Xitli Sacul
Citalee Representative
Prologue
Seven great pillars dominated chamber, marble painstakingly carved with seven great works. It taken his sire three decades and half dozen Satorian lifetimes to complete before gifting it to his mother. She accepted the gesture, securing their bond and used the pillars as the primary foundation for the large hand-printed dome in the Palace's heart. It had taken a century of work and was considered by many to be his mother's Magnum Opus, although she preferred to call it her first.
His family were builders, renowned architects and engineers whose contribution was rewarded with a permanent seat upon the Excan Tlahtoloyan. A seat that had been elevated to rulership eight centuries ago and was currently held by his grandmother who had steered the Avali and Satorians through three galactic wars and several dozen crisis besides and today Xitli would meet them all for the first time since his hatching.
Talons drummed on the flagstone behind him and Xitli arched his neck to survey the chamber. A small bipedal lizard looked back at him with bright blue eyes that contrasted remarkably against their obsidian scales. The Satorian's tail flicked brushing the floor with it's violet feathers, it bowed low and spoke, "Master Xitli. I am Athziri, Chief of Estate. I have been tasked with escorting you to our ladies chambers."
He studied their dress for a moment, colourful attire mimicked the own pattern of his feathered wings and gold inlaid sash was pinned beneath a leather pauldron featuring the starbird insignia of Guild Citalee to whom he belonged. Around her neck was a string necklace tied to a small preserved feather taken he thought from his sire.
"It is good to meet you Athziri. If you would please, I am yet unfamiliar with my mother's work."
"Of course, little Great One." Athziri bowed respectfully and Xitli paused before returning the gesture with his head and followed behind the creature.
"If I may enquire little Great One, are you the only survivor of your brood?" She asked inquisitively. Prompting Xitli to bristle slightly, had the insinuation already spread past the cradle of his hatching?
"I am the only male survivor, the ocean was unforgiving to my siblings. Two of my sister's joined me in the ascension." He answered, looking at the wooden carved arch and matching doors they passed through. The walls beyond were more spartan than he expected, still beautiful but much simpler in their design.
"Forgive me little Great One. I wished only to ascertain the facts and ensure your preparedness for the conversation ahead. That was your mother's wish."
Xitli internally sighed, he had hoped for an auspicious meeting. A warm family embrace that would eventually carry him to the stars to join his father.
"Although we are blessed to receive you little Great One. There is to be a feast in your honour this evening and your father has spoken at length of his excitement in meeting you."
Xitli's quills relaxed his features seeming to visibly brighten as his glamour manifested. The Satorian's tail raised ever so slightly, appearing satisfied or pleased at least.
"Are you testing me?" Xitli asked becoming suspicious. It was peculiar to meet a Satorian so talkative, it was even rarer still to meet one willing to ask probing questions.
Athziri didn't hesitate and responded with a slight nod, "Forgive me little Great One, but your mother wanted to see if I could illicit a response that would make you utilise your powers. Should you possess them."
Xitli cocked his head, "Then your question earlier?"
Athziri without hesitation nodded and stopped besides a door decorated to look like the others. If Xitli didn't have his guide he might have found it without schematics although part of him suspected even then he might never identify her chambers.
"In a word, yes. However, nothing I have said is a lie or attempt to deceive you Great One." She keyed in her security code on a console and bolts concealed within the door slammed open allowing Xitli and Athziri to enter. This time she let him lead the way.
The room was circular with the right most wall being a open arch covered and draped in heavy silk curtains. Directly ahead of him the circular room had been extended into a bed of colourful and decorated pillows where his mother lay, half drawn curtains providing a mediocre of shade against the hot summer sun.
Two more selection of pillows had been laid out in the centre of the room, the largest one already occupied by a venerable Avali whose scales appeared almost translucent and white. Energy radiated from her like a furnace and Xitli was nearly overwhelmed by the powerful glamours radiating from her.
Athziri stepped around him taking the longest route around the room to position herself nearest his mother. She bowed and spoke, "May I introduce Great One Xitli, first of your Brood and Heir of Sacul."
Xitli bowed his head in silence, cautiously taking the nest that was prepared for him. He felt everyone's attention rested solely on him, his mother was the first to speak.
"Welcome home Xitli. It's been near enough a decade since I last saw you out to the waters of Ayuah Cozamalotl."
Xitli flinched feeling a force impress itself unto his mind, it plucked at a thread triggering the flash of memory. An imprint that was created shortly after his hatching, confirmation of the facts they presented to each other. He was hers and she was his. "I do recall mother, although it took just as long for it have meaning."
He broke eye contact to look again upon his grandmother. She bowed her head only slightly in recognition and spoke, "I am Quetzalxochitl. Please do not pay me any mind, this is a sacred meeting."
He might have tried but no one could ignore that presence. Xitli had only a month to prepare for this occasion and never once had it suggested that none other than the parents might attend. Although he was assured he would later meet his father, he was absent. In an effort to relax Xitli carefully lowered himself into the cushions, cooing happily. He never experienced this kind of comfort before, the way the cushions contorted to support his body. The silky fabrics brushing through his feathers and scales, coming from the cold solid earth of underwater caves and coral reefs it was more than he could have ever imagined.
"I can imagine. You alone survived where your two brothers did not. Many of us had the support and familiarity of our siblings to fall back on but you are denied that advantage. This last month must have been overwhelming."
Xitli nodded cautiously inspecting his mother for any hint of meaning. His mind was programmed to jump to the same conclusion he had with Athziri but her tone cast just enough doubt to make him consider an alternative meaning.
"It hasn't been made any easier by the rumours spreading through the court but I have persevered."
His mother glanced at Quetzalxochitl who betrayed nothing. "You would say they are unfounded then Xitli?" She continued
"Unfounded, you mean to say a lie?" Xitli asked and his mother nodded, "Then yes I would say so. My brother's were not my enemy and not a single one of us would think to betray the other."
"Bold assumption." Quetzalxochitl interceded, "Perhaps not then, but in the future most certainly. Did you not knowingly lead them into a predators hunting ground?"
Xitli flinched and replied, "Yes I did. It was necessary. We we were hunted and had we not traversed that reef all of us would be dead."
He invoked his glamour projecting himself unto the world and making himself more prominent. He was larger. Deadlier.
"Silence fledgling." Quetzalxochitl snapped sundering it with the force of her roar. Xitli whimpered and shrunk away, his mother's eyes narrowed into slits focusing on Quetzalxochitl but no rebuke came. Only silence.
"Xitli. I do not doubt your word, but it is not me who you must convince. Perseverance is good, but it is not enough to silence those who reject you. On this occasion, at least, I and your father can step in to defend you but you must learn quickly to perceive these threats before they reach fruition."
Xitli composed himself looking up at his elder, listening to absorb her dispensed wisdom. "But until that time I offer you my boon."
He sensed a pulse of energy narrowing unto the door touching something beyond it. A telepathic message? The door opened and a small Satorian walked into the room. He wasn't like Athziri, his scales were like a sunburst and his feathers vibrant and orange, sapphire eyes focused on Quetzalxochitl.
"You summoned me Great One?" The Satorian chirped, pleased to answer her call.
"Yes, I did." Her neck arched down to look at her grandchild.
"This is Quauhatli. Despite his age, he has proven himself a loyal and perceptive advisor. He will serve you well."
Xitli broke eye contact to inspect the Satorian again. It looked back at him and bowed, "It will be my honour to serve you Great One."
It seemed content enough despite the obvious demotion. He wasn't himself certain this one wouldn't be a spy in his ranks but refusing a gift from Quetzalxochitl would be political suicide. He might be young, but he knew that well enough.
"Thank you Grandmother." He said dismissing any doubt. He felt her warmth and acceptance of his answer. "Now please follow Quauhatli. He will show you to your quarters."
Xitli looked at his mother who begrudgingly nodded, dismissing the pair into the corridor. He watched the door closing behind him and sighed, "That could have gone better."
"I think it went rather well, all things considered." Quauhatli interjected catching Xitli's ire. "Forgive me Great One. Her Majesty had granted me leave to speak my mind in her company." He explained and motioned a claw forward towards the corridor.
Seven great pillars dominated chamber, marble painstakingly carved with seven great works. It taken his sire three decades and half dozen Satorian lifetimes to complete before gifting it to his mother. She accepted the gesture, securing their bond and used the pillars as the primary foundation for the large hand-printed dome in the Palace's heart. It had taken a century of work and was considered by many to be his mother's Magnum Opus, although she preferred to call it her first.
His family were builders, renowned architects and engineers whose contribution was rewarded with a permanent seat upon the Excan Tlahtoloyan. A seat that had been elevated to rulership eight centuries ago and was currently held by his grandmother who had steered the Avali and Satorians through three galactic wars and several dozen crisis besides and today Xitli would meet them all for the first time since his hatching.
Talons drummed on the flagstone behind him and Xitli arched his neck to survey the chamber. A small bipedal lizard looked back at him with bright blue eyes that contrasted remarkably against their obsidian scales. The Satorian's tail flicked brushing the floor with it's violet feathers, it bowed low and spoke, "Master Xitli. I am Athziri, Chief of Estate. I have been tasked with escorting you to our ladies chambers."
He studied their dress for a moment, colourful attire mimicked the own pattern of his feathered wings and gold inlaid sash was pinned beneath a leather pauldron featuring the starbird insignia of Guild Citalee to whom he belonged. Around her neck was a string necklace tied to a small preserved feather taken he thought from his sire.
"It is good to meet you Athziri. If you would please, I am yet unfamiliar with my mother's work."
"Of course, little Great One." Athziri bowed respectfully and Xitli paused before returning the gesture with his head and followed behind the creature.
"If I may enquire little Great One, are you the only survivor of your brood?" She asked inquisitively. Prompting Xitli to bristle slightly, had the insinuation already spread past the cradle of his hatching?
"I am the only male survivor, the ocean was unforgiving to my siblings. Two of my sister's joined me in the ascension." He answered, looking at the wooden carved arch and matching doors they passed through. The walls beyond were more spartan than he expected, still beautiful but much simpler in their design.
"Forgive me little Great One. I wished only to ascertain the facts and ensure your preparedness for the conversation ahead. That was your mother's wish."
Xitli internally sighed, he had hoped for an auspicious meeting. A warm family embrace that would eventually carry him to the stars to join his father.
"Although we are blessed to receive you little Great One. There is to be a feast in your honour this evening and your father has spoken at length of his excitement in meeting you."
Xitli's quills relaxed his features seeming to visibly brighten as his glamour manifested. The Satorian's tail raised ever so slightly, appearing satisfied or pleased at least.
"Are you testing me?" Xitli asked becoming suspicious. It was peculiar to meet a Satorian so talkative, it was even rarer still to meet one willing to ask probing questions.
Athziri didn't hesitate and responded with a slight nod, "Forgive me little Great One, but your mother wanted to see if I could illicit a response that would make you utilise your powers. Should you possess them."
Xitli cocked his head, "Then your question earlier?"
Athziri without hesitation nodded and stopped besides a door decorated to look like the others. If Xitli didn't have his guide he might have found it without schematics although part of him suspected even then he might never identify her chambers.
"In a word, yes. However, nothing I have said is a lie or attempt to deceive you Great One." She keyed in her security code on a console and bolts concealed within the door slammed open allowing Xitli and Athziri to enter. This time she let him lead the way.
The room was circular with the right most wall being a open arch covered and draped in heavy silk curtains. Directly ahead of him the circular room had been extended into a bed of colourful and decorated pillows where his mother lay, half drawn curtains providing a mediocre of shade against the hot summer sun.
Two more selection of pillows had been laid out in the centre of the room, the largest one already occupied by a venerable Avali whose scales appeared almost translucent and white. Energy radiated from her like a furnace and Xitli was nearly overwhelmed by the powerful glamours radiating from her.
Athziri stepped around him taking the longest route around the room to position herself nearest his mother. She bowed and spoke, "May I introduce Great One Xitli, first of your Brood and Heir of Sacul."
Xitli bowed his head in silence, cautiously taking the nest that was prepared for him. He felt everyone's attention rested solely on him, his mother was the first to speak.
"Welcome home Xitli. It's been near enough a decade since I last saw you out to the waters of Ayuah Cozamalotl."
Xitli flinched feeling a force impress itself unto his mind, it plucked at a thread triggering the flash of memory. An imprint that was created shortly after his hatching, confirmation of the facts they presented to each other. He was hers and she was his. "I do recall mother, although it took just as long for it have meaning."
He broke eye contact to look again upon his grandmother. She bowed her head only slightly in recognition and spoke, "I am Quetzalxochitl. Please do not pay me any mind, this is a sacred meeting."
He might have tried but no one could ignore that presence. Xitli had only a month to prepare for this occasion and never once had it suggested that none other than the parents might attend. Although he was assured he would later meet his father, he was absent. In an effort to relax Xitli carefully lowered himself into the cushions, cooing happily. He never experienced this kind of comfort before, the way the cushions contorted to support his body. The silky fabrics brushing through his feathers and scales, coming from the cold solid earth of underwater caves and coral reefs it was more than he could have ever imagined.
"I can imagine. You alone survived where your two brothers did not. Many of us had the support and familiarity of our siblings to fall back on but you are denied that advantage. This last month must have been overwhelming."
Xitli nodded cautiously inspecting his mother for any hint of meaning. His mind was programmed to jump to the same conclusion he had with Athziri but her tone cast just enough doubt to make him consider an alternative meaning.
"It hasn't been made any easier by the rumours spreading through the court but I have persevered."
His mother glanced at Quetzalxochitl who betrayed nothing. "You would say they are unfounded then Xitli?" She continued
"Unfounded, you mean to say a lie?" Xitli asked and his mother nodded, "Then yes I would say so. My brother's were not my enemy and not a single one of us would think to betray the other."
"Bold assumption." Quetzalxochitl interceded, "Perhaps not then, but in the future most certainly. Did you not knowingly lead them into a predators hunting ground?"
Xitli flinched and replied, "Yes I did. It was necessary. We we were hunted and had we not traversed that reef all of us would be dead."
He invoked his glamour projecting himself unto the world and making himself more prominent. He was larger. Deadlier.
"Silence fledgling." Quetzalxochitl snapped sundering it with the force of her roar. Xitli whimpered and shrunk away, his mother's eyes narrowed into slits focusing on Quetzalxochitl but no rebuke came. Only silence.
"Xitli. I do not doubt your word, but it is not me who you must convince. Perseverance is good, but it is not enough to silence those who reject you. On this occasion, at least, I and your father can step in to defend you but you must learn quickly to perceive these threats before they reach fruition."
Xitli composed himself looking up at his elder, listening to absorb her dispensed wisdom. "But until that time I offer you my boon."
He sensed a pulse of energy narrowing unto the door touching something beyond it. A telepathic message? The door opened and a small Satorian walked into the room. He wasn't like Athziri, his scales were like a sunburst and his feathers vibrant and orange, sapphire eyes focused on Quetzalxochitl.
"You summoned me Great One?" The Satorian chirped, pleased to answer her call.
"Yes, I did." Her neck arched down to look at her grandchild.
"This is Quauhatli. Despite his age, he has proven himself a loyal and perceptive advisor. He will serve you well."
Xitli broke eye contact to inspect the Satorian again. It looked back at him and bowed, "It will be my honour to serve you Great One."
It seemed content enough despite the obvious demotion. He wasn't himself certain this one wouldn't be a spy in his ranks but refusing a gift from Quetzalxochitl would be political suicide. He might be young, but he knew that well enough.
"Thank you Grandmother." He said dismissing any doubt. He felt her warmth and acceptance of his answer. "Now please follow Quauhatli. He will show you to your quarters."
Xitli looked at his mother who begrudgingly nodded, dismissing the pair into the corridor. He watched the door closing behind him and sighed, "That could have gone better."
"I think it went rather well, all things considered." Quauhatli interjected catching Xitli's ire. "Forgive me Great One. Her Majesty had granted me leave to speak my mind in her company." He explained and motioned a claw forward towards the corridor.
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