|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 3:39 pm
It tainted most of Azachamorel's days now, the feeling of being utterly and completely useless. A huntress, unable to hunt! It was disgusting, but for now it was a sad truth. Risking the reopening of her wounds could be a fatal mistake, and so she remained idle, willing her body to recover more quickly so that she could resume her duties. Being useless for awhile was most definitely preferable to rendering herself permanently useless.
The lioness stretched gingerly before moving into the shady opening of a den, done with sunbathing for a time.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 5:57 pm
Kienge's shoulder still stung where Ilahe's claws had raked through his fur. He winced with each step, painfully reminded of his defeat.
How could he have lost? What had gone wrong? The juvenile wrinkled his nose in disgust. However, he had to admit (grudgingly) that Ilahe WAS a good fighter. Dad had always said the females were the most important in the Firekin pride. If he couldn't even beat a BABY...
Maybe his dad was right. Maybe he WAS a useless misfortune.
The whisper of fur across stone drew his attention to the lioness in front of him. A welling of the old pride and disdain rose up in his chest like bile, but his remembered defeat pushed the emotions back. It was with a wary respect that he approached the Firekin female.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 6:32 pm
Aza rose her head, keen ears picking up on the sound of young paws - this was no unoccuppied shade she'd found herself. It was another juvenile, hardly a surprise, as she was beginning to discover. The pride was practically knee-deep in children, it seemed!
Not that she minded children, strictly speaking, but she'd been seeing an awful lot of them lately. "Good afternoon."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 6:42 pm
"If by 'good' you mean hot, sweaty, and painful." Kienge grimaced. "Then yes. Good afternoon to you too, lady."
He eyed the shade with envy, but didn't immediately approach. He'd learned his lesson - respect was a good, healthy emotion. Respect kept you away from injuries.
So he'd wait for her invitation, however unlikely it seemed in coming.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:00 pm
"You have my sympathies on the painful," she said, inclining her head. "Come and sit, tell me how you came by yours."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:06 pm
... oh, the moment of truth. The cub hesitated for a moment, then shrugged one shoulder in a lazy motion. He supposed there wasn't TOO much shame in losing a fair fight -- if what dad said about firekin females is true.
Even though the thought still made him grind his teeth. Kienge trotted up to the shade and settled down at the female's side. Ah, so much cooler! It was always amazing, the difference between sun and shade.
"There was some shade, and another cub was already in it." He half muttered, eyes averted. "I wanted to sit there, she challenged me, and I lost."
He eyed her in his turn, purple gaze falling on the female's own wounds. "You're hurt too?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:17 pm
"Fairly earned, then," she nodded approvingly. "A Firekin is the only true match for another Firekin. There is no shame in losing such a fight."
Aza's tail swayed behind her before curling around her body as she explained, "Rogues on the border, who will not be returning."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:31 pm
He released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding when she approved. A smile blossomed on his face, something that his family members would be suprised to see there. It was so nice to be appreciated! Dad never said anything like that.
"Really? Rogues?" Kienge's eyes grew wide with excitement. "My Daddy has slaves, but I've never seen WILD ones before! You must be really strong!"
... maybe she'd teach him how to fight. Dad certainly wouldn't ever bother.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:44 pm
"Really," she affirmed, chuckling with pleasure at his excitement. "We all have the potential to be strong - no rogue exists who would be a match for a trained Firekin. They may be able to strike us, but they can never defeat us."
"I am Azachamorel," she added belatedly, "Daughter of Xamach and Fiametta. And to whom do I now have the pleasure of speaking?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 8:51 pm
Kienge's smile faded slightly at the word 'trained'. He was -far- from trained, even he knew that. And the general would be waiting for him someday...
"It's nice to meet you, Azachamorel. I'm Kienge," His smile returned, strong as ever. "Son of Uzulu and Kaanga."
Son of the blood! Royalty, almost. He was so proud!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 9:08 pm
"Kienge," she repeated. "A good, strong name." Short and to the point, not flowery at all - she liked it. "Well, Kienge, if you're ever feeling fearsome, I'd be happy to give you some pointers."
"Perhaps not today, though." Aza chuckled. "Even warriors need time to recover from their wounds."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:08 pm
The cub preened under her praise, his face practically glowing. "Really, you think?" A strong name! He'd prove them all right. That general was just a rogue. He was a Firekin!
"I always feel fearsome!" The juvenile kneaded his claws into the hard-baked earth and bared his small white fangs in a mock-snarl. "You think you could show me when you're all healed?"
He hoped she got better soon!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:20 pm
Aza laughed, although there was no mockery to it - it was joy that rang in the sound. She was beginning to discover that she enjoyed the company of children...not to mention their admiration.
"It's a promise," she agreed, and sealed it with her finest, loudest roar, which she suspected would please the fearsome Kienge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007 2:01 pm
Kienge's eyes grew wide as Aza's roar echoed across the desert. Whoaaa. She was so amazing! Someday he'd have great stories to tell other firekin, too! Ones about huge battles with rogues, and the big scars that he'd earned in years of fighting.
"Alright! Deal!"
Sensing the meeting was drawing to a close, the cub rose to his feet and stretched. Sunlight burned across his pale back as he stepped into the sun, but he didn't mind too much.
"I'll come back soon, and I'll be ready!"
A bright, mischievous grin broke across his face like a wave, and he answered her roar with a small one of his own. Then, happier than he'd been in a long time, he set off at a trot towards his own den.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
