Things were going well.
Tlo'eko stood on the balcony, overlooking the many other Lizardmen below as the Skink Priest watched his kin go about their lives, all following the Great Plan as they were dictated. Saurus were arming and training, Skinks were instructing and guiding beasts to move supplies, and Krogixors were helping to build newer, stone buildings, with some Skink assistance, of course.
The sight filled Tlo'eko with pride. Sure, their temple-city wasn't as large as the others throughout Lustria, but it was stable, connected to the Geomantic Web, and would one day reach the development they were, like that of Hexoatl, home of their greatest Slann, or Itza, where the legendary Gor-Rok once dwelled.
Footsteps caught his attention. The Skink Priest turned to see another of his kin approach, the Skink looking about, crest rising and falling as he clearly looked confused. Judging by the fact he was armed with a blowpipe, Tlo'eko assumed he was one of the hunters, but it was hard to say, considering how many tasks and jobs the Skinks held within their society.
"What brings you here?" The Skink Priest asked. The other Lizardman came to a stop and looked around, crest finally ceasing in its twitching.
"I…came to deliver a message to Lord Toadrus from the temple. Is he—"
"He slumbers, unfortunately," Tlo'eko spoke with mild annoyance, recalling how often their temple-city's Slann opted to meditate. The Skink Priest blamed it on his cautiousness, but he knew better than to speak ill of a Mage-Priest. "You may relay the message to me, and I will act on it as best I can."
"Understood," The other Skink nodded respectfully. "We've uncovered some more plaques and tomes, and we believe we've found something."
"Something?" The Skink Priest inquired curiously.
The other Skink nodded. "We may have uncovered something dire; a prophecy to fulfill a key part of the Great Plan; sealing the Great Vortex." The very mention of the Great Plan made Tlo'eko's eyes widen in delight and confusion.
"What prophecy? What do you know, friend?" He spoke hastily, not even caring that the Skink sought to dictate the Great Plan himself.
"We're still working to piece it together; the stone is warped from time and age, but the others and I have concluded that, somewhere beyond Lustria, there exists a warmblood who may be the key to strengthening the Great Vortex, and further locking out the vile forces of Chaos." Such a thing made Tlo'eko drum his fingers along his chin. The other Skink spoke mere speculations, but speculations could always yield great bounties.
"Who is this warmblood, then?"
"The part of the plaques that contained that are gone; all we know is their name; Medella, and the plaques foretold they would be in the Southlands." The Southlands…that was quite a way away, but it presented an opportunity.
"Zlatlan," The Skink Priest spoke, trudging past the Skink, staff rattling as he walked. "The Hidden City exists within the Southlands. We must send someone there to make contact with the temple-city there and see if they know where this Medella dwells within their lands. How confident are you in this prophecy?"
"Considerably so, Priest," The Skink hunter nodded.
"Then I must send someone as soon as possible. Any chance to impede the flow of Chaos into the world must be taken."
"Should we not alert the Mage-Priests—"
"There's no time!" Tlo'eko grunted, already nearing the doorway. "Any chance to stamp out Chaos must be taken."
"Wait, are you venturing on this campaign, then?"
"No, but I shall find the one who can." Tlo'eko knew damn well it was not wise for he, a Skink Priest, to leave the temple-city without his tutelage and guidance. But he knew who could go in his stead.
And, if he was right, he knew where he would be at this time.
Tlo'eko dismounted his Terradon, letting the beast come to rest in the jungle clearing as the Skink Priest took a long, deep breath. It'd been quite a while since he set foot in the jungles; ever since he ascended to priesthood, he rarely ever left the temple-city, for a Skink Priest's place was never on the hunt and very rarely on the battlefield. He had to admit, it brought a sense of tranquility…yet mysteriousness. Out here, the beasts weren't domesticated; if he strayed too far, he risked being snapped up by a Ripperdactyl or trampled by a Stegadon.
Tlo'eko kept moving, darting his head about somewhat nervously, the Skink Priest coming to a half when he reached a clearing…one where he sensed something. Someone.
"I know you're here, Krehoc." The Skink Priest spoke. Movement above caught his focus, the Skink Priest moving back as something skittered down from the tree, landing on the jungle floor in front of him.
"Tlo'eko. You've finally come out from your temple." Krehoc was another Skink, yes, but he was a Skink Chief, evident by his ornate armor and a few scars from scuffles and battles. His horned, bone helmet covered the top of his head, ordained with feathers as his upper torso was clad in a bone and stone breastplate, his forearms and shins being covered in the same, ceremonial armor. Tlo'eko knew Krehoc well; he was a bit…ruthless, but he was reliable. It was one of the reasons he lived so long as a Skink Chief who opted for an active approach to things. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I require your aid. One of the Skinks told me they unearthed something, and it could help strengthen the Great Vortex, and reduce Chaos' influence in the land."
Krehoc growled a bit. "Sounds ludicrous. Do they not find something like that every few weeks?"
"This one is different; from the message I was delivered, the Skinks have unearthed a prophecy; a warmblood who may hold the key to strengthening the Great Vortex and, as you know, reducing Chaos' influence in this world."
"Hmm. That is a new superstition, but," Krehoc sighed. "I am sworn to follow the task. Where am I to go?"
"Return with me to the temple-city, first. You need to be armed for such an excursion. I don't know how long you will be out there, so the wisest idea would be to supply you as best we can."
"So be it. Though, out of curiosity," Krehoc was already walking, the Skink Chief removing his helmet to smooth his crest out. "How did you know I was here?"
"You're always here, Krehoc. Your place is within the city, yet you always seem to come out here and…I suppose hunt? Why is that, if I may ask?"
"It reminds me of the days before this mantle was assumed," Krehoc tapped his helmet. "Before the Mage-Priest anointed me Skink Chief."
"You make it sound like the responsibilities weigh on you."
Krehoc snorted. "Far from it. I just sometimes like to roam the jungle, as I did when I was tasked with hunting food for the temple-city. But, regardless, let us make haste. The sooner I investigate this speculation, the sooner I can return to the jungle."
"After you finish the other duties, Tlo'eko." Krehoc growled. Tlo'eko smirked.
At least little had changed with his second in command.
"…and that's the end of it." Krehoc stared at the Skink Priest for a good, few seconds after he concluded his tale of the prophecy. The two Skinks stood in the private chambers once more, where, naturally their temple-city's Mage-Priest slumbered, something that hadn't changed since the last time Krehoc ventured into the jungle.
And probably would remain the same until he left again.
"So, you want to send me to the Southlands to make contact with Zlatlan, on a mere speculation? Do you not recall why it's called the Hidden City?"
"I do, but you maneuver through jungles all the time, Krehoc," Tlo'eko turned to the balcony again, stepping towards it. "If any Skink can find it, it would be you. All you must do is speak with the Mage-Priests there and see if they can use their magics to locate Medella. And, from there, find and bring them back here." Krehoc still found all of this very odd, but…at least Tlo'eko tried to plan this one out.
"Augh," Krehoc sighed. "So be it. I'll use the remainder of the day to prepare before venturing to the Southlands any way I can."
"I'll have a Terradon Rider give you a ride. I still don't see why you didn't tame one when you had the chance."
Krehoc growled. "I said I'll get around to it." Truthfully, he didn't like them; they always gave him shivers of paranoia when one flew overhead, considering they used to frequently make meals of his kind. But, sooner or later, he'd get over that paranoia and raise one to ride.
"One day. So, do what you must. Be here at sunrise, and then we shall fulfill a piece of the Great Plan." Krehoc wasn't sure how this fit the Great Plan, but, considering his status in the temple-city, he figured he'd never learn what did fit. The Skink Chief turned to walk off, adjusting his helmet once again.
He was still very skeptical about this plan of Tlo'eko's, but he was going to see it through. Worst case, he'd get to hunt around in the Southlands for any invaders and savage them with his tools of the hunt. Best case…well still, hunting, except further.
Either way, he won.
(This is a newer project I wanted to work on, namely with the inspiration from some friends, and my replaying of Total War II: Warhammer. It's odd, but it's something I've wanted to do for a long time. So, here's chapter 1; it'll be updated every Monday, but chapter 1 will be posted today so people can become aware of its existence. This way, I have something else to work on alongside Happy Together, diversifying my fanbase and giving more content.
Now, I had to add some creative liberties, considering the lore of Lizardmen, using what I've seen in Total War and my own interpretation. Not perfect, no, but it should be entertaining for those who opt to stick around. So, thanks for reading. It means a lot to me!)