PoV : Camellia (our diligent, yet self-doubting Spider Sister).
Recap: Elinor spends time explaining her system to the Royal Court, and came up with a plan. Tiffany also suggested raising maids (we all know why!! We see you, Tiffany! Hehe!). We have some new members of the Empire that will be coming soon!
Tiffany and Edmon having their little coy banter was fun, too, while we got some good bits of info. The Chiefs got their instruction to bring their Clans to the Capital, and hints of enhancing powers were mentioned to the Nina, the new Chief of the Clavex.
Some instructions were given to Valdar in private about the possible war that is to come, and finally, our Empress has called for Gwen and the human’s representatives to tell them about the opportunity to see their loved ones … of course, it comes at a price of service.
I want to thank my patrons for continuing to support me:
Clayton Marshall, Florent Baril, William Gillis, Bubedah, Michael McLoed, Nsixtyfour, and my other Patrons!
Camellia’s lips were a line as she watched the Ri’bot talking amongst themselves on the left side of the right-wing’s second balcony, discussing what materials were needed to repair one of their boats. The humans had all been gathered together by the human known as Gwen; she appeared to have some kind of relationship with the Empress, but she wasn’t sure about the details.
The Spider Sister yawned, not really finding much interest in their tasks; her only duty was to make sure Nadraca went to the Nalvean lands and came back safely.
Her tongue slid around her teeth, still exploring her human form with the limited time she had with it. The two-hour cooldown started five minutes ago, and her skill had been slowly increasing with its use.
Asking for the information on Transformation: Human, she hummed, leaning against the wall while tuning out the whispering Ri’bot.
Base Thélméthra (Kind) Abilities:
Transformation: Human I: (Cooldown: 2 Hours; Cost: 3% Energy; Duration: 37 Minutes; Range: N/A) Active, Physical-Type, Level Three, Novice Grade, Rank Seven. Camellia can temporarily take on the appearance of a human; however, most of her Thélméthra abilities and stats will remain the same, and it only gives the outward image of a human with a few hybrid skills, not granting any special powers humans may have.
A light hum rumbled in Camellia’s throat, making her massage her human airway; several of the Ri’bot glanced over at her, but quickly returned to their own conversation when realizing she wasn’t signaling them.
All the work I’ve been doing, and I only advanced the duration by seven minutes … is Violet or Azalea ahead of me? No, probably not since we’ve all started at the same place; as long as I keep using it on cooldown, then we’ll remain the same.
Violet’s weaving is becoming better and better, though … the work she’s doing for the Empress is pushing her skills to a higher degree while I’m falling behind. Hopefully, I can use my abilities more on this journey, but they’re only focused on combat.
Azalea’s off training her skills on her task, too … she’s far better at disguising her presence and ambushing her targets than I am. Plus, they have Mom … over the Assassination Division in the Empire while I don’t have an Elite Warrior counterpart in the Court. Who can I ask for advice about this?
The only option that came to mind made her suck on her lower lip, and after a bit of debate, sent the request; with her mother not within communication distance, it was acceptable.
Umm, Gatekeeper Edmon, are you free?
The man’s deep voice soon entered her mind. “Camellia? Hmm … I’m busy, but I can multitask. Also, you may call me Edmon, just as Tiffany has suggested using her name. Titles take too long … unless we’re discussing the Empress.”
I understand, Edmon. She replied respectfully.
“Now, has the Ri’bot come to a conclusion on all the items they’ll need for the journey?”
Camellia’s light red irises moved to the Ri’bot, still arguing about what was needed and appropriate for their wants while throwing out possible issues that might arise.
No … they do a lot of talking. Who knows when they’ll figure out what they want?
Edmon chuckled. “It’s good they’re being thorough; if they take the time to prepare here, there will be a higher chance of success along the way.”
The Gatekeeper paused. “If it’s not about them … why do you wish to talk to me?”
A lump dropped down Camellia’s throat. I … am a little lost with my abilities. I am aware that using my skills will help them increase, but how can I use my combat skills when there’s no combat?
If I ever needed experience while alive, I’d just leave our tunnels and search for prey, but … I can’t do that while following the Empress’ orders—not that I resent such a thing—I just wish to know how to continue to advance to compete with my sisters.
“Hmm … Elite Warriors, like yourself, usually have an internal drive to push themselves. Although, you could say the same for the other Classes in different areas. In any case … if you wish to increase your proficiencies outside of combat, then just use them.”
Even without an enemy to use them on?
“In our world, martial artists would train for actual combat by punching bags, kicking trees, or imagining an enemy before them while … in a manner, attacking the air. Sometimes you can’t find someone at your same level or above it to push you, and so you must use your imagination to create someone that can push you.”
So … hmm… Camellia folded her arms under her chest, pressing her arms against her body. I can imagine my sisters as enemies and practice against them in my mind?
“Yes, in a way—you know a lot about your sisters, so it’s a good point to start at. If you were in a battle with Violet or Azalea, act it out … just don’t break anything in the city—I’d rather not have more added to my workload.”
Thank you … that helps a lot.
“It will help expand your imagination, too, and I don’t see an issue with allowing actual mock battles to help you each sharpen your instincts. Although, that will be something your mother will need to approve. It would be best for you to bring it up, though.”
I appreciate the advice, Edmon. She replied, mind racing with the implications.
Her connection to the Gatekeeper cut with a parting acknowledgment.
Camellia walked toward an open space that allowed her to use her skills without damaging anything.
She’d imagined fighting her sisters more than once, but any action taken would have been a direct challenge as the standing successor to their mother, which wasn’t a light decision. It was soon reaching the point where they had to make that confrontation before their death, but all the sisters knew the most likely results.
Camellia had no delusion, Violet would mop the floor with her, barring the extremely unlikely case that her youngest sister made several critical mistakes. Still, the minimal chance of success never discouraged her but pushed her to close the gap by even the smallest margin.
A few of the humans and Ri’bot gave her questioning looks or shied away while she whipped her hair around, leaped up pillars, railings, and ran across the ceiling while creating an obstacle course of webbing.
Halfway through her work, she slowed to a stop, hanging from the roof while folding her arms and pursing her lips.
Hold on … this is pointless. Violet’s combat thread is so small that it’s hard to even detect … I can sense it, but for how long? If she gets a skill that lets her hide her thread, which is likely, then … eventually, my detection level won’t be able to keep up, and all this practice won’t mean a thing.
No … I’m a Juggernaut … an overwhelming force that crushes everything in my path.
A smile lit her lips as the dots connected.
I don’t dodge Violet’s thread … I smash through it. If I just focus on that one path, I could become an unstoppable boulder, rolling down the mountain to crush anything in my way.
With that revelation, she glanced around at her webbing.
If I try to wrap my silk around things and smash into it … it’ll just rip the stone off the wall and break the pillars. No, to train that, I’ll have to use the trees in the jungle on the journey.
Her heart swelled with anticipation upon finding her path to combating Violet, but Azalea was still a difficult match-up.
Dropping to the floor, she ran up to Nadraca, and the Ri’bot fell silent as she approached.
“How soon until you’re ready to go?”
“Umm … soon, soon,” she mumbled, glancing back at one of her clansmen. “Ukara needs to go outside real quick to check the weather. Is that fine?”
“Umm, yeah—why wouldn’t it be?”
A few of the Ri’bot chuckled, nervously glancing at one another.
“Just checking,” Nadraca replied. “Okay, mind doing that real fast, Ukara?”
She ran off with the others, and Camellia watched her go with a slight frown. “So … once she finds that out—then we can finally go?”
“Eh—not exactly,” Nadraca mumbled, rubbing her left arm. “We’re having to … are the humans going back to talk to Empress Elinor?”
Camellia turned; Gwen was directing one of the Empress’ Quen’Talrat to help a few select humans to the ground level, down the large stone staircase. “I don’t know, but what about us leaving?” She asked, turning back to Nadraca with bright-eyed excitement.
“Well, you see—we don’t know what kind of damage was done after the storm, or even if the boats are still there. The storm that signaled the Supreme Chiefs’ arrival to our world caused such a surge in water levels that it could have washed it away, even with our precautions.
“If worse comes to worst, then we’ll have to travel by foot, and that might take … a while?” She questioned, pausing while studying her.
Camellia was almost bouncing on her toes. “We might have to walk? That would be so good for me!”
“Wha … I—I don’t understand?” Nadraca mumbled, glancing toward a few other Ri’bot who gave her similar expressions.
“I can train more!”
“Train for what?” Nadraca scratched her forehead, dipping her other hand in one of the Quen’Talrat cups that Tiffany had filled with water to spread it across her back. “Nevermind, nevermind—it’s not my business,” she sighed.
“Okay, but—umm, according to the Empress’ words—the task she ordered us to do—we’d like to warn our fellow clansmen as soon as possible. I’m sorry if that interferes with your, eh—training … whatever that is, but, umm—we’re trying to cut down as much time as possible.”
Camellia glanced at the humans, dispersing into smaller groups to talk amongst themselves. “I see—true, we should complete our task as soon as possible. So—how soon can we leave?”
Nadraca seemed to force a laugh with a quick groan. “When—we get everything worked out and the proper list to give Gatekeeper Edmon—as we were ordered.”
“Alright…” Camellia moaned, scratching her scalp before dropping to the floor and crossing her legs. She looked at the thread she’d created, watching the humans tentatively study it, but her mind saw her sisters intimidating shadows with all their innate talent and skill.
I need to close the gap, and the Empress’ power might help me achieve that … I need to work harder than them—effort is rewarded in this system! I’m better than just being special … keep going beyond my limits.
She visualized her sisters and their fighting styles, merging the shift in techniques they’d obtained by turning into their human forms, but that concentration was broken when Ukara returned in a panic.
The Ri’bot jumped up the stairs three at a time, panting with the speed at which she returned, and sweat dripped down her skin.
Nadraca was quick to respond, running to her side.
On the other hand, Camellia darted to the railing, trying to find the foe that could cause the reaction; her transformation was nearing its final minutes.
Are we under attack? None of the Empress’ minions have noticed anything out of the ordinary to raise the alarm.
The only thing below were the humans, and many of them were crying quietly while the Quen’Talrat laid out hundreds of human bodies across the vast entrance hall. The rising scent of rotting flesh was wafting up with the air current but was quickly lifted to glowing gems set in the ceiling, high above.
She couldn’t see a single threatening thing. There were a few Yaltha’ma running around on some errand, but that was it. Her attention returned to the Ri’bot as Ukara gasped, “The—The Jukal—they’re here!”
Camellia’s eyes narrowed, fingers tightening into fists; she hadn’t heard of the name. “Are they a threat?”
She’d eaten enough Ri’bot to see when terror gripped them; liquid gathered along their skin as they absorbed the information, green skins lightening.
“It’s not—shouldn’t it be two more years? No, no—if they’re here, then—and if … will the Avana return?”
“What is it?” Camellia asked, frustration growing.
“Supreme Chief Yesenia,” Ukara whispered with horror. “Could this be in response to—to what we did?”
“We must tell Empress Elinor,” Nadraca stated, and without warning, she ran to the stairs with Ukara by her side, but the rest of her clan hesitated.
“Stop!” Camellia growled, easily outpacing her, and grabbing both her shoulders, lifted her into the air.
“Wha … no, Great Chief … we must…”
“Are they attacking us now?” Camellia demanded.
“N-No,” Ukara hesitantly replied. “It’s a sign—a sign of great calamity!”
Camellia sighed, setting her down now that she knew an enemy wasn’t at the doors. “Okay, but you can’t just see the Empress whenever you want!”
“Yes, I understand,” Nadraca pleaded, “but this is urgent; we will be in danger on our journey if the Jukal are flocking to the valley!”
“Okay, okay,” Camellia mumbled. “Let me just warn them, jeez—how bad can it be?”
The two Ri’bot hugged their shoulders, shivering as they waited for her to clear the audience.
With her mother gone, she contacted Edmon again.
Edmon, we might have an urgent matter.
His low voice responded immediately. “Go on.”
The Ri’bot are freaking out right now, claiming an omen of calamity was just seen—something about Jukal flocking to the valley. They’re talking about something named Avana returning?
“How soon will this calamity happen?”
She asked the question and replied once the two Ri’bot gave her the most frustrating answer they could.
They’re not sure, but it could be days or months.
Edmon was silent for a moment, making Camellia bite her lip, but Ukara and Nadraca seemed near hysterical, though.
“Have them wait by the front doors to the Throne Room. Valdar is verifying the claim and will join you shortly.”
Camellia relayed the information and followed the instruction; she removed her human coverings just before her transformation reverted.
The humans seemed too preoccupied to notice the Ri’bot’s panic; women, men, and children moved between bodies, whispering to Gwen as specific corpses were selected and moved to a separate area.
Valdar soon walked through the hallway leading toward the front doors, entering the hall with a brooding expression.
Nadraca’s voice shook as she took a few steps toward him before pausing, glancing back at her with fear in her speckled blue eyes. When he neared, she asked, “Is it true, Valdar?”
“I saw them—eight Jukal on a building—eight! T-They were staring at the Quen’Talrat in the street.”
“Hmm,” Valdar motioned for them to follow him as the burning ape opened the door to the Throne Room. “We will discuss it inside.”
They entered the long corridor, leading into the massive space, and the doors shut behind them.
The Empress came into view, staring down at them from high above them with a regal posture. Camellia took a note from Valdar, having been instructed by her mother upon the customs of entering the Empress’ presence, and bowed with the others.
Violet was in her original form, gracefully moving along the walls while removing the destroyed decorations. The massive multicolored gems high above the thrones had been overlaid by her silk, creating a new design that cast a dimmer light to the room, drawing the eye to the Empress.
“Rise.”
The four of them complied, but Ukara and Nadraca didn’t speak, twitching nervously while waiting, but Elinor was the one to explain the situation.
“I’ve watched the Jukal entering the valley through the night—Great Potoo-type of birds that have scales and feathers. They can grow from four to six feet tall, have powerful beaks and talons that can rip through Frave fur—the raccoon-like creatures in the jungle.
“They come from the north, and only a few show up every twenty-five to thirty years. The Jukal have been known to hunt everything in the jungle, but so few normally come to the valley that it’s not that big of an issue, and they usually continue wandering, moving on.”
Her glowing green irises shifted to Valdar with a low hum that Camellia barely registered. “What interests me about them is this omen of calamity … Valdar, you were alive when this happened, correct?”
“Yes, Empress. I did not see the creature, but many saw it.”
“When?”
“Near the end of the Fire Wars—it was the cause of the Quen’Talrat’s final extermination. It’s presence marked the end of the war … it killed the last Queen of the Quen’Talrat.”
A smile lifted Elinor’s lips, ghostly eyes moving to Nadraca. “I’m grateful for your quick response, Ukara, Nadraca. Before Valdar continues, is there anything of significant importance you believe he doesn’t have on this topic?”
Nadraca cleared her throat, composure returning while standing in front of the Empress, and feeling Elinor’s presence overshadow her previous fears. “The Nalveans have stories about the Avana … it’s the bringer of storms—winds stronger than any ship can handle, a roar that can shake the earth, deafen far away, and even kill if close enough. Its breath is like fire and the lights in the sky.”
“Interesting … so, it breathes electric fire and has a call that can not only shatter glass but likely make the ground tremble. Hmm … Tiffany will be here shortly.”
Camellia was a little shocked at what she was hearing. There’s a creature that can do all those things? There wasn’t anything like that in my lifetime, but if it ended the Quen’Talrat war with the other nations, then … I suppose…
Her train of thought broke as she was pulled into a conversation between Edmon, Tiffany, and Elinor.
“Yes,” Tiffany said with a thoughtful tone, “I believe inviting Camellia and Violet to the conversation will be of use. Violet as the standing highest-ranking member of the Assassin Division and Camellia as she might need to take action while away from the Capital.”
“Sound reasoning,” Elinor stated.
Both Violet and her thanked the three, staying silent while listening; Tiffany jumped straight into the discussion.
“The things they’re talking about sound utterly crazy, but Valdar is vouching for the event. A creature of that size is just … fiction, to say the least. Many dinosaurs needed to eat most of the day to just have the nutrients to survive, and something of this size is … beyond anything living we’ve ever seen in our world. Something that can cause tornadoes with its wings is just … a fairytale.”
Elinor hummed thoughtfully, staring down at them after Nadraca had ceased her explanation, waiting to be called upon again.
“It does sound like a dragon.”
“A dragon, the size of a mountain!” Tiffany scoffed. “I cannot imagine this valley surviving something so massive sweeping through, and attacking the Quen’Talrat.”
Edmon responded. “Let’s assume this news is correct; it may sound insane, but we cannot apply normal logic to this world. What would we do with that information?”
“Oh, Honey,” Tiffany giggled. “I do not doubt the information; I’m just saying it’s hard to imagine! No, I bet this is correct, and this could open up a whole new path for us; Avana could be another Supreme Chief!”
They paused as Camellia cleared her throat. Nadraca mentioned something about that.
“Oh? Go on,” Tiffany prompted.
She said the Avana might have been called for by Yesenia to attack the Ri’bot.
“Delicious!” Tiffany cooed before it progressed into a sigh. “They just play right into our hands … it’s kind of sad how easy it is, to be honest. No, we must learn more about this! The issue will be how to mold this event into our narrative … I’ll give you a few options as we go.”
The doors opened, revealing Tiffany, and Camellia’s front left leg twitched as her mother entered the Nexus range, indicating she had already entered the city.
“Ah, Iris, just in time!” Tiffany said.
“Find anything of interest?” Edmon added.
Iris’ smooth, regal tone fed through the connection, and she felt Violet bow out of the conversation. “Nothing of significant value. A few foreign flying creatures I haven’t seen before that attacked us on the way back, but after making a few examples out of them, they gave up the fight.”
Elinor’s vision fell to one of the white trees. “Oh? So you’ve already met the creatures invading my valley. How many did you kill?”
“Thirty-two. Invading … should I take care of the ones hovering around the group of humans? They haven’t attacked since, but have been observing.”
“I assume you’ve been keeping track of every single one within sight?” Tiffany mused.
“Three-hundred and eight-four, if that’s what you’re asking. Most have been seen around the Capital, lining buildings, and I’ve seen the largest clusters circling the Quen’Talrat within the radius I can sense inside the Nexus.”
“Mmh, quite peculiar, but I suppose seeing skeletal creatures that are on fire might be of interest to birds of prey,” Tiffany commented. “No, the fun part of all this is that they might be more intelligent than we give them credit for. Perhaps, they’re scouts for this Avana … or,” her tone darkened, “it could be Demon’s handiwork.”
“That’s my thought on the matter,” Edmon agreed.
Elinor’s demeanor shifted slightly at the news, features turning sinister. “I wouldn’t put it past him to antagonize a dragon to throw a challenge at me. Let’s keep this between us.”
Elinor’s cold irises returned to Valdar; her mother was still returning at a steady pace. “I’ve been discussing a few things with the Supreme Chiefs. Continue, High Priest Valdar; tell me everything you know about the creature you call the Avana—in fact, summarize everything involving the end of the Fire Wars.”
Valdar bowed again. “With the information I have been given by Supreme Chief Iris, it is clear to me that her confrontation with the White God was the deciding moment that shifted the tides of the war.
“The White God retreated to handle the underground invasion, and seeing the powerful, battle hungry leader away from the front for so long—it had never happened before, and without him leading his forces, fractures started to appear in the counter raids, likely caused by internal doubt in regards to the White God’s absence while locked in combat with the Thélméthra Queen before her deification.
“Weeks passed, but still, few of the allied races were able to gain any significant ground, but a single moment changed everything. There was a daring rush, made by the Golariex and some strange Mysticism by the Ques’ká races that decimated a section of the wall’s first layer, allowing the allied races to flood through, and with great sacrifice by a few of us … mainly the Ri’bot, we entered the fortress.
“It was then that we discovered the Thélméthra were the key factor in our success; they were everywhere. The Quen’Talrat had set up many blockades, knowing this could have happened for a few days as they pulled soldiers away from the walls, but with their ability to climb over nearly anything, the Thélméthra overcame the defense with sheer numbers, not caring if they died or not in response to the death of the Queen and her daughters.”
Valdar bowed to Camellia and Violet. “It came to me as a great shock when I learned of your deification upon the Empress’ recommendation, and that that played a part in the fractured allegiances in the Heavens.”
Camellia had no clue how to respond, but Elinor waved her hand in acknowledgment.
“Indeed. I could not pass up such a display that single-handedly turned the tides of that battle … not a single one of the races to match them in that conflict.”
Nadraca and Ukara were listening intently, eyes wide with wonder at the expanded tale.
“I have no doubt of it, Empress,” Valdar humbly replied. “It was chaos after that … the Quen’Talrat gathered in elite packs, forcing their way out of the city as they opened all the gates. The Thélméthra discriminated against none, being a true harbinger of death, and the armies were broken into smaller subsections that would take more than a week to regroup.
“Within that time, the Kings and Queens of the Quen’Talrat—the strongest of the Elite Hunters that once sat upon those thrones,” he pointed, “each faction refused to unite with the others.”
A soft smile touched Elinor’s cheeks. “The death of Ke’Thra’Ma’s dream of a united people.”
“That it was, if you say it was so,” Valdar replied with another bow. “The Fire Wars then began, which took many years. One after another, slowly, each King and Queen fell by different heroes and nations … many of those legends giving their lives for the task, but there were a few stronger than the rest that resisted.
“Silver Queen was the last of her kind … she was known to have the strongest fur out of all the Quen’Talrat; some say it rivaled the White God’s, and she was fearless in battle. However, her final moments weren’t what any of the races expected—it left a silence only something so enormous could bring.
“Word of her death came by the word of a Ques’ká elite unit that had been tasked to finish her off—she’d held out in one of their branch fortresses, a structure that used to exist in the southeastern part of the valley.”
“The massive rift in the earth,” Edmon darkly commented through the Nexus.
“This happened years after Ke’Thra’Ma’s death, and these new flying creatures began appearing throughout the lands; I heard a rumor that they were even seen as far as the Drék’uléph’s territory in the distant West side of the continent, but one thing was for sure … they were hunting the Quen’Talrat.”
He paused as Tiffany reached the top of the stairs upon the hand of the skeletal ape the Empress had sent down to recover her; the Witch’s voice held a wondrous tone. “Hunting the Quen’Talrat … you said they came from the north, and none of the other races knew of them?”
“Correct,” Valdar replied.
“Hmm…” Her discussion shifted to the Nexus as the Witch took her seat upon the Silver Queen’s throne, beside the Empress; Violet had already constructed another silken attachment for her to use.
“Ke’Thra’Ma went north on his conquest, following Demon’s orders; these Jukal came from the north, an unknown land, hunting the Quen’Talrat decades after their return. If we put two and two together … this was a targeted hit, and I can guess where it goes from here. The Jukal were too weak to handle the Silver Queen, and someone that could had to make an appearance.”
Iris’ neutral tone entered the conversation. “If these Jukal are here, witnessing the rise of the Quen’Talrat in our ranks, then it could pose the displeasure of these northern creatures that have animosity toward them, and if they can’t handle the revenge, they’ll send that same creature.”
“Exciting, isn’t it?” Tiffany squealed. “Fear lies in the unknown; what we need is information to prepare if that’s the case.”
“I agree,” Edmon carefully responded. “More must be learned if we are to understand. Let Valdar finish the tale.”
Giving the order, the High Priest continued; Nadraca and Ukara’s teeth pressed against their sucked in lips, waiting for the next part as they glanced between the parties.
“The Jukal were spread out at first, and over a few weeks, centered on the Silver Queen’s Keep; tens of thousands of the creatures flocked to the area. There wasn’t a time in the day or night you couldn’t hear the flapping of their wings.
“Yet, numbers mattered little to the Silver Queen; I heard the stories from my father when he scouted out the area. Tens of thousands went … and tens of thousands died, burnt to chars or eaten as food for the Quen’Talrat’s army.
“Then, the shadow in the sky appeared upon silent winds; it blotted out the sky, yet created a shimmering yellow glow from its wings that illuminated the valley brighter than the sun at noonday as it landed—a creature so large that it might even rival this entire fortress in size.
“It brought with it a burning heat that swept through the jungles, causing a drought that lasted two years after, and ripped into the Silver Queen’s fort; tearing up the earth as it attacked and dug. Its thrashing tail and back legs created the lakes around that area that feed into the massive crevasse.
“It didn’t even end when it opened its mouth, sending in a stream of seemingly endless heat that burned so hot the trees in the area disintegrated, not even catching fire. After that, its head darted in, and when it came out, the creature spread its wings, reared, and jumped high into the air before flying off, back to the north.
“The wake of that destruction to the eastern valley has slowly recovered since then, but the trees and many of the plant life are very young in that section of the valley; the earth it moved with its tail and claws created the plateau that can be seen there.”
No one spoke as they processed the information, and after several seconds, Elinor’s vision moved to the two Clavex members, “Do you have anything else to add?”
Nadraca took a shuddering breath before responding. “The Nalveans—they believe if you see a large gathering of Jukal … soon, the Avana will return.”
“Reporting this so quickly was very helpful, Nadraca, Ukara. I will discuss this with the Supreme Chiefs; you may return to planning your trip, and Valdar, you may continue preparing the two guests that will be accompanying Nadraca’s group.”
“Guests, Empress?” Nadraca asked with astonishment. “I, umm—two, so … should we prepare the food for that, or will they be…” She trailed off, glancing at Camellia.
“Yes,” Valdar responded. “I will discuss the details with you on our way out; the Empress is quite busy with this news, among many other things. Empress Elinor,” he bowed, and the two other Ri’bot did the same, retreating through the now opening doors.
Before they’d had a chance to take a few steps, her mother spoke through the Nexus.
“The Jukal attacking the humans while I escorted them could be a response for food and not a targeted action based on any kind of grudge, but there is that possibility. I currently think that they are still observing the group because I executed all of those that tried. Perhaps they are just curious about me, but I put the idea forward in the chance I am wrong.”
Tiffany crossed her legs the opposite way, sitting a bit more comfortably in the seat while pressing her knuckles against her nose. “Hmm … it’s not far-fetched if everything we’ve heard is true. Valdar never actually saw the creature, so it’s size might be exaggerated, even by a little. Embellishing stories is a part of the fun in telling them, after all, and it came during a stressful time of war.”
Edmon responded with a similar brooding tone. “I agree, Iris. I’m more inclined to go with your gut feeling that they’re more curious about you than the humans. No, what I’m concerned about is their focus on the Quen’Talrat.
“Demon’s task to Ke’Thra’Ka was likely the cause of such an event; I can see a creature like Avana being a deterrent by whoever sealed him. Perhaps, this creature is one of the crafters in that design, for all we know. If that’s the case, then Avana, or whoever controls it, must have sensed Demon’s recent activities and launched into action to determine why he’d become so brazen in this valley—and for a second time within two-hundred years.”
Tiffany hummed. “It’s certainly possible.”
Camillia felt like this entire conversation was way out of her league, but she still kept silent, listening. In fact, deep down, she felt a bit of pride that she was allowed in on such a critical discussion.
“I’d say more than possible,” Edmon countered. “Of course, this could have been the rebuilt army of a northern nation that Ke’Thra’Ma conquered on his way there, and this was their retaliation. There are many other theories we could speculate on, but what action will we take to this?”
Elinor was the one to pose the solution. “It’s simple. I believe increasing my Intelligent Undead limit is in order. If I resurrect one of these Jakal, then I can gain answers while having the knowledge of a creature that has travelled across a lot of lands. Oh, and that also means more maids,” She added with a smile. “I believe that would give us the best intel to act upon, but what do you think?”
“Can’t argue, there,” Tiffany giggled.
Edmon offered a little resistance. “It would, but we also must consider it antagonizing the creatures to view us negatively. Yet … we couldn’t communicate, nor negotiate with them otherwise, so there isn’t another option available.”
“Not exactly,” Tiffany hummed thoughtfully. “Yesenia does have that human boy that can translate other creatures.”
“We don’t know how thorough that ability is, and would likely need to be leveled up and some kind of time given to learn how to speak it.”
“Not wrong, but still, it means our little snake-girl has the ability to learn about the same information we could get,” Tiffany explained.
“Then it’s agreed upon?” Iris interjected. “This is the most efficient path forward.”
““Agreed.””
With both Witch and Gatekeeper’s acceptance, Elinor addressed the Executioner. “Iris, send someone over to gather the bodies and bring them to me for evaluation; I don’t want to waste an Intelligent Undead slot on a Poor-Grade, so bring them all.”
“As you wish.”
Maps:
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