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 Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:56 am
(( traditionalists and future rebels welcome. This will be one of the only chances to RP with Kidondo before his plot is revealed and he is banished since he will be growing some time next month.))
The old storyteller stretched her body fluidly as she slipped from the entrance to her den. In her minds eye she could see a ghost, cub version of herself playing in the dust. Her parents keen eyes watching over her.
She scented the air and as she glanced up she looked into the face of the old king, the true king.
"Makadari." Her voice was but a whisper but then her sleep blurred eyes revealed another shape to her. A young adolescent with a black mane and white markings. It was her young future King! Kidondo! Yes she would make sure he was as great as Makadari. It would be the last thing she did before she died.
She threw up her head and released a low chuff of greetingand moved across the sand. She may have been old but she moved with the eleganceand strength hat all Firekin possessed. The day she grew too weak to walk properly was the day she would give up on life altogether!
"Greetings my Lord." She gave a deep bow of her head and moved forwards to sniff at his fur, noting a scent that was not familiar on him. She looked up with questioning eyes.
Kidondo looked down at her, his expression passive as he gazed into those enquiring eyes. He knew she had smelt No's scent on him but he did not worry. Instead he gave a small, respectful bow and buffeted his head against her neck.
"Lady." He spoke calmly. "The scent you smell is that of my slave. I brought her with me after my short journey from the lands." He drew himself upright and shook his mane. "Do not worry, the lands outside holdnothing for me. The words you spoke of the world beyond the desert were true. They are vile and green and unnatural for our kind. I just needed to see it with my own two eyes."
He was affectionate towards the old storyteller, for in a way she had been like a mother to him, a teacher too.
"Very well my lord. Veyr well." And Ripuka's smile made Kidondo's guts twist with concern. At noticing the lack of response in his expression Ripuka added. "The elders are returning, theones who hold traditions locked in their minds. Soon the young ones will have to come to their senses and realise that change can be stopped."
She curled up her lips to reveal a set of sharp but yellowing teeth and shook her head. Her good eye was fixed upon the bright form of her prince, noting how...uncomfortable he looked.
"What happened out there my lord? Something has changed in you." Even Kidondo could not hide his apprehension from the lioness who had brought him up as a son.
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Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:01 am
Somewhere close by, another lioness had already stirred from slumber, detangling herself from amidsts the various small forms that now occupied her den. At times even Azula still marveled at how the pregnancy process worked, five cubs, she'd looked and felt as large as a bolder in her mind (which she detested with quite a sneer, yet it didn't stop her from carrying herself proudly), yet when they were born they had been absolutely tiny.
One of the little ones awoke with his mother, however, and as Kadogo watched the lioness slowly saunter out into the morning sun, so he would follow and settle down wherever she did.
Azula's eyes narrowed against the harsh light of the blazing sun above. She'd been awake since just around dawn, but chose to enjoy the all too rare silence that she'd found with her cubs and "mate" (Tamu'meka) still asleep rather than going back to sleep.
Her build was that of a true Firekin, for despite her being raised in rogue-territory, she had every bit of determined, cold fire that had come to be known throughout her pride. She trained, sharpening both mind and claws during her travels towards home. She had learned much about the world, however, and one might say that being raised outside of the sands left her tainted, for she didn't have the close minded, opinionated views that her people did... only some.
She did hide this well, being quite the dangerous manipulator. Thankfully, she hadn't come there with the intentions of starting any trouble, but a curiosity and drive to find lions that she might feel worthy of calling equal.
She'd come close, but so far (with the acception of one rogue, ironically enough), she had no such fortune. Not even the gods seemed worthy enough of such a title, for they were so convinced that they could use others as they saw fit and the world was theirs for the taking that, at least the ones that Azula met were taken for complete fools. Immortals, hardly all that legend made them out to be. Well, it mattered little. She'd make damned sure that her own flesh and blood wouldn't turn out so weak. She'd shape them from the start, teaching them with strict discipline, sometimes pain if need be.
Kadogo'moto was right at her heels by now, it seemed, but though the lioness noticed she didn't call attention towards him. The silver-licked huntress stopped at the very edge of her den and glanced to her side where she observed two others talking. The old one she recognized vaguely from seeing about the pridelands, the younger male was a new face, perhaps one of the dispersed youths she'd heeard about, or maybe even-- more likely (as she watched the interaction and caught the words on the tauntingly slight breeze), yes, the heir of the Firekin throne: Kidondo.
Very interesting, yet, Azula did not yet feel so boldly inclined as to interrupt the conversation. How utterly foolish that would be, and to no gain. Instead she calmly lowered herself to lie down on the sand-dusted rock to sunbathe for a bit, eyes drifting near shut.
Kadogo wasn't the only one to rouse then, another small head poked up groggily from the pile, golden eyes blearily roaming around the den to see two figures missing from their group, momma and Kadogo. Papa was there, and her other three siblings, but if someone was out exploring or talking then she wanted to be a part of it too!
With a wide, cubbish yawn, Zari shook her head to further rouse, pulling herself free of her family pile to bound tiredly after Azula's and Kadogo's matching red pelts.
She found Kadogo curled up beside Azula's forepaws with his chin resting on her shadowedappendage, caught sight of Kidondo and Ripuka, and grew curious. Suddenly her eyes widened a bit in an owlish expression, and despite the sleep still lingering in her muscles she started to pad closer to the two, only stopped by--
"Moto'wa'zari..."
The warning voice of her mother. Zari obediently stopped in het tracks, though continued to stare over at the other two adults.
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Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:18 pm
“This way, this way,” Came the soft voice of the addled princess, leading behind her a strange entourage of lions. She barely looked to them as she moved, her tiny frame bouncing about eagerly as she followed the familiar path through the rocks, and to the old teacher’s dwellings.
Kidondo must have been there, she was sure of it! After he had addressed their father, it was the only probable place to continue with. Although Kaanga had to admit- she was a bit cautious of the old lady. She seemed to be full of nothing but lessons, and she was sure Kaanga was not one of her favorite pupils out of the royalings. They seemed to like different stories- but that didn’t mean Kaanga hadn’t come armed with her own collection. Just in case.
But by the time the white lioness had arrived, she found that not only had her brother arrived- but so had another firekin lioness and her cubling. The old woman herself sat stretched out on the rocks. She had to admire the old firekin for looking as strong as she did in her old age. The white lioness stiffened in the sudden trance of formality, and politely regarded the mother lioness and her cub, before eagerly nodding her head towards the teacher and Kidondo.
But unlike Azula- Kaanga didn’t have the tact to know to be quiet.
“Hello, everyone! My! I didn’t think so many people would be here, no.” She babbled. “Kidondo! It’s been so long since Kaanga has seen you! I am sorry I did not come visit sooner.” She gleamed, before looking behind her.
“But see, Uzulu and I found your slave! She was with the others, but I was talking to her about you and your journey and Uzulu and I thought it would be more prudent to look after her, so now we’re returning her.” She nodded. “She’s kind of tiny, but I like her! She has a good name. ” Kaanga giggled to herself.
No, who had arrived somewhat adjacent to Uzulu, stifled a groan and hung her head which she turned into a bow. She was glad that associating with Kaanga had brought her back in cohorts with Kidondo however- and she had to admit, she was glad it had brought her into such a gathering. This female ahead of them- Ripuka, had been the one Kidondo had asked her to avoid. She hoped that it would not bring trouble.
As much as she wanted to catch his glance, she simply did a further bow. “I was happy to serve the lady until my lord is finished.” The cub was close to the ground- and No shifted her dull green eyes towards it. Surely the youth would be on their side?
Kaanga nodded and smiled, before looking back to Uzulu. “This is Uzulu. He arrived not long ago from the outside as well.”
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Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:37 pm
Uzulu followed along behind Kaanga, his eyes and ears constantly scanning the area. He wasn't sure why he was jumpy, but small or not, he was glad he had a slave on his left side. He wasn't sure at all where they were going, Kaanga had done nothing but babble, and he'd been paying so little attention that he'd been unable to find the true meaning behind her words. She might have well been a riddlist, with how she talked.
Uzulu followed Azula's example, and kept his mouth shut. He was wary of speaking to royalty in any case, though with Kaanga, it seemed to be expected. At one time he wondered how much tolerance the royalty gave towards one another, but after meeting Kaanga, he decided it was quite a great deal.
His ears perked at the sound of his name, and as No bowed, he hurried to do the same. Not quite as low, of course, but enough to show that he held respect towards Kidondo. He gave a wry grin towards, No, as he did so, as though admitting he'd stooped to her level. That was the only recognition he would probably ever give her of anything, and perhaps it was a glimmer of hope for her to rest on, that he might just change his ways.
Upon hearing he was being adressed, Uzulu stepped forwards to go to Kaanga's side. He stayed just behind her, not wanting to feel like he was advancing some sort of status, but clearly showing that he had been heard, and he'd come in the company of her. He didn't want to be mistaken and thrown out of things.
"Greetings, my lord," he dared, putting another bow into it for good measure.
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Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:19 am
Aware that the lands were awakening all around him made Kidondo even more nervous. He scrabbled for some words to try and decieve the sharp-witted lioness but found it near impossible.
"Sleeping without a Pride around me has made me wary Lady Ripuka, nothing more." He puffed out his chest a little and gave a small chuffing sound, "but wariness is needed to survive when there are pathetic rogues out there who seek fame and glory in killing a legendary Firekin."
His eyes flickered back towards the dens, the smell of others carrying to his delicate nose. There was a lioness there...and cubs, maybe? He did not want his eyes to linger too long however and for now gave the new mother a slight bow of his head.
When he turned back to face Ripuka there was still a scowl on her face and as she opened her mouth to speak he knew there would be more questions. He swallowed and opened his mouth to try and cut her off, only to be beaten to the target by Kaanga.
The white female was a blessing, a miracle! He turned to face his sister and though there was no smile on his face there was something in his eyes that portrayed happiness. "It's okay Kaanga, really." He replied, his eyes moving beyond her form to that of a large male and...No.
This time the smile did appear, though it lingered only briefly before being shoved behind an expression of formality.
"I am glad to see you too, It has been too long." He moved to buffet his head against Kaanga's, so very glad to set eyes on a member of his family who he knew he could trust. He was even happier when she spoke of liking No, though he was concerned of what the others might have thought of that.
When No spoke he found it hard to keep his eyes off her, he gave a small snort in response and let his eyes fall past her to the male; Uzulu as Kaanga introduced him.
"Greetings to you Uzulu." Kidondo replied, "I trust Kaanga has been keeping your company?" He was glad his sister had found a few friends to cling to in a place that was truly unsuitable for her innocent and kindly nature.
Ripuka's low growl rang clear of her disgust at Kaanga's declaration at liking a slave, but she said nothing. Though she disagreed she was Kidondo's sister and she never wished to give the future king a reason to dislike her and maybe fall from teachings.
Instead she gave a silent nod towards the newcomers and fixed her eyes upon No. Her gaze was fierce and so piercing it seemed that it would impale her.
Why had Kidondo chosen such a fine and strong looking slave? She had not missed his quickly covered smile and in her gut suspicions rose, almost making her sick.
No, no it couldn't be possible. She would not believe her star pupil of such treachery. "Just getting paranoid in my old age." She mumbled quietly to herself.
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Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:54 pm
 Dark ears flicked, a young one stirred from his slumber by the sound of voices nearby. Small jaws parting in a yawn, his body reaching in a stretch, Ashi woke from his slumber to find his mother was missing as were two of his siblings. Not that this bothered him, he knew they were nearby, though even left alone he would have appeared indifferent.
Prying himself free of his remaining siblings and their 'father', the young cub rose to his paws and trod to the den entrance where his mother waited. Unlike his younger sister, Ashi was not motivated by curiosity, nor the fear that caused his youngest sibling to cling to the lioness' side. No, he simply wished to hear the voices, to know what they were saying. For perhaps what they were speaking was important, perhaps what they said was something he should know.
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Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:23 am
Kaanga grinned, and nodded her head. She was still busy taking in her brother’s new disposition- when she had last seen him, he’d scarcely been an adolescent. Now he was almost an adult! Did that mean she was as well? Self consciously, she stretched her neck up. Kaanga would grow up too! Already she was a fine sized firekin- which made her gentle nature seem clumsy and bizarre. On the offside- she was looking at the cubs that loomed around their mother.
“Oh yes,” Kaanga continued, although obviously distracted- something which she didn’t even try to hide as her eyes became fixated upon the children with delight. “I have!” She eagerly bounced, and swayed her tail once or twice. Beyond her- No continued to watch quietly.
She could feel someone’s eyes upon her that way people subconsciously do. It was like a prickling in the back of her neck. And just once, her eyes swooped upwards to meet the glance before the look vanished again.
Another cub distracted Kaanga, and the white lioness walked in front of No, cutting off the feeling of being watched. “These are very good cubs!” Kaanga commented to Azula, brimming. But almost as quickly, her eyes fluttered back and she took in Ripuka's scowling.
"How is Ripuka doing?" The white lioness dramatized, and took a few eager bounces forward- but, kept herself just short of swiping distance should she be scolded.
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Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 9:20 am
Zari watched as Kaanga moved about and babbled almost with delight in her own eyes. She didn't feel so weird when seeing for herself that there were others here cheerful like her, and Kaanga was a princess to boot! If it was okay for a Princess of the Firekin to be so cheerful and perky then it must mean that Zari wasn't as weird as her siblings tended to make her think!
As a few of the older lion's attention shifted to them, however, Zari's eyes widened, and it almost seemed as though she was bitten by something that enduced a sudden bout of shyness. Her ears flattened nervously to her head, her body stilling under the attention for just a moment.
Then Kaanga complimented them, and all was right again.
Zari turned to her mother with a beaming expression, as if to say "did you hear that momma? See? See? We're good!", though her lips never did part to say any such thing.
Kadogo too seemed a little more at ease now, and rose to wander closer towards his other siblings curiously, but first stopped. Looking up at Azula quietly, he wondered if she'd allow them to move closer now or not...
Azula simply shifted to sit up on her haunches, irritated (but well poised to hide it as usual) by the white lioness' incessent babbling. So much for her quiet morning. At Kaanga's compliment a convincing smile slipped upon her muzzle, one could actually call it motherly in it's own right, and she quietly thanked her. "Thank you, my lady." Even if she felt like giving the girl a reprimanding swat of the paw. It seemed the little female hadn't changed at all since Azula first arrived here, which -was- enough to cause the silver-licked huntress to chuckle to herself.
She herself bothered to get up completely then with one annoyed flick of her tail, moving a bit closer to the group by sitting to one side of the mouth of she and Tamu'meka's den, on the outside edge and observe. Normally she'd be putting herself closer to the center, but she could observe just fine from where she sat, and had no particular intrest in getting socially involved. She still had nothing to say and it wasn't the first time she'd been in the presence of royalty, hence a lack of intrest.
A silent nod to the children, however, gave them permission to move a little bit closer.
"Don't be nuisances." Was her only clipped warning. They knew well what this meant. Don't step on anyone's toes, tails, or nerves.
Zari, now given practically free reign, bounded closer to the group with a delightful and short lived squeal. Her targets were Kaanga and No, of course, who had made the grave mistakes of expressing intrest in her.
She purred and thrashed her tail excitedly as she sideled up somewhere between one of the two's paws, looking up, and up, and up to stare at them. Woooooooow they were so BIG! Not as big as momma, but MUCHmuchmuch bigger than HER! O: And they had the coolest pelts she'd ever seen since, well, since Vari's!! Kaanga was all white with black stripes, it kinda resembled the leftover bones she'd seen when daddy took her on that walk that one time. She had a pretty red trim too, so pretty! And No looked like she had a really easy time blending into shadows in the dens, especially at night. Zari was a little jealous, since her golden stripes and bright red and white made her stand out in almost any lighting.
She stayed quiet for now though, since she didn't want to interrupt.
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Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 2:21 pm
There were so many cubs everywhere. They made him queasy, for he did not have any, though he desperately wanted them. The male, it made him wary, he did not like their kind, he'd much rather have a girl cub, though, he would be lucky for any at all.
He spied Kaanga's interest in them, and beamed. There was some hope for him, afterall, that she might make an outstanding mother. Children liked stories, besides, and he was sure that Kaanga could provide that. He certainly couldn't be around to take care of them. There were always too many things to do.
"The best one can ask for," Uzulu responded to Kindono. Sometimes Kaanga was too good at keeping company.
He laughed lightly at Kaanga, and her persistent questions. She was allowed to break the ice, unlike the rest of them. "Thank goodness one of us is brave enough to speak." It was a daring comment, and could have been taken very badly. He knew Kaanga wouldn't mind, but the others? It would at least give him an insight to their minds, and how they reacted to pressures. Overall, it was far too quiet, except for Kaanga's ramblings.
He eyed the youngster coming closer, a light smile coming to his lips. It was a young female, and one which showed some guts. He'd never bounded towards adults like that, they'd always terrified him, except the slaves. He'd had no problem ordering them about. A gentleness crossed his face that rarely stuck there, and he dared moving towards the cub himself.
"What do they call you?" he asked her, crouching down so his head was level with hers. The others would probably think it odd he was showing such child-like behavior, but in the presence of youth, how could you not smile? They were so full of energy. Talking them down, it would lead to no good.
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Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 3:43 pm
Zari was excited, listening to all the conversation going back and forth already, though she wished she could've understood what was going on to be a part of it.
The young girl stopped in her game of weave between the legs when she was directly addressed, however, and blinked owlishly at Uzulu for a moment before grinning. Her chest puffed a bit proudly and she tried to give the apperance of a mature, proud firekin female, like she had seen her mother and her mother's friend, the princess Motomilia, do every so often without having to try.
"My name's Moto'zari! It means flaming gold!"
She seemed quite pleased to have a name with meaning, as if it denoted special care that her mother cared enough to give she and her littermates names that had actual significance.
"What about you?" She questioned, smile just as bright as before.
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Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:55 am
He wanted to smile, wanted to laugh. His sister always made him feel as if he could forget his worries. Oh to be as pure minded and loving as she! Sometimes he wished he had not been born a heir, but a simple Firekin male who had only to strive to be a good hunter and protector. And again he knew that no matter whether he had been born first or last, he would have felt this need to protect his kin.
His ears flicked towards Uzulu, interested to find that perhaps some of Kaanga's personality might have rubbed off on him. It was good to see an elder breaking the bonds of tradition.
"I am glad to hear this." He replied, trying his best to ignore the stony glare Ripuka was giving No. His protectiveness swelled briefly but he pushed it down and moved out of the circle to sit outside it. Here he would watch and observe. He turned his head to wards the new mother, glancing at the cubs with some interest.
The quiet male reminded him something of himself, but the others. They seemed to act as cubs should. "It is good to see life in the desert. New life is such a gift." He wondered briefly who her mate was but decided against asking. It would not do to stick his nose into other's business.
Young cubs...would they accept the new ways he had in mind? He wanted to ask, to find out where this mother stood but he had not the heart to plot in the company of so many. Already he had a suspcion that Uzulu might be lured to his side, especially with Kaanga as a friend.
Ripuka however, he knew she would never join him.
The old female snorted as the white female blocked her view from the slave and she almost felt the need to crane her head to continue her angry look. Yet insead she huffed and raised her head at a proud angle.
Sweeping out her form into an elegant orangey-red curve she gave the younger female a somewhat displeased look and a quick retort.
"I would do better if I were not standing in the shadow of an inferior." She hissed, moving to step beside Kidondo. She had been talking of No, but it could easily have been thought otherwise. She was like a protective mother over him still, keeping her good eye on him.
He seemed different somehow and as she glanced into his face she saw something that made her stomach tighten. Was his faith dwindling? She wanted to snap her teeth andknock some sense into the young prince but she knew she could not give into fear.
Instead she sat beside him and leaned to whisper in his ear.
"What ails you Prince?" Again she caught his gaze but it was not directed towards her. It was towards No.
"I worry Ripuka." He replied softly, dragging his eyes around the gathering of lions. "I worry about our future. Do you? Do you see a way out of our predicament with producing cubs that are not inbred? Would you sit back and watch as our generations mingle until the cubs are deformed and ill of mind?" His words were low but if one had been trying to hear him they would have.
He ignored Ripuka's shocked expression, though perhaps he should not have. Because in her good, gleaming eye there lingered a sudden realisation.
A realisation that might ruin everything.
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Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:08 pm
Kaanga nervously giggled as the pleasent situation suddenly turned to one of severity. It started first with Ripuka’s harsh comment towards No- which, Kaanga did not mistake as a dual jab at herself. She was an innocent creature, maybe- but she wasn’t a complete fool either. The white lioness smiled at the old woman and flattened her ears in respect, before chirping- “Oh, Ripuka!” She sighed in a somewhat patronizing tone children often used towards the elderly. “Surely standing so, it’s your shadow on hers.”
No flicked her ear in a response to stop herself from smiling. But it wasn’t too hard to keep herself- something looked a bit tense in Kidondo’s face when she looked up and noticed him. And when he made the statement to Ripuka, it was not lost to her how that might have been taken by the old woman.
Kaanga was still chuckling, and she rubbed her chest. The situation of breeding had been one no one really spoke about, but everyone knew about. Which was why when Uzulu had come, she had thought quite highly of the matter. He was almost a godsend. “Babies...are less and less of a blessing.” She commented softly, but looked fondly at the gentle spoken cub. “But I am sure...good things...are in the future?” She hushed lightly, trying to smooth the gap between Kidondo’s speech. "Maybe more firekin, hiding...elsewhere? Makes Kaanga sad to think that there might not be..."
But even she knew that might not have been so true. The situation was getting harsh. Already Azula's cubs were now related to the family...who would they go to when they were grown? Of course- Kaanga knew no better that their father had not been whom was claimed.
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Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 3:26 pm
With a silent glance to his mother, Ashi padded several steps from the den before settling on his haunches again. Now that he closer to the adults he could better hear what they said, and his young ears flicked with interest at each spoken word. And though he did not understand it all, he did his best to listen for he was certain it must be important.
The eldest cub was so unlike his siblings, calm and collected, cold as the arctic snow. He did not bounce around like his sister, nor did he cling like his brother. How annoying they would have been had he been capable of such an emotion.
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Posted: Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:15 pm
Uzulu noted the youth's excitement with a calm distempter, his eyes flicking about his surroundings. He noticed the tension as it worked up his fur, though he tried desperately to ignore it.
"Uzulu," he paused there, at loss for words, rising once again to his feet. "I have no recollection of its meaning." He nodded at her, as though he expected her to understand something in that subtle movement. Perhaps it was showing that she should, indeed, hold great pride in having a name with a meaning.
His attention was quickly grabbed by the voice of the prince. There was something in it, that he couldn't quite place. What the prince said was true, however, as far as he could tell. Everyone seemed related in some way or another. Even his children would soon be thrown into the mix of royalty. Was he doing the Firekin a disservice, then?
What other choice did they have? Arranged couplings seemed the only choice. They'd have to control the nature of their lives and love. Was that such a task to take? Uzulu thought not, but what else could be done?
"There are other of The Blood, that have long since been banished. Some for strange reasons. Could they be pardoned, for a mere chance of helping out lines?" It was a far-fetched answer to the problem, but he could think of no others, without resorting to the disgusting behavior of his long absent brother.
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Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:18 am
He stood again as if unable to settle, his dull eyes falling first upon his sister. She spoke now, revealing that she did indeed have wisdom in her despite what others thought. In a way Kaanga was wiser than even old Ripuka who refused to change her ways to survive.
Then his eyes snapped to the elder and with a small shake of his head he spoke, "If they were banished they will be unlikely to return. And of those who do...what is the chance they will not be of royal blood? No, my ancestors were too neglectful of the bloodlines and this plague Ripuka spoke of destroyed its already wavering balance."
He seemed to be stronger now, getting rid of the demons that kept floating at his shoulders. Perhaps it were these visions that kept haunting him. For each time he stared into a face he saw images of the future, splayed out before him on a cracked surface of some magical mirror. They kept taking him by surprise, filling him with doubt and fear. Fear was something he had never been aquainted with...not until now.
He bristled slightly as Ripuka insisted on following him, and his ears picked up her low growl.
"That is the way it should be Lady Kaanga." She snapped. It appeared her own conclusions were draining on her temper, though the old female had always been a little hot. She paced on great paws a moment and then came right up beside the Prince, pressing close against him. It was he alone who heard her warning growl and the Prince knew there would be a fight if he did not try and pull things together.
Again her lowered voice reached his ears.
"Kidondo, my Prince. No matter what happens to us, we must keep our belief, hold traditions. It is our faith that will rescue us now. Do not put yourself in a blasphemous position to aid us. Though your heart means well your father nor I will see it for what it is." There was a hissing warning in her words but fear also, because she did not like to see a student of hers be tempted from the righteous path.
Then raising her voice slightly, she eyed the others, "Do you not see? We are being tested, tested by Mighty Finar-si herself!" She chuffed loudly and swept her head up. "If we show ourselves worthy of our continued blessing then she shall aid us."
And as Kidondo looked into her face his eyes were plagued with yet more visions. They snapped into his 'dreamworld' with terrifying force, stealing away his own eyes.
He saw Ripuka lying curled in a den, cubs suckling greedily. Their coats bore the Firekin pelt and it was clear they were not of royal blood. The colour of their pelt was unlike his father's or his own; a mix of Ripuka's and something darker. The future. Ripuka turned her gaze to stare at him, the look in her good eye freezing his heart.
Then again the vision snapped into nothingness, leaving him staring almost helplessly at the gathered bunch of lions. He clenched his jaw and took another step back.
What was happening to him? Was he going mad?
Was his path really the right one or was Ripuka right? Would enough faith be the key to luring Finar-si back into aiding them? But why...why should they rely on another for their survival. If they were warriors they should stand alone, need no one to help them survive.
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