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 Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 2:16 pm
The scent of death was pungent among the bones and refuse of the graveyard. But even as she moved, her body remembered the familiar feeling. The ground beneath her- which was more dust then earth. The stagnant air- the quiet. When she had been a cub, this place had represented danger and adventure. Now, she sought it out with every intention of finding a bit of hope amongst the death.
If she was even still here.
Even before they had set out, this part of their plans had been laid out. They would travel to the desert and Kidondo’s kingdom. They would see if the king could see reason. And then they would return- for, it had only been a lackluster hope that Kimeti would see reason. Now for the third step of their plan: they would need to find Nuri, Kidondo’s old friend and firekin herself. But how serious had she been in their planning? They’d been only children then. Did she ever expect them to return to her? Or had she sent them expecting their deaths, or that they would lose faith and turn away from the path? The black cat shifted. Kidondo though- he always had faith in Nuri. No hoped the faith would pay off. They needed a mind like Nuri’s on their side. They needed formation, and they needed it before the exodus in the rogue lands over-took.
The graves were huge though- even larger then she remembered it in her mind. They’d split up to search for the elder- for this was no longer a place which held power over them. The black lioness strode brazenly before hyenas and worthless refuse of society- an adult now, with a steady face and a smooth walk.
One thing hadn’t changed though. She liked the feeling of the shadows playing across her body- and how she could easily maneuver about undetected if she wished it. For now though- she walked in plain sight amongst the grey, her head up and the end of her tail slowly swaying.
To say she wasn’t going to try to make an impression would have been an understatement. After all- it had been her role in all of this that the older female had the most shaking faith in. She was rather determined to show Nuri, and any firekin female, just what a force they'd signed on to.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 5:53 am
The last time Kidondo had been here he had hidden in the shadows and crept in the darkness to avoid being seen. Now, however, he had no such fears. He strode with steps that portrayed strength and determination. Nothing would get in the way of him and Nuri now, nothing. No slobbering hyenas, no disgusting scavengers. He'd bite out their throats this time. No more running. No more hiding. Not anymore.
He held his head high, enjoying the feel of the firm ground beneath his paws. Every so often the path would lead him over a pile of bones and he'd growl with satisfaction as the brittle objects crunched beneath his huge paws.
He cast a glance towards No and smiled. This place somehow brought out the beauty in her, a beauty that seemed to deepen the tones of her fur and bring out a shine in her eyes. Queen of the Graveyard perhaps, though he preferred seeing the contrast of her dark pelt against gold.
Queen of the desert.
He gave a sigh of satisfaction at that and released a slow rumbling purr. "Looks like we'll have our work cut out finding her." He replied. "Unless..." He trailed off. He could roar, he could call to her and then she would be before them quicker than a blink of an eye...but was it worth the risk?
"Unless we announce our presence." He gave her a little daring smirk and there was a spark of mischief in his eyes.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:16 am
The lands of death held no sense of time, each breeze brushing across a stilled space that held nothing for those that wandered. For months, the hyenas savaged through the dust, making sure that the slim line between their lands and the lion's pride was kept secure, if not expanded to their advantage. And still, if some were lucky, elephants would come and take their final rest, and a meal would be served, but even those times were few if not none at all.
Through all of this, a pair of blood red eyes watched with a seasoned gaze, having secluded herself from her past as she waited for the news of her prince. She had turned away from Finar-si many months ago, and yet held such commitment to Ondo that her mate had used towards the goddess, so much that some nights she would question herself with horror. Even the doubts plagued her dreams of what could have come to the prince and the shadow that once followed him. So many doubts that haunted her that she found herself tempted to flee the lands and meet him at his home, go against the order of waiting and just doing what she dreamed.
So, as the day spread out like many other, the lioness looked out with her seasoned gaze in search for something new. While she may not have caught sight of No if lucky, she knew her skill would bring sight to the prince once he came back. The only thing she had to do now was wait, patiently for her time to step up and fight for the pride that had gone so astray.
That was her duty, and if the prince told her to fight to her death, Nuri would do so with pride and honor. She would do anything for the cause that they fought for.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 11:35 am
The black cat turned her head towards Kidondo as he approached, letting a smile cross her face as he did. Something about smiles in this place- they seemed obnoxious or improper. ‘Let it feel obnoxious.’ She mused to herself as he caught back up. ‘Nothing in this place can shake us down.’ He was speaking now and she caught the spark of mischief- and let it travel to her own face as well.
“Announce ourselves?” She purred. “And startle all the hyenas waiting for vengence?” She teased. It brought back strange memories. To think at a time that had been the most shocking and terrible experience of her young life! Slobbering dogs. She’d love for them to show their faces so she could rip them off. Hyenas and worthless shadows were nothing compared to what they mounted against. As he pulled beside her, she rested her shoulder upon his.
“But, I’m sure Nuri would expect nothing less. We’re not ones to go lightly, anymore.” The black cat commented- but waited first for Kidondo to call. She did not doubt it was his voice Nuri listened for somewhere in these graves.
She only hoped the female had not gone the way of this place.
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 12:17 am
"Let them come for their vengeance, if they dare." Truthfully Kidondo doubted the hyensas would even spy on them if they heard the roars of fully grown lions, especially if there were more than one. Besides, if they dared show their faces he'd make sure they never set eyes on a lion again. He huffed and lowered his head to rub his mane against No's neck.
"The time for hiding is done with." He agreed. "Even fifty of those slobbering creatures wouldn't stop us now."
Then pausing in step he raised his head and roared, pushing the sound up from his strong lungs and into existance. He hadn't roared true for a long time and now with his new matured voice it sounded better than before. He cut it off short however, and paused, ears pert and listening for any reply.
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 5:17 am
Everything in her being stilled as soon as the first echo passed across the silence. A roar that very few dared to voice danced through the death and decay, filling every crevice with the declaration that someone was there, someone Nuri felt was quite familiar. Moving to slowly stand, she waited a moment after the voice faded away, unsure if it was just her mind that connected the roar or if her prince really did return.
Shaking her head a moment later, she took a deep breath before letting out her own echo, a deep and rich sound that called back, alerting whoever was out there that she was here and she was listening. Though while he cut his off, she continued on, daring them to come if they wern't the Prince.
And so, she waited once again, her stance now held with a bit of a stress. Hope lined her eyes, though later she would never admit it, but for now she let it shine.
"Your highness...have you returned at last?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:01 pm
No waited a careful moment to let Kidondo’s roar racket across the grey walls and bones. They were a team, that was for sure- but she wasn’t going to ever deny him moments like that, even though they may seem small. Once the roar came into it’s falling- she added her own, the low throaty call of a lioness- just in case Nuri had forgotten her. And with that thought, a sly grin passed across her face once more.
In the distance she heard animals scurry, some out of fear, others perhaps curious- and the black cat let her head stretch out in a lofty manner to remind the non-lions where they stood on the earth.
It was quiet for a long moment- and then, a response from the swirling dust. An eagerness fluttered into her that she was not expecting- and No took a step forward. Nuri had waited! “Let’s go meet her then,” She spoke to Kidondo, her jade eyes flashing in the shadows.
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Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 12:49 pm
He stood still, sides shivering with each small breath as he listened. Beside him No joined in the calling and then, from seemingly nowhere came Nuri's reply. She was here! His heart leapt with joy. Things were slowly slotting into place and the lioness who was possibly the most important follower they could have had been easier to find than he had expected.
He caught No's glare and that single look filled him with life. He smiled, a mischievious smile a juvenile might wear when it knew it was about to nose-dive into some foolish action. But Kidondo kenw this wasn't foolish, in fact this was possibly the best step they had taken so far.
He swept forwards, brushing against No's side as he passed by, eager to start up a chase, a game that would lead them right into Nuris's paws. Each loping stride thundered the ground beneath his thick, wide paws. Stray bones cracked beneath clawed toes and as he launched himself over a pile of bones and clattered noisily down the other side he saw her.
Nuri.
"Remember us, Lady of the Fire?" He spoke and surprisingly he wore a smile on his face. The expression had been very difficult for him, even as a cub. He had always seemed the emotionless shell, ever thoughtful but ever silent. He was beginnign to realise, though, that a silent King was no use. He had to put himself in a position of authority and that meant the wise use of words. It didn't mean he would throw them casually, everything he said was well-thought out and planned, but amongst friends he could relax - for now.
"We've returned with news at long last."
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:43 am
((Sorry for such a large delay, I just started college and didn't have much time for anything ;; ))
Her form loomed on the high perch, standing tall as her roar echoed and extended for seemingly forever. She pushed the doubts away before they could even rise, and just narrowed her blood red eyes in an effort to scout her prince out early. Claws dug tightly and deeply into the soft earth, killing the already dead lands as she pushed as high as she could go, ears perking slowly to catch any noise that dared float her way.
So, as soon as the form of the large male came out, she took a step toward the edge of her perch, breath catching and eyes narrowing into thin slits. It took a moment for her to recognize the larger form, and silently she wondered if indeed so much time had past. Months had gone by while she waited, a statue in the land of death as her cubs thrived and moved on, and her mate disappeared from her memory. All that mattered now was her prince, and the promise both had made. Finally, it had come true.
Lowering herself, she jumped down from the ledge of her makeshift den, landing with ease as her limbs cushioned the fall. Pushing up slowly, she rose with her own regal air, easily slipping into her strong self. It was not an act, but a way of life to the firekin, and as she moved slowly towards the two newcomers, she held her pride in hopes of pleasing her king, though her eyes trailed to his side the closer she got.
As she met both half way, she studied the dark form that shadowed the prince, before a slow pleased smirk crossed her maw. Nodding once to No, she snapped her gaze back upon the looming form of the male, and lowered her head in a respectful greeting.
"Never would I have forgotten you, my Prince, my King."
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:03 am
The black cat nodded her head respectfully as the female approached, and then sat dutifully besides to Kidondo- her neck sweeping to the side to watch the rolls of dust and nothingness swirl around the vagrant landscape. She inhaled and snorted the smell out. This place didn’t suit one of Nuri’s kind- or any lion, for that matter. Hopefully these would be the last of her days around such a loathsome place. Even death in the desert was better then wasting away in the grey.
“Hello Nuri.” She smiled after Kidondo had spoken. She was glad Nuri hadn’t forgotten them- not that she had ever allowed the possibility to find it’s way into her head. The last thing they needed was wavering hope.
But with that- she looked to Kidondo to relay to Nuri what had happened on their attempt of negotiations with the king. Chance were, however, that Nuri already suspected what had gone down in the desert.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:07 am
His eyes shone. He had missed Nuri. He had missed her cool attitude, her wise mannerisms and the sharp, intelligent look in her eyes. That look was rare to find in the eyes of a Firekin now, though he had found it easily in the eyes of rogues. No had been one of those to captivate him with her eyes.
He wanted to look at her now but knew he had to focus on the task at paw. He could admire her later. For now he had a report to relay. He would be quick, to the point and blunt. There was no point flowering up this situation. "Lady Nuri." He began solemnly. "We bring trouble in our shadows but hope also. We arrived at the desert and began our search for rebels in the forces. There are many there, many of them young, but as suspected there are also a good number of traditionalists, possibly more than I had anticipated. A mistake on my part, we were uncovered and my father discovered the truth about his wayward son." He paused and bowed his head. "I don't have to tell you that he didn't take it well. He banished us, probably would have killed us if we had stayed much longer. Worse still, Ripuka saw the event, no doubt they'll be plotting just in case we make a return."
He raised his head then. "But there was one good thing that came of this. There are others living in the lands who think like this. When we return in full force, I am sure they will rise to join us."
He glanced at No. "And luckily for us, rogues have prooved rather interested in our plight." He curled his tail. "It would be good to have you on our side too, Nuri."
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