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 Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 1:28 pm
Things were going smoothly for the elder lion... The Justicar had made significant progress in tracking his quarry and he had also made grounds on exterminating some of the vermin along the way. Nevertheless, they all seemed to breed like god forsaken rabbits and even if he disposed of several, somehow double the amount seemed to pop up later.
Consequently the lion had conceded that in the future he would find more of these beings and he would have to repeat the process again. It was an endless cycle, a tiresome one, but until he found a more permanent solution it was the best he could do. Fortunately for him these vermin hadn't yet made significant progress on what they needed to find. Granted, this didn't stop them from causing chaos and heartbreak elsewhere, but he was only on lion and he could only dispose of so many at any one time.
This evening was of no exception...
As twilight closed in, the lion lowered himself in to the undergrowth to shroud himself from view and fixed his gaze on the dens nearby. If his calculations were correct, then they would strike here tonight, and if he was quick about it, he could take a number of them out before they could do significant damage...
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 1:51 am
[will edit image in later]
Twilight favoured the lion with the dark pelt, allowing him to blend in where a pale coat might have stood out under starlight. Zili had always found comfort in night's shadow, though now that he was travelling through it, it seemed more foe than friend.
His journey out to find this lion had taken him some distance from the lands of the Stormborn and his dearest and only friend. Yet, despite leaving the outskirts of a heavily populated area, his old seer abilities had started to creep back in - coming to claw at him in his sleep. Without a good night's rest for some days, he was tipping from weary and into exhaustion, his eyes skipping wildly about the landscape as he moved out into the open.
His seer abilities was what had driven him into a life of solitude in the first place. The further he was from a pride, the less he 'saw' in his dreams. Yet, since being with Xochipepe, his abilities had ceased altogether. Part of him had hoped that the lack of use had worn them away. Alas, such a thought was too good to be true - though at least this time it had served a purpose. He knew he was going in the right direction and he'd seen the spotted lion walking through his dreams - distant at first, then everyday closer. It was only a matter of time, he believed, until their paths crossed.
And then what?
What did Zili really expect this lion to do for him? Make a warrior of him? Get him a backbone? Was he just chasing hopeless dreams now? And even if, by some miracle, he did make it into the Stormborn, there was no telling what would happen. Xochi was a friend, yes, but something more? What if he had to stand by and watch some other male make his move? Stand by and watch her fall for someone else, have cubs with someone else and shift her focus so completely that their friendship began to run dry? What was he, after all? Nothing except a strange, hopeless lion with an ability he could not control and feared.
A twig snapped beneath a paw, drawing him to a sudden halt and sucking in a sharp breath. Stupid. He should have been paying more attention to his surroundings.
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 2:27 am
The interruption came from behind him - the perfect silence that had fallen over his location had been shattered and in an instant the lion had swept away from his vantage point. Moving swiftly, he skulked through the undergrowth and made to circle round it so that he wasn't caught unawares. He knew how his prey worked, though this appeared to have been a miscalculation, they didn't make any noise when they moved.
The beings were the epitome of stealth... to have one misstep seemed rather unlikely.
Nevertheless, he wasn't prepared to take the chance and given their inclination to hunt in packs, the lion made swift work of vacating his current location. It wasn't long before he was alongside where the sound had (roughly) emanated from, and it was from here that he began to seek answers to who might have been nearby. Something was amiss with this scenario, not only because there had been noise, but it had also been too early, there was still a measure of light.
And then he saw it, the black form that at first, looked exactly like those he had been trained to dispose of. They really were early.
His maw furling into a snarl, the elder lion leapt out from his vantage point and made for Zili's head. Though as he drew nearer, amber eyes took note that his initial impression was wrong.
This one had the wrong eyes.
Thus, his claws slammed abruptly into the thin tree trunk, causing a large portion of the bark to splinter on impact...
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 3:06 am
To say Zili was terrified would have been an understatement.
One moment he was on his own, lost in self-deprecating thoughts, and then the next he was being attacked by another lion who had appeared from thin air!
He cowered back immediately, laying bare his teeth to ward off another attack. Certainly he was no fighter, but he'd at least learned to show off his teeth and claws when backed into a corner. The fur on his hackles was up, a growl filling the space between them as he tried desperately to think of a way out of this situation. He'd apparently avoided the first strike (a miracle!) but how was he going to get himself out of this without injury or...worse?
He turned his cower into the best defensive stance he could muster and looked his adversary straight in the eye, realising - in that moment - that this was the lion he had spent all these weeks searching for. He did not know his name, but to look at him - even in the dying light - was to see he was related to that reaver back at the Stormborn.
"Wait!" He hoped to halt any further attack, "I was sent to find you...from a lion you know from the Stormborn."
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 3:33 am
Fortunately for Zili, the lion didn't typically attack without reason and as he pulled his claws off the bark, he was more focused on tugging the splinters from his paws than with taking another swipe at the now cowering lion. All that the dark male was afforded, was a sidelong gaze. Amber eyes observing, ears flicking as the male made an attempt to seem menacing - well if Destati had been concerned that he had made the wrong call and this had been a phantom, he knew with absolute certainty that he wasn't now.
He had snarled, and he had spoken.
His targets did neither of those things.
However when the black lion made reference to someone sending him, his eyes narrowed. He didn't know what this 'Stormborn' was, he had yet to speak to either of his offspring since they had selected their new home...but there were few in this region who knew enough about him to be able to direct someone too him.
"You have my attention," he said at last, he seemed open minded enough to give the lion the opportunity to make his case.
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 3:53 am
His reply gave Zili reason to pause. He wasn't sure what he had expected to happen after he'd spoken, but now that he had the male's attention, he felt his resolve beginning to waver. He'd searched for long enough now that his chat with Tethys had faded a little and it took him a moment to refresh the conversation in his mind.
He slowly eased himself up to full height and forced his body to relax.
"He gave me no name but he looked a lot like you. White pelt, dark grey-blue mane. Green eyes...similar face marking to yourself." He paused, trying to think if he'd left anything out and realising quickly that his description had probably been enough.
"I wanted to gain membership in his pride. He said I had a lot to learn. That if I was willing, I could seek a lion to show me." He paused again, forcing himself to proceed even though he was starting to have serious doubts, "he sent me to look for you."
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:08 am
"Tethys," Destati gave the name of his only son and picked the last splinter from his paw. "His timing is impeccable as always," he remarked as he regarded the lion. Of all the lions to send in his direction, he had to send something that looked so like his enemies. In a way, the elder could find some form of humour in it, it was good to see that no matter what his son might have seen, he was still capable of making the correct choice.
Here stood a lion who might very well have been killed in the wrong light, if one had panicked. Yet instead of cuts and bruises, he was whole. Granted, he didn't seem to be terribly confident about, well, anything... but such things could be addressed in due time. Regardless, Zili's words gave the elder a small glimpse into the life his son had chosen to leave and he was pleasantly surprised.
...So they had found somewhere of strength.
"You've taken a beating," he said at last and lowered his paws to the ground once he was satisfied he had removed every unwelcome 'needle'. "And you don't look like you've eaten a proper meal in quite some time," he added. Even in the poor lighting he could see tell tale signs that whoever the lion was, he hadn't been caring for himself.
"I assume you have a name?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:17 am
Ah, so that was the name of the male he had met at the borders. Zili would have to remember that for when they next met.
He tried not to squirm under the scrutiny of the other male, turning his eyes downward to look at his front paws instead. He had made the right choice in coming here, hadn't he? This wasn't going to be a waste of time? He had to go back and earn victory someday. He needed it more than anything, either if his seer powers had manifested themselves again.
"I have," he admitted, seeing no reason in hiding it. He didn't realise that it hadn't been a question. "From my attempts at gaining entry to the pride." He had fought so many now and each time, come up with nothing. Heck, his conversation with Tethys had started as a challenge that had immediately been snuffed out due to his physical well-being.
"My name is Zili. These lands are unfamiliar to me and hunting has been unsuccessful." It hadn't helped that he had been in bad shape during his attempts. His hunger had driven him to impatience and his wounds made him clumsy. "I would not wish to be a burden on you, but if you can help me, I will not say no. I must earn my honour...and my place."
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:29 am
When lions often said such phrases he tended to regard them as excuses, but given the condition of the male and his overall disposition, it seemed to be the truth. Fortunately Destati had seen far worse in his life time and he gave a slow, measured nod as he listened to the lion speak. At the very least he was smart enough to string a sentence together, and more importantly, he was capable of taking advice.
"He wouldn't have sent you here if he hadn't seen something," he murmured calmly once he received the lion's name. "But it's impossible to have any form of honour without first having the capacity to look after yourself," he motioned for the lion to follow him, he couldn't remain in this spot when he really needed to be watching those dens.
"Honour comes from action, and if you deprive yourself of health then that isn't something worthy of respect, it makes you stupid," he cleared his throat softly. "Keep your head low," he ordered as he continued back towards where he had been. "If you believe you are capable, then I will help you... but if you merely think you can do it then I will be wasting my time."
"You either will, or you won't. I can give direction, I can't succeed for you."
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:48 am
Zili still felt a little uneasy, perhaps because he sensed the hard truths coming his way and he wasn't sure how his deflated ego would cope with it. He knew he had a long way to go, knew that it would be hard work, but surely if he wanted to achieve, he could do so? He was desperate to see the look on Xochi's face when he walked into the lands of the Stormborn with his head held high.
Still, he took haert from the fact that Tethys had seen a strength in him. He'd hold onto that, even if there was nothing else to hold onto.
He lowered his head immediately, looking around again as if there might be some unseen enemy out there. Then startled when the older lion moved off, scurrying to catch up with him and sticking close. He wasn't sure, if he was going to be honest, that he was capable. But even if he thought that, there were others who didn't. Tethys had seen hope and Xochi had believed in him so completely that it hurt to realise he had let her down. He'd use their belief to bolster and strengthen him.
"Thank you for your help," he said quietly, "I am capable. I know it."
And even just saying those words made him think that, maybe, he was.
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 4:55 am
Destati said nothing as Zili confirmed his intentions and provided him with a shallow nod. When they had once again settled by the dens, that still seemed to be undisturbed, he settled into silence. He had already acknowledged that Zili was a smart one, he would eventually catch on that this was a stake out and until he did, he had the advantage of being camouflaged thanks to the time of day.
It was here that he remained until the darkness truly set in.
A number of hours passed in which time the lion didn't even move. While others might have fidgeted, stretched, done something to relieve their tight muscles... The elder had done nothing. It was only after nothing happened that his eyes narrowed and he rose to his feet again. His ears swivelled and he looked more closely in the direction he had been watching.
Even at night, this region shouldn't have been so quiet - save for themselves, it almost seemed empty.
"Do you hear that?" he murmured and pursed his lips.
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 5:14 am
Zili was a rather compliant lion. Not a leader, but a follower, happy to do whatever was asked of him in hopes that he'd improve himself. It took him a while, but when he realised what was going on, he remained as still as Destati was.
The lion was clearly waiting for someone and had mistaken him for that someone when he had walked on by. Yet, as the time stretched on and on and the cold began to work into his joints, he wondered whether perhaps there was no one coming at all. Twice he'd thought of saying something but each time he had decided against it. Maybe this was a test now. A test to check his patience, perhaps. Or a test to see how long he was willing to go without questioning something?
Maybe he was supposed to speak up?
He was considering breaking the silence for the third time when the other male rose to his feet. Startled, he pulled himself back to his paws, stumbling a little where his hind-legs had decided to go to sleep. "Hear?" he paused, opening his mouth to say that he hadn't heard anything, when - in the darkness - the silence was broken.
He snapped his jaw shut, giving Destati a meaningful look. Was this the lion they had been waiting to ambush? His heart pounded.
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 5:24 am
"Mmmm," it was a non-committal sound as the elder lion swept towards the noise. It clearly didn't pose any threat to him and if Zili listened more closely he would understand why. It was laboured, each movement was erratic and slow. Whatever it was had been hurt and it was in no condition to cause risk to either him or Zili.
He covered the distance rather rapidly, already aware that Zili would follow him. Now that the black lion had made his decision he was proving compliant, there was no need for Destati to bark instructions. In moments he was upon whatever it was, it being a wild eyed, speckled lioness.
She wasn't crazed however, on the contrary, her laboured breaths and rolling eyes as she collided with a variety of plantlife were caused by the very deep gash in her neck. She wouldn't last long, and sure enough within another few steps she had collapsed. There was nothing that the elder could have done for her, there simply wasn't enough medical knowledge in this world for him to preserve that life but he could at the very least end the misery.
By the time Zili would catch up, he would find one of the lion's paws pressed against the lioness's throat, and another moving to close her eyes. A grim expression graced his maw, the only reaction appropriate when performing such a task...
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 5:35 am
Zili did indeed follow after, true to his name as always. Shadow. As he chased after the other lion he could hear the laboured sound growing louder, grasses crushing underfoot and then everything turned silent once more.
The black lion slowed his pace, sensing something was wrong before he set eye upon the scene. And, as he moved to draw up alongside Destati, his gaze went downwards to the lifeless form lying on the ground. A lioness, bleeding from the neck. He could smell the fear lingering about her and it sent a shiver through his body. Somehow, looking down at her, he realised he might have gotten himself involved in something that he really shouldn't be. Something bigger. Something scarier than just himself getting into a pride.
He swallowed, feeling nauseous, and took a step back.
"Was she...a friend?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 5:41 am
"No."
Destati didn't seem to be affected by the death, but something was bothering him. Perhaps in time Zili would come to realise that it was the failure that stuck with him. The elder had made a miscalculation, while he had observed the vulnerable in the location he had been in, he hadn't quite anticipated that they might in fact live elsewhere, nearby...but still not in the direction he had been watching.
On this occasion they had found what they wanted, their intelligence had been better.
"I hope you're feeling charitable," he remarked as he released the lioness from his grasp and made his way in the direction she had come. "You're going to find yourself grossly overworked, and very underpaid," he added without further explanation. Clearly, they would be heading into the pride that had succumbed to this violence...
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