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 Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 9:30 pm
Sion & Company ||
Golden eyes watched the horizon line with a dangerous, focused sense of purpose. His stride was strong, his body a little more developed. It had been a season since his passing through the territory bordering the Pride Lands. He was stronger, his wounds now covered by proud, sleek fur, and his body had hardened in muscle along his chest and shoulders. His fine mane had been groomed and pulled back, braided along his back. There was a regal confidence in his step and a determination that had not been there before. At his back two other lions followed.
The first was a very small female with a lean build. Her rugged body was covered in scars and her eyes shadowed a hard life and savage mistrust of her surroundings. Her coat had grown a little healthier in the last few days due to more frequent meals and the comfort of another companion. She had time to groom herself, security enough to sleep, and a belly that had filled up more than it had in a long time. The male ahead of her had kept his word thus far.
Beside her, a young male with his adolescent mane crowning his shoulders walked with a rough stride. His mane was like a streak of flames down his neck and into his shoulders. His green eyes glared out from a dark mask. His body was a tight, lithe thing. Muscles coiled like rope around bone, stretching and coiling as he moved. He was like an arrow set to a drawn bowstring, ready to shoot forward and strike within a moment's notice. Like his mother, he had lived a better life in the last few days. The pale lion was tactful where he lacked physical power. They had brought down enough game between the three of them to eat well. He was alert and his intuition was keen. Both qualities kept watch over them at night so they could sleep.
Sion had two allies. They were small, they were considered low-born, but inside them they kindled flames unlike any he had seen. They had fought for survival every hour of every day. They were quick, lethal, and sharp. It gave him more confidence in his purpose. Every kingdom started with one. One became three, three could become six which became twelve- so on and so fourth. One step at a time. But first- a promise was to be kept.
The company was passing through the pride lands, tracing Sion's past steps to find more allies. He caught sight of the towering stone that landmarked the area and had adjusted his route accordingly.
Vilhelm ||
The young male glanced up as they made their approach. He knew that rock, if only from stories. This place belonged to a pride. A very, very large one. The prey on the borders was always scarce and the pride's markers were always fresh and powerful, warning against intruders of a hostile nature.
He frowned and shifted a look to their leader. "Sion. We should alter our course."
Sion ||
"This is our course." He assured them, his voice gentle but offering no compromise. "I have a connection here. A few actually. I wish to see if that connection is still intact."
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:22 pm
Life in the pridelands was everything she'd heard it to be: Peaceful, quiet, but pleasant. She wasn't sure how well she could say it measured up to life back home but Maa tried to give it a fair shot. After all she would be naturally biased, wouldn't she? She'd spent her entire life in the desert with her siblings, parents, uncle, cousins, and friends. Some might find it unbearably hot but she loved the climate and knew the temple and the surrounding lands in and out. To leave that behind had been difficult, but the prospect of adventure and new experiences had drawn her out.
Maybe it wasn't just homesickness, maybe it was more the loss of the familiar in general. She knew nearly no one in this pride, and her role, while important for providing for the pride's large population, still felt... small. Maa-nefer felt lost amidst a sea of unfamiliar faces and she hadn't anticipated that.
That wasn't to say she was unhappy, though. She had her friends. She had Matifu, Gaddith, Jian Xue, Amavasi, Kinyago, and she'd befriended the old storyteller and even reunited with several former members of the Dawnwalkers. Still, her thoughts and dreams would sometimes wander back to the vague offer made months before.
Where was Sion these days, and was he doing well? Every morning she trekked to the border of the land to perform her morning prayers, and every afternoon she went for a walk near the borders before turning in to hunt for the evening. So far she hadn't seen him, but she was keeping her promise come rain or shine, with or without the others (sometimes they went off to pray on their own, sometimes as a group).
Today was no different. She'd just finished her morning ritual and was casually strolling along the perimeter of the territory in quiet meditation. She hadn't yet caught sight of Sion, but their paths were soon to cross.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 10:57 pm
Sion ||
She hadn't seen him, but he had spotted her. The gold of her jewelry shone in the sunlight, her golden form glided easily over the lush, green grass. He tossed the mane from his face and continued forward at a near-lope. His company continued, pressing close to his side. "There she is." He nodded forward. Both Vilhelm and Kefira lifted their heads, scanning the surrounding area for any sign of movement. It didn't take long for them to see her.
Vilhelm frowned and Kafira rolled her eyes, but they seemed content to follow him anyway. Sion offered both a smile but nothing more as he continued forward.
Raising his voice, he called over the closing distance between himself and the former-noble female. "Come to find a spot in the shade?"
Vilhelm ||
"We came all this way for a girl?" Vil glanced over to his mother who only sighed and offered a shrug of her shoulders. Vilhelm was about the age to start looking for the female but he hadn't shown any interest. It would be stupid to bring more factor into their already fragile game of survival. Another mouth to feed, more if he reproduced with her.
"...whatever."
Kafira ||
"We shouldn't linger." The female reminded Sion as gently as she could. She didn't entirely like this detour either. She was a little leery of this male's intentions but he wasn't stalking the female nor had he changed his posture. Perhaps she was his informant. A tie here. Ears and eyes into a location he needed additional information on for whatever reason.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 11:27 pm
Maa-nefer||
Her ears picked up first, thinking she'd heard something that could easily have been the wind in all fairness. It was enough to give her pause, however. They'd see her straigten a bit at attention, golden eyes scanning the area just as Sion called out. Her ears picked up again, much higher this time. In fact her entire body seemed to perk up at the sound of the familiar voice. Her expression certainly did, turning to face the troupe.
"Sion!"
And friends, it seemed. The huntress immediately changed course to meet the male and his party halfway, smile bright. Her steps slowed as she drew close enough to be heard without raising her voice, and despite the light spring in her step she did try to contain herself a bit. What a great way to start the morning, though!
"It's so good to see you again!"
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 11:33 pm
Sion ||
The lion turned to the others and raised a paw. "A moment, friends. She is trust-worthy."
The two nodded in unison and stood their ground while the pale lion departed from their sides and stepped forward to meet Naa-nefer partway. As the two came within polite speaking range his smile only brightened. Maa looked like she'd been taken care of. Her eyes were bright, her step had a good deal of life within it, and her coat was exquisite. The dust of the road had been cleaned off, allowing he true colors to shine out with a healthy sheen.
He dipped his head in greeting, lifting a paw in a half-bow gesture before raising his eyes to meet her. "I am a lion of my word. My road brought me in this direction and I had a promise to keep."
He gave her another short inspection, half worried that he would have missed a hurt or a scrape somewhere. Finding neither, he looked back to her. "You look well. I hope your new home is a comfortable one."
Vilhelm ||
Scarlet snorted. The female was young, sleek, and seemed positively giddy with seeing Sion. If he was honest with himself, he would have to say she was a pretty little thing. She was healthy, that was for certain, and it had been the very first time he had seen a lioness looking so well-kept. They bumped into the occasional rouge and most looked much like his own mother. Beaten, dusty, and covered in scars.
Kafira ||
"Vilhelm." The lioness scolded softly. Vil glanced over, only to see a knowing smirk on his mother's face. Straightening, he instantly found something else to take his attention away from the reunion.
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Posted: Fri Jan 10, 2014 11:51 pm
Maa-nefer ||
Ahh, now she was beginning to get an idea. They were companions, yes, but they seemed to be more wary than her group of friends had been on the road- well, save for Gaddith, Amavasi, and Matifu, of course. You could literally take the lions away from their pride and their role as guardian, but you couldn't take the role of guardian away from the lions. The same was true for the rest as well. As it so happened, though, hunters could fit in just about anywhere, but warriors and princesses? Not quite so much. The challenge of finding a niche hadn't been quite expected, but it was still welcome in its own way.
Never one to be intentionally rude Maa-nefer offered a polite nod and friendly smile to Sion's friends as well, but left it to Sion on when and how he wanted to go about introductions- if at all. One thing Nefer could easily recall from their previous encounter was that he was a somewhat private individual, and she'd let him do this at his own pace.
Her smile softened with Sion's words. True enough, he'd kept his promise. Her own glances weren't quite discreet, but they seemed casual enough. He'd filled in a bit, he also looked healthier than when they'd parted ways. His mane was done in an intricate style that she actually recognized well. The Dawnwalkers used a single, small braid to symbolize childhood, but of course Sion was already grown, and his braid took up much more of his mane, not to mention it wasn't off to one side of his head like the youth in the Dawnwalkers wore. It suited him, somehow.
"You do, too." It was an earnest response. "Very comfortable, if a little quiet. It's very relaxed, here."
She was accustomed to having her paws a bit more full. The Dawnwalkers were a bustling pride during her time there, but no where near as large as this pride. There were almost too many capable lions about. One could easily grow bored- not that she would complain about it being peaceful.
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 12:03 am
Sion ||
Sion's eyes followed her gaze and he stepped aside so he was far from obstructing her view of his companions. The two lions dipped their heads in turn but remained still. The male turned away a moment later, watching the territory rather than the interaction. He had lived a harsh life, always keeping one ear on his surroundings and the other on his mother. Kefira watched the stranger intently with an untrusting twist in her maw. Sion had offered them a glimpse of hope at living a decent life. It offered her, and more importantly her son, a chance at a better future. She wouldn't let even a friendly stranger put that in jeopardy.
Sion glanced back and caught the faint hostility in the young lioness' eye. He shook his head dismissively and turned back to Maa. "I see you've taken notice of my companions. I'm sorry-" He motioned back to them. "The lady is Kefira, and the young gentlelion is Vilhelm, her son. I met them several days from this border and offered them the same hospitality your group offered to me. In return, they are watching my back."
He lowered a paw. "It's good to hear that you are doing well. I must admit, it was tempting to stay here myself." He glanced back towards pride rock. "The promise of meals and a safe place to simply rest is a tempting one. Quiet and relaxing. They must have quite the ruler."
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 12:24 am
Maa-nefer ||
Maa-nefer wasn't entirely unfamiliar with the look Kefira had given. It had been a while but she'd seen more than enough of them in passing during their travel through the rogue lands. She wasn't accustomed to being distrusted and would probably never grow completely used to it, but from what she'd learned of rogue life she could understand it a bit. Even if she could never really relate, never understand to that degree, that didn't mean she'd hold it against others for feeling that way.
"It's nice to meet you both. Any friend of Sion's is welcome."
But neither seemed particularly interested in conversation.
"I think you're right. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting the king myself, but everyone we've met here seems happier than the last."
She wanted to say more, wanted to go into further detail, but it actually seemed a bit awkward with an audience- even if half of that audience expressed an open disinterest. Maa-nefer wasn't sure how well any of the three would take her next question for Sion but it wouldn't stop her from asking, and she sure wouldn't find out if she didn't.
"Would you like to walk with me? They don't mind visitors here, as long as they don't mean trouble."
Her tone was as hopeful as it was inviting, and she hoped he'd consent.
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 12:35 am
Sion ||
She had never met the king? Surely he had at least shown himself in public. A ruler that didn't know the happenings of his own pride was doomed to allow seeds of darkness to take root. In time, even the most noble of lines crumbled. The commoners saw the nobles as something untouchable, almost on the same level as a god or goddess. Unreachable, uncaring, unworldly almost. In time that divide became resentment, especially if those rulers failed to look down to the lowest of the low. He drew a tight breath as his mind rushed back into a past he kept at paw's length, a past he pushed aside so he could better look ahead.
Shaking from his thoughts, he returned to the matter at hand. Perhaps she wouldn't appreciate his criticism of the rulers here. He had little right to, having never seen them himself. He didn't know this pride's ways. Perhaps there was a good reason for it.
"A walk? I would love one." He glanced back to his companions. "Rest now. I can see a watering hole a ways from here. Refresh yourself, enjoy the sun. I have some catching up to do."
Vilhelm ||
The male's attention snapped back around. Dangerous green eyes narrowed as he stalked forward. His mother followed, her own expression equally as unhappy as that of her son's. Sion was just going to go for a stroll with this stranger? He said he knew her, they seemed to have some history, but they were in another pride's lands. Standing at the border was one thing but walking in to drink and rest was another. These lions would smell the wild on them, see them and not know their faces.
"Sion..."
Sion ||
"I'll be quite alright, Scarlet, I swear." He dipped his chin slightly. "Maa-nefer here provided me the same service I provided to your mother and yourself at a time when I needed it most. Please, rest. You've been pushing yourself."
Vilhelm ||
He glanced back to his mother and, as if just noticing, saw how weary she was. There was an edge to her, there always was, but it dulled slightly as she glanced towards the sparkling water in the distance. She was tired, hungry, and very likely thirsty. Both their paws had swollen from the walk and it would be nice to have a chance to refresh. If only a little.
Stepping closer, he looked between Sion and his companion, eventually settling his eyes on the later. "...if anything happens to him, things will get ugly."
Sion ||
"Off with you." Sion waved the two away, exchanging a small smile with Kafia before she followed her son towards the pride's territory. He waited in polite silence until his companions had faded out of earshot before looking to Maa.
"Please forgive my companions. They have lived a very difficult life. Scarlet there is a little rough, but he means well."
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Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 12:48 am
Maa-nefer ||
Maa-nefer politely let them settle the matter amongst themselves and didn't interject, merely waited to see what Sion decided. She didn't dare say so out loud yet, but she couldn't have been offended if she'd tried. Sion clearly had two lions that cared a great deal about his personal safety. Rather than feel put on edge over their suspicion she actually felt her worries being put somewhat at ease.
Okay, so it wasn't the most reassuring thing ever that they were pushing themselves, but they were also doing exactly what companions should do- looking out for one another.
Still, it was a little bit intimidating (okay, a lot intimidating) having someone staring her down and making such an ominous promise so intensely. At the risk of sounding completely pampered and spoiled- THAT was definitely new. Never once had she been even vaguely threatened. If anyone had even so much as hinted at having questionable intentions during their travels they were usually met head on by Gaddith first, sometimes Amavasi or Matifu, depending. Being on the receiving end of such a response was a first for her.
She tried not to seem surprised as the exchange passed and finally "Scarlet" took his leave along with his mother. There was an understanding smile once they were out of earshot and Sion asked her pardon.
"Actually I think it's wonderful. They obviously care more than just a little what happens to you. It's good to know that you're all looking out for one another."
She smiled again, turning in-land and gesturing with an outstretch of her bare paw.
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