Ytte turned to Shraal, who bowed his head briefly in acknowledgment and then spoke. "The temple is coming along well in accordance with your wishes, but it needs the hand of the goddess. You are her arm, and we need you. Her sanctum and representation require your input, and I have spoken with Ytte regarding the use of some of the product of her experiments in our Holy Lady's representation."
I squinted for a moment, understanding what he was saying. Even so, looking at Ytte, I could see there was more than a mere request for materials going on here. "You have something else you want to say. Is that something to do with the tisarite or something else entirely?"
"Partially relating to the victory's alloy, my Zaaktif."
"Then let's speak about what applies to Shraal as well, then once his words have been addressed, I can give you my full attention. I have no doubt that the Kha'Tal have dozens of things that they have dealt with themselves while also only bringing what is most pressing to me, so I'm happy to help you however you need. Is that acceptable?" I couldn't begin to understand how much it was that Ytte and her devoted followers did for me, and I wasn't about to take that for granted. Between her and Sybil, most of my Empire's continued existence hinged on my ability to stay on these two females' good sides.
"Yes, of course." She bowed deeply as she said it. "The tisarite has been initially refined to the best of my ability, and this first evidence of success is what Shraal has requested to serve as Nievtala's fangs and claws in the representation. However, due to the scale of the representation, it would require the vast majority of all the tisarite that has been successfully refined, most of which had been set aside to function as your weapon. As such, the Kha'Tal and the Unbroken Blade have come to an impasse. We both see the use of the divine metal to be a method through which we can show our dedication to you and to our goddess, though which to be done first, remains a point of… discussion."
For a brief moment, I thought to simply ask Nievtala to tell us what to do, but even before I received an answer, I quickly realized that there was no reason for me to ask her. This is something that I needed to make the decision on for and by myself. After a brief moment's consideration, I answered.
"Let this first result of your experimentation go to the construction of the Goddess's representation." I nodded while Shraal's face broadened in a wide grin. Ytte wasn't going to complain, though I saw her tail's movement slow and stiffen. I continued, "Nievtala would want the first fruits of your efforts, as that will be the least successful and powerful of what you refine from the raw ore. She wants the claws and the weapons of her people to be sharp, unbroken. That which was accomplished first is the least expertly crafted, and she would demand that what I take to battle be of the highest quality and greatest potency that I may show the world, her splendor and ability to conquer all which stands in her path."
Ytte's body language brightened as I explained my thought process, and Shraal's face slackened as he listened. Before anyone else could say anything, the male fell on his knees, prostrate before me.
"Your understanding of the Goddess surpasses my own, as we already knew. As her agent and sole true representative to be found, you are to be respected as no other can hope to be. Truly, yours is the shadow in which we fall, and we must be the blades in your hands as you cut down the enemies of Nievtala's Empire reborn."
I waved off the effusive praise, a little discomfitted by his overwhelming enthusiasm, yet I gestured for him to stand. As soon as he'd done so, I waved for him to leave, "The sanctum will be something we can talk about after I am finished here. With the approaching night, I believe that the morning will be the best time to speak in depth."
Shraal didn't need to speak as he assented to my command. As he walked out of the command room, two other members of the priesthood, fell in behind him, their stoles a pure white at the neck while slowly bleeding to a pure red at the tip. Only then did I realize that Shraal wore a pure red stole, the bottommost tips so deep and dark a crimson as to border on black. As the other two members of the Unbroken Blade strode forward in his wake, Shraal began effusively and publicly singing praises to my intelligence and foresight.
While they disappeared down the street, I could help but wonder just how they had already developed this priesthood into various levels at this point? With his zealous nature, I knew that Shraal was one of the most driven to find progress and new achievements, but I needed to know and understand the Unbroken Blade much better than I did now. Even if it was just the names of the members of the priesthood or the titles for the various subsections of hierarchy, it was my responsibility to know enough to be able to bring them to heel as necessary. As I squinted my eyes, I wrenched my attention back down to Ytte, who waited patiently.
"They are a frightening sort." Ytte spoke conversationally as she criticized the leadership of the priesthood. "It is well that they're entirely dedicated to you, but if your successor is not so beloved by the goddess as you are, I do not know if I could say what's going to happen."
I breathed deeply for a moment at the thought of Shraal rising against Ragzak. After calming myself, I then looked at her. "So long as he can gain the support of the Kha'Tal, I don't think there will be any issues with continuing to hold sway over the whole of the Empire."
"You flatter me and my caste." She bowed.
"No, I see the whole of my Empire. Without you, the Hak'Tal would throw themselves blindly at the Misti Hawar, the Sik'Tal would range to the peaks of the mountains and find themselves new enemies to make, the Sou'Tal would lose themselves in their vying for power, and the Kou'Tal would leave themselves unable to feed the hundreds of new flocks they forced into domestication. Without the Kha'Tal to ensure that each caste can function and focus, there would be no Empire."
"Thank you, Zaaktif." She answered with a bow, though I could read the curiosity in her shoulders and hips.
"No, I did not mention the Zak'Tal." I grinned toothily at her. "And that is because I embody the strengths and foibles of every caste, without fail. In me the ferocity of the Hak'Tal is weakened by impulsiveness, the scheming of the Sou'Tal is lost in ambition, the search for new horizons of the Sik'Tal returns me countless enemies, the gathering of the Kou'Tal leaves me overwhelmed, and the service of the Kha'Tal makes me too willing to sacrifice myself."
Again, Ytte bowed to me, though this time much slower and more regal. She gathered herself before meeting my gaze. "Are you ready to learn what else I require from you?"
"But of course, Councilor to my Kha'Tal."
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