Enemy of Oceans by EJ Altbacker Page B

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 .
    â€œYour 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!”
    â€œSilence 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.
    â€œHow—how—dare you?” the old shark rasped.
    Tydal propped himself up on the rose coral Indi throne and announced to the court, “The answer is simple enough that even a dumbo jelly like yourself should understand, but I will explain anyway. I dare because I am the minister prime and ruler of Indi Shiver!” Tydal paused. “Some of this misunderstanding is my fault. I haven’t acted like a leader. I allowed petty sharkkind like yourself, who think they are better than the others because of a family name, to dictate terms. But no longer!” Tydal swam off the throne and directed his words at the Indi Shiver sharks. At least a thousand of them had gathered, hovering outside the royal court.
    â€œFrom this day forward, being born into a certain family guarantees you nothing! You’ll need to earn your position by demonstrating your loyalty to Indi Shiver. Not to a certain family, but to our noble and great shiver!”
    â€œThis is treasonous!” cried one of the sharks from clan Charavyuh.
    There was grumbling and shouting. Again Xander swam forward and bellowed, “SHUT YER COD HOLES!” He then added in a quieter voice, “The minister prime isn’t done speaking.”
    â€œThere is treason here, that much is true, committed by Princess Johanna and the entire Punjaw clan!” Tydal said. “That is why I am banishing the Punjaw family. If any of their fifty-five clan members are seen in the Indi Ocean, they will be sent to the Sparkle Blue. Consider that your final warning! Captain of the guard, proceed with their banishment. Kill any who resist!”
    Xander moved in with a hundred mariners, overwhelming the smaller royal family. This took several minutes. They screamed and cried but were pushed and bumped from the area.
    There was a shocked silence in the court. Everyone stared at Tydal, who settled onto the rose coral throne. “Punjaw clan no longer exists as far as Indi Shiver is concerned. Their family name will be stricken from our history, any rights they have are voided, and their quarters are now the property of the office of minister prime. Any who think this is too harsh a punishment are welcome to swim forward and defend Punjaw. If you can convince me that I was mistaken then they can return.” Tydal leaned forward and stared at the four remaining royal families. “But if you fail to make your case then you and your families will be judged allies of the traitorous Punjaw clan and banished also!”
    Suddenly no one in the Razor Tooth, Charavyuh, Korak, or Taj clans felt like defending Johanna or any Punjaw.
    â€œI take your silence as a sign that you all completely agree that every shark in the Punjaw clan is a traitor and deserved my just punishment. Good, excellent. It is done.” Tydal looked down at the assembled royals. Those in the front were edging away and not meeting his eyes.
    â€œAlso, if any of you comes forward with information about traitorous activity anywhere