Aureo was sure the plants affects on him were wearing off. He seemed less paranoid. It was nice to have some company. He had never traveled with another. His pace was slower because of Hotza though. He didn't mind. It gave him a chance to look around. He needed some time to relax after all. He had finally found the pride he was looking for and he would soon be joining it. All he had to do was steal another belongings. He frowned at the thought. It wasn't like he didn't know that pirates stole, but he ignored it. All he really wanted to do was go on adventures.
He knew he should learn sooner than later though. Stealing was one of the skills he lacked and he knew it. It was probably one of the most important skills a crewman could have. The only real skill he had was that of fighting. He hardly ever lost a fight. His father had taught him how to fight at a young age. More than anything his father wanted a son who was strong. He didn't care about much else. It was all okay till he realized his father raised him like that so he could enter a life or death contest. He wanted to make his father proud, but he wasn't willing to kill others for that.
He did the only thing he could think of and faked his own death. Once he did that he was finally free. In the rogue lands he still continued to fight, but he did it for fun and nothing else. He wasn't a fan of fighting just to hurt someone. If he wanted that he would have stayed with his family.
Hotza followed Aureo closely. This was the farthest she had ever gone from the pride since she joined it. She didn't mind at all. Until now Hotza had no intention of going out on adventures. She preferred to make sure the pirates were happy when they returned. It occurred to her that Aureo had fascinated her enough to have her want to join him. It was odd. There were a lot of males in the pride who she liked to talk to. She loved their stories. But Aureo was different. She wanted to figure out what was so special about him.
“If you don't mind me asking where did you live before the rogue lands?” she asked in her innocent tone. She wanted to get to know him better. Right now he was a complete mystery to her. She hoped that since they would be in the same pride that they would be friends. Being new wasn't easy and she thought they could stick together.
“I mean assuming you lived somewhere else. I was a rogue my whole life till I joined the pirates. It was pretty dull mind you. I never did travel much. I left my parents den one day and just wound up with the pirates,” she explained. She watched Aureo carefully. He seemed oddly focused as if thinking about something.
The moment she asked the question, Aureo started to try and figure out a decent answer. He didn't like lying, but it was his past. It was something he did not want anyone to know about. He shuttered at the idea of others finding out about it. “Honestly it's really boring. There was nothing special about the pride.”
Hotza couldn't help but wonder if Aureo was telling the truth or not. She guessed he had no real reason to lie to her, so it had to be the truth, but still she couldn't help but wonder. They did small talk as they traveled. Mostly Aureo talked about his travels. Hotza found his tales amazing. She wondered why he would ever want to stop traveling and settle down. It seemed odd for him to stop traveling. She wouldn't pry anymore into his life. If he wanted to tell her he would eventually do so.
They were deep in the jungle now. Suddenly Aureo stopped.
“What's the matter?”
“Shush.” Aureo's voice was filled with seriousness. Hotza looked over his shoulder. There was a clearing. In the clearing sat an aged lion. He had a burnt red coat. Hotza's eyes went big when she saw what he was sitting on. There was gems of bright colors scattered along with gold pieces. Torn fabric and pelts were mixed in the pile. She had never seen so much treasure in one spot before. No one in the pride would believe Aureo's luck. “Come on follow me.” He grunted at her and turned around, away from the aged lion.
“What? You have to be joking. This is a message from the gods. They are telling you take the treasure. Don't you see? This is your way into the pirates. Just steal some of his treasure and lets head back. Stealing is part of being a pirate. It isn't all about the adventures. You understand that don't you?” She said watching him carefully. She didn't like the idea of stealing, but she knew it was part of the life. If he wanted to become a pirate he would have to steal eventually. Why not from someone who wouldn't live much longer?
Aureo stopped and turned back around. He glanced at Hotza before walking past her and toward the lion. Hotza followed him. Once they were closer they could see that the lion's face had been brutally scarred. His eyes were an silver blue. Aureo guessed that the old lion must have been blind. The elderly lion looked their direction, but not directly at them.
“Get away now. This is my treasure. I forbid you to have it. If you want it you will have to fight me for it.” The lion yelled. Aureo stopped and so did Hotza. “That's better. Keep your distance you greedy beast. This treasure is mine.”
“I don't want your treasure.” Aureo said, setting himself down. “I was just wondering if you were hungry or thirsty. My companion and I could bring you some meat and maybe some water if we could figure out a way. You look like you have been here for a while.”
The other lion grunted. “Yea. I have been here a while and I tend on staying for a while. I am not leaving this spot. Even when I die I refuse to leave my treasure. The treasure that I have spent my whole life getting.” The lion than smiled. “That said I would appreciate some food. Mind you I won't give you anything.”
“I understand. Come on Hotza. Let's find this lion a meal.” He said walking back into the forrest. Hotza was staring at him completely confused. She snapped back and followed him. “Poor lion. He's probably been there days without food. At least he still has his pride.”
“Unlike you.” She spat at him. He gave her a glance, but ignored her. “You had the treasure so close to you yet you didn't take it? Do you even want to be a pirate.”
Aureo stopped and looked at her. He had a more serious look in his eye. “I want to be a pirate more than anything. It's the only thing I can think about when I travel. But if I have to change who I am to be a pirate than I rather go back to my family than be a pirate,” He stared into her eyes. “That lion is protecting what is important to him. I will not steal from him. It wouldn't be right.”
Hotza nodded her head. There was once a time, not long ago when she would have cared more about the lions health than his treasure. She wondered what happened to that. Had joining the pirates changed her that much? “I will go see if I can get some water.” She walked away from him and listened for a stream. She had some thinking to do. Aureo knew who he was. She however didn't. When had she changed to this? She wondered and why hadn't she noticed.
WC: 1,349
