What is it that's changed on the eastern border? I've received reports of more and more adult otters pushing into the rivers. It would appear that much of the freshwater produce has been decimated in its entirety. Many of the ruling class are complaining about the lack of diversity. Of course, I would never complain or question your ability to rule over your people, I merely wish to know how best to apprise the rest of the Hordes as to the disposition of the eastern reaches.
-From City Lord Ferrah of Harandal to Overlord Hrathgarra
The strange keelish led us out of the grove and into a clearing. Their homes were, contrary to what every keelish I'd ever seen before did, buildings instead of burrows. Many were primitive in scope, scale and appearance, but every one was built to last, with thick wood or stone serving as the walls and a sort of a thatch serving as the roofs. I hadn't realized until then just how different these trees were, with their long straight trunks and large leaves. More impressive than the buildings built with wood and thatch, though, were those of stone.
Whenever I'd seen stone buildings in my past life, which was particularly infrequent, they'd been Spoken into existence, flawless stone drawn from the earth and shaped into a seamless whole. When I'd then gone into the ruins of Nievtra, I'd seen ruins of buildings created with individual stones, slotted together and then left for however many hundreds or thousands of years. Now, I was seeing what Nievtra could have looked like in its prime, or at least, its infancy.
Carefully balanced stones made up the walls of the most impressive buildings in what could only be called a town. Something was between each stone, and I quickly realized that there were other walls that I'd disregarded before that were fully coated in the mixture that had been placed between each stone. The covered walls also sported some dye or coloration, some blue, others yellow and a single one red. As we walked in, the guard turned guide looked back at us, smirking at any display of awe or surprise.
"I have told thee and thou mayest see yet, thou shalt find thyselves happy to follow the Alpha. They are wise, and their guidance is such that mere keelish cannot truly grasp the depths of their foresight."
"And what is the Alpha's name?" Farahlia pressed, having gathered herself back into a more impassive stance. She did so remarkably well, and I internally congratulated her continued proud posture.
"They have many names, but to refer to them by Alpha is the most appropriate, visitor Farahlia. If a name to refer to an individual be required, thou mayest refer to mineself as Krawl."
"Alright then, Krawl." Farahlia wanted to continue her interrogation of the guard, but we were interrupted by the arrival of other guards, those stationed within the bounds of the town. Their presence surprised me, not for the existence of guards, but what they were.
Three Hak'Tal khatif warriors strode out to us, spears in hand. Two other, immensely different looking khatif followed behind them, with smaller, lighter spears in hand. The Hak'Tal were much the same as every one of their caste, if a bit leaner and longer, but the other two were of particular interest to me. These ones, which I instinctively felt to be Sik'Tal like Foire or Silf, were short and thick-bodied. Their snouts were wider, their tails a vertical flat shape instead of cylindrical like other keelish's. Their shoulders' musculature was thick and rugged, and their feet and hands were partially webbed as they held their weapons only barely short of brandishing them at us.
"What is this, Krawl?" One of the Hak'Tal questioned. "These creatures are not already of the swarm. Wherefrom do they originate?"
"I beg forgiveness, Captain Chjell." Krawl bowed, the name coming out as a guttural noise in the back of his throat. "While at my post, these visitors appeared and requested that they be permitted audience with the Alpha. Considering their obvious strength, I thought it most wise to allow them preliminary entrance to our sanctum, that those of higher standing than myself be permitted to evaluate their worthiness."
Seeing that Krawl was no longer of use, Farahlia walked forward. She stood nearly as tall as the captain of these guards, though she wasn't nearly so muscled. I felt her magic intensify by several times as she focused her wiles on Chjell. Though he kept on a firm appearance and face, I saw his stance relax as she spoke.
"I'm so glad to be here with you!" Farahlia gushed. "I was just looking for someone who we could trust to bring us to present ourselves to the Alpha. How exciting to finally meet someone of that capability! I'm Farahlia. Should I call you Captain? Or Captain Chjell? I wouldn't want to presume to call you so familiarly as Chjell so quickly, but if you'd like, I can!"
The Captain's tail twitched as Farahlia flounced forward into his personal space and fawned over him. She pretended not to notice as she continued to twist her magic over his mind. To my surprise, though, he pushed her away and put himself back on his guard as soon as she made contact with him.
"I will permit you only to refer to me as Captain or Captain Chjell. I do find myself in accord with what Krawl has stated, that you are worthy of standing in the presence of the Alpha. However, visitor Farahlia, only you will be permitted to pass within the bounds of the Alpha's presence, as your guardians will be forced to remain outside of reach of the Alpha."
"That won't do." I rumbled as I stepped forward. I'd allowed Farahlia to be the face of this for as long as I had, but now I would make my presence and position known. I flared my presence, drawing in particular on [Absolute Dominance], [Imperial Bearing], and [Voice of the Divine] alongside my [Keel Progenitor] [Title] as I spoke to [Conqueror's Rebuke].
"I am Ashlani, and I am Alpha, Emperor, and Zaaktif of my people. I have come to make myself known to your Alpha and work with them. Do not stand in my way, as I do not wish to weaken those of my people without reason. Present me to your Alpha."
The five khatif quailed in my presence, but to their credit, they stood firm.
"Well met, Ashlani. It could become possible that thou be permitted into the Alpha's presence, but their safety is of the utmost and highest priority to every denizen. I will necessitate a certain level of restraint to be displayed by thyself and thine as I verify if it be possible to permit your entrance into the Alpha's presence."
I flared my frills with a growl, an expression of my impatient willingness to wait. Even so, the Captain didn't move and stood before me with his spear in hand and his eyes focused entirely on me.
"Then go." I demanded after waiting for half a minute "I don't appreciate waiting."
"I must request that thou continue thine wait, as others are in the process of verifying the disposition of tha Alpha."
Again, I growled low, in my throat, though without drawing on my sonilphon or any [Skills]. Before long, another khatif ran out towards the Captain, and though she whispered, I heard her say, "They have requested his presence."
Only barely did I manage to wait for the Captain to flare his frills and turn to me, where he bowed his head and said, "Follow me, if thou wouldst."