Humble Gifts of Diplomacy

The Archon's hall was a terraced stone pyramid that dominated the center of the royal quarter of the city of Rox'ka. The structure sprawled roughly fifty meters in width and almost double in depth, and stood in several distinct levels. The walls of each terrace were adorned at regular intervals of carvings of the battles and victories of past Archons or Lords of the ancient city, and was superseded in size and grandeur only by the grand temples dedicated to Kalisa and Roxal. In the slowly fading light of the setting suns, the stone murals were cast in sharp shadows and became even more prominent.

As word of the approaching delegation reached the Archon, his honour guard assembled along the path up to the main stairway. A dozen guards stood at attention as the entourage made their way towards the Archon, as much a display of force and power as it was of respect. Each D'Kali warrior of Rakx' Vanguard was clad in finely crafted and interlocking plate mail, gleaming in the fading sun. Cuirasses fit seamlessly into the underlying cloth and leather, and polished greaves protected all four legs of each warrior. Each breastplate was adorned with individual heraldic devices, but upon closer inspection, the scratches and chips of old battle damage could be seen. Each held a viciously bladed, two meter long pike in their hands, tall and straight upwards at attention. The D'Kali of the Vanguard were not a parade formation.

At the foot of the steps of the Archon's hall, two D'Kali stood to meet the Zabéaran delegation. On the left was Khriss, the Herald of the Archon. His armour was much like the rest of the guard, though was painted a deep red and trimmed in gold filigree, the colour blending with that of his own scales and emblazoned only with the crest of the Archon's clan. His right hand held up Rakx's personal standard, affixed to the same type of spear carried by the rest of the guard, while his left rested on the pommel of the sheathed sword strapped to the side of his long body. To the Herald's left stood a slightly larger D’Kali, very similar in both colour and dress to the first. The expression on its face was that of almost lazy amusement.

On the first tier of steps above them stood the Archon himself. Larger still then his siblings, Rakx smiled toothily as the Dominion delegation came before him. His own armour was as well-cared for as the rest, but bore the same subtle scars that showed to any other D’Kali that the Archon has seen and won battles. His deep ruby scales were complimented by the gold and silver trimming of his armour, and a black and red sash ran across his plated chest, embroidered with incantations and honourifics to the D’Kali god of war.

As each gift was presented, the D’Kali stood in respectful silence, allowing the delegation their presentation. The blade was taken by drake flanking Khriss and handed up to the Archon, who inspected it with almost a reverence, unsheathing it to feel the weight in his arm before passing it to a servant for safekeeping.

The sceptre too was taken and looked over, Rakx nodding to his Herald who spoke in his stead. “This will be a fine gift for Lord Karo a fitting tribute for the victory he has won. It will be sent to him under guard with the next supply ship to leave for Asteria.”

The egg however seemed to get the attention of every D’Kali within earshot. Several guards bristled and both the Herald and the warrior next to him looked to close their ranks, but Rakx raised his hands. “Wait,” he growled softly, his claws clicking on the stone steps of his ziggurat as he descended to meet the Zabéarans. Gently taking the egg in his claws, the Archon held it as though it was a holy artifact, his blazingly golden eyes fixed on its servants. His Vanguard shifted nervously in the intense silence, before the Archon looked back to the diplomat. “This is a most humble gift, Baeshènzi. My people have tales of the gods gifting us such creatures to fight by our sides in the old wars. Until now, they were just tales. I will bring the beast within this egg to heel, and treasure its companionship.”

Cradling the egg in his arms like a Kalisa priest, Rakx turned back up the steps, nearly tripping the Zabéaran with his tail and allowing the remainder of the tribune to be presented.