Reed Richards arrived at Baxter on a day where the sun shone brightly. He saw the Atlantean barricade around his village, their spears and swords glinting in the daylight and threatening to blind him and his horse. Reed dismounted and walked to the guards, petting his horse more for his nerves than its.
"Who are you?" boomed one of the guards. Reed noticed that the guard was standing in a pail of water.
"I am Reed Richards," said Reed, "and I believe that your prince has summoned me."
"Thank Neptune," said the guard quietly, calling loudly after to his compatriots, "let him through! This is the one we need."
The other Atlanteans nodded and separated to let him through. Reed cautiously led his horse through the assembled warriors, keeping his head low.
He didn't know where these strange people had heard of him. But then, if the king of a far-off land had heard of his intellectual feats, why wouldn't these odd blue people?
His thoughts turned to King Victor. He hadn't been in Baxter long and already he longed to be back with the king. He wasn't sure what that meant. He loved Baxter dearly, and what he felt for King Victor was…indescribable.
A guard appeared at his side and led him through the village. He saw soldiers posted at each house and saw the people of Baxter looking out of their windows at him. "I knew he'd return!" he heard frequently, as well as other blessings. "It's about damn time" was also heard.
Soon he arrived at the main building, the place where the villagers normally gathered. Today he saw soldiers surrounding it.
He was led through the soldiers with a simple nod from his guard and brought into the building. He was led through the halls, now filled with a scent reminiscent of the ocean, to the main room. A man with pale skin, dark hair and a piercing green-eyed stare looked up at him.
"Is this him, Susan?" he asked. Reed saw that Susan had been made to sit on the floor beneath this strange man. Reed balled his hands into fists.
"Reed!" Susan leapt up and ran to him, embracing him. Reed wrapped his arms around her, burying his face into her shoulder. He had missed her.
"That must mean yes," said the strange man, without mirth. He stood up and walked to the embracing two, lightly pushing Susan off of Reed. Reed stared up at him with nothing but defiance. The strange man didn't notice and didn't care. "I am Prince Namor of Atlantis," he said, "and I need you to build me a weapon."
"What kind of weapon?" Reed ground out.
"One that can defeat my enemy, Atuma. He has taken control of my kingdom, and will doubtless…" Namor trailed off, then shook his head. "It does not bear thinking of. I must defeat him."
"And where is your kingdom?" asked Reed.
"Under the waves of the sea," Namor replied.
"Oh dear," Reed said.
"Will that be a problem?" said Namor, looking from Reed to Susan with a glance that could only be taken as a threat.
"No," Reed growled, "not at all."
It had been two days since Reed had left. King Victor had taken to pacing his bedchamber. His mind danced with questions. When would Reed return? Would he return, or would he leave him forever to be with "Susan"? Worse yet, would these fearsome invaders harm Reed? What if the weapon didn't work as they wanted? Would Reed be killed?
King Victor would not allow himself to idle. He would not stand by while Reed was in danger. But what could he do to help him?
It dawned on King Victor. Reed had been taken back to create weapons, but Reed was not especially practised at them. King Victor was. He had to be, in order to protect his people. He was sure, in the vastness of his arsenal, he had some sort of weapon that would satisfy this Prince.
King Victor told one of his golems to fetch Herbie. Herbie did not take long, though showed confusion. "Your highness?" he asked.
"We are going to see Reed." King Victor said. The golem's smile at the words was contagious, and King Victor found himself returning it. "Gather my weapons, Herbie."
"Do you want me to gather your horsemen?" asked Herbie.
"No. You and I shall go, along with whoever we can spare to carry my arsenal." Herbie nodded and left to carry out his orders. King Victor walked to his nightstand and slipped his mask over his face, smiling under it.
This Prince will soon learn what it means to threaten the consort of a KING, thought King Victor.