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 Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:34 am
Malik was roused by the sound of voices nearby. He had met with the rebel king just a few days prior. A strange meeting, but a fortunate enough one for the golden giant's ambition. As a juvenile cub, he had watched a Firekin steal into the Pridelands and snatch up one of his littermates. He had followed him until the scent had gone cold back then. He was grateful it had. As a cub he'd been more than a little egotistic of his own abilities. As an adult, he at least stood a chance at salvaging Azize from slavery. Especially now that there was an entire force of lions focused on the same goal.
After his meeting with Kidondo, Malik had found himself a thicket to rest in, knowing full well that he'd need the energy for the trek across the sands. He'd seen them, but only from a distance.
At first he passed the voices off as an unwelcome annoyance to his otherwise pleasant nap and had rolled himself over to further ignore it. But as the voices drew closer, and one in particular chimed into his memory, the young adult yawned and stood himself up.
He pulled out of the thicket with a shake of his large firey mane. Eyes still droopy with sleep, he might have looked very much like the half-wit he was. "Mornin'." He nodded to one of the lions as he simply walked his way to the front of the group.
Of the group, he would have stood out like a sore thumb. His appearence was nothing short of pridelander. Golden pelt, bright eyes, and full red mane. However, his build and stature were very much firekin. With the blood of two royal lines from two opposing prides, he was hardly a pushover.
He met Kidondo with a drowsy smile and dipped his head a bit out of respect. "'ya didn't tell me there'd be ladies here! I'd'a took some time tah lick m'fur over at least once if I'd'a known." He brought a paw up in a friendly jab at the king's shoulder, "We gettin' this show on th' road den?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:37 pm
Her ears perked at Kidondo's words. The sentiment was nice. That their pride was not worth their life. But if he would put his life on the line for this, then she would do the same if it would see his goal met.
She moved forward when he did to the border, stopping a bit back from where he stood. She could feel her pulse begin to increase, claws shifting in the sand restlessly. The moment she'd been planning for since he had taken her from the Pridelands that she had so disliked was finally here.
She stilled herself with a deep, calming breath, slipping easily back into a cold, relaxed state. She would not allow her mind to be captured by the thrill of battle. No. Each move she would make here would be calculated and precise. She would strike down any who came against her and help ensure the victory Kidondo sought.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:04 am
No nodded her head, her jade eyes flecking for a moment on those surrounding them. “We’ll be prepared.” Her voice thrummed, although in the back of her mind, she was already starting to formulate various scenarios that could happen during the course of the struggle. She would be ready. She could feel it in her bones. As he continued speaking to her, she caught the slight pause. It was a moment of things unspoken- but she knew the words. For a moment, her face softened from it’s usual serious form. But like the pause in Kidondo’s words where something else might have fallen, it vanished as soon as he continued.
Compulsively she looked over to Nuri, who stood not far from them. She didn’t like the idea of leaving Kidondo’s side- after all this while she felt as rooted to him as an old tree. In a way, their connection had had a kind of magical property to it- they’d been incredibly lucky so far. But at the same time, she had known that the day would likely have the two on different fronts. So while her heart regretted it, when her mind settled she was firm in her expression.
“I understand,” She spoke. “When you split, Nuri and I will continue the push into the lands.” She suspected it might be hard controlling his other request- the majority of these lions had not seen combat like this. She hadn’t seen combat like this. Who knew what came out in souls in a wild frenzy of battle? Her maw crinkled in thought, and she looked off the ridge. “Anyone who surrenders or runs, or is incapacitated will be ignored. Although- “ Her eyes shifted. “It will be hard judging the fighting will of the firekin, and just how much that fire has dwindled as of late…”
Her voice stretched for a moment. Of course- she doubted the one life Kidondo wanted to save would submit. To the others- No would watch. She had no desire to destroy families anymore then they were.
“Alright,” Her voice cut, moving towards Nuri so they could start coordinating the forward movements. "Keep your heads. There's no more time for waiting."
It wouldn't be long now until the firekin knew of their descent.
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:32 pm
Nuri watched with patience as Ondo spoke, listening with one ear erect. She didn't say a word as he spoke on, eyes lowered to the path in front of her, paws slipping through the sands. Idly, she thought over how long it had been, as the small rocks dragged across her paws. Nothing would stop her from moving through this sand, she may have been gone for ages, but she was not one to forget the ways of her pride.
Turning back when No responded, she picked through her mind at the last few statements, and had to hold back the grin that seemed to break through. It was a hard request, the prince was right on that.
"I shall try, but I can promise you nothing. After all, I am Firekin," With a small grin, her eyes shone with passion, her blood flowing with excitement now that the sands were all that was around him. However, when he made move to leave, she took a moment to pause in her steps and let out a sigh.
"I will always fight beside you, My King."
Turning away, she put up her same mask of thoughtfulness and watched No, eyes running down the Pridelander's pelt as the female took charge. No knew more about the whole idea than she, and so she would keep silent, eyes watching for anything and everything and taking it all in. She would make sure nothing happened to those around her, for Kidondo wished for it to be so.
"This silence will not last."
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Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:03 am
Chapter 3
Moment of Decision
At No's calmly spoken words, Kidondo felt a calmness settle upon him. Muscles that had been tensed and wary evened out. His eyes glanced across her strong back and he knew that No could be trusted. She was wise and she was not as likely to fall into a bloodrage. She'd keep her head where the Firekin would lose it.
"You are right. It will be hard to judge. No one can know what their reaction will be. I just hope they see sense before sense is beaten from them." He included his father in that sentiment but like No, deep down he knew that Kimeti would not see the light, not even when things were breaking apart all around him.
He watched her turning towards Nuri and perked his ears in her direction. The lioness was precious to him too. Nuri had been like a mother to him, guiding him and teaching him as a mother should. She had been there to give him a push in the right direction when he had needed it.
He could not help grin at her words. Yes it was in a Firekin's blood to want battle, to rage war, as it were. She would find it harder than No to release those who had been enemies in her heart for so long. He would not blame her if control slipped though he hoped for the sake of the traditionalists who would suffer at the rebels' wrath. "I know you will Nuri." And he did. Both of them would lead the rebels into battle. They were wise and strong and they held an aura that demanded respect. They would do a better job than he in any case for they were used to the hunt, used to working together to perform such an operation.
"The silence won't last." His eyes turned to the border jus as Malik approached. The golden lion was an odd one and his words knocked the rebel prince off guard.
He almost smiled.
"Malik, my friend." He turned to glance briefly around him. "Apologies, but there'll be time for introductions later." He paused, eyed the large male with laughter in his eyes - odd considering that things were about to get underway. "Yes, Malik, things are about to get complicated." Then, casting a last glance around him he quickened his pace, trotting with a purpose towards the border.
The lands were so close now, he could see to the dens, swear that he saw red moving amongst the gloom. He felt the roar in his chest, rumbling, vibrating, aching to be released. The silence of the morning shivered around him. He slowed his pace, raised his head and caught sight of the sky above him. Then suddenly the pressure in his chest increased, the rumble grew louder, rose up to his throat and blasted from his parted jaws. The roar was like distant thunder and in it was a threat that no pride could ignore.
A traitorous lion was on the lands and he wanted death. In one of the dens, lying curled up with her family, an orange-red lioness awoke, her one good eye flaring open. The roar rattled the earth beneath her body, sent a shudder of fear and molten anger through her being. The fur raised along her shoulders, spittle gathered on her jowls as she snarled at the enemy she couldn't see but knew was close.
"So..." Her voice was hoarse, cold but held a tint of sadness for the one she had once thought of as son and now thought of as doom.
"...He has returned." And rising up onto old legs, the lioness slipped from the den.
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Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:30 am
Though deep in sleep, a mighty frown hung upon the adolescent lion's brow, and his lip curled back in a silent snarl. His dreams were plagued by the image of a lioness, the color of a burning flame, once voiceless in his mind. Since cubhood he had seen this image every night behind shut eyes, wondering who it was and what she might want with him and those around him. And though he now knew who it was - his mother - and had seen her face, heard her voice in person, the image did not fade.
There was nothing different in her appearance, only that now he heard wisps of their past conversation around him, spoken though the image did not move its lips. And there was sadness in the lioness's visage that he wished he would not see. There was nothing left that he wanted from her, only that he would not have to face the fear of seeing her in the darkness anymore. And yet that night, it felt somehow different.
Perhaps it was only his mind playing games on his body. Yet something, he felt, was different, be it about the dream or just something that hung on the air. It was threatening, somehow, and it dwarfed the lion and made him feel small again, as if once more he were a cub blinking up at Mpaji with golden eyes.
And then a roar cut through his dreams, and at once Azarax's bright eyes opened. That was it. That was what he had been feeling, he was certain of it. Change was in the air, along with the certainty of some sort of invisble threat. But to what? The lion shuddered, for the sound that had sounded only moments before and still hung there in the early air as if refusing to fade, had brought with it a promise of something else. Something that he could not quite put a paw on.
The tan lion stood, feeling the tension in his muscles. His tail lashed out behind him agitatedly as he stood there, wondering what could be happening. For that was all he needed at that moment. To know. So, his piercing eyes twinkling with a creeping feeling of adventure, he padded from the den and out into the open.
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Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:31 am
A nightmare, flashing through her head. The sky was dark like blood and the fish swam beneath the sand like spiders. And then- lightning, but as it struck it melded into the roar of a lion, which jostled the princess out of her slumber. Her yellow eyes went wide as she lurched alight, instantly slumping to the ground in paranoia. “What?” She said to no one, for at the time, she was alone in the dark cave. Mpaji elsewhere, perhaps plotting the fate of his children. Uzulu, on rough grounds with her. Her sons- her sons! Grown now, too far for her to hold onto. Her heart ached even as it pounded for that fact.
It was dark in the cave, as Kaanga slunk back further. “You knew this was happening,” She spoke in a curious garble to herself. “This must happen…but… Kaanga-“ She spoke, twitching, before running to the entrance.
What had she heard? A roar? Yes. Yes, she could feel it. Even now, down below, she could see life popping up in the morning hours. Siraj’s hulking body was stalking across the sand. “Siraj,” She called, her voice strained.
The male stopped for a moment, looking agitated at the sound of her words. But he was a loyal soul, and stopped where he was to look at her. “Probably some fool rogue.” He grunted with a gleam in his one good eye. But even he must have known- for there had always been whispers.
Kaanga looked off into the distance. Nothing, yet. But she could feel it in her chest.
Kidondo had returned.
"My sons," She breathed to herself- and in a flash, the white lioness tore off into the canyon. They must not fight! Oh!
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Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:39 pm
This was it. There was no query in the fact, no curiosity, no remorse or dread, no nervousness, not even a need to state such a fact. This was simply how it was. This was "it".
It was only a day of partial importance to Azula, for she cared not for the events that would transpire this morn, but the opportunities to be seized afterwards. Life was a matter of making the most of those opportunities that you either earned, or were presented to you by circumstance and happenstance. Azula was not the type that would miss out unless it was of better benefit in the long run to do so.
Letting the prey escape only for it to lead you to an even larger quarry, for instance.
Though no prey beast, this rebellion would be a beast in and of it's own right, and the prizes that would follow would be worth the bloodshed that others would have to endure at her claws, and if they were not? Azula would shed no tears for those she harmed, she'd not give them a single second thought. She'd simply move on. Brothers and sisters would be pitted against one another, as well as parents, and these sands would never be the same again, soon to be soaked with the blood of it's own children who once in unison called it home.
For Azula, no such sentimental attachment existed, or so it would seem.
As the roar shook the very foundation of their cliff side residence, she rose to her paws with a calm glance. She then shot the slaves resting at the very back of the cave, her a sharp, silently and passively commanding look.
"It's time. Hiashi, Zari, Zita, Vian, up, now."
She didn't need to say it. The lot of them all knew that they could not afford to be caught unawares when their mother made her intentions known. They'd fall under the suspicion of any pride member present and likely find themselves targets as well, at worst, and subject to question at best.
But until that time, they needed to continue to act the part. Strike when the moment was opportune, when it was unexpected, when the guard of their own was down and their attention focused on the oncoming army instead of their own numbers.
Without speaking another word the lioness slipped from the den into the already near stifling morning air, moving towards the direction of the commotion, seemingly curious as to what the fuss was. She found Kaanga rushing through the den area and felt her eyes narrow, calling out. What troubled that girl so? She was strange, and Azula suspected that she had a similar gift to her own brood, but she never pried.
"Lady Kaanga!"
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Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:54 pm
Meilin lifted her head tiredly as the sounds of Kidondo's roar woke anyone not a heavy enough sleeper to keep their peace. Instinctively her legs curled more to draw the cubs closer (some of whom were peering curiously or nervously now), and she stared at Azula and the desert beyond the cave for a moment before looking to Vian. Only he would be able to read the silent message and worry in her eyes, telling him, begging and urging him to be careful. She knew he'd fight, and if not for the children she'd be right at his side, but someone had to stay with them to ensure they didn't get into any trouble, and that they were able to slip out when the timing was right.
"Fight smart..." She murmured, brushing her head against his while she was able, before he stood.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:16 pm
 He rose from sleep, looking over his sleeping daughters. A frown, a flick of the ear, and he knew. Change was on the wind. Rising, the old lion padded out. Around him, others stirred. They, too, had heard it, and a glance noted even slaves had. Behind him, another lion padded out. He looked over, frowning at the slave before padding away. He had not met the king's son, and he fully intended to do so. Assured her master's daughters slept undisturbed, the slave stepped out. Gold eyes looked about, watching others stir. Ears flicking, she questioned what she should do. After a moment, she looked for Kiunguza. She'd know what to do, she'd tell her where to go. When her mother left, she knew. Gold eyes flicked open, watching the world outside. A tingle in her mind, and the adolescent knew. Something big was happening. She rose, following her mother to the den entrance. Looking to Ripuka, she puzzled at her mother. "Who returns, Mother...? And what's happening...? It's big... But I don't know what it is..." She looked back, eyes questioning for the first time the world around her, everything she knew to be true.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:14 pm
 Azachamorel was yet dozing in the den she shared with Mwali when the roar of challenge broke over the lands. There was no msitaking the threat that hung in that sound, and it was unlike anything she had ever imagined she might hear in her very own home. It jarred her awake and she sprang to her feet, pausing only to snap "Stay here!" at her eight cubs before she rushed from the den.
The huntress ran across the sands to the best viewpoint she could find, in an effort to see what - who - had come. And there - a red lion, a lion of the Blood, flanked by lions both red and not. What was the meaning of this? This was not some lone challenger to the King; this was an army.
Heart pounding in her chest, Aza raced back to the dens, calling out, "We are attacked! Quickly, to your paws! Prepare yourselves!"
She had no rank that would give her 'leave' to bark such orders, but rank was not her concern; an alarm needed to be raised, and she would not wait for someone else to raise it. There was no time for p***y-footing around and assuming someone else would do what needed to be done. She could answer for impertinence later, if she had to. It didn't matter right now.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:38 pm
Uzulu's ears twisted and turned, his eyes hot on the entrance when Aza came bursting through. A low grumble reached his throat. He'd been in the community dens - away from Kaanga. He couldn't stand to look at her now. He'd heard the roar, and now knew exactly what it had meant.
Heaving his muscled form from the ground he quickly readied himself with the flick of his tail and an angry look in the direction of the outside.
"So," he spoke at last. "He's finally come to ruin what's left of us." Uzulu, however, would not go down without fighting for every last piece of his homeland. There was an urge within him to rush out into the open and lay every last one of them to shreds. He'd start with the rogue's, the ones that didn't belong. Even now he could smell their vile nature, and taste the bitterness on his tongue. Filth.
He'd been a fool for thinking they were safe when Kindono had left them. He'd been a fool for thinking that Kaanga would forever remain a simple person woven under his basket.
Azaraz's movements were not unnoticed by Upendo'Mapji. He was already up and about, trying to find each and every one of the six to speak to them, and enjoy them as a father should. He was trying harder now, he really was, but every bit of him was still failing. He'd managed to find one. Little Ure, and she lazily regarded him with a smile.
The roar, however, sent shivers down both their spines. One knew what it was, the other didn't.
"Azarax," Upendo'Mpaji called, striding up to the other lions side. Ure stayed behind him, her feet dangling over the edge of rocks to watch the scene at hand. She seemed so indifferent to the situation. Always so indifferent.
"The rebellion is beginning. Its time we picked sides."
It was then that Mpaji spotted Kaanga. Her white blur was barely recognizeable, but he did know it was her. She, he knew, wasn't the fighting type. What was she thinking?
"Ure, stay here!" he snapped, or better yet: "Find your sisters!" Without giving a second's look back, or an explanation to Azarax, Upendo'Mpaji took off at a dead sprint for the first time in his life. His huge bulk didn't move fast, Kaanga greatly outpaced him, but so long as he could follow just close enough it would be alright. He promised himself it would be alright.
Ure watched her father go, and realized for the first time in her life that she had no idea where her sister's were. It was a terrifying feeling, and it left her nearly glued to the rock she was perched on. She gave one uncertain glance towards Azarax.
"I should go find my sister's," she told him, and did just that. For those that knew her, it had been the most direct thing that had ever come out of her mouth. It was an almost haunting sentence, as she tore her eyes away from a land that would truly be red. This was why they were called 'The Blood'.
She slipped down into the void, and began calling. "Fatia, Tanana, . . . " and the rest of the names to follow. She even threw in the name of her brother. They needed to be safe. Be safe so they could be free, like Tanana had promised. Her sister's dreams would finally come true, and the happiness was starting to form in Ure's soul.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:31 pm
 Ears twitched, red eyes opening in alertness to the dawn. The thunderous roar that met his ears inspired neither fear or dread, nor did it bring anger, anxiety, or even excitement. Devoid of emotion, the firery adolescent simply rose to his paws, calmness in each step. He might have yawned were it in his nature, but he had awoken as he always did, calm and alert to the day.
"Mother, the day has come."
He had settled at her side before she had even finished speaking, looking toward the desert beyond, tail flicking in silence. Hiashi'ikusa felt no loyalty nor kinship to the pride of the blood, they were foolish and weak in his mind, a shadow of what they could have been. As the day loomed closer, he stood in cold silence, today was the day to test his skills, to test the depths of his emotionless soul.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:06 pm
Azula narrowed her eyes yet again as a slave suddenly arrived in her line of vision, chasing after the princess. Such chaos. Aza, a lioness that Azula knew to be of the pride but had not spoken to previously, tore by yelling the warning call.
Not even needing to look at Ashi, she replied to her oldest, her apathetic son.
"So it has. You know what to do. Everything that I've taught you until now has been partly in preparation for a day such as this. Remember your lessons, and they should serve you well."
Her golden striped daughter joined them next, stepping silently to Ashi's side, but looked to both older brother and mother with a silently inquisitive expression. Even now she seemed almost optimistic about the prospect of going into battle, as this was indeed what Azula had been raising and training them for, the sons and daughters of war...
"Zari, I shouldn't need to tell you what I expect of you. Heed your brother's orders."
He was the leader of the duo, after all, it might have been a trio, but none of the other children seemed to mesh as well with Ashi as Zari did, to Azula's surprise. The girl was wonderfully obedient given her perky nature.
She narrowed her eyes, then set out to head to the edges of the sands to watch the oncoming army, tail beginning to lash calmly with anticipation.
Zari just nodded silently at their mother's words, knowing much better than to backtalk or say anything foolish in Ashi's presence. She wanted to be taken seriously as she knew that she was a capable warrior as well, perhaps not as good as Ashi, but then he had that bit of an edge with the lack of emotions and what not.
"Here we go..." She breathed under her breath in a small voice, ready to follow. She still sounded upbeat about it despite the situation most might deem terrible, absolutely god-awful. For Zari, she hadn't really known her future to contain much else, though.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 10:37 pm
Azarax turned his head to Mpaji's familiar voice. Pick sides? His expression said it all. How was he supposed to pick sides? Though he knew that he would follow Mpaji to the ends of the world, he felt something stir within him. How could he possibly follow Mpaji when his family was going the exact opposite direction?
They aren't really your family... That little voice. He knew it was right. How could they be his family when he had met none of them before, except Ripuka? Mpaji was his family, he knew that. But they were his relatives, at the very least.
He stood, frozen in his indecision. What was it that the world wanted from him? Then dimly he heard Mpaji speak again, and he felt that he was no longer there beside him. Azarax drew himself back to the present. The Rebellion was beginning. He had to remember that, and act to it.
His gaze flickered to Ure as she talked. His mind barely registered what she said, or how out of the ordinary it was for her to have said something so direct. It didn't matter, because this day would change their lives forever, and he wasn't quite so ready for all that.
Then Ure was gone, and Azarax was left standing there. War. That was what was happening. There was nothing that had happened before in the young lion's life that prepared him for such a thing. And yet even as he thought it, he felt something within him start to stir, and all of a sudden the prospect of battle loomed clear and bright before his eyes, and he felt nothing. Yet what he wondered was, why had Kidondo returned? Only out of spite, only to rip apart the pride he had called his own? He didn't see how. So there had to be another reason. Azarax's cool, calculated brain spun as he watched from where he was, Mpaji sprinting after Kaanga, and farther on the oncoming mass of rebel lions. Perhaps there was something paradoxical in this Rebellion, he mused. And so too, perhaps he would find out.
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