send representatives to the other regions to determine if they wish to resume trades with a failing region. You will find a way to assist your subjects on your own and revive Arelia. Your mother’s rule falls upon your shoulders, Queen Calista. Council will not send any assistance.”
Having spoken to Namiso before Council, Calista did not expect any help, yet she had hoped Queen Tethys would be generous and gracious. Still, Calista had to remain cordial, even if all courtesy in her body had been incinerated with the queen’s denial of help.
“Thank you, my queen.” Calista and Jergen took their seats.
Queen Tethys immediately continued. “Queen Namiso, please rise with your sub-mate. May the throne shine upon you.”
They did as directed, but Queen Tethys did not give them the opportunity to speak first.
“What is the state of the Region of Soumatsunai?”
“My queen, we have lost fifty merfolk in the past thirty cycles alone.” She went on to explain everything she told Calista before Council, elaborating on some of the finer points.
“So, your region’s state has continued to worsen,” Queen Tethys said.
“Yes, my queen. I beg of you to send assistance before we lose more merfolk.”
“Did I just not inform Queen Calista that her mother’s failings fall upon her shoulders?”
Namiso looked in Calista’s direction, as if asking what she should say.
“Queen Calista is not your Queen. You shall look to me for your rule.”
“Yes, good Queen,” Namiso said. “I did listen to you speak to Queen Calista.”
“Then, if she should inherit the failings of her mother, your own failings shall definitively fall upon your shoulders.”
Calista rose from her chair. “Queen Tethys, we appreciate your guidance and profound wisdom; however, the Region of Soumatsunai is suffering, greatly.” She swallowed back her pride for Arelia and said, “Perhaps more than my own region.”
“Queen Calista,” Queen Tethys said, “you have had your opportunity to speak. The Queen’s Court has granted no mercy for your region, as we grant no mercy for the state of Soumatsunai.”
“Perhaps my good Queen would reconsider when she learns that many of the regions are suffering as Soumatsunai.” Calista slowly looked over the other members of Council. “The last Council my father, the great King Aquilis, Sub-Mate to the Queen of the Arelia Region of Merfolk, attended, he spoke of ceasing our attacks upon the humans. Of focusing more on our own affairs in the oceans rather than concern ourselves with mere humans.”
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