"That was rather uncanny." I said to the old khatif. "Why do you think that I wanted you to come here?"
"Nothing more than a faint sense that you'd want me for something." Shraal replied while flicking his tail "If you didn't want me, I would merely continue on my way. However, by your reaction, you would like me to do something for you. How can I serve the Voice of my goddess?"
"Design plans for a temple to Nievtala, with a Sanctum, Altar, and Divine Representation." I answered, explaining the three items to the obviously excited male. As soon as I began an explanation of one of the relics, his eyes would lose focus and obviously leap into thoughts of how to do what he'd been asked. As soon as I explained the general idea of a Divine Representation, Shraal's face brightened in a wide grin. Seemingly without conscious thought, he turned and walked slowly away, muttering to himself. I could still hear him as he left, his thoughts about how to magnify the glory of the goddess obvious. As I turned to Brutus to laugh about the grayscale's obsession, the khatif found himself and turned back to us.
"I apologize, my Zaaktif. My mind was caught up in your assignment. Is there anything else I should do or know at this time?"
I waved him off with a smile. "No, Shraal. I know I'm second in your heart to Nievtala. She appreciates your single-minded worship, and when you have the opportunity, I'll work with you on formally establishing her worship in the Empire."
"Then we must prepare everything before the temple is complete." Shraal agreed while scratching at the base of one of his frills. "It would be auspicious to present the formal process of worship at the same time as the temple is opened to Nievtala's devout."
"And you'll be the head of the priesthood, I'm sure." I offered with a smile. Shraal cocked his head in confusion.
"No? I'm far too weak."
I nearly asked what he meant by that, but Nievtala's mirth settled over us before I could. She didn't push herself enough to speak in my mind, but she made her approval of Shraal's understanding clear. Her titles as the goddess of conquest and victory pushed back into the forefront of my mind. That position of leadership would be something one seized and was not bestowed.
"Well, perhaps not." I agreed. "Even so, I suspect that you'll find yourself taking a long nap soon. When you wake as a Keel, I'm sure you'll find yourself able to secure an august position, even if not as the head of her religion."
"That will be yours." Shraal offered with a dismissive flick of his tail. "By right of might and her trust. But for now, unless there is anything else, I'll work with several of my devoted to ensure that our goddess is pleased with the offering of a temple that we make."
I dismissed Shraal, and as soon as I'd done so, he lost himself again in plans for the temple and its contents. Glad that I didn't have to plan and make every part of the temple myself, I refocused on the other [Quest] and the [System's] requirements for my country to be recognized as such.
[- Create a city that can house, provide for, and protect 10,000 inhabitants. Rewards will vary according to the quality of the final product.]
[In order for your nation to be recognized as such, you must do the following:
Declare your nation as extant to three foreign nations' qualified representatives. Progress: 0/3Gain a population of at least 20,000 sapient civilian inhabitants within the bounds of your new nation. Progress: 2,526/20,000Establish a capital city. Note: The requirements of a capital city are as follows;Able to house, provide for, and protect 10,000 inhabitants.Contains three established public institutions, such as a school, a policing force, or a city council.Has an established governance office.
There will be benefits granted to citizens and the monarch upon the completion of the establishment of the nation and capital city, including a new evolution.]
The city creation [Quest] would probably be best suited for me to create the capital city and have that be for the [Quest]. Disregarding the two first requirements for establishing the nation, the city requirements seemed to be straightforward. Most keelish were working in some way to create the city. The herds were now again outside of the city's walls, and those that weren't actively hunting or tending to the herds had been assigned to various responsibilities within the walls of New Nievtra.
Much of the work right now was to clear out the skeletons of buildings that remained. Most of the walls were in acceptable shape, and if we ripped the rotten wood, leaf litter, and small plants out of the inside of these remaining homes, we'd be well on our way to building homes to house the thousands of keelish that'd followed me here. Even so, we'd had no idea of how to construct anything beyond stacking things and hoping for the best. With the arrival of a thousand Tala-born keelish, though, there were years worth of experience that were brought right to us.
The instructions of how to stack logs on each other, how to ensure that roofs were watertight, and so much more allowed the work that was being done to progress apace. I didn't pay much attention, though, and instead looked over the general plans for the city. As I went to inspect the anthill in the center of the city, I quickly came across Joral. He and Shemira, it seemed, were assigned to be near the 40-foot pit all day long. A few ants trailed out of the hole but ended up back in their home before long.
"Hey there, Zaaktif. How was your trip?" asked Shemira. She beckoned to one of the ants as it came out of the hole. I knew it had nothing to do with her curling fingers, but the ant came straight towards her before stopping within arm's reach. The monstrous insect was interesting to look at, not as food or a foe, but a mere living creature. Its black carapace shone in the light of the cloudy day and its massive, multifaceted eyes seemed to see everything all at once. When Shemira bent down and stretched out a hand to scratch at the base of its skull, its two-feet-long antennae tapped all along her arms and bodies. I tensed, ready to dispatch the thing, but it showed no emotion or signs of aggression.
"It was fine. Glad to be home."
"Of course. Your Zaaktifi was anxiously awaiting your return. She's been quite cute, in her own way." Shemira giggled. "She's asked me so many questions about being gravid, as if I knew the first thing about it. Farahlia is probably her best resource in this case, but there is little love between them."
"Even if there isn't a close relationship between the two, Sybil is smart enough to ask those with the most experience." I said, unconcerned. Shemira cocked her head at me.
"Permission to speak candidly?" The large Keel Sou'Tal asked.
"Of course." I replied, curious to hear what she had to say.
"You're underestimating how nervous she's been, and I doubt you've done as well a job at comforting her as you could have. I'm sure you spent a while last night talking about the eggs, but then she moved on to business things."
"She refuses to look worried or incompetent." I supplied, my mind quickly putting together the many worries she'd been dealing with. "She considers her sole value to be her mind, and if she thought she could look compromised, she'd avoid mentioning it."
"Exactly." Shemira flicked her tail and pushed the ant away. "Farahlia is only barely trusted in the best of times. Now, the female has returned after months alone with Sybil's mate and Sybil would have to ask her for advice?"
I flared my frills. "I'll spend the rest of the day with her."
"Good luck!" Shemira grinned back at me. "Welcome home, Zaaktif."