"I've seen how they ambush, this is a better trap!"
"You were only on the other side of the swarm when they met three disgraced and outcast members of their people. You know nothing about how to watch the Zaaktif kill Misti Hawar."
The disagreement nearly soared to something that'd need to be taken to the pits at that, but a Keel stepped in with two clenched fists. When a Sou'Tal gave commands, my people listened. It was… Chjell. He'd made efforts to step into the organization of the Empire instead of just Tala, but he was largely successful at doing so. Between his natural skill at leadership combined with having been a Khatif for years, he'd evolved to Keel around the same time we'd begun preparations to counter the Misti Hawar's attack. Now, a month later, he was seen as one of the new wave of elites, those that hadn't been with me since the beginning. His attempts at modernizing his language were moderately humorous, but he was making genuine effort, and it was noticed and appreciated by those who he quickly outgrew.
"Do not fight. Do what the Zaaktif hath commanded us to do." Chjell said. Though his words were a little hesitant, he didn't slow down, and the threat of violence from a higher caste immediately shut both of the bickering Khatif up. One, a female I knew was from Farahlia's swarm and was now an Alpha. Her name was… Traak, yes, and she asked for a definitive answer.
"Which trap would be better? The tripline or the pitfall?"
"I do not know." Chjell answered simply. "Even so, I do not worry. The Zaaktif will be able to deal with them. These… measures we take. They are to reduce casualties. To make the scouts aware of our enemies' presence. These are not intended to stop the Misti Hawar or to slaughter them all. That will be the Keel's assignment. And for that, do not worry. The Zaaktif will slay any enemy we find. You must do what is requisite for your own conscience and survival. If you believe the traps you prepare will allow the Keel to find the Misti Hawar before they can slaughter too many of our people, then do so.
"If, for some inane reason, you feel the need to establish yourself as superior to the other, you know how and where to do so. I will command you to remember when as well." The captain growled the word "when", reminding the two petty arguers that there was no reason for them to settle into a fight when they were actively working for the Empire's wellbeing.
"Now cease embarrassing thyselves before the Zaaktif." Chjell finished his address by turning to look at me. I'd stood somewhat far off, only able to overhear the conversation by dint of my growing mastery over sonic magic. As the two Khatif followed Chjell's eyes and saw me standing there, I barely inclined my head in acknowledgement of my knowledge of the argument.
Both Khatif bowed low in my direction for a solid ten seconds before turning and conversing more about how to not capture or kill a Misti Hawar, but how to pass information into the city that they were there. There were still snarls about which idea was superior, but they lacked the vehemence and anger as before. I was going to go back to my experiment, but Chjell jogged over to me before I got back into it.
As a Sou'Tal, he was tall and much thinner than he'd been as a Hak'Tal Khatif. I'd been surprised to see that change, since it had seemed to be that whatever caste a Khatif was would be what they would stay as. Even so, his claws were sharp, and his body still sported the scars borne from a lifetime of conflict, and he was taller than many of the Sou'Tal that had always been that caste, nearly as tall as my own 10 feet tall. I'd seemed to have mostly stopped growing at this point, and I certainly hoped so. Ytte grumbled at me as I'd outgrown the clothing she'd made for me before it was even finished.
Looking at Chjell, it was strange to think that just about every Kha, Khatif, and Keel that wasn't from my original swarm probably had lived longer as a Keel descendant than I had. Even so, that was just a testament to my own power and worthiness. I'd seized power, and I would keep it, as it was my right to.
"I apologize for my bringing attention to you, my Zaaktif." Chjell inclined his head as he spoke. I waved it off with one hand.
"If that's what's necessary to get them to stop talking instead of doing, I don't mind it. There is no need for an apology. However," I turned my gaze to the Keel, "I know that's not the real reason why you approached me. There is no need for one of my Keel to rely on subterfuge to gain my ear. Now, tell me."
Chjell bowed his head and flared his frills, exposing the base of his skull to me in subordination.
"Yes. However, there was no subterfuge or duplicity intended in my actions. I merely saw this as an opportunity to speak with thee. Doest thou… do you have a moment to speak?"
I sighed, and Chjell realized why I was doing so. "You already granted me that permission. Thank you. I had a request for you, one that may require that I leave Nievtra for a time."
As soon as he added that caveat, I was reasonably sure that I knew what he was getting at. I merely flared my frills for him to continue while I waited for him to say what I knew was coming.
"It is about Tala, and the Alpha. They are stubborn. I… They have a belief that they will not be able to leave Tala, or that leaving would not be worth it. I believe they think they cannot become Keel."
"From what they understand, they cannot." I answered simply.
"They are wrong." Chjell spoke firmly. "They have not spent as long with you as I have. The impossible became possible for me, and I am now Keel. I wish to return to Tala and have many of the citizens there, including the Alpha, return here until they all progress at least a little. During that time, I'm sure that the Alpha will require that I stay in Tala to protect it in their absence."
"Great. Go ahead and do it." I replied. My quick answer obviously confused the nervous Keel, and I chuckled. "I knew this would come, and I think it needed to happen. Go, and with my blessing. Bring them home."
"Yes, Zaaktif." Chjell bowed low, and without thinking longer about it, he gathered up 50 of the people from Tala and set off that same day.
As soon as he left my presence, though, I returned to my experiment with my magic.
Thanks for reading! Check out the Patreon, where you can read up to 40 chapters ahead!
https://www.patreon.com/No_creative_name
Join the swarm! https://discord.gg/RqzsKj8hkD