Tikal / Tecoya

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Like specters, the figures approached through the mist. The small boat moved swiftly through the waters of the swamp, oars dipping into the murk as they propelled the skiff forward. Like his future, the waters were muddled and he could glean no clarity from them. The familiar swamps of Tikal were left behind.... where Ajaw Uaxmal was going, few returned. The Tecoya were famed for their prowess in battle, none moreso than its Queen. If the legends of her lineage were true, then the Ajaw shuddered to think of the very dangerous consequences that could entail. It was a very real threat to his authority, but one that he would have to manage. The Tikalan's were desperate for allies, they needed troops now that the heritecs had declared an Avian as their Emperor!

False Emperors were nothing new for Uaxmal. He had crushed more than one rebellion in his four decades as High Priest of Tikal. Yet never had his people been in such a precarious position since embarking on their journey to the New World. A New World that should only rightfully belong to the Lizardfolk and no others! Hours passed as the Ajaw and his bodyguards struck down the treacherous route, until at last out of the mist, they could see glowing orbs of fire.

Torchlight.

It was here at this landing point that the Tikalan's did their business with the rival Tecoyan's. But Ajaw Uaxmal wasn't here to see any flunkie that the Queen might send him, he was here to see the legendary warrior herself.

'' Hail. '' One of his bodyguards croaked, the Otomi priest splashing into the water. His hand hovering near the hilt of his blade as he began to wade towards the boggy shoreline. '' Ajaw Uaxmal, High Priest of Tikal, Voice of Citalmlin requests an audience with Queen Issri. '' The soldier shouted towards the distant figures that lurked within the mist. Would the answer they received come in the form of words? Or arrows?

[IAMTHELIZARDQUEEN]

The warriors and their charge were greeted with silence. The lingering moment passed, and a figure emerged from the fog and mist. There appeared more shadowy shapes within the darkness, but only the barest of silhouettes could be discerned.
''Come forward.''
The figure instructed, extending a scabrous hand to beckon Uaxmal and his party towards the muddy shoreline. Now he and his small bodyguard would be surrounded. The Tecoya were everywhere, apparently. The following journey would go on for two and a half days; days of ceaseless marching through the fetid jungles, decaying swamps, and lakes of mud and peculiar foliage. In the distance, spiraling through the verdant jungle canopy, lay the capital of Imanje...

As the jungle began to fade into a village, the walls and towers of trees became scarce, and the newer, younger saplings covered the ground. The capital's center market stilled as the precession filed through to the residence of the Queen. Days of tireless trudging came to an end upon arrival at the citadel. It was neither grand nor humble, conservative, one might say. Yet even so, it was well fortified.
She stood under an awning, one hand at her side, the other on the railing of a balcony overlooking the front gate. Yellow eyes gazed downward, catching sight of Uaxmal and his charge. She turned swiftly into the fortress.

In a hall meant for meetings among the highest ranks, Issri sat at the end of a long table, awaiting Uaxmal’s entry. She was flanked by guards at either side, one of them being her own; her eldest, Sriha.
A messenger ambled in and announced the leader. As Uaxmal moved into the room, guided to a seat at the opposite end, she spoke,
“To approach me in my own realm, you must be desperate. Years of skirmishes, and then no word at all?” She paused to weave her words with irony, “And now you wander into my swamp? With what intentions, I can scarcely surmise.”

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By the time he had arrived within the capital, Uaxmal was soaked, his beautiful robes reduced to rags, but underneath the grime, a fierce determination blazed. He had not endured so much and come so far only to fail here and now. The High Priest bristled at the Queen's tone, biting back a fierce retort before offering a bow.

'' Most Noble Queen, for the past two decades, we have warred and squabbled over scraps. Yet our enemies rally against us and they grow stronger by the day. The goblins breed, their numbers will soon overwhelm and us and they are not alone. The heritecs and apostates that deny Citalmlin have approved the Michoacan. '' It was disturbing development. The birdfolk had always been the vassals of the lizards, but in this New World, all that was right had been instead turned on its head. '' They have offered its King.... '' Uaxmal paused to let his words sink in.... '' the Sotekan Crown. ''

For the first time in a millennia, a birdman, would think to lay claim to the Sotekan Empire? Uaxmal had fought for decades to see his dream of a re-united Sotek dead and buried here. It was well known Uaxmal had never acknowledged the Queen's claim by imperial blood to the throne. But had his attitude changed now?

'' I seek an alliance with you. An alliance that would sow fear into the hearts of our enemies, an alliance that would make us masters of the world, an alliance that would at last drive a stake into the heart of the wretched goblins and restore the greatness of the Sotekan Empire. '' The elephant of course was that Queen Issri was the only known living blood heir. The texts existed proving her lineage but they had long since been suppressed under Uaxmal. What would her price be for such an alliance? Would she seek to be Empress? The thought alone was enough to nearly cause Uaxmal to leave this murky swamp and its ambitious Queen behind him.... but for the sake of his people, for the sake of Citalmlin, an for the sake of the Empire...he could not.

[IAMTHELIZARDQUEEN]

Issri’s face froze, momentarily. Regathering her thoughts, an even mix of shock and ire, she leaned forward, hiding said expressions behind flattened brows and an empty stare. When at last she spoke, the barest undertone of anger coated each syllable like poison.

“You have denied me my birthright for two decades, and now come, begging for my aid, under the pretense of mutual defense?” She cast a derisive snort towards the High Priest. Not a second of hesitation, and she continued, “Let the Goblins and this False Emperor come into my lands, just as you have time after time. They will find nothing but death in my jungle.” She watched Uaxmal’s reaction to her words, waiting for them to sink in before she drove down the nail.

“If you want my armies, then you will recognize the truth which I have demanded for decades. I will rightfully take my grandfather Citalmlin’s throne, as my ancestors have done. You will acknowledge me as the Empress of Sotek, the only legitimate heir, and Tikal will pledge itself to my banner. I will see the Old Empire restored, but not under you or its…” she spat out the next phrase, “decaying Priesthood.”

With a strike of her mutilated tail, hammering into the flagstones of the fortress, she ended with purpose.
“Sotek will live on under the Imperial Bloodline,” a pause to glance at the face of the High Priest once more, daring to lock her eyes with his in a paralyzing glare,  “my blood.”

[killer spork]

Leverage. Uaxmal was a political animal, he knew when he had it, and he knew when he didn't. At the moment, he was completely at the Queen's mercy. He was powerless and it filled him with fury. The Ajaw wanted to tear this place apart, stone block by stone block and the Queen with it! The lizard bared his throat and hung his tail, a traditional sign of submission amongst the lizardkind.

'' You will have your crown... '' Was all that the Ajaw could manage. '' I shall make the arrangements from Tikal and send for you when it is time for the coronation. In the interim, I trust that you will make sure that your warriors are ready to march. The enemy is not far and the time for posturing will soon be at an end. With the False Emperor and His Goblin allies at the gates, we must be united. '' But how long with this unity last? Not long if Uaxmal had his way. The Ajaw bowed before his new Empress, stalking from the room. The Priesthood would be the one to guide Citalmlin's progeny into the future, not her!

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