#Implied ZokSa

[candythemew]

     There he stood. Looming over the makeshift cradle protectively. Inside the altar turned resting place, laid a small skekling. Rustled up and shivering against the red cloth that lay in the altar’s centre. A handcrafted garment insulated with azure feathers that smelt of salt and the sea. SkekZok had found it alongside the small one when he had first found the skekling a few weeks after he had… Well, he’d rather not dwell on what he had done. That was in the past; and he had to do whatever he needed to do to secure his place at the emperor’s left hand. Even if it tore what little was left of his cold black heart asunder.

     The skekling shifted around. Letting out soft cries as it attempted to get comfortable. It hadn’t grown in all its feathers yet so life was just a little bit harder for the mewling infant. It nuzzled it’s face into the feathered cloth, finding comfort in it’s familiar scent. But the cold castle air made the small bundle quiver. SkekZok pulled something out of his sleeve. It was ornate and plush. A blanket perfectly tailored to the skekling’s needs. He had commissioned the Ornamentalist to fashion some fabric into a baby blanket. It would help keep the newborn warm and safe. One of the duties SkekZok had to perform was making sure that the little one’s body temperature was always at a safe level. As well as many other things. He had to check, feed, and monitor the skekling multiple times daily to ensure the small one’s survival. This was the task he had been assigned… the task he had accepted.

     The Ritual Master reached out a clawed hand to place the blanket on the childling. Initially spooked by SkekZok’s scent, the skekling attempted to back away chirping noisily. It could barely crawl and it’s eyes were still fastened tightly shut, so it only fell back into the palm of The Ritual Master. Just as he had planned. He slightly lifted up the babe, swaddling the infant in the thick blanket. Making sure to bring the garment it adored oh so much close to it’s face to ensure it was comfortable. The skekling’s cries diminished as it nuzzled into the feathered cloth. The combination of the warmth that enveloped them, and the feathers that brushed against their cheek lulled them into a deep sleep.

     SkekZok sighed as he looked over the skekling’s sleeping form. It was peaceful. It’s breathing slow and calm like the ebb and flow of a wave. Looking at it rest peacefully almost made him as calm as it was. This was something he hadn’t felt in trine. Soon he found His thoughts wandering back to when he first brought the little one to the castle…

     Many of the Skeksis court questioned SkekZok when he returned to them with a trembling childling in hand. When he was sent away, his task was to persue the traitorous Mariner to get her out of the way of the empire’s plans. So, he was sent away. Being the bearer of the news of SkekSa’s failure and betrayal, as well as one of her closest “friends”. SkekZok was the perfect candidate to pursue her. As well as a smart one due to his knowledge of all the places she may try to hide away. He knew all the little things that made her tick. Although as hard as he looked, he never found her. Far and low, never a trace. Except for one thing… A cry.

     It had turned out that The Mariner had carried a child with someone. He had found her childling in the company of ruthless Sifan mariners. Who SkekZok had claimed were torturing the poor whelp and were about to drown it before he had bravely intervened; Slaughtering them all mercilessly. Taking the small wriggling creature back with him. Suspicion naturally arose when he told his tale. It seemed a bit… Convenient. Had it not have been for his slashed and torn robes and a fresh cut on his cheek left by a sword they would’ve assumed he was bluffing… Maybe he was.

     Everyone could tell the child was SkekSa’s. Her striking appearance was unmistakable on the little creature. But who was the Sire? Whoever it was must be punished.

     The punishment for an unmated pair to produce a skekling was severe. Especially for one to be birthed from a traitor! SkekZok had known this law well. After all, he made it himself as per the emperor’s request so that a very small amount of skeklings would ever be born. He swore that he would gladly deal an appropriate punishment to whoever the father might have been. As soon as they found out whoever that could be. The Ritual Master told the court that He had no idea who the sire was, as he had found it in Gelfling hand. The skekling was also far too young to tell apart any features aside from the ones it’s mother bestowed upon it. But he would find the father, and a fitting punishment would be served! …So he told the court…

     The other Skeksis cackled at the thought of some pathetic peer being mercilessly punished and humiliated for a period of days or even weeks in front of the whole court. Oh what a sight to behold! What exotic punishments would be deployed? Something awful to be sure. A crime on this scale was to be dealt with painfully. But before they all got too ahead of themselves, SkekSo the Emperor slammed his staff on the ground. Directing everyone’s attention back to him. As well as making the newly found skekling cry from the shock.

     “We must not forget what we have here.” The emperor spoke in a mighty tone. “Another life, another mouth to feed! …But also another addition to our legacy.” He continued as he stood up tall.

     “We ARE ETERNAL! And this… childling…” he hissed. Looking it up and down. Flashing a disgusted grimace that soon turned into a wicked smirk crept across his rotten face.

     “Although a bastard— it immortalizes our legacy here!”

     ”The Mariner was one of our finest warriors. Surely her child will follow in her footsteps.” He concluded. His hand elegantly motioning through the air as he spoke.

     “A new light be shall soon shine through our empire through the sins of those who betrayed us! Our glory shall be sung to the end of time and BEYOND!” The Emperor shouted triumphantly!

     The others cheered loudly at the speech SkekSo had given. Chattering incoherently amongst themselves. A few gossiping, Others sending suspicious looks SkekZok’s way. The Ritual Master was cold and cunning. Never caring for another soul other than himself, the law, and the phony cult he had called a religion. To “rescue” a traitor’s childling was extremely out off character. Especially a bastard childling. He had been the one to create the law against them hadn’t he?

     SkekZok The Ritual Master stood tall, making himself known and dignified. The other’s petty gossip did not phase him. He knew where he stood. He was loyal. He puffed out his chest and spoke:

     “My emperor. I am the one who found this skekling. I see that it should only make sense that I should be the one to see to it’s well-being and care.” The Ritual Master stated clearly. The frightened skekling squealing pathetically as it attempted to hide itself amongst the folds of his golden robes.

     “I only see it fit Ritual Master. You were very close to SkekSa after all.” SkekSo remarked with a click of his beak and a twirling toss of his staff.

“But if it shall interfere with any of your duties I will not hesitate to have the sniveling thing taken from your hand and given to the Scientist. SkekTek could always use more… “Volunteers” The Emperor snickered with a large toothy grin as he looked SkekTek’s way.

     SkekZok barely contained the snarl he was about to let out at the emperor— But he bit his lip and accepted the terms through clenched teeth.

     “I shall see to it then My Emperor.” He bowed.

      SkekZok’s attention naturally gravitated to SkekShod the Treasurer. Who had remained silent the entire time that SkekZok had shown the newborn to the court. He stood playing cat’s cradle with some golden thread. Although he may have seemed aloof, in reality he was soaking in all the information he had just received from this meeting intently. Deep in thought, he returned the gaze of The Ritual Master.

     “Come Treasurer, I require your assistance.” SkekZok beckoned to his closest ally. Skekshod lifted his hunched head and nodded. Following close behind as the two made their way into SkekZok’s cathedral.      The tall gold-adorned skeksis led his ally into an old room hidden behind the echoing halls of the chapel. It was once a meditation chamber used by SkekZok to receive visions from Thra, although he quickly abandoned it once the visions wouldn’t tell him he wanted to hear. This would become the newly adopted Skeksis’s room until something more appropriate was constructed. It was a wise choice. Being one of the safest rooms in the holy place. There were no weapons, no bloodstains… Dry and hidden away, with not many remembering its existence. Only adding to the feeling of safety.

     “Skekshod. I want you to hold the skekling as I empty the altar of the water inside. Together we will create a temporary nursery for this little one until it has its own quarters.”

     He passed over the overwhelmed skekling to The Treasurer. The babe still lost and scared, continued to sharply cry. It’s mewling echoing throughout the dimly lit room as Skekshod confusingly tried to carry it properly. Holding the weeping infant upside-down.

     “The one with the power blesses us for caring for his chosen and lost. Remember that as you endure it’s squealing and scratching.” The Ritual Master recited as he prepared a place for the skekling.

     Soon... things were starting to get hazy… Memories and reality blurring until he was brought back to the present… SkekZok quickly shook his head from side to side. Ah. He had been day dreaming of the unum’s events. Had it really been a whole unum? It went by too fast. That didn’t seem right. Although… nothing seemed right anymore. The world was never a simple place and he knew it. And it never would be that wonderful, simple place ever again. Not after what he had done to her… But the brief moments of relief he felt when he would care for this strange childling was all worth it.

     Taking a quick look around the chamber he noticed nobody but a few podling servants lighting candles. Good. As it should be. Once he knew he was all alone and not a sound could be heard; he lowered his large skeletal head down to the altar. Nuzzling the skekling’s soft cheek with the tip of what remained of his snout. He smiled subtly as the baby yawned and stretched. It’s gangly little limbs reaching out to him as he brushed against them. The skekling grabbed at his face with an exhausted peep, but soon grew tired again. Turning to face the opposite direction as it continued to sleep peacefully.

     The Ritual Master slowly removed his head from the cradle with a quiet hoarse chuckle. He smiled as he brushed it’s cheek one more time with his fingertips. Ever so careful as to not cut open it’s tender skin with his talons. He then stood up straight with an unmistakable wheeze as he sighed.

     “There is much I must attend to little one. May the one with the power bless you and keep you.”

     After reciting his blessing, his face returned to its natural scowl as he left the room to attend to the rest of his daily rituals and duties. He looked as if nothing had changed in his life. And everything was the same way it had been for the last 1,000 trine. Good. That’s how it should be. He was just The Ritual Master. Left hand to the Lord of all of Thra. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep his power intact. Not even a little childling that had grasped his heart tightly in its little azure claws. Or at least that’s what he would let the world see.

     “MmmMmMmMmmM…”

…A familiar whimper could be heard echoing within the cathedral.

[candythemew]

I’ll Keep You Safe.