He didn't know if the young lord was still on his heels after he lashed out, and he didn't risk a look, limp-running for the swamps rapidly, throwing himself into the murky water, and panting heavily as he waded through to another patch of land before looking back. Young Lord Khushrenada was no longer behind him, and ther older male breathed, collapsing. All he'd done. All he'd lost, in the name of peace.
Alais made her way through the swamps she called home, eyes open for a morsel to eat. She was out hunting, to make sure her cubs' bellies were filled. Her cubs...
She pulled herself up onto a dry patch of land in the midst of the water. They were growing up, and soon enough, she'd have to bid one goodbye for good. She knew her visions, knew the spirits did not lie to her. Things had to happen. HAD to. The sound of another coming onto the patch of land startled her and she looked in the direction it came from...and blinked. She'd seen him in her visions. Huh...so it began, hm?
She approached the male carefully. "You're a long way from home."
"'Tis better to be far than near." He said weakly. The blue-grey pelted male made no effort to get up or move, his injuries forcing him to finally rest and recover, the male sighing slighly. "As it is, I may never be able to return home. Am I intruding?"
Even down and cast out, the former Governor was courteous.
Alais smiled politely. "A bit. Once you're up to it, you'll need to move elsewhere. So as to not cause trouble. A great tragedy befell this place, and the pride is still recovering." She sat nearby, looking him over. Yes...he was definitely one of those in her visions as of late.
"You're running from a tragedy yourself, aren't you?"
"Unfortuanately. The rulers of my pride killed my family... Almost killed me. The heir is looking for me." He sighed, wincing in pain, but too weak to move.
"I only came to hide. I mean no harm."
Alais nodded. "Rest a bit for now. I won't make you move until you're up to it." He was badly hurt, but he would live. "I know you mean no harm. I've Seen you before, in visions. But others would not know this." She bowed slightly.
"I am currently known as Alais Kibou."
Visions?
He nodded, the weaker lion smiling gratefully.
"Thank you. I am in your debt." He said softly. "I am H-... Etihad. Etihad Dais." He nodded weakly. He could no longer use his old name, choosing instead a new one, a release.
"So you choose a new name? Fitting, considering where you've ended up." She lay down, keeping her head up. "A pleasure to meet you, Etihad. The lands you've come upon are claimed by a pride known as the Jini-msemi."
He swallowed weakly, smiling softly.
"I see... I'll leave as soon as I am able. I do not wish to be a burden."
Perhaps after some sleep and a short meal. He didn't want to be rude or impose.
She nodded. "You needn't fully leave." She closed her eyes. "You sought change in your homeland, yes? I can offer you the chance at that."
Alais was a lady, and generally didn't interfere...but she would not deny the spirits their will. And she knew exactly what her dreams showed her. It's why Arden had a different name than the others.
"That may no longer be possible. My clan is dead once I pass." He sighed, almost wishing he had.
A white form suddenly splashed into the water nearby, padding over and shaking herself out once back on land, rubbing up to Alais lovingly.
"Hi Mommy!" She seemed brimming with energy, and Etihad smiled, watyching, until he spied her shoulders.
There was simply no way. Her shoulders, wehile another colour, bore strong resemblance to Wing, the lost brother, as did green eyes. However, there was a very faint scent of something else, but he chose to say nothing. No need alarm them.
"Not as dead as you might think." Alais smiled when her daughter showed up. "Hello, dearheart." She nuzzled back. "You seem even more energetic than usual. Find something interesting while you played?"
"I did!" She puffed. "I found a bunny and made it better!"
No need to tell her mom she found an outsider male. None at all.
Etihad blinked, grimacing and pulling himself up.
"Where did she come from?" He whispered.
Alais laughed softly. "Very good dear." No need to burst her daughter's bubble if she wasn't going to share. Ah well. She looked to Etihad.
"Arden is one of my daughters." She nudged Arden carefully. "Dearheart, mind your manners and introduce yourself."
Arden eyed him, then ducked under her mother and behind a paw. He was mangled too? NOT GOOD. Etihad smiled.
"She must be shy."
Alais sighed. "She can be. She's not met a rogue before. Has never been outside the swamps." The brown and blue female nuzzled her daughter. "It is alright, dearheart. He won't hurt you."
"Never?" He blinked in surprise. Arden huddled down, pouting.
"He's so BIG. He might sit on me!"
Alais shook her head. "No. She and her siblings were born here, and aren't old enough to leave yet." She chuckled. "The closest to a rogue she's met is her Uncle Fleance and myself, and now you." Though she did not consider Fleance a rogue...no. Her beloved God of Ashes belonged wherever he went.
The lioness sighed. "Arden. He's smaller than your Uncle, and far less likely to sit on you. Now. Be nice and introduce yourself."
"But Uncle Fleance isn't scary." Arden looked Unamused, remaining hidden. Etihad smiuled some. She reminded him of his own son, strong, healthy, and stubboren.
Alais returned the Unamused look. "And neither is Mister Dais." She loved her daughter but...sometimes Alais despaired her being even a little bit of a proper lady. She sighed and looked to Etihad.
"Since she refuses to mind her manners, her name is Arden Yuy."
Etihad looked shocked, slumping.
"Was... Her name from her father?" His eyes were wide.
Arden remained hidden, shaking, hoping he didn't smell the remanents of another lion on her pelt.
Alais nudged Arden. "Why don't you go find one of your siblings. I need to talk with Mister Dais and I know they love playing with you." And she didn't want her cub to be scared.
She shook her head at Etihad's question.
Arden pouted.
"What if he tries hurting you Mama?"
Then she'd bite him.
Etihad looked surprised.
"No....? Then where...?" He motioned, referring to her last name.
"I'll tell you in a moment." She looked back to her daughter. "I will be fine, dearheart. He won't hurt me. I Know it." She used that tone that meant she'd had visions. "And your Mama is much stronger than she looks, and she has Uncle Fleance if needed." The advantage to knowing a god...If you called with all your heart, they would come.
"Okaaaay." Arden didn't seem convinced for once, jumping in the water. This was dumb! Mommy could get hurt. Dumb dumb dumb! The cub took her frustrations out by biting on a sudden fish, carrying it off as she sulked away. Well, Treize could eat it, at least.
Etihad smiled.
"She seems protective."
Alais nodded. "She can be, yes." She sighed. "She is one of the chances I was talking about. That is why she is 'Yuy' when her siblings are 'Kibou'. She is connected to your homeland somehow. As am I and my other cubs, to a lesser degree. I can't tell exactly what connects us to it, however...it is too far back for me to See clearly."
"It would be ancient. She bears the markings of an ancestor of my pride, a warrior related to my own ancestor. She's the only one who could take a position in our colonies withouit question." He sighed. "Or any of your cubs, or yourself."
"It has to be her." Her voice was firm. "I am no leader, never will be. I support. And my other cubs, as of current, are destined for here, and only here. And there is a cub I will have in the future who will also bear the name 'Yuy'...but he will be a warrior, not a leader."
A seer. Etihad was silent, before nodding. "She will need to learn the ways of our pride." He said softly. "Learn how to lead."
Though he wondered how the petite cub wouild fare, being comparitively small to his pride.
Alais nodded. "That can be done. But you'll need to be patient with her. Because of the tragedy that happened in this pride, my cubs are...not prone to trusting strangers. Even when I tell them it is okay."
"Paitence..." He laughed feebly. "Is the only thing I have aside hope, now." He settled, feeling his eyes grow heavy. "Thank you, Miss Kibou."
Alais smiled. "You are welcome. Now rest. We'll find you someplace to den and further heal once you've awakened. You're safe in these swamps."
Etihad smiled as he finally fell asleep the first time in days.
Maybe, there was hope after all.
