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 Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:02 pm
Hroarr had been seething of late. One moment it was at his father, for the gall to simply hand him a thrall as if he was incapable or unlikely to get one himself. And to give him a pup! Granted, it did mean he could raise her gently, and not allow her to be abused, but still! The scorn Hroarr felt it represented stung deeply, and brought shame along with it. This shame would swing him around to seethe at himself. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he live up to what every other lion seemed to in their pride? Why couldn't he be selfish and bold and grasping... well, of course that just led him back to being angry at his father for expecting him to be that way, when he clearly wasn't.
Something had to give. He needed to find a way to stay true to himself and his own beliefs, and yet fulfill the role his father expected. He still wanted to become a Captain, but who would respect a Captain who hadn't taken loot, demanded his way, and claimed a female thrall? Of course, he had no intention of taking her as a saltwife, no interest in siring cubs on a thrall, even if they would be born as Freeborn. It just didn't feel right! As bizarre as it seemed, he wanted a single mate, and he wanted to remain true to her, even though he had yet to find that one female. Other thoughts simmered beneath the surface in relation to that, but the rest he could do something about.
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:14 pm
He sought to go on the very next viking available. Only a couple of those included were familiar with him. It seemed like most everyone was polite and respectful to him, but mostly due to who his father was, or out of respect from one reaver to another. No, it was time he earned the respect of the other reavers. So on this trip, he became a savage looter. He hardened his heart and tore heirlooms from families, robbed families of their kills, and closed his ears to the cries of newly made orphans. He shut his eyes to the plight of the thralls that were taken, and began to formulate a means to deal with his ethical struggle.
What it came down to was that he could not save everyone. He could not smooth the ways for those he met, nor prevent their loss when his band came upon them. He had to pick his internal battles, and it was when they attacked a watering hole that he came to a final conclusion. It was the lions he would prefer, protect, and insist on being given more respect than the other species. Not every female who was taken advantage of could be defended, but surely he could save the lionesses. So it was that when the frightened occupants of the watering hole scattered, and a leopardess was caught by the others, he turned a blind eye.
Instead, he spotted the only lioness, backed against a rocky outcropping. She was holding her own, slashing at them with bared claws, but she could not hold out against so many others for long. They were teasing her, playing with her, and he came to a snap decision. With a roar and snarl, he burst through them and used his larger bulk to pin her to the rock. Over his shoulder he snarled and growled at the other males. "She is mine. I claim her. Go find other prey." The fur along his spine stood on edge with the fierceness of his declaration. Startled, as he'd never claimed any thrall previously, the other backed off, soon distracted by a family of cheetahs darting by in a panic.
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 1:40 pm
Well, this night was not going at all like Isibeal would have preferred. It had been a long, dusty day of travel, which had extended into the night when she had not come upon the watering hole and soon as she had anticipated. She might have even missed it in the dark of night before the moon arose, but the sleepy murmur of waterbirds helped guide her to it. She had lapped enough to slake her initial thirst when the groan of pain had reached her ears. With a sigh, she resigned herself to getting little rest this night. Not that it mattered, for she could sleep here the next day, or somewhere nearby. She was not on a schedule, and could do as she pleased.
The patient had turned out to be a leopardess who, as it turned out, was in a very great deal of pain. An unlucky fall among boulders had resulted in most of the pad of one toe being torn away. The smell of blood had been contained by the quick thinking of the female, who had limped to the waterhole and plunged her paw into the mud on the brim. Unfortunately this had been several days ago, and the pad had become infected, probably due to the nastiness in the mud. This was going to be a long case, she realized. Ah well, at least it hadn't been too late to save the toe.
She had spent several hours in the dark, using clean water from the pond mixed with herbs from her own stock as well as a few fresher plants that grew near the water. She made a poultice for the spot, and kept the paw wrapped in broad leaves to hold the treatment in place. She changed it several times, also giving the leopardess herbs to dull the pain. The poor thing nearly wept with gratefulness, so that it was Isi's softer side that she was treated with. The leopardess had done as much as she had been able to, and didn't whisper a complaint during the difficult poultice changes.
But after the moon had risen, and dawn was a handful of hours away, their peaceful resting spot was disrupted. Wild warcries and crazed lions poured into the shallow dip that held the waterhole. Screams of pain and fear began from the other occupants, and Isi darted to try to lend what help she could. However, it was soon clear that this was a large enough band that there was little chance she'd be of any help at all. In fact, her pale coat beneath the moon's bright light made her an instant target. Hissing and growling, she'd held them off as she backed slowly, one paw at a time, into a trap she could not escape. Three males faced her, grinning darkly and making suggestive comments. Ears flat, she cooly ignored their words and focused on staying alive and whole.
It seemed that they intended on toying with her, until another male leapt out of the shadows. The charge was so different and unexpected that she had no means to avoid the huge chest that slammed into her shoulder. The impact of landing against the rock with that weight following her nearly stunned her, and certainly drove the breath from her lungs. Gasping to breathe, she only dimly heard him snarling at the others, and... wait, was he claiming her?! She was not his to have! For a moment outrage battled with clear thinking, while her lungs still strove to take normal breaths.
However, by the time she could take a nice, deep breath, the others had bounded off, and his weight was no longer pressing her tightly. He stood over her, looking down with unreadable eyes. Ears pinned, whiskers spread, she hissed at him, crouching defensively. "Leave me be, stranger," she growled, though a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach forewarned her that it would do no good.
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:34 pm
Hroarr watched her impassively, keeping his inward thoughts from showing. He was rather pleased to see her defend herself, to show courage and spirit. Now that he had time to examine her, he came to the conclusion that she was probably old enough to be his mother, not a young and nubile lioness. This was to his advantage as well, in some ways. It meant there was less likely to be anyone willing to fight him for her. However, she was by no means an old crone either. She was in the prime of life, experienced and knowledgeable. He assured himself of her lack of injury before speaking, completely ignoring her statement.
Very low, almost a growl, but also almost an urgent whisper, he spoke to her, looming close over her. "You will come with me," it was a flat statement, "because if you don't, I can't assure your safety." His eyes bored into hers. She was no fool, she could very quickly work out what potentially could be happening. Unfortunately it also seemed she assumed that was his intention. He gave a quick, impatient exhale. "I have no intention of doing anything to you, not if you come with me quietly." He gritted his teeth, tail lashing as he took another step, leaning over her crouching form and well within her strike range. "I can explain it all later, but right now, you need to stay with me, next to me, and do as I tell you."
In truth, he sounded much more forbidding than he intended. His gritted teeth were not meant a threat, but a steeling himself to act and speak harshly. It went against the grain to order someone around. He didn't even give orders to the little hyena, but taught her and played with her. Oh sure, he gave her little chores to do, but never anything too terrible. But now, he was having to put into practice the tough exterior he was attempted to establish as the norm. He couldn't explain that to her here and now, where everyone was watching. He had to get her back to the pride and at least somewhat to himself before doing so. "Now come on." He mimed a swift cuff to her face, but only barely brushed her fur. "Time you came with me," he said louder, with commanding force. "Now march."
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:48 pm
She tensed as he leaned closer, peeling her lips back from her teeth, ready to go down fighting. To her surprise, he only spoke. Words. No mauling, no unwelcome assault, though the words held incipient threat. She had not survived as well and as long as she had on her own, though, without a sharp mind and a steady paw. She listened, and narrowed her eyes. The cries of the leopardess and the laughter of deep male voices was loud, though they were out of sight. Oh yes, Isi was well aware of the danger she was in, though her chin edged upwards defiantly. As if guessing her thoughts, he had snapped a reply to what she had not verbally accused him of, but certainly was suspecting silently. More words now, and yes more threatening looming and growling, but curiously his words lacked the kind of power that indicated he himself intended her harm.
His further, near-whispered assurance and instruction was baffling, but shot a surge of hope through her, sending nearly every hair on end. Perhaps her time had not come after all. He offered her safety, and though she wasn't entirely certain he would provide it, he at least was currently keeping her from the other barbarians who were having their way with other females. She was good at the hard decisions that were for survival. This one was easy, though without any real assurance of such survival being indefinite. For now, though, he was her best chance.
Thus when he swung a paw at her sharply, she was already tense, and able to react as if struck. It wasn't hard to flinch from the big lion. Her stocky frame was much smaller, and would have been easy for him to overcome, if he had chosen to truly strike her. Curiosity wavered in the back of her mind, but she did what was needed here and now. She tucked her tail, flattened her ears, and slunk forward, in the direction he indicated. She skittered and spat at him, but never ventured beyond his reach. Oh no, regardless of how perilous her protector might be, for good or ill later on, she had accepted him as her master and protector.
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