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It was a significant challenge for a lion blinded in one eye and with his other eye swollen shut by infection to lose a clever lioness bent on staying with him and coddling him. The planning had taken him some time, and his physical resources were not what they had been when he was fully sighted. His body was strong, but he could barely see at all and he was not accustomed to making his way without sight.

The hardest thing, though, about leaving the lioness traveling with him was that the lioness happened to be his mate. He had grown fond of her over time, despite the indiscretions he committed early in their bondage by siring and claiming a litter of cubs on an outlander lioness. They might even have been said to love one another. After a fashion.

That was why he had to leave her.

Katerina was doing what she did best. Once the moon had clung to the sky, the low tide had revealed her path to getting out to the mainlands once more. She hadn't seen Dvaji in some time, and she missed him dearly. She knew she loved him, but to be a mermaid, meant to do her duties first. Love could come second if she had room for it.

The sand was almost white under the moonlight, the sky a sharp blue with each star twinkling and glittering. It was a beautiful night, even she could admit. She wasn't sure what she was looking for, beyond someone who might sire cubs with her for the good of the pride.

She was not, however, expecting what she saw next. A large lion, almost a shadow had she not looked closer, was stumbling towards her. She could smell infection, and she decided to do what she could to help.

"Stranger. What is your purpose here?" Her songlike voice finally left her throat. She was Lady of the Paw, a noble and strong mermaid.

Aesir stopped moving immediately when he became aware of the presence of another lion. The scent of salt and water in the air was strong, but it was one he was accustomed to and one he could ignore without even thinking about it, picking up other clues about his new companion. Female. Adult. Alone. In the past that would have made her a victim, but he was not presently in a position to victimize anyone.

"I used to own this beach," he said softly. "Or one very like it. I thought it would be fine to smell the ocean a last time before I find a way to leave all this with glory."

He was not feeling sorry for himself. He was simply observing that his fortune had changed. He would have liked to know what the lioness speaking to him looked like, but with his right eye swollen shut with infection and his left eye destroyed that was basically an impossibility. He was fortunate that his body was so well trained as to allow him to move with grace despite being unable to see.

"I could help you." She said, as she stepped closer. She could see the infection in one eye, and knew of a few herbs that could be used to help heal it. He could even regain his vision there, if she worked quickly. She was lucky to have been close with a few healers of the pride.

"You could tell me your stories, and I could sing you my songs. I could heal you." She said, and looked around them. She knew this area of the beach well, and she knew there would be a cave right up the sandbank.

"Come on, we will get you to shelter first. You can smell the ocean there still, too." She said, and cocked her head. "Do you need support to walk. You look really hurt." She observed. She was sure he knew he was hurt, but she hadn't realized how damaged he was until she had got closer.

"You could help me?" he mused. He doubted that she had grasped his meaning when he said he was looking for a way to depart with glory. Aesir was seeking an honorable death, a death in battle.

"I doubt that, but the thought is appreciated. I am not looking for healing or shelter. I am looking for a way to die with honor, according the the beliefs of the pride that was once mine."

The battle against Njal had been violent and dangerous, and had he been in other circumstances he would not have moved significantly from a healer's den for days, but he had been given the choice of being killed like a beast or leaving his pride by sunset. The choice had been simple. Aesir was no beast to be slaughtered, and so he and Morrigan had left the pride while he was wounded.

He was still wounded, Morrigan's connection to the gods and spirits availing him little away from the pride, which neither of them had expected. He had been growing weaker by the day until he recognized that if he didn't leave Morri now, he would be unable to do so by the next morning. He had left taking a route along the beach because he knew the water would hide his tracks.

She frowned, and rolled her eyes. She knew he couldn't see her do it, and that made it even better. She shook her head, and chuckled.

"To die with honor when you could be healed is stupid. That's hardly honor. Besides. A strong, handsome male like you could easily get your pride back." She looked him over again. Yes he was a big male, and handsome despite his wounds.

"You don't have to stay long. I'd only ask a favor in return form you anyway." Whether or not she would divulge what the favor was right now though, remained to be seen. She wasn't sure she wanted him to know what her intents were. Why she was out here this lovely evening.

"I can make it worth your while," she whispered in his ear, and then she began humming as she pulled away.

"I am exiled. There is no return from that." That was why he had not exiled the Captain Ruzanski for impregnating his favorite daughter, and only sent him on a nearly impossible quest. It allowed the possibility of return, although it was unlikely. There were no such loopholes with exile. An exiled Stormborn could not come back unless the warlord reversed his decision.

Aesir couldn't decide if this lioness was evidence of the gods' kindness or cruelty. It certainly sounded as if she was bribing him with sex, and that was a temptation Aesir had but rarely resisted. This would make it much more difficult for Morrigan to track him down, too. He could not overlook that fact.

"You make some very good arguments," he said at last. "I believe I have been persuaded to come with you for a time."

She wondered if he maybe was too injured for sex. If that was the case, she could wait. He would be allowed to leave once his injuries were healed, and she only hoped that maybe she would be pregnant by then. There were so few cubs in the pride anymore, she was desperate to get a few.

"Oh, that sounds terrible." She said, her voice soft as she coddled him. She used her shoulder to let him lean slightly, so she could lead him where they were going. It wasnt far, thankfully. She didn't want to have to worry about him passing out on her right here. That wouldn't bode well for either of them.

"What is your name?" She asked him, her voice low and sultry. Katerina had always been a lovely lioness, and even her voice matched her completely. It was low and seductive

She wasnt sure if she would give her name to him, maybe eventually, but right now? It depended on him, really. She was a smart mermaid, and wasnt going to allow herself to be captured if that was the ploy.

Aesir didn't lean on her shoulder. He leaned on nobody. He would fall down and die before he accepted assistance of that sort. He hated to be pitied or coddled. He was injured but not dead, not dying. Even if he was dying, he would not wish to be coddled.

"I'm Aesir." It cost him nothing to tell her that.

The matter of whether she had to give him her name or not was moot. He didn't ask it. He was not interested, to be honest. She was a lioness who would perform a service for him. Healing him and possibly having sex with him. There wasn't any reason for him to inquire after her name.

"One thing. If you don't stop treating me like an invalid the deal is off," he informed her.

She frowned at his colder nature. She had encountered some with attitudes similar to his. She hadn't liked them much. She hadn't liked them at all, actually. But he was injured, and she felt a sort of.. obligation to help him. Syrena would like it if she helped someone, so she was willing to do it.

"Aesir. Strong name, for a strong lion." She said, and backed away from leaning into him. He hadn't even known what it was she wanted, and he was agreeing to the deal. She had to wonder if he was just entranced.. Or maybe he was just opportunistic.

"Forgive me." She said, and was quiet until they had made it to the den. It was away from the public view, so no one standing on the beach would see it. It was nestled away in a grove of trees, with the sound of hte ocean lapping at the sand still loud.

"We are here." She said, walking into the den and smiling. It would due for now. She would have to get supplies to grind an ointment paste for his infection. She needed to get him situated first.