[BandarLover]

Shagru'Kahn was furious.

No. Check that.

He was beyond furious. There were not enough C'tissan curses to adequately describe the foul temper the newly anointed Lizard Lord was feeling. Not even his new harem of females could cool his now boiling blood. (Yes, an entire harem. Advancement within the ranks of the C'tis army had its perks.) He could not stop thinking of the blood and mud stained soldier that had been brought into his chambers, near death. But not so close that he could not tell his message: of the utter defeat of the First Battalion of the Grand Army. The neighboring province had resisted (all softies - as Shagu'Kahn called humans - had a habit of resisting) and they had fielded elephants -ELEPHANTS!!- the dying soldier was able to spit out.

Well, it wasn't even close. The army simply wasn't equipped to deal with such large creatures. Shagru'Kahn was sure the soldier was going to ramble on and on in this manner so he ended the discussion.

With a knife.

Buried to the hilt in the soldier's bottom jaw.

Not even this simple act of violence brought Shagru'Kahn any pleasure. He was so livid that he stalked out of his marble house,by now warm from the morning sun, without even bothering to throw on an under-shirt. While to humans such as us this may not seem a big deal, it was quite shocking to the reptilian citizenry of the bustling streets of C'tis.

The anger Shagru'Kahn felt had sent his blood rushing furiously throughout his body, making him seem to swell and grow larger. The scales covering his body had by now taken on an almost kaleidoscope effect of colors, different hues shifting with the sunlight reflecting off his skin. All of this was very similiar to the coming of age breeding mannerisms of virile young lizards. Most of the males he passed turned their heads to avoid eye contact; a few growled menacingly in their throats while pulling their mates closer to them. Many of the females also took notice, their nostrils flairing wide as he passed. More than a few embarrassingly slipt into the nearest enclosure to lay an egg. Anyother time, this would have made Shagru'Kahn's day.

Just not now.

The bustling crowds seemed to part before him of their own volition, as if his anger were pushing path ahead of him. He made a straight course to the High Holy Temple in the heart of C'tis. Once there, no guard dare stop him. His clawed feet clacked menacingly down the high arching marble hallways. He pushed open the antechamber doors leading to the Holy Conclave Chambers. Khre'el-abubal, prophet of the Most High Ignokt, spread his arms in greeting. Shagru'Kahn was too hot to bother with the proper formalities.

"A disturbing report from the front ,Prophet. Funny you did not forsee it coming."

Khre'el-abubal smiled (or seemed to, very hard to tell with reptilian features) and ignored the slight on his holy office.

"A minor set back Brother Kahn."

"Minor!" Shagru'kahn practically choked with rage. "I hardly call the decimation of the First Battalion MINOR!!" His voice echoed loudly and the hierodule priestess (being a prophet had its perks as well) crept back into the adjoining back room. Khre'el-abubal allowed the Lizard Lord to seethe before him for a bit.

"Finished yelling?" the prophet asked. Shagru'Kahn could only shake his head, muttering. "Good, because I have news that will make your message feel like a mere stubbing of the toe."

Shagru'Kahn looked perplexed up at his superior. "How-"

"SILENCE!!"

The prophet stood quite suddenly and Shagru'Kahn took an involuntary step back. It was Khre'el-abubal who appeared angry now.

"Your lack of respect will not be tolerated. You WILL remember your place!"

An overwhelming sense of awe swept over the Lizard Lord, along with the realization of just how much he had overstepped his bounds. He dropped heavily to his knees, head bowed to the ground. He had never prostrated himself to anyone before, and did not know why he would now. Something...was different.

"Forgive me." Shagru'Kahn did not believe he had said such words before. Now Khre'el-abubal didn't just smile, he grinned openly.

"You feel it, don't you, though you can't quite place what has changed,hmm?"

"No, my lord," Shagru'Kahn breathed.

"I am no longer your - sole - master."

Shagru'Kahn dared a glance up.

"Rise brother," the prophet continued, lifting his own head to the heavens, "Today is a new era for our kingdom. Today, Ignokt, Warrior Against the Sun, God of Many Names, Lord of this World, Prince of Courage and King of Terror, has awakened!"
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Whew! Finally got over my earlier defeat (DAMN PACHYDERMS!!) to do a quick story. Next time, whenever that may be, just what exactly is it like to be a dormant pretender awake in the world once more? I also couldn't resist the egg-laying reference. One of C'tis's heroes had something similar in his background story as well and I thought it was hilarious, as well as a little disturbing.