Chapter 42

[User has discovered the method of evolving Skill: Dominance. Condition: Dominate and subjugate 100 creatures. Current progress: 29/100]

I had, for the first time, learned how to evolve one of my [Skills]. I had known that there were some that could, and which they were, but I knew nothing about the methods to do so. Now, finally, I had at least a hint of how I might learn how to evolve each [Skill]. How would those that could evolve change with evolution? Would [Bloodlust] make me lose more of myself or less? How would [Pack Tactics] change, since I had no idea what it really did for me now? And what would the improved [Dominance] do to those around me?

Regardless, progress was progress, and power was power. I would need it on my path that I would carve for myself. And while paying Viilor back in kind for the betrayal I'd suffered was one of the necessary stops on that journey, it wouldn't be the end. I now knew the barest hint of what keelish once were, had heard of the Keel, and I had every intention of becoming one. If I ended up establishing an empire as that of old in the process, then so be it.

It was interesting to me, though, that I had gained a +1 to both Intelligence and Magic without finishing a [Quest]. Why was that?

[Even if the user does not have a Quest displayed, there is a possibility of completing a Quest that the user is unaware of. The User completed the Quest "gain leadership over the whole brood." The increase in Stats was from that Quest's completion.]

Nice to know, though I wished I had a full [Quest] list… As I further scanned my [Status], I noted that that while I had [Dominated] every member of Shemira's pack sufficiently to count for its evolution, many of them were not yet considered my followers in terms of my evolution. Regardless, though, it was just a question of time with Sybil's assistance. I couldn't begin to imagine how Tieran had so easily cast her aside. She was so much more valuable than Shemira in every way that there had to be something–

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. Keelish could manipulate parts of magic even before developing some organ that would allow them to do so more easily. It could be some sort of an intrinsic [Skill] or magical ability that Shemira had been born with? Or developed since hatching. If I thought about it in such terms, it seemed to work exclusively on males, given Tieran's malleability, and that all ten of her found followers were male. I needed to make sure that she didn't have long periods with any of the males, at least until her support system was entirely eradicated.

Finally thinking of it, I was glad that my two greatest living supporters were Took and Sybil. I forced myself not to think of Oncli as I realized that I had as near a lock as could be expected to protect me and my continued leadership from Shemira. Took and Sybil… which one should be my Beta? Sybil was right, that order would be the main thing that could provide me with stability and strength moving forward, but both had intrinsic roles that I needed them to continue to fulfill in the pack, especially as it continued to grow.

I stopped thinking so much about it, and allowed myself to settle in to rest. My sleep was fitful and plagued by dreams of chasing for something I couldn't see or remember, or running away from something unseen and menacing while my legs were trapped in a mire. 

Waking was an escape from my nightmares, and I literally shook the feeling from my mind. I hadn't rested well, and I was ready to move on. I stood and as I walked to the exit, I heard the scraping of scales and a quiet disapproving voice. Looking around the corner, I saw Sybil speaking to Shemira, who interrupted, speaking with a saccharine sweet voice.

"I just wanted to get myself clean, there's no problem with that."

Shemira was indeed covered with the gore of the hunt, I could smell it on her. Sybil was completely unaffected.

"Then you should go take a bath."

"Great!" Without further ado, Shemira turned and tried to enter into my personal quarters. 

Sybil, though smaller than Shemira, reached out and yanked hard on Shemira's tail with one arm.

"If you continue to disregard my commands, you will regret it, Shemira."

"You couldn't do anything to me before, and you can't now." Shemira turned and almost cutely poked Sybil's snout. "You're smart and useful. That's all."

"Better than whatever you are." My voice cut through the foolishness. With a start, Shemira turned to me while Sybil, who'd seen my approach, settled into a more relaxed stance. Shemira was willing to push into Sybil physically, but not with me present, so immediately Shemira assumed a demure stance as if she hadn't just been bulling over Sybil.

"I hope you rested well Ashlani! How are you feeling?" She looked up to me, eyes somehow glinting even though I wasn't perceiving her with my eyes. I completely disregarded her as I looked to Sybil.

"Sybil, what is the punishment for disobeying one's superiors?" We had never spoken about this, but with Sybil's nature, I was sure she would have thought about it extensively. I wasn't disappointed.

"We have yet to ever have to implement them, but they are reduced rations, additional labor, and isolation."

"Which would you suggest that Shemira be punished with?"

"Her offenses thus far are minor, simple additional den excavation should function sufficiently." Shemira, though obviously off-put by my immediate command of punishment, seemed to be relieved by her sentence before Sybil continued, "Though she will complete her assignment without assistance." Shemira tried to disguise her instant disgust but failed. "Go tell Etre that you are to dig the new latrine alone."

Shemira looked to me, pleading, and I nodded in Etre's direction. After another moment's hesitation she strode off, alluringly swiveling her hips and tail as she went.

"She's more dangerous than she looks." I muttered to myself, and Sybil flared her frills in agreement. "Why did you choose that punishment?"

"The work itself is somewhat demeaning for her. She thinks of herself as above the masses, that her position is one of a supervisor, at best, when it comes to labor. In addition, she wishes to push onto the rest of the brook the idea that she is superior to all except you, so keeping her from her supporters for any extended time will be effective both to loosen her grasp over them as well as to firm our own."

"Do you think she'll be more pliant after I officially designate you and Took as my Betas?"

A pause. "There can only be one, Alpha."

"Why?"

"That is how order works. There is an order to all things, and all things must be in that order if they are to be truly 'ordered'."

"Seems arbitrary."

"... No." There was a hint of sullen in Sybil's voice and I couldn't hold back the light chuckle. It felt good, pulled me out of my remaining anger just a bit. 

"Gather the brood. I'm going to make an announcement to them all."