The Xol'goth Rebellion

Rakx curled his lip into a snarl as his spear sunk deep into the chest of his opponent, a green-scaled whelp that had dared cross his path on the field. Pulling the blade free and letting the dying rebel collapse to the jungle floor, the Archon ducked under the thrust of another, quickly countering with his broad shield then delivering a quick blow under his attacker's breastplate. Throwing down yet another rebel drake, Rakx bellowed for his soldiers to reform ranks, just as the line of skirmishers behind them opened fire with a salvo of rail rifle fire.

The so-called 'Alliance of Stars' had been dogging the Archon and his allies for a year now, ever since the agreement with the Solvani had been made. Several factions on Kalisa has been less than pleased with Rakx' decision to make peace with the Solvani, though the will of the Gods was enough to silence most. Not the Alliance though, arrogant fools who had thought they knew better then the one who had lead his people out of the jungles and to the stars. Formed out of a coalition of powerful city-states north of the Hegemony's borders, they had declared war on the Archon almost immediately. Their rebellion had begun in typical fashion, raiding assembly yards and mining camps along the border. Their boldest attempt had been attempting to steal a ship from the D'Keel shipyards and attack the Solvani themselves, but they had only suceeded at been a nuisance at worst.

Now, on a field just south of the great port city of Xol'goth, Rakx reformed his men for a final assault on the Alliance leadership, rail rounds hissing overhead as skirmishers exchanged fire. His sibling just to his right, Rakx lowered his spear and bellowed the charge even as he lead it. A sudden, heavy impact to his shoulder made him drop his spear as a rail round ricocheted off of his pauldron, the masterfully crafted armour plate only just saving his arm. Ignoring the ache and drawing his sword, Rakx continued to charge. Four powerful legs carried him at the head of the advance, growling and snapping his intent at the faltering rebel line until armour, scales and blade broke upon one another in a vicious and thunderous clash. The rebels were able to sustain the melee for a few scant moments before they broke and fled, trying to make for the cover of the city walls only to be cut or shot down by Hegemony infantry. The Alliance of Stars was broken.

-----

Some hours later, Rakx was lounging on the cool stone floor of the Xol'goth senate house, his armour removed and his shoulder, badly bruised from the earlier bullet impact, being looked over by a priest of Yivris. His brother was laying next to him, recounting some of his better kills in the earlier battle with sufficient pantomime. After another animated performance, Tralx took a long drink from his cup before clearing his throat. "You realize though that this isn't going to be an isolated problem, Rakx"

The Archon did not look convinced. "We just crushed three of the most powerful city-states outside of the Hegemony and brought them to heel. I don't see who on Kalisa could mount any better resistance."

"Crushed them, yes. And in doing so looked more alive then I've seen you in almost two years, kin. I certainly haven't felt this good in some time. We are warriors, Rakx. All of the D'Kali. We are not builders or traders like the Solvani. We are warriors, and unless our people have something to fight for, they are going to keep rebelling, if only to have the chance to fight."

Rakx growled at the priest on his arm as a particularity tender bit of flesh was prodded before looking back at his sibling. "And what exactly would you do, hmm?"

Tralx just smiled and reached for his drink again. "Turn your clans loose. Let us fight. Before I have to start repeating my stories."