Of Poseidon 02: Of Triton

the day she released from her mother’s belly. Please join me in welcoming her home.”
    This coaxes a small cheer from some, but mostly a rash of disgruntled moans from the Loyals. Tandel is quick to quiet all, raising both palms toward the crowd.
    After a few moments, silence reigns once more. Tandel places a hand on Lestar’s shoulder. “Thank you, Lestar, for your fine testimony. We will be happy to take this into consideration as well.”
    At this, Antonis speaks up. The smirk has vanished from his face. “I wonder that we need to consider further, Tandel. Lestar has just identified my daughter and welcomed her home, as did Yudor upon her arrival. What more is there to say?”
    If Galen thought the crowd was silent before, it’s speechless now, probably marveling at his mere presence. Antonis has kept himself hidden so many decades. Syrena from both houses seem captivated by his gravelly voice. Galen just hopes that their wonderment isn’t keeping them from listening to the king’s actual words or to his reasoning.
    Tandel recovers with a smile. “Your Majesty, I think I speak for all in attendance when I say how thankful we are that you have honored us with your presence at this tribunal. I do see your point, Highness. But if we are to come to a thorough and satisfying agreement, would it not be wise to listen to all the testimony available to us now?”
    Antonis rolls his eyes. “I well know the proper proceedings of a tribunal, Tandel. But she is my daughter. Who else would know her better than I? Why would I bother myself with honoring the Boundary with my presence if that were not the case?”
    Galen can’t help but be amused by Tandel’s floundering under the scrutiny of the Poseidon king. He wonders if Antonis was always so blunt and impatient, or if he developed these savory characteristics while isolating himself in his Royal caverns. The king’s fit has Toraf grinning like a mischievous fingerling.
    “If I may,” a voice calls from the crowd. A voice Galen is all-too familiar with. Jagen makes his way to the center stone, and turns to his section of Loyals. He smiles wide and bows before his traitorous followers. “If I may, friends, I would propose a very good reason why His Majesty would claim this stranger as his daughter.”
    Jagen turns to Antonis, careful to keep the poison in his eyes from infecting his voice when he says, “I propose, friends, that King Antonis would rather claim this newcomer as his daughter and pretend to perpetuate his bloodlines than let his house become useless. You see, if my Paca possesses the Gift of Poseidon, as many of you have seen already, then what reason do we have for keeping the Royals in so lofty a position among us? King Antonis knows this. If a Common could possess the Gift, then why should we be under the vigilance of Royals, instead of perhaps a leader chosen from among us, one who is more fit to rule?”
    Jagen turns to his followers, who cheer with almost violent enthusiasm. Galen feels a knot in his stomach tighten, a knot that grows bigger with each word that spews from Jagen’s mouth. Mostly because what he says is true—technically. But Galen wasn’t prepared for Jagen to be this blunt, to be this open with his endeavors. And he wasn’t prepared for the spirited acceptance of such treason.
    No, Jagen didn’t name himself as that potential leader. But he didn’t have to; he’s the one guiding their thoughts, influencing their decisions. It’s almost as if he’s had this talk with them before, minus the Royals. Jagen had been a very thorough adversary. He continues, “King Antonis has not graced us with his presence nor his leadership for many, many seasons. Only now that his own Royal status is threatened has he bothered to take an interest in our dealings. How can we trust this kind of rulership?”
    The Loyals applaud again, but Jagen holds up his hands for silence. “What’s more, the Royals think they are above the law. They present us with this newcomer who they say is Nalia, the Poseidon heir. My friends, even if she were the Poseidon princess—which will be proven to you she is not—are we to simply overlook the fact that she has been breaking the law for many years, while she claims to have lived on the Big Land among humans? How much longer will we allow the Royals to dilute the law passed down from our esteemed generals?”
    The audience roars with mixed emotions. The Arena is almost deafening. And that’s