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AR Chapter 342
🕑 Added 2025-03-12 04:00:06 +0000 UTCHigh Colonel Mualtir di’Thnufir:
You are to report to the Synod’s chambers in Viertaal for trial. For your information, and so that you may prepare yourself anticipatorily to the trial, you have been accused by High Lord Leiyalt Alniyh of, in ascending order of gravity, disrespect of the Gran Verat’s chosen, insubordination, assault, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with the support of Speaking, assault with ascended Speaking, assault with the intent to kill, maiming of a High Lord of the Veratocracy, and inciting military forces to uprising and revolt against the Veratocracy.
Due to your position as the High Colonel assigned to the maintenance and governance of Fort di’Thnufir, you are granted an additional month to ensure your affairs are in order at the Fort before you are to appear in the Synod’s chambers. Do note that, in the event of your attempted escape or evasion of this summons will result in the immediate revocation of your position as High Colonel of the Gran Verat’s military and designation as an enemy of the state.
-Summons issued to High Colonel Mualtir di’Thnufir after the event colloquially known as “the Humbling”.
It was nearly comical how differently I was received as soon as I realized humanity’s diplomacy did nothing but confuse the keelish. As I walked through an area and made demands, I was seen as someone in charge and was treated as such. Whenever one of the keelish got curious as to who I was and how I’d come to Tala, one of the swelling pack of keelish following me would inform them, the tales of my journey growing more harrowing and epic with each retelling. I didn’t feel the need to correct them and instead merely continued on towards the beaches.
The suns were mostly set at this point, and as the light faded from the skies above, I realized just how little I could see in the ocean. It was a dark, fathomless abyss, and since I knew just how deep it could be, I realized I didn’t want any part of going in any deeper than I could stand. Even then, my heart palpitated more firmly when I looked out across the glimmering seas. The formless fear nibbling at my resolve surprised me, though, since I’d been a fair swimmer in my past life, to say nothing of my Wavespeaking capabilities. Then, remembering every experience I’d had as a keelish and khatif with water, I remembered maybe a healthy respect for the water was in order.
There were the crocodiles that ate several of my subordinates whenever we weren’t paying attention. Then there was the crossing of the Samutelia. Hundreds of dead, all for a mere two kills, and I considered that to be a lucky turn of events. Yes, the water was to be respected at the very least, if not outright feared.
That thought wasn’t at all shared by the Sik’Tal and those looking to join their number. While I watched, a small pack of four stepped out of the water, hauling a four foot-long fish behind them. I was unfamiliar with fish from the ocean, but I couldn’t imagine that this was something so easy to hunt. Its mouth hung open, a large beak instead of teeth filling it. The beak looked sharp, though the creature wasn’t a predator, so far as I could tell. Then… were the hunters of Tala not the only thing a 70 pound fish needed to worry about here?
I shook my head in disbelief as the short khatif blew copious amounts of water out of their nostrils. Since they were so short, when they emerged from the water, they first had to swim along the surface while hauling their prey for a while. Then, once their legs could reach, they walked out of the water and towards the buildings established not far from the water’s edge. While they dragged their prey, it quickly became obvious to me that several of these hunters were more comfortable in the water than on land, and I adjusted some of my half-formed plans in the back of my mind.
“Hrash, Mrak, take over to bring their prey back.” I commanded as I walked forward. “Come, speak with me for a moment. My subordinates will deliver your prey and ensure that other know it’s yours. Your names?”
“Thou needest only declare that Taklarr’s pack hast now delivered their fifth beakfish in but a singular day.”
Though the fish’s name left some creativity to be desired, many of the keelish standing around me gasped or reacted to Taklarr’s statement.
“You’ve been successful today, Taklarr. With that being the case, I feel you’re the best option for me to ask some questions about your hunt.”
“On this day, mine pack has been unseasonably successful. How mayest I be of service to thine distinguished self?” Though he spoke humbly, Taklarr continued to hold himself with great pride and met my eyes as best he could from a full six feet below me. I settled onto my haunches and got comfortable. Taklarr followed suit.
“I’ve only seen Sik’Tal in Tala who look like you, a form that is obviously best suited not for life on the land but in the water. Obviously, the majority of your prey is found under the sea, but are there any other places or prey to hunt than those underwater?”
Taklarr scoffed and I bristled. He didn’t respond to my reaction, but he flicked his tail dismissively. “Forgive mine disbelief. Every occasion in which one of your savage ilk raves of the bounty of the mountains, of the beasts to hunt and the creatures to subdue, I cannot help but compare the bounty of the sea to the stories told of what may be found in thine mounts. There simply cannot be a comparison made. Therefore, to serve as an answer to thine questioning, yes, the entirety of Tala is fed upon that which the ocean provides. There is no need for naught else.”
Disregarding any other feelings I might have had on how he had said as much, it was obvious that Taklarr took great pride in his caste’s ability to feed the city.
“How do you ensure that the hunting grounds don’t get overfished?”
“Long ago, the Alpha declared a rotation which is observed by each hunter. If ever there is one which believeth themself beyond the jurisdiction of that decree, that one is summarily reminded of the strength of the many over the one.” He spoke with finality, and I quickly realized that he meant a permanent solution to disobedience was swiftly enacted.
“Alright. That’s enough out of me for now. However, I want you to show me on a hunt tomorrow. I want to see what you do there and see how I can incorporate it into hunts on land, as well as to understand you.” I dismissed Taklarr with a wave of my hand, and though I saw his innate pride reviled against it, he flared his frills in acquiescence and walked off.
Then, I waved for my pack to come with me while we found a place to sleep for the night. One of the keelish following us mentioned that there were no guest accommodations for now, so I found my way once more to the Alpha’s building. With night fallen, the interior was cast in total darkness, and I watched flashes of movement with my thermal vision while we approached. Inside, a single keelish awaited us, who spoke as soon as I walked in.
“The Alpha offers their resting place for thee and thine on this night. You may rest wherever you wish. There shall be a meal brought to thee before long.” Then, without another word, she walked away. Before we could even settle down, two large beakfish were brought in to us. They were far from enough for us all, but we’d become accustomed to short rations in the past months and I didn’t care, given the respect we were being offered. As soon as the meal was finished, I settled down and slept dreamlessly.
Comments
No_Creative_Name
I thought it was a word. Per a quick google search, it is! Adverb of anticipatory.
Veldorn
" you may prepare yourself anticipatorily to the trial" Never heard of anticipatorily used. Do you mean anticipatory
