Every one of the little female's pack needed to sniff at the ants before they trusted us enough to follow along our path. Once they decided that the scent wasn't particularly concerning, though, they devoured the insects with reckless abandon, the ichor of ants coating their faces. Considering they halfway considered the ants to be their greatest enemies, though, I wasn't too surprised. An opportunity to devour their oppressors was a blessing. Even so, we continued moving as soon as the small newest additions to the swarm were ready.
The new keelish from the nameless pack we'd integrated swung through the trees, more like monkeys than keelish, staying off the ground. Though they weren't much for conversation, it didn't take much to understand why they were hesitant to stay on the ground. There were only 40 of them, and I quickly realized how much time it would take for me to find every pack of the creatures and drag them back to New Nievtra. Even though it would extend the length of this journey by days and weeks, I also felt no small amount of hatred in my heart for the creatures that had relegated the weak of my people to the trees, unable to do anything but scrounge for a pittance to try to survive.
"We'll find as many of our people that still live here." I stated as the swarm gathered together one evening. The ants tended to stay in their burrows at night, probably the main reason why the keelish that'd been stuck here were able to descend and eat enough to survive.
"Very well." Brutus bowed in acceptance of my directive, unquestioning of my planned path forward. The others that had left on this trip with me didn't complain, and Farahlia was spending her time encouraging relationships and communication between all the keelish around us. Her approach, though notably different from Sybil's or even Shemira's, was effective. My Beta always focused on how to mould new members of the swarm to the identity the swarm, or Empire, demanded. When Sybil spoke, she'd planned everything, every possible exchange, down to the final moment when the subject of her attention submitted themselves to my rule. As time had gone on and they'd grown closer, Shemira had adopted much of the same approach, though force of fist and personality often accompanied her plans, where Sybil was always manipulating and organizing.
Farahlia, instead, was a force of nature. There was no plan in how she approached the other keelish, and she was flexible to react to whatever came her way. When one displayed interest in her, she flirted. When another showed disdain, she quickly put them in their place. When a third was friendly, Farahlia presented them to other keelish. She was constantly moving, a whirling wind of interpersonal connections. Perhaps I didn't need to be quite so on-guard against her, seeing her genuine effort to integrate into my New Empire.
"... right over there is Brutus. Chances are, if you need to speak with our Zaaktif, you'll need to get on Brutus's good side. It's not too hard, just be respectful and talk about what you want to do. That'll get you most of the way there. After that, just don't overstay your welcome."
Brutus growled quietly, his lips pulled back from his teeth.
"That's your sign." Farahlia grinned as she led a couple of the keelish from Tala away from Brutus and towards me. "Now, we don't want to, or need to for that matter, bother the Alpha, or Zaaktif. Ashlani is always busy, and generally only interacts with most of us in passing. Even so, if you find an opportunity to ask him for advice or guidance, do so. He's blessed by the goddess to give perfect advice, and any who have been so fortunate as to be in his presence for long find themselves stronger and better for it."
I scoffed, though I understood the veracity of her claims. I raised a hand and interrupted Farahlia's brief address. She stepped back with a grin, and I suspected she'd hoped that this, or something like this at least, would happen. The small pack of a dozen keelish looked up at me, towering over them and basically three times their size. With most of my [Skills] working on me, I looked down at one of their number, a male that was slightly smaller than the rest.
"You. What's your name?" I asked.
His jaw worked, surprised or confused at being addressed. My mind looked him up and down and quickly understood what the problem was.
"You're one of the nameless, from here in the mountains?"
He flared his frills in assent.
"Very well. Krutom, you shall be known as. Krutom, for potential. You are one of the few keelish that innately has magical potential. You should follow one of the khatif here to see where your strength most lies. Possibly Hala and Solia when you get the opportunity, though I suspect your aptitude doesn't lie with flames nor healing. Farahlia here might also be able to help somewhat. If you wish, you can check with Brutus to see if you are able to join the Alqat whilst still out here, and if you're found worthy, I'll see if I can't give you some instruction myself."
I flared my frills, looking down. Then, looking at the other keelish around him, I pointed at three. "You follow Brutus as well. If you're not a good fit for the Alqat, Chjell will know where to put you, so you should find him. You five, continue following Farahlia for now at least, and the rest of you, Silf is your best bet, if you can track him down."
The keelish looked at Farahlia and me in wonder. She flicked her tail, half as a shrug, and half as an "I told you so". I dismissed most of them with a flick of my hand, Krutom and the three I'd invited to follow Brutus immediately walking towards him. My head bodyguard looked at me and blinked slowly. I chuckled, not minding the extra work I'd thrown his way.
"Mrak, Hrash, with me." Brutus barked, the two more serious of the Alqat that'd accompanied us on this journey immediately falling in line. I didn't listen carefully as Brutus suggested a regiment for the four keelish, though Krutom's was different and more focused on drawing out magical power. Hearing that Brutus knew a particular method to test it was news to me, but as soon as he explained it, I understood the concept and idea of it. How the method of surrounding an individual with opportunities to subtly use an unfamiliar magic was structured reeked of Sybil's involvement and I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. She had no [System] to help her, but she remained more effective than me in planning.
You are growing.
Nievtala's presence descended on me, apparently not touching the rest of the swarm as there was no reaction. She infrequently spoke with me through the [System] now, given that I could fully understand her when she spoke. Her presence remained overwhelming, but as I'd become her Voice, I could withstand her full presence for a good measure of time.
I am. I thought back to the nosy goddess without verbalizing it. There was no need to pull the others around me into the conversation. It would be embarrassing if I couldn't or didn't.
That is good. You will need to. There are things at home you will need to address.
When I asked for additional information about that, though, Nievtala didn't answer, leaving me to decide if I would continue gathering all the lost keelish under my wing, or if I would rush back to New Nievtra and ensure that there were no problems that needed my presence.