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There was a strange smell on the air. One of many lions, and yet none were nearby. Saran was watching from under the shade of one of the few strange trees that grew in the desert, eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of movement. She wasn't a fighter, but that didn't mean she would leave her pride and flee in the face of danger. She had children here now to protect, even though they were big enough to do so themselves now.

Finally, movement. A white lion appeared through the shimmering heat rising from the sand. She froze in the shadow of the tree, eyes tracking his movements. He didn't seem to have anyone else with him despite the breeze telling her that there were others. There was no where for them to hide, so perhaps they were far and the wind was simply fooling her.

As he drew closer, she noticed rather wonderful markings adorning his face. Ever the opportunist, she rose to her paws and began to stride towards the stranger, eyes half-lidded and a coy smile on her face. Saran wasn't the type to fight for glory, but she was more than content to provide the pride with worthy, strong cubs. As her current brood no longer needed her to survive, she could set her sights on another target. While this male wasn't nearly as large as the last, he was clearly strong to have survived the heat and demands the desert made. Plus his markings were to die for.

"What brings you here, traveler?" she purred as she drew within earshot, tail flicking behind her in an alluring manner. "Surely you're not lost? These lands are not forgiving to those who lose their way."

Ooh, she liked a male that did things with purpose. There was nothing wrong with a confident male, and in fact she prized it over those that came off as meek or too polite. He had an air about him of knowing exactly what he was doing at all times and that was enough to keep her interested.

"Perhaps I do," she said with a teasing tone to her voice. "I know them better than you, which should be all that matters," she added, giving him a little smirk before turning and heading back for her tree.

"You've been in the sun for a while it seems. Come rest in the shade." She glanced over her shoulder, pausing as she waited for him to follow. With such a pale coat the heat of the sun wouldn't bother him too much, but it would easily burn him thanks to the lack of protection to his skin. It was both a curse and blessing she had come to notice the lighter members in the pride suffered in their new lands. She, on the other hand, was a perfect tone to not suffer from the heat nor the pain the sun could cause.

Saran was pleased to see the male following her. He could have turned and walked away, of course, but she had the feeling he wanted to know about the vast sands that lay before them. Truth be told, she didn't know much about them either. They had only just arrived at the edge of the desert a week or so ago and she hadn't gone out to explore. She knew why the Nergui had come, but she wasn't about to tell this stranger that.

Laying down, she rolled a bit of her weight to one side, the paw without all the weight on it curling up against her chest. She surveyed the white male once more, tail flicking at the flies that buzzed in the shade.

"Oh no, riddles aren't my thing," she said with an amused tone of voice. "Handsome lions wandering around the desert are my thing." It was clear what she wanted by this point if it hadn't been before, and Saran was certainly willing to give him what he wanted in exchange for what she was after.

"Is there anything specific you'd like to know about the sands?" she asked, tilting her head just a bit. Although she herself hadn't been here long, scouts had gone ahead to explore the lands. She knew they were hostile and unforgiving, but that within them were little spots with water and lush trees and dens, the marks of a pride that had been here long ago still present.

Saran's smirk only grew as the white male settled himself in the shade beside her, giving her a good look at the strange, horn-like markings that curled around his eyes. Surely that was the mark of a god, one that she hoped would be passed down to any cubs she might have after this encounter. The male she had sought before had given each of her cubs size and markings that other lions could only wish for, and while this male wasn't nearly as big as he had been, he certainly wasn't anything to scoff at.

As he posed his question her green eyes narrowed a bit in thought. Foreigners that weren't the Nergui...no, she hadn't seen any towards the end of their march. Strange plants other than the one they were laying beneath? No, she hadn't seen much vegetation at all. Generally identical? What was this, a roaming band of siblings?

"No, I have not. And nor has anyone else in my pride," she confirmed. "Word would spread quickly. We don't take kindly to other groups of lions infringing on our territory." It was new territory at that, but she again kept that to herself. "Are you hunting these identical foreigners?" she asked, shifting a paw to rest on his, an interested tone to her voice.

Saran snorted very softly at the male's eagerness to not be here any longer. She couldn't blame him, really. Were the potential treasures that awaited the Nergui not here, she would hate this place as well. Saran was a very content lioness for the time being, though, even with the heat and the sand. She had strong children already making her proud, she had a new potential sire for more strong cubs, and she was more than pleased with how the Nergui were settling in to their new home.

"Just enough time," she agreed, letting her tail flick a bit more before shifting her weight to allow her head to reach under his, nudging his chin in a nuzzle. "I'm glad I could help you find what you were seeking," she added, pushing her nose into his mane to nuzzle his neck. "Now, perhaps, you may return the favor?"

If there was one thing Saran was, it was persistent. He had gotten what he wanted and now she wanted what she was after. Then he'd be free to leave this sun-scorched land.