It has taken me some time. After finishing the short story for this month's contest I finally find the vibe to work on the missing story in the index.
This story was originally intended to be for the
April- May 2020 short story contest
The theme of the contest was: "Rituals and Religious Practices"
I didn't manage to finish the story before the deadline and left it unfinished for quite a while. I really liked the idea I had and still want to share it with you guys. Any remarks and reviews are welcomed with open arms, as it hopefully improves my writing
This is the story:
The Labors of twelve
Weak sunlight shimmered at the horizon.
Daybreak.
The end of a warm and wet tropical night was near, the start of an even warmer day at hand. The Culchan Plains where at rest. No movement for as far as the eye could see.
The silence of the night made way for the sounds of the awakening day life. At these moments most creatures took their chance to come out of hiding for some water and food, before the predators will show up. A warm breeze blew over the plains departing the vegetation on the edge of the vast jungle. Yuq'al-takuil was lying in the shadows scouring the wide plains in front of him.
Half a mile away there was a large pool of water. The first animals showed up, carefully scanning the surroundings for predators. After a couple of cautious steps they picked up their pace to the water’s edge. Not once losing sight of all that happened around them.
The grouped animals took turns drinking from the water, while those not drinking stood on the lookout. While no imminent danger was around this process kept on going until all animals had drenched their thirst. Right after the last one raised its head from the water surface, clouds of dust appeared at the horizon, growing bigger by the minute.
The peaceful scene around the water pool abruptly changed, all animals sought a place to hide, taking cover for the thread that caused those clouds to emerge.
Getting closer and closer a couple of shapes took form in all the sky sent dust. A pack of wild boars was closing in. Amid them a magnificent specimen, tall and muscular, the alpha of the pack. This pack of boars headed on to the water pool.
Everything about these boars showed that they were not at the bottom of the food chain around here. Packed with firm hooves and razor sharp tusks, covered in scars and bruises, most likely from fighting among themselves.
In contrast with the animals before, the boars drank from the water without the need of being alert or standing guard.
Yuq'al-takuil knew this was the moment he had been waiting for. As he watched on there was a small disturbance in the little vegetation surrounding the pool. Some movement other than that of the boars. Slowly, not noticeable to an untrained eye, something moved closer to the unaware boars.
Suddenly a spear soared through the sky, from across the pool into the pack of boars. It didn’t find flesh, but penetrated the mud in between them. Even before it struck the ground, a second spear came down. Again it hit no flesh. Both spears had flown over the Alpha Boar and landed in between him and the rest of the pack. Between the spears a strong net was sprung, shimmering blueish green.
The Alpha was trapped at the edge of the water. After a brief moment of surprise the rest of the boars formed a group to encounter the unknown hunter, from whatever side it would come.
In the meantime, from the bushes across the pool, a long scaly form slithered into the water. No splash was heard. Slight wrinkles at the surface were the only giveaway of the hunter closing in. Once at the other edge of the pool the wrinkles turned in to coldblooded firm yellow eyes and a snout. Then the whole head of a Saurus came clear above the waterline. Mere seconds later the shoulders and arms followed. Crawling out of the water right behind his victim, that still couldn’t escape. Out of sight for the rest of the pack Qu'y Rokdi drew his sword and in an instant he slit the muscles in the back legs of the Alpha Boar. A loud roaring squeak filled the air as the boar dropped through his hooves.
Shock went through the pack when seeing their leader in pain on the ground. One of them attempted a charge to aid the fallen boar. Fierce and strong the boar came running in, but stopped in its tracks by a flash of blue and green lights. He had hid the net and it wasn’t giving an inch. A second time didn’t result in anything different. Shocked, both figuratively and literally, the boar stumbled back to the pack, bruised by his attempts of heroism. The pack decided that there was no way to save their leader from this cunning hunter. They left the pool to avoid being the next victim and to establish who among them would be the next Alpha of the pack.
After the first strike Qu'y Rokdi leaped around his victim. At the same time the boar tried to turn around to face his attacker, in doing so he moved his head sideways and opened up a clear strike to his throat. Without hesitation Qu'y Rokdi planted his sword in the soft tissue between the shoulder and the head. Struggling to turn back the boar couldn’t reach the Saurus, not being able to turn his head or use his legs the boar was pinned to his place and losing a lot of blood.
Qu'y Rokdi looked at his prey as the sand around it turned into a red mud. Approving of his work he went to retrieve the Spears of Entrapment. This artifact of Itzl had been his loyal weapon in many encounters, the thought alone of ever losing it made him heavyhearted.
He returned to the boar grabbed it by the legs and started dragging him away from the pool.
Between the trees Yuq'al-takuil smiled as he saw Qu'y Rokdi return with the boar dragging behind him. He retreated deeper in to the forest to make preparations for when Qu'y Rokdi would arrive.
***
Qu’y Rokdi moved slow through the dense jungle. He didn’t stop, because there was a lot riding on his return with the catch of this morning.
The sun had already past its highest point when he breached the vegetation on the edge of an enormous open space in the middle of the jungle. In front of him rose the gates of Oyxl.
The gates stood high and mighty, stones the size of a Saurus, piece for piece put in place by the strong Kroxigors. The surfaces covered in perfect carvings and symbols speaking of the great Old Ones as creators and guiders of life. Others displayed great and important battles fought by Lizardmen against the swarming hordes of chaos. Yet another carving, close to the entrance, showed a warning that none other than Lizardmen could enter the city without being harmed.
The sight of the gates and those powerful images always filled Qu’y Rokdi with proud. This is where he had spawned many cycles ago, this was his place under the sun to call home.
While he stood there looking upon the city’s entrance he had dropped his load beside him and stretched his arm and shoulder for stress release.
The sound of music and festivities came from within the city. This would be his moment. He picked up the boar and entered the city. The music changed as soon as he crossed the gate. Horns and drums sounded announcing his arrival.
From the gate a wide promenade led to a central square with a raised platform. Along the promenade Skinks and Sauri were standing together having a good time, sharing food and drinks. When they noticed Qu’y Rokdi they cheered and shouted his name. He reached the platform. On top of it the Skink Priest mentioned the crowd to silence. To the right of the platform Qu’y Rokdi noticed his eleven spawning brothers. In front of them several things were piled together. He recognized the skin of a lion, the scales of a Hydra, an almost golden looking deer with it’s hooves together, a couple of birds hanging from a spear, the head of a Bullgor, a leather belt, a bundle of war gear containing three giant spears and shields, a pile of golden apples and the head and tail of a flesh hound. Next to this all a couple of Dark steeds were tied down so they could not move.
“On this day of testing we are all gathered to witness the great deeds of the chosen twelve among us. By the rite of the sacred guardianship these Sauri have been tasked to their extremes with almost impossible tasks. They have showed us and the Old Ones that they are worthy of a position as Temple Guards. Qu’y Rokdi, you have, over time, proven to be a good alpha Lizard for your spawning brothers. Lead them as well in their new task.
By the grace of Quetzl and under the guidance of Xokha, from this day forth, you shall be named Xenal-kekuil, Temple Guard alpha of Oyxl!”
Grrr, Imrahil
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