Chatla-Raktoa could not help but notice the alienness of the jungle. Marching at the head of a small formation of saurus infantry and riders, they were sure the rest of their warriors could feel it too. The Claws of Huanchi’s home jungle in Aqshy was sweltering; even with the light of Hysh beating down through the trees here, it did not come close. What kept them on guard was something else: the feeling of being watched by everything, even the trees. Even the land.
The hulking Sunblood to Chatla-Raktoa’s side snorted as he stepped in time with his commander. “There should be orruks here,” the enormous saurus rumbled impatiently, “I wish to fight the natives of Ghur.”
Chatla-Raktoa shifted their head slightly so they could look at him. The Sunblood was called Nax; he had climbed from the spawning pool alone, marked for greatness by his blue-green skin and scales. Nax possessed the strength and resilience of a warrior many decades his elder, and he stood a head taller than his war-leader. Chatla-Raktoa did not doubt that if they came to blows, they would be no match for his physical prowess. He was the Blazing Starfall’s mightiest warrior, but he was young. Impossibly young. He had spawned less than a decade ago, which despite his astounding physical traits was plainly clear in the young Saurus’ mind. He was prone to rampaging fury in battle and longed for combat with an enthusiasm uncharacteristic of Saurus. He was Chatla-Raktoa’s beloved champion and greatest challenge.
“We will be fortunate to find our cousins before we make ourselves known to the enemy,” Chatla-Raktoa replied, “The Xarlanth’s starhosts are our only concern. We will find their survivors and learn how we may aid them.”
The Sunblood rolled his left shoulder, hefting the massive shield he held with that arm, easily as heavy as three men. He thought for a moment before replying, “If we seek out our enemy while they are unaware of us, we may destroy them in their disarray.”
“There will be many chances to face the enemy in the coming weeks,” Chatla-Raktoa’s tone was educational, as much as a Saurus could be. “This place is complicated, and we are newcomers. We cannot untangle what has occurred by seeking battle. War will come to us, and we will meet our aggressors in kind. Our cousins come first. We will push into this jungle until we find them.”
A snort from the Oldblood signaled that the conversation was over. They knew Nax paid utmost attention to each of their words and actions. Every observation from the young Saurus would be more valuable to him than hours in a classroom to a mortal officer-in-training. He would prove an incredible asset to the Claws of Huanchi, once age and experience had tempered him.
Chatla-Raktoa felt the weight of their shield and blade in their hands, the rumbling of the feet of the cohorts of saurus and skinks they had led into the Dell. More help would come soon, through Aqshian Realmgates to this strange place. Best to have a path through the jungle scouted before they arrived.
