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AR Chapter 332
🕑 Added 2025-02-26 04:00:03 +0000 UTC[Percral POV]
It’d been weeks since the Alpha, or Zaaktif, Percral reminded himself, left on his journey. In the days since, Sybil had continued with her usual iron-clawed yet reasonable rule. She didn’t beat anyone down with force of fist, but whenever someone disagreed, they found themselves pulled to the side and made to understand exactly why and where they had begun thinking incorrectly. It had been quite a while since Percral himself had experienced such a thing, and he was loath to cross her and open himself up for a return to her quiet remonstrations.
“General, what are the plans today?” Trai asked, standing up as straight as she could manage with her khatif body. The child enjoyed being overly serious at the least serious times while taking nothing seriously when everything was. As it was merely morning muster, she was, of course, acting as if the fate of the Empire rested on their scouting today.
“We’re continuing our search for the edible plants.” Percral answered. He didn’t give any more information until he stood in front of the entirety of those under his command. Only after his evolution to Keel had he truly understood the Zaaktif’s commands to him. What were the differences between hunters and soldiers, much less that between “domestic” and “foreign” militaries? Now, though, his mind had broadened so much that it was nearly impossible to understand how he’d survived so long. Well, other than by the grace of Ashlani, the true Alpha.
“We have our packs, and the only change today will be the Alpha of each pack. You’ll rotate down one, so Pack One’s Alpha will go to Pack Two, Two’s Alpha to Three, and so on. Pack Ten, your Alpha will move to Pack One. Each of you will ensure you are no further than one hundred paces from another pack. If you find anything of note, ensure that Foire or I are immediately notified. Clear?”
A chorus of affirmative noises answered, and Percral flared his frills. “Then go. The Zaaktif has commanded and we will find it.”
The Alphas of each pack shuffled around, ensuring that any personal signals they used were familiar to their subordinates for the day. Less than three minutes had passed before all 127 soldiers under Percral’s command filtered off into the forest. Though he himself didn’t need to be out there, Percral called for Arwa, and the massive wolfstag came close as they walked out into the forest.
Arwa had grown even bigger these last days, her head at least seven feet high when she was walking. With her massive mess of antlers from the top of her head, she was about as tall as Percral himself. As they walked, they exchanged their magic, a competitive habit long since ingrained into their every movement. Percral’s magic had continued growing more and more potent as he’d grown, and while Arwa’s had done the same, the scale of Percral’s power surged higher than hers day by day. These days, he held back, just enough to be superior to her without demolishing any hopes of catching up.
“Why do you always do that?” Trai asked as she walked alongside him. “Does she like it? It doesn’t seem like it, because she gets all growly when you do it.”
“It’s a contest, Trai. The struggle is pleasant, though it isn’t enjoyable when one you once were stronger than surpasses you.” Percral answered as he playfully grabbed the wolfstag’s antlers and pulled her back and forth. They wrestled for a moment, Percral ensuring that he fully demonstrated his superiority over the wolf before letting her go. As soon as she was free, though, Arwa was begging for scratches at the base of her antlers and Percal happily agreed. Though he wanted to continue walking in peace, Trai couldn’t help but ask a question she’d asked every day since they’d begun these “hunts” for plants.
“When will you allow me to lead a pack again? I promise, I’ll do so good!”
“When you can lead even three other keelish from one edge of the city to the other and back without getting sidetracked, then we can revisit this conversation.” Percral sighed. This little princess’s strength was undeniable, her intentions great, but she couldn’t focus on anything for any extended period of time. “That has been the requirement for you ever since your first attempt, and you haven’t been able to complete the assignment, have you?”
“No.” Trai grumbled. “But it’s so boring!”
Percral merely flicked his tail dismissively. He walked forward and continued listening for anyone calling for his attention. Trai didn’t say anything intelligible as she grumbled and kicked at the ground. Even so, she followed alongside him with minimal distractions, only disappearing into the nearby bushes twice. That was progress, all things considered, and Percral called her attention as she slunk back into the path they followed, a rock in her hands.
“Why do you want to lead so badly? I’m not really the best person to ask this, but I feel like I should ask. Your mother wasn’t a leader at all, and while Foire is in control of the scouting under the Zaaktif’s command, he isn’t really a leader either.”
“I am a leader though!” Trai insisted, standing tall. She tried to reach as high as Percral’s shoulder, but even if she were a Keel, he suspected she’d struggle to reach so high.
“Why?” Percral asked. “I sought leadership as a hatchling because I wanted to be superior to others. There wasn’t much thought put into my aspirations other than a wish to be in charge. Before I grew too used to the position, though, I lost most of my pack. Then, Ashlani took me in, and I showed, again, my weakness by fleeing a fight with one of this one’s,” Percral scratched at Arwa’s head again, “kin. I’ve learned that I can lead some. I can be a liaison between the Alpha and some of the Empire, but I’m not suited to stand over everyone else. I don’t know if this position is one that I’m suited to or merely one where I have found myself. But you have the opportunity to find a place where you’re comfortable, and it doesn’t look like you’re comfortable leading.”
Percral chuckled to himself as Trai scowled. “I’m just telling you. You’re the first of our kind to truly be afforded the opportunity to choose. You don’t need to let anyone else dictate that choice for you.”
Before she could respond, though, an excited keelish burst through the brush around them.
“General, come quick, you need to see this!”
