"Brutus killed that other one, he and the Zaaktif are just as impressive as always!" One of the other hunters was telling the story of how the Keel had killed the wyrm, with little enough embellishment that I didn't mind allowing them their opportunity to shine. The leathery trophies we brought back were investigated by each one of my people who came anywhere near, though they stayed clear of its mouth and claws. We weren't sure what exactly it was that would envenom or afflict someone with their magical poison, though staying clear of all the pointy bits was a good first step.
"We aren't sure if they're edible," Took said to the nearest Kha'Tal, "but we've learned that the poison part is magical. We'll keep all our magical Kha'Tal away for now. After we've learned more about how it is injected and how it works, we'll be better able to act accordingly."
I smiled as I watched the quiet Took carefully and effectively direct the people who would deal with the wyrm corpses. Most of the hunters who'd participated, even though most only got a glancing blow in on one of the two beasts, were much happier after having an opportunity to stretch themselves. As such, they were significantly less surly as they were put back to work on preparing and moving and building dwellings.
"How dangerous was it?" Trai asked me. She'd been one of the distractions running through the forest, and I smiled as she asked me. Surprisingly, she was an… indeterminate caste. Some days, I was sure she was a Sik'Tal, while on others, she seemed more Sou'Tal or even Hak'Tal. Nievtala had obviously understood the answer of why that was when I'd asked, but she'd merely laughed in my mind instead of providing any real information. When that joy that was forced on me faded, I grimaced, but it was just the reality of having a goddess occasionally express herself to me.
"Not too dangerous." I flicked my tail. "They were surrounded, and the one that was inside of the fire couldn't escape. Sure, it could pass through the space between, but there were too many of us there to let it pass without spilling most of its blood. So, it tried to stay safe, and that was how we killed it. The other one tried to run, but that opened its back to me. So, dangerous, but not too bad."
"Ok, then I'll come to the next one!" Trai declared, her countenance becoming decidedly more Hak'Tal as she said it.
"I won't tell you no." I grinned as I said it. "You'll have to convince your Alpha, though."
"I am my Alpha!" Trai snapped back at me.
"You are not the end of your line of authority, though." I countered. "Your pack isn't officially in any one of the five command structures. None of your followers are truly hunters, soldiers, militia, leaders, herders, or crafters. There are some Sik'Tal, Hak'Tal, Sou'Tal, Kou'Tal, and Kha'Tal in your constantly growing pack. There is nowhere that you all fit into, but the Empire cannot have leaders that are just… there and do whatever they want. So, once you've made your decision, you'll be granted greater freedoms. The only reason why your pack hasn't been pulled apart and forced into the places where they belong is because you're you, Trai. You've been given special privileges from the day you hatched, because of your parents. Nobody who isn't one of the elite of the elite will ever tell you what to do.
"Here I am, the most elite of the elite. I'm telling you, you need to make up your mind. Because, as it is, it seems like you're trying to make your own swarm. And I can't allow that. I won't permit you to take my people away, Trai."
"I would never!" She stepped back, her eyes wide. "No, I just don't… I don't know what I want to do!"
"I know." I stepped forward and patted her shoulder. "I'm not worried about that. I'm just telling you what it looks like you're doing, and letting you know how permanently I would have to deal with that possibility."
Trai sighed, unconcerned with me telling her I'd kill her for treason. After all, that was just our way. Instead, she asked me, "How did you know what you wanted to do? Why did you become Zaaktif?"
"I did it to survive." I replied simply. "If I hadn't, the swarm would have been wiped out by the humans that already killed most of the swarm, even with all I did. Redael would have stood his ground and killed everything that approached, until we were all killed. He lacked most of the advantages that I had and have, so how could he have known?"
I trailed off, and Trai seemed to think it was me dismissing her. I wasn't going to correct her, but then I felt like I needed to be entirely truthful, both to her and myself.
"Well, there was also this: you know the Words of Power?"
"Yeah."
"Then say them." Trai didn't hesitate to follow my command.
"Through the flaming crucible of war are we refined, through the quenching in the blood of our foes are we strengthened, through the tempering of the sacrifice of our lives are we completed. We are the blade bared at the throats of those who dare oppose us, the throne to which the wise submit, and the peak which casts the long shadow."
I leaned in close as I said, "I am the peak whose shadow will cover our enemies and shade our subordinates, and mine is the throne to which the wise submit willingly and the foolish will be forced to worship. Why did I become Zaaktif? Because I was made to rule, and I happily live as a being stronger, faster, and better than the rest. I will rule my Empire, and I will protect my subjects."
Trai's eyes widened as she bowed to me. I grinned and patted her head as I spoke, "There is something that will call to you like it did to me, your father, Sybil, and every other khatif. Perhaps it is because you were born as a khatif, and maybe you should ask the khatif from Tala. They'd know better than the rest of us."
With that, I did dismiss the indecisive female. She seemed curious and confused, which I realized was strange for any of my people. No Khatif or Keel, or even the Kha, ever doubted what they were meant to do. I wondered why that was, but when I directed a thought towards my goddess, she remained silent. I didn't focus on that, though. Instead, I turned my attention to Ytte, who stood nearby.
"I greet the Zaaktif, he whose peak's shadow I live under." She greeted me with a bow.
"You were listening, I see." I replied.
"Whenever I can, yes." Ytte stood tall. "Now, I have two things to show you. To my understanding, you shouldn't have anything you must do at this time. If you are willing, would you come with me? There are things you have trusted to me that have shown some measure of progress."
"Of course." I agreed as I gestured for her to lead the way. Which two things could they be?