Enemy of Oceans by EJ Altbacker

Author:EJ Altbacker
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2012-12-12T05:00:00+00:00

Two hours later Tydal swam out to the coral throne at the heart of the Indi Shiver homewaters. Sunlight cut through the water and made everything around him sparkle. Tydal saw that in addition to tripling the guard in front and above the throne, Xander had also brought the rest of the AuzyAuzy mariner force. They were at a respectful attention hover and not talking and fin-slapping as they did from time to time when he held a royal audience.

Tydal aimed to set a regal tone from the start. He glided straight to the coral throne of Indi and plopped himself on it. A chorus of grumbles rippled through the royal court.

“Johanna Punjaw, come forward,” Tydal said. The throne was the Indi homewaters’ Speakers Rock. It was located in the place where the currents were the absolute best for carrying even a whisper out to the assembled royal court.

The noise from the court turned into indignant shouts: “What’s the meaning of this?” “You dare order a princess around?” “He’s not royalty!” And Johanna did not move. Tydal saw her, smirking, with the rest of the Punjaw clan hovering protectively around her.

Tydal gave a double fin flick to Xander, a signal they had worked out. The hammerhead bellowed, “QUIET! YOUR LEADER IS SPEAKING!” His commanding shout was so loud it silenced everyone.

Tydal edged forward. “Johanna Punjaw, come before me!” he announced, a bit harder this time.

The leading member of the clan swam out, a cunning old coot named Rash. He dripped disdain whenever he dealt with anyone but Finnivus himself. “The princess is too frightened to come before your imposing presence, Tydal,” Rash said, words soaked in sarcasm. “I speak for clan Punjaw. Tell me what’s bothering you. Now.” The last was an order and caused a ripple of laughter from the royals.

“What I want you to do is produce the princess so she may defend herself,” Tydal said. “She was overhead joking about my swimming the Sparkle Blue right before an assassination attempt that your clan are the main suspects in.”

“We’ve been through that, Tydal,” Rash said, not using his title of minister prime. “They were foolish words to say . . . out loud.” More laughter from the royals because of the insulting pause in front of out loud.

“Your sarcasm and disrespect have been noted,” Tydal told Rash. Anger flickered in the shark’s eyes. He didn’t like being called out. Suddenly the other royals went quiet. They became interested as Tydal continued. “Since your clan refuses to bring the princess forward to defend herself, I shall pass judgment on her, and your entire clan, solely from what I have heard from the other witnesses.”

Rash’s eyes blazed. “You pass judgment! You do not judge your betters, Tydal!”

“Silence him!” The words leapt from Tydal’s mouth and he couldn’t pull them back. Xander’s mariners speared Rash in the flank and drove him nose first into the soft seabed, but thankfully didn’t send him to the Sparkle Blue.

“How—how—dare you?” the old shark rasped.

Tydal

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