Trusting the rest of the group to finish off the remaining Skaven and continue the explorations, Xlauax started to make his way back up the winding tunnels and passageways towards the surface. The bound slave behind him, its flailing and desperate shivering replaced with petrified silence and blank shivering as it tried to accept its fate.
Eventually Xlauax reached the unblocked entrance, huge streams of blinding light flooding in, the dazzling light causing his eyes to sting and watered as they adjusted.
Now clambering out from the labyrinth of tunnels and maze of chambers the chameleon could once again feel the warmth of the sun on his back and almost taste the freedom of fresh air as the wind licked past. A feeling all too similar to him, one of victories, one of revenge.
Infused with fleeting and uneven bursts of energy that reflected his own fractured intellect whilst he made his way from the basking rubble littered plaza and into the forlorn ruins, the weathered buildings draped in jungle growth, covered in the patina of centuries and partially eroded away by time as he weaved his way through them with ease, precisely following the route back to camp with an unnatural precision and accuracy, another unnoticeable echo from his past as a scoutmaster…
Now within the camp, many skinks and kroxigors quickly glanced in his direction and at the captive bound skaven he trailed behind him with inquisitive glances whilst the chameleon weaved his way through the huts. Ignoring the many pairs of eyes that set upon him, Xlauax continued straight for Izqux’s tent, he had to alert him of the skaven presence...
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His breaths deep and rapid, his muscles still burning Hakal looks upon the devastation he had caused, the stench of freshly spilt blood wafted in the still air, sending tingles down his spine as his eyes were drawn to the piles of broken bodies, showered in chunks of sharp stone… Hakal hated death, In fact, Hakal despised it ever since… Ever since…….
Pushing the thoughts out of his mind, Hakal stepped further forward to inspect the only surviving slave, now cowering amongst the pooling blood. But as he approached the air was suddenly echoing with the sound of rushed chittering voices. Upon hearing them Hakal’s sorrowful face turned to alarm as he gripped his weapon tighter, anticipating another band of approaching Skaven.
But as the echoing voices came closer, they seemed to merge into a single struggling voice, becoming clearer and louder. They were not at all from Skaven, but from a skink, A wounded skink. “W-w-We Foun another chamber-r., We N-eed help’ The words emanated from the darkness, bouncing around the tunnel before now also finding their way into Tik and the excavator's ears.
Now all also alerted, Tik ordered one of the skinks to stay put and watch over the dead and dying Skaven whilst calling the other and Hakal to follow him as he brushed past the kroxigor and entered into the tunnel with haste.
As Tik and the group made their way into the passage the voices became more intense until Kuoteq’eko’s Figure was eventually revealed, half leaning against the wall and shivering in the cold cave air, the warm glow of torchlight illuminated the skink's battered body that was covered in scrapes and small wounds. “I, W-e need help:” Kuoteq whispered in a faint voice, unable to gather enough strength to fully finish his sentence.
The blood that plastered the priest's limp left arm reflected the torches dancing flames as Hakal shot forward upon seeing his wounded ally. without saying a word the kroxigor quickly grabbed the groaning priest in both of his huge hands, both of the skink's arms dangling down, one of them releasing his staff that was now wrapped in a strange blanket of feathers to slowly glide onto the ground.
Ignoring the staff Hakal carefully brought the priest closer to Tiqxoltiq, Cradling him like a child. ‘Who.. Who did this to you” Tik spoke in slow surprised words, Kuoteq only able to answer in mumblings or fleeting words as he tensed his face, pain surging through him “S-stone guardians.. Protect vault…Quas..”.
Taking control of the situation, Tik quickly turned to his side, Telling the other skink to get help from the camp, and get it fast. After little more than a glace from Tik the skink turned around and began to sprint backwards through the tunnel to join the other skink ordered with finding saurus and alerting the starseer on the surface with urgency...
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Xahanol sits thoughtfully at the salamanders side, one hand gently gliding along it moist leathery skin and the other slowly picking up small handfuls of the dirty swamp sand, letting the grains slowly cascade into small piles as he thinks about how to control such a beast, and what uses it could have…
----
Meanwhile, Xolek ambles through the camp leaving a small trail of calming smoke and rapturous vapours behind as he makes his through the maze of huts, fires and small bands of skinks excitedly rushing here and there. The noises of simmering food, chirping of skinks and chopping of wood are all underlined by the echoing of excavation work and ruin exploration mix in with the late afternoon jungle chorus.
Eventually, Xolek makes his way to Izqux’s tent that was separated from the bulk of the camp, trying to restrain his curiosity at the frantic movements and exciting voices of skinks as they ran towards the ruins, it seemed some form of news had been revealed, stirring up the normally relaxed atmosphere.
As Xolek approached the large cerulean tent, He could see Qelionxi, The star seers temple warden standing deathly still, his menacing gaze staring out onto the Oracle, awaiting his actions.
Ignoring Qelionxi’s looming watch Xolek continued forward ready to enter into the tent, the many draping tassels and ribbons that formed the door gently swaying, beckoning him to come in. But before Xo could make his way inside, the unmoving warden to his side suddenly sparked into action, the many charms dangling from his arms and huge scale formed shield whirled a storm as the saurus brought down his huge ceremonial club to block the entrance. Now denying the oracle from entering with a wall of sharp blood metal and shaped bone spikes Qelionxi turned his head to look at the skink, his eyes saying more than words whilst they drifted down to his belt that contained his ceremonial dagger and makeshift whip.
Undazed, xolek understood what he was being demanded to do: swiftly he unclipped his trusted weapons and handed them over before offering the temple gaud a small puff from his pipe, crammed full with calming herbs and soothing Sotek spices. “You should really relax a bit, y’know chill out every now and then.”
Expectedly, the saurian ignored the offer before barking back a single order “Wait.”, his halberd unmoving.
Slightly taken aback Xo did as he was commanded, stepping back to sit down on a small mound of grass, encased in a light cloud of calming smoke.
Now sitting still and quiet, he could start to pick up ono the muttering of muted voices conversing from within the tent.
----
Listening to the Starseer’s orders, Xlauax quickly took a seat upon a smooth stone bench, twitching slightly as , memories of bringing back evidence and scouting for Tlaxtlan try to push their way into his mind.
“Yes, Yes Qelionxi is very serious about his work, thats all. He doesn't mean to threaten of scare you...” Izqux gestured towards the warden who was now leaving the tent after tying up the slave with even more chains and ropes….
“Before I talk further, You must know something young one” The ancient skink moved forward and placed a shaking and frail hand on the chameleons scarred shoulder, “Do not let the past haunt you, Seek your revenge if you must, but do not dwell on what Tepok has weaved for you. Let your restless mind be at peace and heal, Reside in the future for Yuxa lays down many paths before you...”
The soothing words slowly melted away as Izqux once again spoke up “But as for the situation at hand, I will alert our Saurus who will undoubtedly rid the tunnels and chambers of these pests who seek to corrupt and steal what is not theirs. Oh yes, and this... ” The starseer reaches into a pouch that lines his feathered gown, before he pulls out a small crystal that seems to glow and bend the light around it.
“Hold this before you speak to the vermin” Izqux Croaks, opening Xlauax’s palm and placing the crystal inside the chameleons hand before the skink slowly closes his eyes and begins to chant “Axua Ashundi Xa Leindisqua Hiqshun” The words seem to almost seek out the slave bound in the corner, a light glow surrounding the vile creature.
“Now, Be on your way child, report back to me if necessary.” Xlauax nervously bows his head trying to show respect before grabbing the slave and exiting the tent.
----
Xolek suddenly feels a strange sensation in his chest before Xlauax calmly walks from the tent, a small and malnourished Skaven slave bound in chains and rope behind him.
Before Xolek even has time to react to the situation, A fury burns inside him causing is mouth to froth with anger as his fiery eyes look down onto the feeble rat.