“I cannot… cannot allow that,” Sachiel said. “Queen Tethys would send me to serve the Rusalkas.”
“Very well,” Calista said, moving back.
Without delay, her guard rushed the three mermen, who were no match for them. Kaspar had Sachiel on the ground, crying out in pain as his arm was broken, while Laiken and Bao pummeled Raen and Oshurus, respectively. Calista lifted her head, looking toward the top of the aquatic dome, smiling at the cracks of bones and crunches of faces being smashed in.
When the three attendants lay dead, she directed her guard to take them through the airlock to return them to the sea. The high-pitched screams of the attendant by the airlock pleased her, as she knew Kaspar was once more taking care of their last problem to gain access to Caethas.
Her guard returned to her side, having disposed of the mermen, cleaned themselves in the waters, and donned new undergarments. Kaspar walked into the preparation building once more and brought back the robes of Arelia for Calista and Jergen.
“Thank you, Kaspar.”
She walked to the carriages and saw that all had been taken except two left for a guard, indicating the other regions had arrived for Silent Night before her, which she had intended.
Gesturing to the first carriage, she invited her guard to enter. She wanted them to exit before she and Jergen when they reached Council so they could guard her from the front in case they experienced any other confrontations. She and Jergen entered the second one.
When their carriage rolled away, Jergen smiled at her. “I suppose you decided Sachiel would not retain his position as Master Attendant after all.”
“I did not care for him much,” Calista said. “Neither did you, if I recall. He should have chosen to serve out his cycles in the Region of Rupraenem.”
Chuckling, Jergen said, “That he should have. We will install a stronger guard for Caethas, my queen.”
“I want you to assume responsibility for the guard. I believe you will be best at ruling over them and ensuring we always have the best of all merfolk in those positions. I am confident you will also find a much better Master Attendant than Sachiel.”
“I am once again honored,” Jergen said.
“Good. We will announce this, amongst other changes, on the next cycle. We will be busy enough after I defeat Queen Tethys.”
They spent the rest of the ride in silence. When their carriage opened, Kaspar escorted them out. No one waited on the steps of Council, meaning Queen Tethys would not be forewarned of her appearance. Calista was quite pleased with the unfolding of events.
As they stepped into the corridor, Calista and Jergen were silently greeted with bows from the queens’ guards from the regions who waited outside Council for their queens and kings. It seemed all regions except Caethas knew of her impending challenge.
The queen’s guard of Kappa opened the door for them, and they heard King Ecthelion speaking as they slipped into the back of Council. The only time the king was permitted to speak at Council was on Silent Night, when he invited queens of the regions to issue their challenge.
“If there is no challenge to the queen’s throne,” he said, “then I hereby reinstate Queen Tethys for another one thousand cycles.”
“I challenge Queen Tethys this Silent Night!” Calista shouted from the back.
Gasps came from the other regions, probably having thought she lost her courage to challenge since she was not there at the beginning.
Queen Tethys rose from her throne, her legs visibly wobbly. “Queen Calista,” she said after she regained her composure. “You are not welcome in Caethas until Arelia has restored itself.”
Calista moved amongst the tables until she reached the center of the room. “Arelia is on the path to restoration. Now, it’s time to restore the entire kingdom.”
“Since you have no standing in Caethas, you cannot challenge the queen,” King Ecthelion said.
“But, I do challenge her, and my challenge has been made according to the laws of Caethas, in full view of the other regions.”
“This challenge will not stand,” Queen Tethys said. “You do not have the backing of the regions.”
“According to the law of Caethas, I only need three regions to stand behind my challenge.” Calista tore her gaze away from Queen Tethys to address the other kings and queens. “Do I have the backing of any region here on this Silent Night?”
The room remained still, and no one moved to support her challenge. The every one-thousand-cycle tradition had been deemed “Silent Night” as most of them passed without a challenge, leaving Council silent. Calista worried the tradition continued with the other regions not supporting her challenge.
The hall filled with Queen Tethys’ laugh. “You have no standing here, Queen Calista. You shall stand trial for being a traitor to my rule and shall be returned to the sea. You and your sub-mate.”
“The Region of Soumatsunai affirms Queen Calista’s challenge.”
Calista turned to see Namiso stand up. Namiso bowed to Calista, affirming her support.
“The Region of Xiulan affirms Queen Calista’s challenge,” Queen Quinanai said, also standing.
One by one, all eleven queens of the other regions outside of Caethas stood and vowed their support.
Calista looked at Queen Tethys once more. “I believe we have met the required support of the other regions.” To King Ecthelion, she said, “Once more, I challenge Queen Tethys this Silent Night.”
His chin trembled, but he had no other recourse. “The challenge stands. The fight for the throne will commence on the next cycle.”
“No,” Calista said. “That is not the law of Caethas. Silent Night is the only cycle for which such a fight can occur.” She shook her head and threw the queen’s own words back at her. “You will not undermine my challenge by skirting the law of Caethas. Should you try again, your rule will immediately cease, and you will be returned to the sea with your sub-mate.”
Queen Tethys looked at her sub-mate, who only shrugged. They were out of moves. Addressing Council, she said, “The challenge stands. We will fight for the throne tonight. Please proceed to the Royal Arena.”
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