Chrysalis

Rassan'tep opened his eyes slowly. The warmth on his scales spread in waves through and penetrated deep into his muscles which nearly drove him back into rest, but the patient, still mind of his attendant helped focus his thoughts.

[What is it, Ammon'sil?]

[You have been asked to accompany an expedition, Old One.]

The great lizard blinked once, which was enough to cause his servant to prostrate himself immediately.

[I protested strongly against disturbing your rest, Old One, but the winds blew against me. The Mahaan has asked this of you personally.]

The words were digested is all things should be, with patience, as Ammon'sil remained pressed to the floor.

[There is no fault with you,] Rassan'tep said as he roused himself, shifting his legs to free them from the heated sand in which he had rested. [We must all serve the will of the Mahaan. Even if she is a young thing barely free from her egg.]

[I would not dare to say that she is unworthy to scrub your scales, Old One,] his setsulah replied from the ground.

[Rise now,] the kaarmodo commanded. [If we have been ordered to assist, then assist we shall. Gather the others and prepare my war garment. The sand bath can wait until our people have been served.]

As he awaited his attendants the Old One took deep slow breaths, his tongue flicking at the air as he gradually

were polished and oiled before the ceremonial tapestries were laid over his back and neck. Next came the rings of gleaming gold around his legs along with the heavy, enchanted gorget that clasped around his neck. Bedecked in the finery that was deserved of a kaarmodo in its second century, the

found a gathering of his kind on the outskirts, the Mahaan herself in attendance. Rassan'tep approached, his arms clasped in front of him, before he roused the mana and connected himself to

you to join us, Old One,] the

that she was yet to grow the limbs as she had not reached her second century

age,] he replied and said no more, closing his eyes and resting, though

them alone and they gradually relaxed

tree wherever it is found, especially when the hateful creature appears on our front doorstep. I have ordered a sortie not only from Bintran,

ants?] another asked. [What if they seek to

[sweep them aside and

more was said, the Old One opened his eyes once

us leave,]

with their setsulah and pooled their minds together to create a disc of force that could carry them all. The coalesced mana lifted them from the plate and out over the cavernous expanse before lowering them to

[Which way?] Rassan'tep asked.

east, Old One,]

up the ground quickly without using any skills and soon met up with two more groups of a similar

commanded, [I had heard nothing of them

much, Old One. From what I have been able to gather, they have recently descended