Things had become complicated, he wouldn't deny that. He had left and now he was back to see nothing was what it was suppose to be. His own had turned against him, though he couldn't say he was too surprised by this. He would have killed them if they had not fled upon his arrival. He would hunt them down another way, now realizing he wasn't able to leave his domain again. Not like he use to. He was getting older anyways. He had loyal subjects that could do his bidding for him now. It wasn't his style, but he had to change. Change to keep his lands and those in them.
He looked upon the pride, the sun was slowly comping up and most everyone had gone to sleep apart from those who did the daily patrols. It seemed almost foreign to him. Strange, being in a place he had always been but looking at it through different eyes. The feel of the place was different. The plague had hurt them pretty bad. He had never expected something like this to happen. He looked to his side and noticed a face he hadn't seen in a while.
Silent as ever, he was. "Graen'Tae" He said to his great nephew.
As expected, Graen hadn't been noticed for a while. He moved silently and most never even noticed that he was around. It was okay, though. It was what he preferred. He didn't talk as much as most. He was looking upon the world trying to see it through Thona's eyes. He was wondering what was going through the King's mind, though dared not ask such a question. Things were tough, that much he knew.
"Welcome back" He spoke only those words. He didn't expect the king to attack him for them. It wasn't rude, it was relief that came out his mouth. Finally,things would go back to somewhat normal... Though It never will be normal. He could see it in Thona's eyes. Things were going to change, and he just hoped they'd be for the better. It was all any of them could hope for. They were broken and shattered. "It's good to see you're not dead." That was the word for a while. That was what caused the final chaos.
A half smirk crossed the King's face. "You think I'm that easy to kill?" He asked, not wanting an actual answer to his question. Surely, he'd give them the benefit of the doubt. Thona couldn't say he wasn't gone long. It had been a year at most, perhaps. He had lost count of time. His bones clinked as he flicked his tail. "Things are going to be very different from this moment on" He said with a sure tone to his voice. There was nothing easy about being a leader, and this was a small bump to prove it.
"This is the real test" He spoke to himself more than anything. His games were about to stop. It was time to become serious at what he had started. It would be something that was going to be tough for Thona, but he'd do it. Being stuck in one spot too long had never been something he could do. Though at least he could wonder within the land he had claimed as his. It wasn't too small.
Graen'Tae spoke no words. He nodded and listened. That was what he was there for. There were times when one needed to speak, and times when one knew when not to talk. He looked upon the land before him, the oasis down from where they were. It was a gorgeous site, he had to admit. But there was a sort of gloom to it. He would accept any change Thona had for them, much like everyone else that didn't flee when they heard he was back.
Many took the chance to leave, many stayed. It was not surprising on who stayed and who didn't, Graen finally admitted. It was obvious, even if they never spoken against the King, on who was on what side of the split. "We'll follow you." He finally spoke. It was more than obvious for that too.
Thona had no doubt on the loyalty of those who stayed. Those who stayed to protect his side, his throne. It was something he would forever be grateful for. Though he had thought all his members were loyal. Even after what he had did to some of them. They never once tried to do anything to suggest otherwise until now. No matter, it was spilled blood. It was the past, and it was never to happen again. He was going to learn from it.
He looked back to Graen'Tae, then without words moved away from the leopard. Not expecting him to follow. Their conversation was over, and he had things to do. Many things. There was much to work on. He will get more recruits that will help his cause. But he personally will not call to them. No, he would have someone else to do it in his stead. Something he'll have to get use to from now on. A king cannot do everything, after all.
Graen'Tae did not follow. Instead, he stood there thinking. There was much to ponder, and wonder on what was going to happen from here on. It was uncertainty that stood before them, and that was what was going to hold them strong. Yes, they will get through this mess, and yes it would become better in the long run. He flicked his tail and looked to the sky as the sun visible. Everything had become much brighter and he had not even noticed.
It was the dawn for their new day. A new start. A new story to be written, and hopefully not as bad as the last. But it was no use to dwell on the past. Just had to peer forward and continue on, learning from the mistakes of the past.
-Finished-