LucasGhost
A lovely day in the demiplane of dread
Turn 3
Koar and Ekol-ekoatl
Koar and Ekol-ekoatl
The fading light shines into the simple shrine from the ceiling, giving the small space a warm glow despite the chill in the air. Ekol-ekoatl sits leaning over a shallow bowl of shining copper filled with clear water. His vibrant reflection dances as he disturbs the reflection with a practiced claw, a deep hum leaving the back of the priest’s throat as he contemplates the warped image of the sky above. A small trifle, brought from home, yet he has already spent many long hours peering into it. Koar has stood here for nearly as long, the cobbled together shrine a far cry from the ancient temples he is familiar with. And yet, it seems the stink of this land is lesser here. Tepok, the god to which they give thanks again and again. The mosaic crafted in his image stands as proof of such things. Once or twice, Koar has thought it to move, but he knows to trust his instincts and to cast aside that further glances told him it was not so. That which was sacred did not often repeat itself.
The sound of light footsteps draw Koar’s attention to the door. He is at the ready, always, even here. It is just the warm-bloods seeking the young serpent, shown as they pay him no mind but timidly approach the priest. He is drawn out of his contemplations to speak with them, or perhaps his contemplations have not ended. Yes, they are a part of his thoughts, just as they are a part of Koar’s.
It is not their approval that Ekol-ekoatl is after. He does not seek their praise, their attention, no. It is his success in these lands that he is after. The warm-bloods, they do not think it as such. They think he is soft because he has learned their tongue, believe that he speaks greetings for no other reason than to speak. They are terribly self-centered things. He speaks because he has a desire to do well, and speech is the simplest route to that goal. Some, the warm-bloods who know pain and weariness, they speak amongst themselves. (They take my silence as stupidity, it is their mistake.) While they speak it is of their worries, what will become of them when our purpose here is complete. Ekol-ekoatl knows this, and so he puts their worries to rest, as it will lend them greater strength while we are here.
The warm-bloods are sent off, no doubt satisfied by the words spoken to them. Ekol-ekoatl looks to Koar, a slight nod of his head and the quiet words of beckoning. It takes but two slow steps for Koar to arrive at his side, crouching with one massive hand splayed against the stonework as the priest gestures to the bowl. Koar peers over, and sees the young serpent’s feathered head peering beside his own dully scaled face. Below? Above, the sky shines golden. It is with a steady hand that Ekol-ekoatl dips his hand into the water, sending the surface into a frenzy of ripples as blue bleeds in with purple, bleeds in with gold. It makes him happy, he knows.
While we are here. I often think these words to myself, no matter the task at hand. The path ahead is unclear, it lays marred by danger and uncertainty. I feel that Ekol-ekoatl knows this too, by the way that he too has taken to practice on the grounds. It does not come naturally to him, it does not rush through his blood. Instead of instinct he has thought- a tool like any other. Yet he and I, we take to our preparation differently because of it. He worries, should we rush too soon we will face failure, a quick end. But, if we wait, rest here as the seasons pass, it is only a matter of time before disaster befalls us. There is no long life for him here.
Koar reaches out and places one clawed hand firmly on the skink’s shoulder, all but enveloping him. The hour is getting late, and there is still more to do before nightfall. A moment of resistance, the desire for more time, but not even here will time stand still. The ever energetic priest relents, and together they rise. It is only a moment of the two of them padding about the small space, a routine that was quickly found when the last stone of this place was set. The warm-bloods have been entering this place more and more, and it is a good habit to leave it in good condition. The seeing bowl is tucked away, as first Ekol-ekoatl leaves, and then Koar. The warrior takes one final glance at the mosaic, just to see that all is still, before following the young serpent into the evening air.
Action 1: Treasures Found. The Saurus and the Skinks will set up a farm for the unusually large clams that Ekol-ekoatl discovered. If they and the humans of Gordes have the bandwidth, they will attempt an additional construction project as well.
Action 2: Moving Forward. The Lizardmen make use of the training grounds in Gordes. Koar focuses on improving his abilities in melee combat, as Ekol-ekoatl tries to keep up with the training and focuses on his endurance. Koar will try to have Norar get some practice in as well. (If possible, the Skinks and the Saurus will train as well, the Skinks working on their endurance and the Saurus on their reflexes.) They will be joined by and train with
Auriel Maza
ThatWhichShouldBe
and (possibly)
deer
.
