Chapter 440
Ytte turned to Shraal, who bowed his head briefly in acknowledgment and then spoke. “The temple is coming along well in accordance with your wishes, but it needs the hand of the goddess. You are her arm, and we need you. Her sanctum and representation require your input, and I have spoken with Ytte regarding the use of some of the product of her experiments in our Holy Lady’s representation.”
I squinted for a moment, understanding what he was saying. Even so, looking at Ytte, I could see there was more than a mere request for materials going on here. “You have something else you want to say. Is that something to do with the tisarite or something else entirely?”
“Partially relating to the victory’s alloy, my Zaaktif.”
“Then let’s speak about what applies to Shraal as well, then once his words have been addressed, I can give you my full attention. I have no doubt that the Kha’Tal have dozens of things that they have dealt with themselves while also only bringing what is most pressing to me, so I’m happy to help you however you need. Is that acceptable?” I couldn’t begin to understand how much it was that Ytte and her devoted followers did for me, and I wasn’t about to take that for granted. Between her and Sybil, most of my Empire’s continued existence hinged on my ability to stay on these two females' good sides.
“Yes, of course.” She bowed deeply as she said it. “The tisarite has been initially refined to the best of my ability, and this first evidence of success is what Shraal has requested to serve as Nievtala’s fangs and claws in the representation. However, due to the scale of the representation, it would require the vast majority of all the tisarite that has been successfully refined, most of which had been set aside to function as your weapon. As such, the Kha’Tal and the Unbroken Blade have come to an impasse. We both see the use of the divine metal to be a method through which we can show our dedication to you and to our goddess, though which to be done first, remains a point of… discussion.“
For a brief moment, I thought to simply ask Nievtala to tell us what to do, but even before I received an answer, I quickly realized that there was no reason for me to ask her. This is something that I needed to make the decision on for and by myself. After a brief moment's consideration, I answered.
“Let this first result of your experimentation go to the construction of the Goddess’s representation.” I nodded while Shraal’s face broadened in a wide grin. Ytte wasn’t going to complain, though I saw her tail’s movement slow and stiffen. I continued, "Nievtala would want the first fruits of your efforts, as that will be the least successful and powerful of what you refine from the raw ore. She wants the claws and the weapons of her people to be sharp, unbroken. That which was accomplished first is the least expertly crafted, and she would demand that what I take to battle be of the highest quality and greatest potency that I may show the world, her splendor and ability to conquer all which stands in her path.”
Ytte’s body language brightened as I explained my thought process, and Shraal’s face slackened as he listened. Before anyone else could say anything, the male fell on his knees, prostrate before me.
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