Chinedu:
It was a rather cloudy day that spoke of the rain that had hit through the night but it was still pleasantly warm. Chinedu was enjoying splashing in the lingering puddles while his father laid near the tactician. After all, rainy days were the best for a lion to get some sleep and his leg wasn't all healed. He watched his son bounce and bound around and yawned.
This continued until, while chasing a butterfly, Nedu had wandered a bit out from his father and bumped into a stranger. He shook his head and glanced up, grinning. "Hi! What's your name?" He questioned without hesitation. "I'm Chinedu!"
Eyal:
The golden pelted male stared down at the cub and bared his teeth in annoyance. "Go away, runt. I don't have time to waste on you."
Chinedu:
He flattened his ears slightly. "I was just sayin' hi..." He grumbled.
Nyack:
Seeing the new male's teeth bared, and toward his son no less, Nyack let out a growl to alert the tactician and bounded his way in front of his son, baring his own teeth. "Who are you?"
Eyal:
"Ah, I take it this is your son..." He scanned Nyack's build with a sneer. "I see the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I'm in search of females to further my pride."
Nyack:
Nyack let out a deeper growl as the other lion insulted his child. "There are none for you in this Troupe."
Eyal:
"Troupe?" Eyal bolstered suddenly glaring. "The one run by the Cheetah who believes himself to be a lion?" He narrowed his eyes at Nyack both now on the offensive.
Chinedu:
Nedu backed away from the fight that was sure to ensue and bolted toward Taban. "Uncle Taban!"
Taban:
Taban glanced over a shoulder at the growl. He'd been laying stretched out on a boulder watching Feng run the hyena squires through their daily drills. His eyes narrowed slightly, but aside from that his expression remained unchanged.
He craned his neck and gave a faint bark. Lucia and Fubar both emerged from the shade of a tree just off to the left of where he'd been laying. The two split off in either direction as Taban leaped from the boulder and paced calmly over.
"Good afternoon. It is not common that we meet someone who knows of us." He spoke calmly and offered the stranger a slight tip of his head. "Is there something we can do for you? Lost your way perhaps?"
Nyack:
Both lions were ready to go at it until Taban showed himself. Nyack looked to his leader before reluctantly straightening up, snorting at Eyal distastefully.
Eyal:
Eyal greeted Taban with cold eyes. "Not lost enough for help from the likes of you and your snaked tongues." He responded taking a step forward. His chest was puffed out in a challenging manner. "I know of your kind. You spread lies to manipulate others to doing as you wish to gain favors of prides." He gave a slight show of his teeth. "I'm merely out to strengthen my kind and keep rif-raf like you away from it."
Nyack:
"Don't talk to him that way!" Nyack snarled, standing in front of Taban and ready for a fight.
Eyal:
"What is he? Your Master? Do you bark when he tells you? Or did you learn to do that by yourself?" The salmon-maned lion challenged back, hackles rising.
Taban:
"Now now." Taban shook his head and stepped forward, past Nyack, and a few mere inches from the taller, stronger feline. "There is no reason for hostility." His green eyes glanced between the two lions camly, then rested on those of Eyal.
"I am the leader of the troupe, yes, but I am no more a master than a rock a fish...and I would appreciate if you would not patronize my -friend-." He flicked the tip of his tail. "I don't believe I caught your name."
Nyack:
Nyack shied back still keeping his gaze locked on Eyal. He'd lost his cool and he dipped his head in apology to the cheetah. When Taban mentioned he was a friend he lifted his head with pride.
Eyal:
"But you don't deny your deceitful tendencies." He challenged. The male snorted and straightened himself. "I am Eyal, Warrior Chief of the En Gedi Pride and the King's adviser."
Taban:
"Introductions before explanations I always say." Taban smirked, "And I am Taban of the Chokwe Troupe- the firebringers. And no, I do not deny that deception is in our game. No more than you can deny that claws are not a part of your paws or fangs your mouth."
He slowly lifted his head. "However, it is how you use such tools and whom they are used for...and who they are used against that define one's character, wouldn't you say? It is slightly unfair to judge simply based on one aspect of strategy. As an adviser yourself, or shall I say- a fellow tactician- should understand that."
Eyal:
Eyal gained a triumphant look in his eyes. "Deception is deception, no matter how you use it. As an advisor I make sure that my King knows all the facts. Why disguise the truth of the matter? It is you who made your entire beinging your strategy." He stares down at the cheetah with narrowed green eyes. "You who only look out for our own gain. After all, your made of deception, aren't you? Tell me Cheetah, where is that roar of yours? Or has the wind yet to give it back to your kind?"
Taban:
Taban's lips slowly curled into a smirk, "Am I to believe that you are so...noble that you would not decieve an enemy to spare an ally?" He stepped forward and began slowly circling.
"As for my roar..." His eyes narrowed, "I already have a roar....it is a sound shared by any who have come to live within this troupe. It is a sound that even the thunder trembles before, but it is a sound that even the footsteps of a mouse would drown out...."
He came to a stop between the two lions once more and flicked his tail. "Our roar...will one day thunder over the savannah long after our bodies have become dust on the wind. Even the most mighty of lions...cannot claim to have such an ability... my roar- no..." He glanced back to Nyak and the others, then slowly back to Eyal. "Is the roar of a legend."
Eyal:
"I am far more noble then you." He growled when Taban started to circle, never letting his eyes down off the cheetah. His body tense and prepared for a strike.
"A roar between lairs and theives is still just that. The echo of those who don't deserve it." He shifted his shoulders, his claws digging into the dirt. "You're a fool to think that anyone would even lift their heads for such a roar. It will die out in the wind just like you shall." He glanced down at Chinedu who was hidding between Lucia's paws. "I bet you don't even know why the cheetah lost its roar, do you kid? Its because just like this one, they're used deciet."
Nyak:
"Don't fill my son with your lies." Nyack snapped, glancing at Taban for permission to run him off.
Taban:
"Hm...", Taban smirked and took a slow step forward and stood himself up as tall as possible, his eyes narrowing on Eyal's. "It reminds me of a story.... a story of a rogue and a guard...."
He glanced back to Nedu and winked, then began to circle once more, "The rogue came from noble lineage...his family had large plots of land, rich, fat herds contained within their territory, and water more pure than the mind of a child....unfortunately, the prince lost his family, and soon his land, his riches, and all that he had once.... and to what? A would-be king who claimed that the territory would be granted to those of his pride..."
He came around once more, "But this is where our story twists.... the prince became a rogue... his band of misfits such as himself began taking back what had been stolen from not only them, but the smaller prides of the land and returning it to them. The guards rose up against the rogues in the name of justice, slandering their names. They became thieves, criminals...filth..."
He tipped his head, "Now tell me...what is worse? To be virtuous for the wrong reason? Or to be deceptive for the right? It is all a matter of perspective."
Chinedu:
Nedu lifted his ears and moved forward to listen better.
Eyal:
Eyal let a deep growl out of the back of his throat. "The Prince should have fought against the would-be king and won his right. If it were truly wrong the guards would not defend it. The Prince is the one who fell from power. It is his fault what occured if he couldn't even protect his own standing in his pride." He started to circle Taban in return. "But you completely ignored what I truly asked. How the cheetah's lost their precious roar. Its a punishment. You've told your little tale, time to tell mine."
He glared at the group around Taban then smirked at their leader. "Once upon a time, there was no distiction between lions, cheetahs, leapords and the other cats. We were one. That was until different gifts were given to each. The lions got power, the cheetah speed, the leapords the ability to climb and so forth. Everyone of us still carried our roar to display we were one. The cheetahs took it upon themselves to believe they were the leaders of the pride. They believed that their speed and beauty entilted them to leadership and did nothing to aid the pride. If anyone complained they would use their snake tongues to send them on their way. While the other's worked to ensure the pride stayed together, the cheetahs raced the wind and tried to capture her to make themselves faster but did nothing for their 'family'. Time wore on and the factions began to argue amongst themselves and looked to their 'leaders' but they were far to busy to be bothered with such a task of quelling their kingdom. Wind herself, decended from the Heavens and told the cheetahs if they continued to chase her she would take something precious. She told them the pride was failing but still they would not listen. So she took their roar as the pride fell appart and the different groups sepperated. From then on, the cheetah has saught after its roar. It is a punishment to remind them of their arrogance and their trechary."
Taban:
Taban's expression never faltered. Once the lion had finished his speech, the cheetah threw his head back and laughed without restraint. "Aaaahhhh sadly, there are a few flaws in your tale. Clever, I must admit, but flawed..." He rolled his shoulders and stepped back up to the lion, "You see..." He reached up to bat at a golden feather hanging from his mantle, "I not only chaised the wind...but I caught her. And rather than ask for my roar- a purely selfish request- I released her... as any decent gentleman will to a lady worthy of his attention...."
His tone grew louder, stronger, "The second time I catch her...I will ask her name. The third time- I will ask for the roar that will bring this troupe, this family.... into the legends of every pride...every troupe...every rogue. Roar until you have lost your breath, mighty guard.... say what you will. But one day, my friend....you may just find yourself deceiving for the right reason."
Chinedu:
Nedu lifted his ears and moved forward to listen better.
Eyal:
Eyal let a deep growl out of the back of his throat. "The Prince should have fought against the would-be king and won his right. If it were truly wrong the guards would not defend it. The Prince is the one who fell from power. It is his fault what occured if he couldn't even protect his own standing in his pride." He started to circle Taban in return. "But you completely ignored what I truly asked. How the cheetah's lost their precious roar. Its a punishment. You've told your little tale, time to tell mine."
He glared at the group around Taban then smirked at their leader. "Once upon a time, there was no distiction between lions, cheetahs, leapords and the other cats. We were one. That was until different gifts were given to each. The lions got power, the cheetah speed, the leapords the ability to climb and so forth. Everyone of us still carried our roar to display we were one. The cheetahs took it upon themselves to believe they were the leaders of the pride. They believed that their speed and beauty entilted them to leadership and did nothing to aid the pride. If anyone complained they would use their snake tongues to send them on their way. While the other's worked to ensure the pride stayed together, the cheetahs raced the wind and tried to capture her to make themselves faster but did nothing for their 'family'. Time wore on and the factions began to argue amongst themselves and looked to their 'leaders' but they were far to busy to be bothered with such a task of quelling their kingdom. Wind herself, decended from the Heavens and told the cheetahs if they continued to chase her she would take something precious. She told them the pride was failing but still they would not listen. So she took their roar as the pride fell appart and the different groups sepperated. From then on, the cheetah has saught after its roar. It is a punishment to remind them of their arrogance and their trechary."
Taban:
Taban's expression never faultered. Once the lion had finished his speech, the cheetah threw his head back and laughed without restraint. "Aaaahhhh sadly, there are a few flaws in your tale. Clever, I must admit, but flawed..." He rolled his shoulders and stepped back up to the lion, "You see..." He reached up to bat at a golden feather hanging from his mantle, "I not only chaised the wind...but I caught her. And rather than ask for my roar- a purely selfish request- I released her... as any decent gentleman will to a lady worthy of his attention...."
His tone grew louder, stronger, "The second time I catch her...I will ask her name. The third time- I will ask for the roar that will bring this troupe, this family.... into the legends of every pride...every troupe...every rogue. Roar until you have lost your breath, mighty guard.... say what you will. But one day, my friend....you may just find yourself decieving for the right reason."
Eyal:
Eyal's agressive stance became more apparent as the cheetah talked. "Your feather is a fake!" He snapped, leering down at the spotless cheetah. "If it is real then I pray she sees the error of her ways rather then allowing something like you to ask for such a thing. I am no mere guard! I am the chief of warriors and I shall never deceive." He snorted and shook himself. "You play a fool's game and if you ever step into my pride bounds, I will not hesitate to run you off. Your legend will never touch us if someone is foolish enough to tell your story."
Taban:
Taban shook his head, "You've lost your wit in your anger. And to argue with a charater who has lost their wit is to argue with a stone." He turned and walked himself calmly back to the others. "Pass along. The only females you'll find here are those of the pride at our backs. Our allies...and ones who aren't overly-fond of strangers roaming close to their borders."
Eyal:
Instead of realizing he had lost his wit and backing down to recover, Taban's words only made Eyal all the more angry. "I don't need your permission to pass!" He roared in his fury. "Nor do I care what you think of my wit. Yours is far lesser then mine! You're just a spineless, spotless, bane on your spieces."
Nyack:
"He said you could pass. I suggest you do that soon." Nyack warned, stepping between his leader and the other lion. "Now go before you've crossed the line."
Eyal:
The golden lion had been ready to spring upon the cheetah. "So you need a lion to protect you? You can't even fight for yourself! Cowa--" He cut off, stumbling back and drawing an arm across his muzzle where he now had three shallow scratches.
Nyack:
The green maned lion opened his jaws, ready to strike again. "Call him that again and I'll make sure to leave scars!"
Eyal:
Eyal straightened himself and looked between Nyack and the rest of the troupe. He could handle Nyack easily on his own but if the Hyena and Wild dog got involved. At least the hit had snapped him back to his senses. "You'd better hope... I never catch you alone, grass-mane." He spat before turning and starting to walk off, head held high.
Nyack:
"I return the warning." He grumbled back returning to Taban's side. "Sorry for that... I just couldn't stand to hear him say anymore lies." He apologized, bowing his head submissively. "I had to do something."
Taban:
Taban watched the scene silently, his eyes narrowed on the golden lion. Not once did he flinch, wince, or show any further reaction to the situation. As Nyack approached he dipped his head. "It was unessicary. But I thank you none the less my friend."
He turned and started away from Eyal. "Stand down. We've far better ways to spend our energy than bickering with strangers."
He paused beside Chinedu and slowly lowered his eyes. "Your first lesson in becoming a tactician, little one. Take no one's opinion as your own. Find your own answers, draw your own conclusions. The world is a very large place, with very many different characters, each of them with their own vision of how things are, how they should be, and how they have been."
Lucia:
Lucia watched the lion's back as he left, her teeth grinding in the back of her jaw. The nerve...
"Nyack. You shouldn't be so bold, you'll aggrivate your wound."
Nyack:
Nyack nodded. "I regret my action but not its outcome..." He glanced back to watch the golden lion leave then turned forward. "Especially strangers with head's as hard as stone. He gave a soft smile to Lucia. "I wasn't intending on fighting him... though I was afraid I'd gone too far with my claws."
Chinedu:
Nedu stared up into Taban's eyes and nodded quickly. "My own opinion!" He repeated, going after the older male. He paused as if thinking hard and tilted his head. "If that's so... then... how did the cheetah's really loose their roar, Uncle Taban? Was he wrong about it?"
Taban:
Taban smiled softly. "You have heard my tale. You have heard his tale... think on both of them, and find your own answer little one. I'll want to hear what you come up with by tomorrrow."
He reached down to ruffle the cub's ingrowing mane before he paced quietly back to his rock and settled himself on its surface.
Lucia:
"Hm...", She stepped over and inspected the lion's injury. "It will give him something to dwell on for the next few days...and everyone he passes will see the shame clawed into his face. Don't let it trouble you. If not your claws, it would have been my fangs."
She nudged him a bit, "Shouldn't Nedu be in training?"
Chinedu:
"Yes sir!" The young lion said with enthusasim. He couldn't wait to think of his own answer. He wondered if he could find out the real story from the Wind if Taban let him meet her. He watched the cheetah go lay down then started to rub against Lucia's legs, with a small purr.
Nyack:
Nyack smiled slightly. "Some how I figured as much. You know we could have both taken him." He joked knowing full well Taban would not endorse such a thing. "Yes... I think we'll go training." He responded looking down at his son with a kind smile.
Lucia:
Lucia chuckled softly and dipped her head to lick the cub's forehead. "You'd best work hard. I won't go easy on you when it's my turn to train you."
She smirked and lifted her head. Feng stood nearby, watching them out of the corner of his eye. Fakhir was running at a rock over and over again, learning how to leap and catch the rock to send himself leaping higher upwards. One of the techniques they had to master at a squire's level.
Fubar:
Fubar stood still where he'd been, his head and tail standing alert, even after the golden lion had gone. It was very likely that the maned wolf would remain there long into the night until -he- was certain that the threat was gone.
