Just as the two of them were fretting over the troublesome trident, heavy footsteps sounded from deep within the cave.
Arthur whipped around and saw a figure in silver deep-sea armor striding toward them.
The man wore a helmet that left his sharply defined jaw exposed, and held a silver harpoon gleaming with cold light.
Arthur whispered to Ririko, "My brother's here. Hurry and hide."
He glanced back. Afraid someone would snatch her jewels, Ririko had already ducked behind a tall clump of ferns, trident and all.
Orm stopped a few steps from Arthur, his silver harpoon pointed straight at his brother's chest. The scale patterns on his armor rose and fell slightly with his breathing.
Cold with barely restrained fury, he accused Arthur without mincing words:
"You actually dared to steal my trident? You're a half-breed, a bastard raised on land who can't even speak the Atlantis Language properly. How dare you covet the throne of the King of the Seven Seas?"
His insults grew more vicious as he went on. "Your father was nothing but a lowly surface dweller. You should have stayed on land where you belong instead of meddling in affairs beneath the sea!"
Arthur folded his arms across his chest and watched his half brother coldly, quietly waiting for him to finish.
The harsher Orm's insults were now, the angrier he would be when he learned the truth.
Arthur said calmly, "You don't get to decide who takes the throne. No one can control whom the trident chooses as king.
"Even if you turn the entire Trench upside down, it's no use getting your hands on it if it doesn't choose you."
Orm gave a short, derisive laugh. His harpoon swept through a half circle before its tip settled firmly on Arthur's throat.
"Big words.