Kwaruza led the way from the other lions, they had all been assigned jobs and she hoped that they would do them. The pride was a mess and Kwaruza had wanted the time to talk to Neith to suss her out and find out who she really was. She also wanted to look for Tamu still. Tamu was a good friend as well as her queen. She didn’t want to see her gone not at all but yet she wasn’t sure how this would work with Neith.

“So did you know Tamu at all?” Kwaruza asked her eyes looking carefully at the blue female who walked beside her.

“Tamu? No not at all... I only know of her what I have been told.” Which of course could all be full of lies and not a speck of truth in it but then Neith was always good at finding a way to make that which seemed bad good again.

“I was told stories of the pride when I grew up but for some reason we never looked for it. So I took it upon myself to find family and learn more about them. You understand right?” She looked at Kwaruza - of course she knew nothing about the female and it was more then possible she had no idea what it was like wanting to know about your family.

“I came here seeking answers I didn’t expect anything like this - not at all...” She looked around at the ground that all seemed so sad where the water had pushed and it and flattened it all. It was horrible.

Kwaruza listened intently trying to work out whether the female was being completely honest or not. She had no idea what to think about it. Yes she seemed innocent enough and lets face it they needed help right now but at the same time they were stuck in the sense that actually she had also arrived when the pride was at it’s weakest. Kwaruza wasn’t a leader though and what choice did she have? She could at least keep an eye on Neith...

“Tamu was a fair ruler. She would listen and help everyone. The pride has it’s strict rules but they are there to keep the beliefs alive. No one must take a mate outside the pride and no one who has not done their rites may bear cubs. It’s just to keep everything simple really. The young should be allowed to be young until the waters tell them otherwise.” Kwaruza did so love to talk about the pride it was just hard seeing it in the state that it was in right now.

“There is a lot for everyone to learn when it comes to running a pride which I am assuming you are going to do Neith? For you claim to be of their blood and so by right I assume the throne falls to you.” Kwaruza looked at Neith, watching her body language, everything. She didn’t want to back someone who would ruin her home.

“If that is the case then I can do what I can. Tamu is a lion who you loved dearly - I can hear the affection in your voice and so I can only hope that I can do at least half the job she did.” Neith kept calm and chose her words carefully. It seemed getting a pride to rule was so much easier then she expected. “Of course we may still find my cousin and your queen.” She smiled softly at Kwaruza and then looked out at the pride. Then again they might not find anyone.

“Tell me more about the running of the pride. Did Tamu rule alone?” She wanted to know of any mates or more importantly any cubs.

“Tamu did rule alone and she didn’t. She never took a mate or had any youngsters. It’s a shame she would have been a brilliant mother. There is a council which I was apart of. The heads of each job as it were made up the council. I was head huntress, Ravi was head guard and Azriell’Kyupe was the matron. I haven’t seen either since the wave hit though and so the council will possibly need to be remade.” Kwaruza looked at her paws as she mentioned that. She would have to back Neith it was really the only option.

Neith smiled at Kwaruza, “Then I will need your help. We will scout through those who are still here and find those who are strong enough to help lead. I will need a good strong council to help rebuild this pride.” She smiled and looked around. “You will have your home back as it should be Kwaruza, don’t you worry about it!” Neith spoke with conviction as it was something she believed in. She wanted this pride back and flourishing after all it was going to be hers and she didn’t want to rule a dump.

“I can’t see anyone this way maybe it is worth returning to the others? Or head further along the beach before turning back?” Neith offered ideas - after all she was now the queen and it made sense for her to start making important decisions.

Kwaruza looked at Neith and listened and smiled. It seemed Neith wanted the pride back to how it was and her ideas did make sense.

“I can keep an eye out for lions who could make the council.” She smiled and her heart felt like it would leap for joy by the way that Neith spoke about the pride being returned to it’s former glory. Neith had no idea just how happy it made Kwaruza to hear that someone else wanted this land beautiful again.

“Further along the beach first maybe, in case anyone has washed up...” She hoped no one had or at least if they had they were still alive. She didn’t want to see any dead bodies - she was dreading that their would be one of her mate or her children and she couldn’t bear the thought of it.

“Okay we will head along a little and then head back in case anyone else returns and need help getting to that ledge they were talking about!” Neith smiled and led Kwaruza on. Someone else had to be alive...

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