Taking my place at the head of the pack, I strode forward. I didn't look to the sides, trusting my flanks and anything beyond the immediate future to my subordinates. I heard Brutus sniff deeply as he took in whatever information he could about the world around us. I didn't turn to watch, but I knew he was being as threatening as possible, and given that every one of my pack, with the exception of Silf, was at least as large as their Captain was, it was effective. The guards who walked in front of us kept glancing back at us, and the inhabitants of the town whispered as we continued our journey towards the Alpha.
Whenever a new keelish crossed my vision, I took special care to see any differences I could in them. All the Sik'Tal were, like those holding javelins near us, short, thick, and long. Their bodies' shape and intent was obviously different from those of my own keelish, and I wondered what the purpose was for it. For the most part, though, the inhabitants of the town were keelish, not khatif. Not including the five guiding us, I saw six khatif, four of which were Kha'Tal and the other two Sik'Tal.
Hundreds of keelish poked their heads out of windows and around corners, and I flared my frills in acknowledgement of their presence. Given how many of them there were, I suspected that this swarm might be superior in numbers to my own. A wonderful boon to add to my Empire. I smiled, though, I kept myself much more reserved as we approached the single red building.
It was smaller than most in the area, though it was taller, with what might have been a second floor still within the bounds of the walls. I'd never seen such a thing without Speaking being involved, except for the tower in Nievtra we'd never been able to see. When we came close, that thought was solidified, as I saw the curious heads of keelish poking over parapets. Curious myself, I shifted my perception to thermal, and I noted a dozen bodies huddled in hiding above, and plenty of things to throw down at attackers, if necessary. When I turned my attention into the inside of the building, I saw another dozen or so inside, ready to protect their Alpha. Ideas for how to protect my eventual throne room crossed my mind, though I also realized that Brutus and his Alqat would do so instead. What would I do as Zaaktif, once the Empire was actually established?
"The Alpha giveth a merciful welcome to the visitors." A voice intoned from inside the building and pulled my focus back to the present day. I looked at the Captain, giving him the grace of presenting us instead of merely storming in. Chjell stepped forward and bowed low, his chin touching his neck and frills nearly brushing the sand underfoot.
"The visitor doth enter, humble and ready to listen to the Alpha's wisdom."
I had to grit my teeth to keep from responding to that particular tidbit. Regardless, I supposed it would serve me well to interact in good faith with these soon-to-be subordinates of mine. I strode forward into the building, the dimming light of the sunset outside fully hidden by the building I now stood in. Even in Nievtra, we didn't have any buildings fully closed off to the outside, and I considered it somewhat of a novelty as I strode in. The walls were made of stone, and it seemed to me that this, the Alpha's dwelling, or current location at least, was the best one in the town.
"Thou art welcomed into the Alpha's presence. Be comforted and at peace." The Alpha greeted me as I walked in. The male khatif remained reclined on his throne of sorts, a pile of somewhat soft-looking threads piled high on top of each other. At his side sat his mate, though she seemed to be of the same standing as the Alpha even if she hadn't spoken. In fact, she served to further muddy the waters when she spoke next.
"The Alpha gives thee welcome to Tala, the gem of the north."
I cocked my head before asking, "Is Tala the name of this town, then?"
"Indeed it is, large one." The male replied this time. "The Alpha is the sixth of their line in Tala. How mayest the Alpha and Tala serve you this day? Is there ought to be addressed by the wise?"
I fought down the urge to laugh, especially given their actual wisdom. There had been a keelish intelligent enough to establish an entire town, and, as far as I could tell, there was no [System] assistance that'd stabilized their claim. True intelligence guided a people to creation, and I would welcome them into my ranks. I gathered every one of my [Skills] and [Titles] to work together to present myself as the true ruler I was. With a step forward, I spoke.
"I consider myself to be a male of forthright intentions, so I shall speak plainly. I have gained the approval of the goddess Nievtala, and am in the process of reestablishing the Empire of the Keel. I have, myself, become the Progenitor of our new people, the Keel. South, several weeks' journey from here, I have established a new city to serve as the capital of our New Empire. Once I evolved to become Keel, I was shown a vision of where other keelish can be found in the Shandise and our immediate surroundings.
"I came here to instate myself as Zaaktif over every keelish within any distance I can approach. Now, I ask that you, the Alpha, facilitate for your people to fall under my jurisdiction."
The guards all around shifted and made dissatisfied noises, but they didn't need to be called back to a more proper silence, the brief moment of unrest immediately quelled. The Alpha shifted where he lay, and his mate seemed to mirror the movement without conscious thought or consideration. Then, he stood, again in unison with his mate, and the female spoke to me once more.
"Thy words, though hard to hear, ring true within me, from a source I cannot place. Even so, it behooves me to speak the truth. Though I myself feel a compulsion within mine breast, there is no guarantee that others will find themselves so affected. I request that, alongside the Alpha, thou goest and speakest with thine people, those who once wert mine, and divine as to the state of their regards of thee and thine. This request, of course, being wholly beholden to thine own desires."
The male bowed to me as he finished the statement. "The Alpha merely desirest that thine efforts to integrate thineselves into Tala be successful and cautious."
A part of me expected to fight for dominance, to have to prove to them that I was stronger, better, and more worthy to be Zaaktif. A peaceful change of authority could be much better, though, so I flared my frills in acknowledgement. Even if there was some sort of dishonesty or deceit here, I had every confidence in my ability to overcome it. And, if necessary, I could just seize control the old fashioned way as well.