Enemy of Oceans by EJ Altbacker Page A

his family,” the shark told him. “He’s gone and the royals don’t respect you.”
    Tydal was hurt by Xander’s words but he burst out laughing anyway. “Respect?” he gasped. “Who cares about respect? I care about doing what’s best for the shiver!”
    â€œThe two are inseparable,” Xander said. “You won’t be able to lead, to help your shiver, if the royals don’t respect you.”
    Tydal fell silent.
    Xander was totally right. Tydal had been trying to govern by compassion and logic because he didn’t think he was worthy, because he wasn’t born into a royal family. But the truth was that the royals would never accept him no matter what he did—because they all wanted to rule. If Tydal was going to set a new course for the shiver he had to lead. He needed everyone to respect him and the position of minister prime.
    â€œAre ya thinking or sleeping?” asked Xander.
    â€œI’m awake, thank you very much,” Tydal told the hammerhead. “Maybe for the first time as leader of this shiver. I need to make a royal proclamation, so everyone must be there. Will you gather the royal families?”
    â€œWhat if they don’t want to come?” asked Xander.
    â€œThen escort them there,” replied Tydal.
    â€œWith pleasure,” Xander told him. “And I thought today was going to be boring.”
    â€œXander,” Tydal said, stopping the AuzyAuzy shark from swimming away. “Perhaps you should bring a few more sharkkind than usual. I don’t think the royal clans are going to like what I say very much.”
    Xander dipped his snout to Tydal. “Now you’re talking. I’ll get it done.”
    The hammerhead swam out of the cavern yelling for his mariners.

    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.
    â€œJohanna 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.
    â€œWhat 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.”
    â€œWe’ve been through that, Tydal,” Rash said,