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A straea led the group out of Scar Chasm’s black waters and into the main current that pulled them easily along toward the center of Tidehame and the palace. So the secret was out. The Earth Queen had risen, and they had her in hand. Now what…

She had to act as though this was her plan all along and retain the illusion that she had everything completely under control and the flood’s success was now secure. This was a chance to flaunt her power over this fiend who’d sided with the loathsome dragons.

Astraea smiled. Yes. That was it. She would parade this Earth Queen through the streets, beaten and broken, crushed beneath the might of Astraea’s reign, her power, her cunning.

Folk were already filtering out of their homes and shops along the main route through Tidehame. They whispered and pointed at Astraea and her captive. Light spilled from more doorways and windows as young and old, rich and poor emerged to witness the spectacle.

Spinning, Astraea addressed Ryton and the others. “Bind the human’s wrists to your spear, General.”

Ryton did as he was told, and the Earth Queen’s eyes opened as he worked. The Earth Queen’s face gave away no emotion, but Astraea could smell her fear in the water.

Once the little queen was secured to the spear that rested across her bony shoulders, Astraea called up a current. Churning water lifted the enemy queen and pushed her slowly down the street to the sounds of the crowd’s abuse.

“Yes!” Astraea smiled down at her subjects.

“I have delivered the Earth Queen to you.” She cackled, enjoying using the powerful title for one brought so low.

“I know some of you were worried about the threat of this one’s rise to power,” she said, glancing at the guild council’s gray-and-blue-bearded host beside the gathering house’s immense, pale columns.

“The human, the last chance of the vicious and vile land creatures, is humbled and stripped of her strength. She will die at my own hand after I extract from her valuable information about our greatest enemies, the dragons.”

A young man not yet bearded stepped forward, fist raised at the Earth Queen.

“Dragon lover!” He spoke a weak spell, then threw a rotted starfish.

His mother, mouth drawn with fear, pulled him back as the starfish hit the human’s cheek and slithered down her body, leaving a trail of foul-smelling muck.

This was exactly what they needed. A nice boost to their morale at the hands of their Sea Queen.

Astraea lifted her own spear, smiling. “Wonderful! No, don’t hold him back. Do as you see fit to this abomination, my kynd. Show her how you feel about her one true desire, the desire to thrust a foul steel sword through your hearts and the hearts of your loved ones!”

The crowd began shouting and hurling spoiled fish at the human.

Astraea swam higher to avoid the mess, her soul brimming with joy at the sight of a particularly large sea apple striking the Earth Queen directly in the throat.

The human coughed and tried to double over as another rotten apple hit her stomach with the force of someone who was quite good at thrusting spells.

But the Earth Queen couldn’t double over.

Astraea’s spelled salt water kept her body upright and moving steadily down the thoroughfare.

Ryton’s lip curled as he watched the show.

Good. He was just as disgusted with the human as Astraea was.

She had wondered for a brief moment just why he hadn’t killed her.

The creature did have a youthful softness to her still, a characteristic that some might find deserving of mercy.

Of course, Ryton wouldn’t be swayed by such nonsense.

He was Astraea’s dearest friend and the shining example of what a military leader could achieve.

The palace came into view, comforting in its splendor and familiarity.

Sagging, the human groaned. Bruises purpled the flesh that showed past her sleeves and along her neck and collarbone.

Astraea had the urge to close the distance between them and break every one of her fingers, relishing the snap of her arrogant bones. How dare she think she could fight the Sea Queen. But there would be time enough for revenge.