|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:34 am
It was time. Flicking his ears back, the smallish, light-framed male looked back hesitantly in the direction he'd come from. Kio knew he likely would have starved by now if Lea hadn't happened upon him, but still...it was all he'd known. Scrapping with the vultures, jackals, hyenas, and other scavengers had become a way of life, if one fraught with risk. However, it only took a glance at ribs that still showed through a rather scruffy--if clean--coat to remind him just how close he'd been to death. Pride life or no life, he supposed. He just hoped to whatever gods might be around that this...mtawala would find a use for him.
Shaking his head slightly, he cleared his throat. "Hello?"
Zaliwa was dozing on the rocks that formed the Council dens, as he usually did on warm, lazy afternoons. It was one of the many things about being the mtawala that he was grateful for. The work he had to do to keep the pride running was stressful and grueling, but when things ran smoothly, he got some time off, which the tribes didn't. Sometimes he wondered what life would've been like if he had become an ushujaa as planned, but little pleasures like napping helped chase the thoughts away.
Of course, as with all good things, it never lasted long. The small lion's nose twitched as he caught the scent of a stranger - an intruder! Logically he knew that the ushujaa wouldn't have allowed an outsider into the valley, but since the plague he had been particularly cautious - even paranoid, though he kept it to himself. In a flash he was on his paws, chest puffed out as he glared down at the tawny lion. Though small in stature, his position all the way up on the rocks coupled with his heavy fur, which added mass, gave him a somewhat intimidating look.
"Who are you?" he growled, narrowing his eyes.
Despite his best efforts, Kio couldn't help but cringe slightly before the other male. The mtawala wasn't that much bigger than him, sure, but he was well-muscled and well-fed, therefore possessing reserves of strength that Kio didn't. The piercing, suspicious gaze of the Aali'makabila's leader made him swallow hard, now hoping that he'd just make it out of this 'interview' in one piece. "Kiongozi'anana, sir," he replied, ducking his head slightly. "The mzazi Lea found me, and convinced me to come here..." He trailed off, gathering his courage for a moment. "I'd like to join your...tribe."
He visibly relaxed the instant that Kio mentioned Lea's name. Ah, of course - the lioness had done her job well, and the ushujaa had let this Kiongozi'anana through to speak with him about joining. Yes, it made sense.
Zaliwa hopped down from his perch, looking over Kio with interest. "Yes, good. I am Zaliwa'ya Mwamba, the mtawala of this tribe - what you might refer to as a king. This tribe, the Aali'makabila, was once a great, flourishing tribe, but we were hit by a plague and most lions died out. Though we have had great success rebuilding the Aali'makabila, there is always need for new blood."
He narrowed his blue eyes thoughtfully. "I suppose Lea went over the three tribes with you?"
Kio relaxed. It seemed he might survive this after all, then. "Yes, she did," he said, nodding. "I've proven to be no hunter, which has caused me to be, well...I guess you'd say I'm probably too small to make much of a warrior. I think I could handle the kids well enough, though. So...mzazi, I think you call it?"
Zaliwa nodded back. "Yes, mzazi. That's good to hear. We have a few litters right now, and even more expected. You'll find the mzazi camp over that way." He flicked his tail to the north. "If you head straight north from here, you'll come across a vast lake. Skirt it northeast and you'll find the camp. The mwindaji-" he couldn't hide his scowl as he said the word "just brought some fresh prey. You can have some, but be sure to talk to the other mzazi before eating too much. I don't know who has eaten and who hasn't."
He tilted his head. "I'll let the mzazi assign cubs to you. Typically that would be Lea's job, as she's the eldest mzazi, but she's resting with the ushujaa at the moment, to recover from her long journey."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:41 pm
Kio nodded slightly, golden mane rustling about his shoulders. "I understand. Wouldn't be right of me to make those I've got to live with go hungry, after all." Plain and simple, that was the way he saw it. Besides, he was used to not eating much of anything--he'd need to be careful lest he kill himself by gorging. "Truly sir, I thank you for this opportunity. I won't let you down."
A rare smile spread across Zaliwa's lips. "I expect not. I can escort you there, if you like, or you can find your own way. It isn't difficult. You can scent the lake as soon as you leave this camp."
The gold-and-white male shook his head slightly. "I should get started with familiarizing myself as soon as I can, but thank you for the offer." It really wouldn't do for his charges to know the lay of the land better than himself, especially if they had their mind set on mischeif. And somehow, he had the feeling he'd be missing his hide just a bit if one of them got lost. "Again, thank you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
