From within the tight embrace of the Shaklik's gut, Xarces would listen to all that was occurring around her. He hearing the roar of a much larger lizardman, the flurry of combat, and ultimately after a moment of calm, he hears the lizardess speak, presumably to his allies. Xarces silently taking a tally on the defenders she mentions they may encounter at the temple. (This shall not be easy....though as long as we are able to deliver the spices....) he thinks hopefully, as any of their number that they could eliminate from the upcoming battle would be to their benefit.<br/><br/>When the time came to part ways, he speaks up so that any in attendance would be able to hear him "Be safe, and I shall see you all at the temple!" keeping his message short, simply wanting them to know that he was, alive and well. For the moment at least, as Xarces knew not what to expect as the day unfolded. He rubbing his hand back and forth along the tight stomach lining around him, offering a wave goodbye, as well as he was able to anyways, as the lizardess turns to go.<br/><br/>During the trip to the temple Xarces would enjoy the gentle sway of her every step. The way in which her stomach quivered and pulsated so wondrously around him, gripping him loosely, threatening to mash and break him, to claim him as her own, and yet being held at bay by her own efforts. Xarces had no way of knowing how strong those stomach muscles may truly be where they to be allowed to have a go at him. Though as he tenderly caresses against them, pressing his dexterous fingers through wrinkled folds of flesh to feel the strength held within, he wagered it would be a close call whether or not he would be able to survive such an assault.  At least the acids which continued to rise around his form with every passing moment, would produce little more then a pleasurable tingle upon his celestial body. Xarces smiles as he watches the food he has released bubble around him. Her stomach gurgling happily as it works to slowly break the meal apart before his very eyes. working to turn it into a liquid mush over time, which stews against his skin, clinging and sticking to his body. Where he not resilient to her acids, he wagered these digesting food stuffs, may actually aid in his own digestion by clinging to him as it did.  (Is this what her belly would do to me.....where it given the chance? Would I be reduced to such an indistinguishable soup like substance?....) he wonders as the mere thought sends shivers of both excitement and fear down his spine. Whatever the case, he truly was fascinated by the process of digestion that was going on all around him.<br/><br/>Xarces would find time to pull away from his fascination,  nosing against the wall to get the lizardess' attention. "Thank you again.....for doing this for me.....your stomach is quite cozy I admit." he comments to her making small talk as he works to find out more about the lizardfolk who has consumed him. "Your name is Shaklik then? Such a pretty name to go with a beautiful gal." he flatter's her "So strong too, and oh so sexy...." the bard churrs, flicking his tongue out against the flesh within. "Oh the things I would love to do with you my dear....." he begins to wander, his excitement escalating...... but quickly reprimands himself "but....we must stay focused, for we both have a job to do, and we need not draw any unnecessary attention to you from my own internal attentions.....as even from within your belly here, I could treat you to such pleasures...."<br/><br/>Though it was difficult, the bard would force himself to behave, only squirming every now and again when she reached the camp. Acting as any slowly melting meal in his shoes may act after being hauled away within such an acid filled stomach. Eventually he would lie still all together, for fear it would draw  suspicion to see that whomever she had eaten was still alive and well within the steadily gurgling gut of the lizardess. He hearing her report of the victory, deliver the mules, and then even report to the high priestess herself. From the sound of her voice Xarces wonders just what this priestess may look like....being as still as he was able....his heart thuds rapidly within his chest. A fear he had suppressed about this plan threatening to manifest itself, as in his mind's eye a scene plays out. The priestess recognizing the still living being within, instructing the lizardess to expel him.....having Shaklik watch as the High priestess swallows him down, forcing her to rub her gurgling belly while Xarces is slowly and painfully digested within. Crying out in agony, his only relief being the shape of those beloved hands that rub against him, as he is broken down, and drained away to serve as little more then fuel for her reptilian body, fuel she shall use to combat his allies when they come to assault the temple. The imagery in his mind would only seem all the more real as his own eyes watch in woderment as a sealed sphincter yawns open beneath him. The digested sandwhich soup, steadily being drained away around him with an audible 'schlorp' (That could have easily been me.....I could be adding to her body at this very moment....) he realizes as he rests solemnly within her sloshing tum.<br/><br/>Luckily this event would not come to pass, as he breathes a sigh of relief when he feels her body in motion once more. Hearing her deliver a mule as a sacrifice. The bard kissing her stomach once more as he lays back to rest, feeling very much at home within the slick and slimy stomach of the lizardess. His body heat warming her throughout the day, making her efforts all the more lively as he rests contently within. He appreciating the rubs she offers him, looking forward to the moments whe he may hear her voice reach his ears once more, thankful that she continually recognized him. When her body finally comes to rest he whispers a soft good night, deciding it best to get some sleep while he was able, to prepare himself for the battle ahead.  Resisting the urge to pleasure her from within as the possibility of being discovered was not out of the question just yet.<br/><br/>Curled snugly within her, His dreams where pleasant, his rest was complete, as he would awaken to her informing him that the feast had begun. "Excellent...." he comments listening closely, his nostrils filling with the scent of the freshly cooked meat. Things seemed to be going well, with the blackscales eagerly dinning on the tainted meat. Though Shaklik's increased heart rate would only serve to worry him. She mentioning how the poison dusk may be unaffected "It's fine my dear, it's fine, if some are unaffected it's fine, you have done all I asked, you have done well. We shall take it from here...." he reassures her as he did not want her to panic or feel as if she had failed him. He would only truly worry when she speaks of the priestess, most importantly of it<span style="font-style: italic"> 'devouring us whole' </span>, Shaklik asking him directly what she wants him to do for the first time. A fear gripping his heart once more, as the images he imagined whle she spoke to the priestess flood back into his mind, this time however the powerful acids of the priestess gurgle around not Xarces but, Shaklik, as her own stomach glorps and groans around him in turn. Her body being stripped away as the stomach of the priestess works to get to the celestial center of the lizardess she has consumed....<br/><br/>Xarces shakes his head (no....) he tells himself refusing to let that happen. The bard takes a moment to collect himself, and with a deep breath he begins slowly massaging her tummy "Calm down Shaklik, relax. Tell me what you mean?  when she realizes what? that the food is drugged or that there is not enough?...." he asks his voice soothing and relaxed "She will not devour you my sweet, I will not allow it. If you fear that you may be in danger, then leave, slip away, claim that you are feeling sick,  do whatever it takes to escape into the jungle. From there you may release me, and then we can wait together until the moment of our attack. I will not leave your side no matter what happens....." he informs her, taking a deep breathe as he knew she may not like what he was about to say next, though he knew it was a possibility and he wanted her to be prepared for it "and if...if the priestess comes for you, if you are stopped or accused and cannot get yourself out......then spit me back up. I will convince them of your innocence, I will slay them where they stand.....or I will suffer in your place my sweet.... Should things turn sour I want you to promise me that you will escape, no matter what happens during the coming moments, during the battle, I want you to remain safe." he says, the care evident in his voice as he could not bear to see any harm come her way on his behalf.