The throne was as solid as it had ever been, never to rest within comfort. That had been Poseidon's motto when he had created it and Atlantis. Ruling over the seas, was a difficult business, but one that over twenty years had taught Arthur a great many things. Petitions, might seem boring and mundane, but they were essential to the good running of his Kingdom. And so, he sat and listened. The current petitioner was a man in his fifties, silver gracing his hair, his form still proud.
"Sire, I have served for thirty-five years in the military of Atlantis, I have fought for you, and your mother before you. I have protected this realm through all. I have not asked for anything, but now I find that I must ask for something." The man said.
"What is your name good sir?" Arthur asked.
"Aegenor, Sire." Aegenor said.
"Well Aegenor, tell me what your request is and I shall see if it is within my power to grant." Arthur responded.
Aegenor took a moment then said. "Sire, my home is based within the seventh quadrant of the seas, and as such is near the base of the nereids lair. For many years, we have been at peace, and the nereids have respected the peace treaty with which you brought an end to violence with Nereus. However, recently, these same nereids have begun growing bolder, and outlandish. They are now raiding and pillaging. They are taking those things which I need to live. Under the terms of the treaty, I know I cannot retaliate, not without your permission." Here Aegenor bowed his head. "So, Sire, I ask that you grant me permission to seek justice."
Arthur did not respond immediately, instead he thought through what the man had said. The nereids were the last of the old guard, the last of the Titans, and their father Nereus was a dying old man. Arthur knew that the peace treaty was always going to be broken, but he had not thought that it would be broken so soon. He weighed up the benefits and the negatives of engaging in action now, and decided better to grant some of the imperial guard regiments to aid Aegenor, then fully commit. "Aegenor, I agree with you, that these actions committed by the nereids are unjust. I shall do better than to grant you leave to attack these fools. I shall send the fourth and fifth regiments of the Imperial guard with you. And they shall act for the purpose of justice for the crown and for its people."
Aegenor bowed. "Thank you, Sire." He turned and walked away.
Another man came forward, he bowed low. He had the look of a farmer, hunched, his beard and hair completely white. "Sire, my name is Decahedron. I have come from the southern ends of the empire. I have come asking for permission to begin the planting of the water riders, to ensure good growth for the coming cold season."
"Water Riders have been outlawed from this kingdom from the time of my ancestor King Deirus the Fourth. And for good reason as well, they bring nothing more than trouble to those who plant them and their surrounding neighbours. Tell me why I should allow this to be planted?" Arthur demanded.
Decahedron bowed low. "Sire, new research has been conducted by your most esteemed school of science, and they have found after much rigorous testing that the water riders are now harmful toward the content of the water any more. Not since the act which stopped the land dwellers from drilling for oil within the western portion of the empire. Furthermore, with the events within the surface growing ever more unpredictable, perhaps it would be within the empire's benefit to consider planting these new riders."
Arthur would have reprimanded the man for presuming to speak in suggestion for him, being not an advisor. Instead he simply said. "I shall consider this proposal and allow for discussion later." The man bowed and walked away. He was replaced by a woman. She was young, perhaps no older than his own daughter.
She curtseyed before him and said. "Sire, my name is Aphrodite, I have come before you to seek justice."
Curious, Arthur looked at her and asked. "And what pray tell is it that you seek justice for?"
"I met a service dweller as he proceeded to go on a dive through the waters with which they are allowed. And whilst we spoke, another one of his fellows came and caught me and tried to take me above land. As if I was some sort of mermaid." The woman said.
Anger billowed in the court, they all knew that the land dwellers were full of nonsense and were oftentimes stupid to the point of incredulity, but something like this? This was an insult that could not be allowed to stand. Taking a deep breath, Arthur asked. "Did you get the name of these men and where they come from?"
"I did not get their names, Sire, but I know that one of them was the brother of the American President's wife. He claimed that since I was within those permissible waters, that I was fair game. I fought him off, but he promised justice for that." Aphrodite said.
Arthur stood then, and so everyone else rose as well. "I promise you, madam, that you will get justice. What has happened to you is an insult, to all of us. And it shall be answered accordingly." He scanned through the room, before his eyes landed on Vorgil. "Vorgil, prepare the 1st, 2nd and 3rd regiments, we shall be preparing for an attack on the United States soon enough." The man nodded. The lady bowed and walked away, Arthur signalled to his messenger, and as such it was called that petitions were over for the day. Arthur stalked down the steps and made his way to the council chamber. In the room were images of Poseidon and Nereus fighting together, Poseidon and Oceanus fighting and Arthur, dressed in all his glory. He looked away from that and looked at his advisors one by one.
It was Mera who spoke first. "Is going to war a wise option? The Americans are already on edge because of Superman, do we wish to antagonise them further?"
Arthur looked at his wife and though he knew she was simply offering an opposing view, he felt anger rise inside him. "These land dwellers attacked a citizen of Atlantis. They have attacked the kingdom and that deserves being answered. We shall not attack their land; I am not so much of a fool. I know that on land they will win. But they have ships, they have an entire fleet, and we can sink that fleet."
"And the people on that fleet? What will you do with them?" Mera asked.
"Either they will get out of the ships before they sink, or they will die." Arthur said. "They represent the United States and the United States has broken a treaty."
Gorgon, another one of his advisors spoke. "Sire, perhaps a meeting with the US president to get him to hand over his brother by marriage. If indeed that was who hurt Aphrodite. After all any old American could pretend to be that charlatan."
"You think that she was lying about who it was who attacked her?" Arthur demanded.
"No, I don't think she was lying, but we do not know what that man looks like. Therefore, someone hoping to start war between us and the States could claim to be the man." Gorgon replied.
Arthur sighed, he recognised the point and said. "Very well, I shall send a message to President Matthews and demand he bring his brother by marriage here. For questioning, nothing else. I shall tell Vorgil to stand down the regiments." He then looked at his son. "Rhodos, what word do you bring for us?"
His son, tall and handsome, dressed in amber armour, a sword at his side took a breath then said. "Superman has met with the King's cabinet and discussed various things, the US ambassador and several other members of the US embassy have been expelled on the King's order. Furthermore, I believe the Prime Minister is soon to be on her way out. There is general support for the King and for Superman, and indeed it seems the King is looking to seek more favourable terms in treaty negotiations."
Arthur nodded, that was encouraging news. For it meant that the boy was finally following through on what his great-grandmother had started. "Electra, what word do you bring?"
His daughter had spent time studying in Australia, and had served as Ambassador in Italy as well. "The Australian people are rallying behind their King and Superman. There are a small group of scientists who are siding with the US government and seem to be preparing for some sort of war. Though what that is I am not sure."
"Very well." Arthur said. He looked at his wife then and asked. "What word is there from the borders? Are the Nereids going to become more of a problem? Or is Aegenor the only person who shall need to handle them?"
"I believe the Nereids for now can be contained. Though I would caution against invoking all out war. There are some things that can be avoided." Mera said. "I believe that Nereus is dying and as such the nereids are simply trying for one last gasp at control. If we handle them now, then when things get messier on the surface world they will not be an ally for someone to use against us."
Arthur nodded, he agreed. "And what of Black Manta, has anyone found any suggestion as to who he might be?"
His brother Orm replied. "I have found several possible candidates, Sire. Firstly, a US marine named Charles Langdon who served in the gulf wars, he is a man who comes from a very disrupted background. His father died fighting in Vietnam, and his wife left him for one of the many friends of Superman. I think that he would fall vulnerable to whatever the President offers him as a chance at revenge. However, I do not think he would target us. Instead, I think it is more likely that this second candidate, David Hyde a former Marine, he served in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in Syria. He has grown bitter over the years, lost his father during your fight with Ocean Master, and has always harboured a grudge. If he is offered something by the President, then I think he will take it and he will come."
"Where was his last known location?" Arthur asked.
"In Miami, I believe he works there." Orm replied.
"Then your duty is go to Miami and kill this man." Arthur said.
"Yes Your Majesty." Orm replied bowing.
"Good. Dismissed." Arthur said, he turned and walked from the room. Mera at his side. They said nothing for a time, simply walked side by side, hand in hand. There were many things to consider, so long as none of the surface world's nonsense came boiling through to the water, he would be fine, they would be fine. Let Clark have the land, he ruled the waves and he would kill anyone who challenged that. He nodded to the guards, and they opened the doors. "Has there been any change?" He asked.
"No, it's remained the same since last night, Sire." One of the guards responded.
They both looked at the box, glowing red, just as it had the last time. "Do you think that means he's coming back?" Mera asked.
"I think it does. It makes sense, with everything that has changed since the last time. He no doubts hopes to exploit the tensions within the League." Arthur replied.
"What will you do?" Mera asked.
Arthur turned and walked away from the box, hearing the door close, Mera at his side, he replied. "I shall let Bruce and Clark know. And tell them to move Victor somewhere safe. Otherwise he will come for him."