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 Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 7:10 am
Kidondo rose again that day to take a walk. But it was not a leisurely walk, not an enjoyable walk. His wounds still harrassed him and the sand did them no good. However, despite trying his best to rest easy, he could not. It was his job, now, to protect his kin and until No and he had discussed who was strong and wise enough to join them in protecting, it was only the regent and his regentess who could.
But soon the time of rest would be over and the true work would begin. He needed to appoint a general, a sergeant, a captain or two. And then the army needed to be built and trained. Not only that, but provisions needed to be made, rules in place. There was so much to do and so little time.
He was just glad he had good friends to help him.
He paused on the crest of a dune and glanced out across the desert where the traditionalists had gone, wondering mildly if he'd ever see them again. He didn't hate them, he would never hate them.
He pitied them, though that probably wasn't much better.
It'd been a while since he'd left his mother's side; for no other reason than the need to... go elsewhere. It wasn't that he resented his mother. Not at all; even though the fire goddess was... volatile at best and had been known for snapping at her own children (even though never harming the physicaly, of course), Nootau had wanted to see the world. Go elsewhere.
There was some place that called to the child of fire; he'd seen it in his dreams. The desert, the dunes, the heat... it all called to the young male, and even at such a young age, he moved across the scoarching desert with ease, as if he'd been born in the pits of hell and padding the heated dunes was no difficulty at all. His bright red pelt, inherited from her mother's firey pelt, seemed to glow amongst the sand.
Despite his young age, his face was plastered into an indiferent expression, as if the child were utterly emotionless; nothing further from the truth. Nootau was passionate when riled, indeed, he'd inherited his mother's temper, however... most of the time, he remain laidback and rather blank towards others. Socialising had never been his forte.
It was only then that the young male turned his head to glance languidly forth; situated at the top of a dune was a large, male lion, looking out towards the desert, and somehow, Nootau though his figure was oddly bewitching. He found himself padding closer to Kidondo, no fear in his red eyes; rather there seemed to be curiosity mingling the otherwise dormant orbs, "You..." the voice was drawled, even from a young cub, just barely a juvenile, emotionless. He'd seen this one in dreams. Or had he? Maybe he hadn't... Nootau wasn't sure.
The Regent saw the moving shape of red against the desert, watched it as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. The smudge was only a little smudge and it moved with surprising ease across the ground.
In fact, if he knew for a fact that none of the traditionalists were parents to cubs so young, he would have thought it a Firekin returned to grow up in change. As it was, he watched the young lion, not moving, not daring to breathe. Was this another one of those cursed visions? Was this a mirage? A side-effect from his injuried?
No, it wasn't.
Because a moment later and the cub was close enough to see him clearly. Then he spoke, a drawled word, but one just loud enough for the Regent's ears to pick up. He took a step forward, lowering his head, clearly unsure about this one.
He was so brilliantly coloured. If he'd been religious, he probably would have thought the cub dropped by Finar-Si herself. But he wasn't and he hated Finar-Si with a passion. No. So then where had this cub come from and why did he not quail at the sight of a fully grown male?
He was brave, this one.
Unsure how to deal with a cub - never being in the presence of one himself - he took another step and paused, not wanting to crowd him. So he spoke to him as he spoke to others his age. "Welcome to the Motoujamii desert. I am Kidondo, Regent of these lands. You move well with the sand. Were you born out here?"
The cub's languid, hooded gaze stared back at the regent; despite the fact he was obviously a cub, the male was obviously larger than the normal. Of course, this had more to do with the fact he had the goddess' blood running through him, even if Kidondo did not know. Had Nootau been asked, it was likely he'd never reveal his heritage though. Not because he were ashamed of it, but rather, because he'd found over time that it was... undesireable to drag attention towards himself; attention was prone to lead to questions and socialising, which the red pelted young male found that he did not like all that much. After all, he was a notable introvert by nature.
As the words were spoken, the cub's eyes closed, "Ah," he said softly, as if it all made sense, "I was born.... elsewhere, but my mother travelled the desert. I've been taught to deal with... heat," such an odd vocabulary for such a young thing; his voice was drawled, soft, almost as if unemotional, for some odd reason. There was not the usual spark of happy innocence that marked cubs, but rather, a soft, unspoken coldness, "Regent..." he spoke again, reopening his eyes, "Does that mean you rule the kin of fire?" his mother, though not the patron of the firekin, had indeed told him of the pride. That had been when the dreams, as messy as they were, had begun to plague him, "I've... been walking for a long time. I felt pulled," then for the first time in the conversation, confusion marked his features, letting the cub's real age show through the mask of indiference. There was perhaps hesitation and uncertinity is his eyes and the way his maw curled, "May I stay, then? My mother was born from fire, but her paws carry her far. I felt the need to be here though. Is that... what I should do?" his gaze darted from the Regent to the distance; in all honesty, Nootau had no idea where he mother even was, "My mother named me Nootau," he said suddenly; amusing how his name meant fire too.
Kidondo saw much of himself in the cubs face. Perhaps not now, now that he was older and in a position of authority. And yet, he thought back to when he was a cub, to his emotionless little self. He had not necessarily been anti-social. In fact he did love being in the presence of others. But, he had found it hard to smile, to laugh and he had never played.
Maybe it was because he had bene born into the position of heir, maybe it was because he was born with seer powers that he did not want. Maybe it's because, as he grew, he had seen the faults of the people he loved and knew he could not live, blind to the suffering.
Either way, he knew why he had changed. Love. Love had changed him. Yes, he wasn't one to laugh out loud, he wasn't one to play. But he smiled and he shared his emotions and feelings with a relaxed ease with those he knew well.
But this cub, this big, red cub who seemed to have been forged to live with his kind, was so familiar it brought an ache to his heart.
He wanted a family one day, a family with No, especially now that the first battle was won. But the idea had seemed so stupidly unreal, so far away that he'd never given it that much thought.
"I do, along with my mate. For now it is just the two of us, but someday there more will be appointed to aid us." He paused, taken off-guard by his sudden question. Could he stay here? Could ********* permitted to join when he had so many other things to sort out? It didn't take him long to make up his mind. Thsi child was clearly made for the desert and Kidondo felt a connection with him already. "This is a troubled and dangerous land but you have overcome much by coming here." He paused and nodded. "Nootau, you will have much to learn if you wish to stay here but I sense something about you. I think you will flourish here." He paused and nodded. "Yes, you may stay. Who knows, maybe you coming now will be a good thing. Maybe you are a sign that things will work." He curled his tail. "But would your mother agree? I would not wish to take you if she'd prefer you at her side and I have enough enemies as it is."
"Ah..." the same word, breathed again softly, as if what the Regent said made sense. The cub closed his eyes and nodded; after all, he was young and even though he'd been haunted by dreams from being a seer, he had no real understanding of the situation that held the firekin lands in conflict. Why should a cub know or even care that the lands were in war, after all? All he'd known was that he'd been pulled towards the scoarching heat of the desert. It was without a doubt luck that had brough the red cub to Kidondo, rather than the traditionalists, whom would have killed him upon sight most likely.
"I do not mind hardship," it was said so bluntly, so honestly and without malice that it must've been striking; there was no doubt the cub, even at such a young age, had already known harship. Growing even if slightly, around the fire-goddess had taught him that. His mother, despite the fact she'd loved him, had never been the type to show physical love; it was beyond her to do so, much too passionate in her ways to trust herself not to harm the cubs. Nootau had known his mother had loved him, true, but the fact he was an introvert had aided in that. He did not resent her in the least, "I am not looking for the easy way out... I am just looking.... for where I must be," not where he belonged, but rather, where he was needed. Was he needed here, in the desert, amongst these lions? He did not know yet, his mind too young to understand much except what his heart told him. He'd never been good with feelings, or understanding them, after all... always putting up front a blank, unemotional stance for others to see.
And then, there came a miracle; the edges of the cub's maw twitched up into the barest hints of a smile. It was the ghost of a smile, in all honesty, but it somehow reached Nootau's eyes, "My mother..." a pause as he seemed to hesitate how to continue. He seemed to concider something and closed his eyes briefly; maybe one day he'd tell Kidondo, but no... not now. Now was not the time to do so, "Her paws have carried her far. She is not the type to show what she feels upfront... she let me go when I asked. Even so, she gave me her blessings and will always look out for my well being. Always," there was no hesitation in his words. He was sure the fact the sun had barely even affected him was all his mother's doing, even if it was not rational to think so, "She does not hold ties to any pride. She's wild like the fire, and free like the wind. She does not mind."
"I would much like to meet her one day," Kidondo replied. "By the strength of your frame and the careful precision of your words, she raised you well." He took heart in the slight smile and nodded, turning back towards the lands.
"But I have heard what you say and now I say you are welcome. If the time comes and you realise, suddenly, that this is not the place you belong then I will not force you to stay. But I think we will get on, you and I, despite the fact we have only just met. You remind me of myself as a youth, which means you have a good heart under that blazing pelt."
And as he moved across the sand he touched on hints of the pride. Might as well let the boy know what to expect. "I am not sure how much you were told about this pride, so I'll give you an overview. Long ago, the Firekin were united, praisers of a Goddess Finar-Si. We deemed ourselves superior and judged others without mercy. We took slaves, brought pain and held no love for outsiders. Until recently. When I was born, I saw the faults in the unchanging traditions. I saw that if the Firekin continued down this route, they would die. So, to make a long story short, I forged an army outside of the desert and brought war to these lands. And when victory was ours, the Firekin who did not wish to change, left the lands to set up a pride elsewhere. I do not know where they dwell but I know they would not leave the desert. That is why this land is troubled. It is balanced on the unknown. You have arrived at the beginning of a new era. The united Firekin now torn in half. We call ourselves the Motoujamii-Simo, the New Firekin and whilst we are different there are similairities. All members must be red, black or white - with some exceptions to those who helped in the war. Strength and wisdom will be exercised and those who break the rules will be punished. But we have mercy and we accept outsiders - like you - who show promise."
He paused. "And Nootau, though I do not know you well, of all the rogues I have met, you show the greatest promise of settling."
"I love my mother," it was stated simply, as if there could be no other way; as if not loving her was not even an acceptable though. She'd given him life and had protected him in her own way till he'd grown strong enough to venture on his own. He knew that when he grew up, he wished nothing other than to be like the goddess of fire, whom held a burning passion within her, and yet managed to keep it under control so as not to harm others, "You will meet her, I am sure... she'll drop by some day. She knows I'm here."
There would be no fear of her getting harmed by the firekin either; there were few lions he'd ever think capable of standing up to the horned goddess.
The regent's words were met with confussion that characterised cubs, "A good heart..." following after the adult, he allowed his languid gaze to shift away, "What make a good heart... what is it that determines the goodness in one's heart?" the words were whispered, mostly to himself, but loud enough for Kidondo to hear.
As the story flew over to him, the cub raised his head, padding alongside the adult without difficulty, his steps falling into a comfortable rythm. Ahh... so this was the story of the firekin. His mother had told him bits and pieces of it as the dreams had come to plague him; dreams he'd not even understood at the time. When the story finished, unclear eyes were lifted heavenward, "I had dreams," he told Kidondo, "They were..." his maw twisted into something that hinted they had not been pleasent; Nootau did not like his seer powers in the least. He would have rather lived without them, had he had the choice to do so; thankfuly though, they were not as strong as some of his siblings'. It was his mother's gift, but it was a gift that resembled fire too much for Nootau to be comfortable with, for when one stretched a paw too far into fire... it burned. It seemed to the cub like a power that was perhaps, too dangerous to handle, specially if handled by the wrong lion, or the wrong paws, "I had dreams... that I did not; do not understand. There was pain, and blood, and misery in them. I wish to help, aid... so it will leave. So the dreams will stop too," it was a partialy selfish desire in a way, but it had a good base, "I like it here, and will not leave. This place, even without the dreams, feels right," and there weren't a great many things the cub had ever 'felt' right about.
Within the small conversation he'd offered, he'd already hinted horribly at the fact he was plague by the seer's gift, even if he did not understand it all that much. Thankfuly, the gift, per se, would not drive him crazy, like lions he'd heard of briefly from his mother.
Kidondo, with a pang of regret, wished he had known his mother better. Karama, her name was, with a beautiful pelt and fabulous markings. He had no idea of her true identity. Had no idea that the goddess Finar-Si was the one who had birthed him, the one he hated with a passion. Hate was a strong word and Kidondo had always been good, calm and fair. But the anger in him was hot and uncontrollable. He had told No, before, that if she appeared he would kill her - or try to.
To him, Finar-Si was a symbol of the downfall of their kind. And though he knew that not everything was her fault, she was the birth of it and she had done nothing to put it right. She'd left her children to wither on the sand.
"That is good. And until she comes, I will make it my duty to make sure you grow strong and good." Maybe he would not have been so welcoming if he knew she was a goddess. Even still, he'd protect this child for her, just as he would want his child to be protected if he ever had one that departed.
He heard the whispered voice and gave his ear a slight twitch. Did the child doubt himself? Or did he simply not know. He decided it was best not to respond. It was up to Nootau to discover that for himself.
And then as the cub continued, speaking about dreams, the Regent felt himself go cold. Dreams. Horrible, unspeakable dreams. Dreams that he had fought away until he believed them gone, returning again at times to interrupt his life. He had never really understood what a seer was, or that he in fact was one. He'd hated them from the moment he recieved his first andhad been shunning them ever since. Because of that, the powers had weakened but it also meant he couldn't control them either, and when they appeared they were erratic and frightful. He'd never spoken about it really. He preffered to keep it safe, because deep down he wondered. Why was he gifted with this? And not just him, but his sisters too. He did not know all his siblings well enough to tell whether they had all been 'cursed' but it did make him wonder. Three of six cubs...was it just a coincidence?
He shook his head, scattering the thoughts. "I am sorry you are haunted Nootau." But what could he say? That they might never go away? No, he couldn't do that. Besides, how was he supposed to know what might happen? Maybe the boy was right. Maybe helping would keep them at bay. "Then if this land can bring you that peace, I would be eternally thankful for it. Dreams are powerful things." He paused and indicated the densite with a tilt of his head. "That there, is where the Firekin sleep." He'd been thinking about what to do with the child. Maybe see if one of the others wanted to take him in as their own until he was old enough.
But whether it was his selfishness showing through, or his simple desire to help, Kidondo wanted to offer No and himself to become the cub's protector. He wondered briefly what No would think and knew she would have no qualms. But what about the boy?
"Nootau." He paused. "I would not feel right leaving you to lie alone in a den in a strange place, away from your family. I am no comparison to your own mother but my mate No and I have plenty of room and..." What was this? Kidondo finding words difficult? This had only ever happened once before.
Again, the ghost of a smile curled at the cub's maw, but it was brief; he knew that revealing her mother's condition was never a wise thing. Many lions feared the gods for what they were... and others did not understand. Many were right in their fear, of course, for so many gods toyed with the mortals, his mother had told him so, and that pledging his soul to any one god was always a bad idea. However, there were also gods that did not like to merge in others' affairs... Nootau knew there were diferent kinds, and one should not judge a book by it's cover, for after all... it was the actions that spoke for one's self, not what they looked like, or what they were. A nod was offered, as if in affirmation that he would grow up strong and good. And wise, he mentaly added.
Unlike Kidondo, Nootau had woken up from such dreams and had ran to his mother, crying in the middle of the night, from visions he could not understand... pain that was not even his which plagued and haunted him. His powers had been explained to him, and above all, he'd been told they could not hurt him, if he used them wisely, and that sometimes... not acting on them was the wise thing.
So thus, rather than shun the dreams, he'd come to accept them for what they were; visions that he could, or could not use. Usualy, he picked the later, however, coming to the desert had been a clear choice of the former.
The cub's head turned to the Regent, his eys blinking, "They are not my fault... those dreams. My mother told me so. She told me they were a gift, from the gods, but like all gifts, it came with responsabilty, and should not be taken lightly. She told me that those that can see such things were called 'Seers' and that I should be careful not to burn myself," he frowned, "I don't like the dreams, but they brought me here. I do not begrudge them."
He did not, because he'd learnt that hate was such a powerful emotion; it managed to sway lions into war and misundertandings. If anything, Nootau was rather emotionless and an introvert mostly out of fear of emotion, really. He would doubtlessly learn with age though. His eyes lingered where the Regent showed him the sleeping place and he nodded faintly, languidly.
When the offer came through however, (as awkward as it'd been), the cub turned to face Kidondo. Childish surprise showed upon his features, almost as if he could not truly even begin to understand why he was being offered so much kindness, however, again, the notion felt right, and so, guided by what he felt in his heart, the cub offered the adult a real smile this time. It was languid, true, but now, it was no longer a ghost of a smile... it no longer haunted at the corners of his maw; it showed fully, for the world to see if it wished, "I would really like to stay with you. You feel right," it was a child's notion, and a child's choice of words... innocent, that he would accept a stranger with such ease. Nootau was happy to do so though, "I like you."
"Gifts from the gods?" Kidondo replied, mystified. Those words scared him a little and boy it took a lot to scare him. He wasn't sure why it did, but it rang a chord in his heart, made him feel as if there was a part of himself he didn't understand. A part of him that was secret and unknown, lying in wait to pounce.
And responsibility. Had he been responsible by pushing this gift away? Maybe it could have helped him, maybe it could have eased the pain of what he had done somewhat. No, he had acted on his own intitiative, relied on his own judgement rather than the dreams. He trusted himself far more than visions.
Besides, most of the visions made no sense, or brought him such horror that he daren't even think of using them at all.
In any case, it was better to shun something you didn't understand rather than embrace it, right?
"Then you were born with a heavy burden it seems." What should he do? Admit that he understood, partially, what this boy was going through? It felt wrong to lie, but at the same time it felt wrong to admit it. He was unsure what to do.
After all, Nootau was proof that not all visions were bad. That some good came out of them. "Is it possible to lose the power, do you think? If you ignored it long enough, if you pretended it wasn't there?" Oh, how weak did that sound? How pitiful? He shook his head. "Nootau, how can you tell whether a seer dream is different from a regular dream?" He smiled then. "It looks like you will be teaching me, too."
And, startled, he looked into the face of the boy and saw a smile there. A smile so full of happiness that he knew he had done the right thing. He clung to that expression and held it in his memory.
"I like you too, very much." And he knew what he meant. It did feel right. "There is a lot we can learn from one another, I think."
"Yes," it was easy to note that the child was oblivious to the fact he'd rattled the adult with such information, "A gift that can turn to curse, if abused, or used the wrong way, my mother said," if anything, it was clear he'd been taught well and that his mother, whomever she might've been, had been wise in preparing her child for the outside world, "She told me to beware those that wanted to use it for selfish motives. That is okay though; I do not plan on sharing it, or letting others know," the fact he'd told Kidondo, thus, was significant, for some odd reason, as if despite the fact they'd only just met, there was some sort of undenyable understanding and trust there already.
"Mother told me that despite what visions tell you, one must act in a way that feels right. One must follow his heart. That is always what is best," as Kidondo spoke, the child closed his eyes, "That is fine; I am not looking for an easy way out, I do not mind harship," the same words were repeated again, "One has to endure the stor to find the happiness that lays beyond."
There was silence that followed as the cub pondered over what the adult told him, "I do not know... they have always been there for me. However, I think that denying something that is there... won't make it go away," there was a soft, almost nostalgic tone to his eyes, "Denying love, for example, does nto make it go away," he paused then, and a curious glint lit in his eyes, as if he'd just thought of something, or realised something from Kidondo's words; the questions that he was asking had lit forth the notion that perhaps the Regent himself...But no, this was not the time to bring the thought forth. So thus, Nootau blinked it away to the back of his mind, for later pondering, "Those dreams are diferent; they are usualy more painful, and more real. More confusing because it is not your own pain or emotions in them... they are others', but they are not harmful to you once you realise they are not your fault. A seer is not at fault; and besides... they might not always be true. The visions might be from past, present or future. It is not always our place to act upon them. Always do what your heart tells you to, because the heart does not lie."
That's what Kesara had told her child, "I like learning..." there was a pause as he looked off towards the distance, "Knowledge is powerful. I would like to learn from you... from this place. And help it. You too."
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Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:30 am
He listened. It was clear this cub had had a very intelligent mother, a mother who was probably older than most, he guessed, for being so wise. She'd brought this boy up well, though maybe too well. He'd grown up before his time, or maybe not. Sometimes he wished he'd had a mother with him, to teach him things other than responsibility. Like the joys of childhood, the joys of innocence. He nodded, knowing that with Nootau and any cubs that may fall into his paws for protection, he would do his best to see laughter in their lives.
"You are wiser than most, then." Kidondo replied humbly. "Already I think I will grow to trust you well. And your appearance here is proof that a seer's visions are not all bad, though it seems that you suffer much because of them as well."
Yes. Nootau was right. He could no more deny this curse no more than he could deny his undying love for beautiful No. He'd most liekly always have the gift, no matter how weak or fleeting. But he wouldn't give in to it, never. He'd seen the power corrupt his sister, Koka, seen it manipulated to terrible odds.
And whilst he didn't think he could bring himself to kill Koka, he had no love for her or for the way she used that infernal gift.
He smiled softly. The expression came easier now-a-days. Maybe because now he had a goal, a purpose, something to live for and the battle to claim it was over. Not over, per se, but well enough complete that he could settle into his role.
"Then you are welcome here young Nootau. I wonder what you will become as you grow. Maybe you'll find yourself in a council one day, or a teacher. Both are honourable roles, though maybe not suitable for you now when you're so young. Apprenticeship would be good for you."
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, now we're delving into polictics again. Another change of the pride I'm afraid. There is no royalty here anymore. Those in high ranks are there because they earn them." And already he was wondering who to apprentice this child too.
His sister, Kaanga, maybe?
Indeed; the cub before Kidondo was not a cub. The way he talked, his choice of words and even the way he looked off to the distace spoke of the fact he'd matured before his time had come. Then again, that might've happened regardless of his mother, for after all, each being had a personality and would be ruled by it. Sometimes, things were simply meant to be, "Wiser?" he seemed to pause and closed his eyes, "No... just more prepared. Wisdom comes with age," there, within the words lay a small tone that hinted that despite wanting to learn... he would not have minded something else. Games, smiles, laughter.
Those were not things Nootau had ever been good at. Expressing his emotions had always been hard, for his mother had always been more preocupied preparing him for the hardships of the world, to show her son such simple things. Alas, it was one of those things he'd learn with time, if given the chance, no doubt, "They scare me," he admitted, "They make me feel bad; I can't do anything to help. I am here because it is what little I can do," to stop them, to appease them... he wasn't sure. His mind was young still, after all, and had time yet to mature into... whatever he was meant to mature into. With help, it was posible the young male would turn out just fine, "It'll all be fine though. In the end, it always is."
It was a child's point of view, surely, because not everything, or everyone turned out for the better. Still, Nootau allowed himself to retain those few sparks of innocence within him, "Apprenticeship?" it was amusing that the child could manage long words without even the blink of an eyes; if anything, it was clear that his brain had been excercised more than his brute strength, "You mean.... learning?" his eyes did light up at the notion; eager, curious, and interestingly willing to please, for even if his visage did not show any of it, his eyes did, "Who will teach me? What will they teach me?" he seemed rather interested, and not all put off by the idea of having to work for a rank. After all, he'd been a rogue all his life. His mother had been of the notion that those in power had to earn it; Kesara had never mingled in the affairs of the mortal like others gods did. She had not toyed with them.
"Well, I don't believe in fate, but maybe you were supposed to come mere to stay, or maybe this is just the first stage in your journey. Either way, you are welcome and if there is anything I can do to help ease your pain then let me know."
He nodded, pausing to slide down the slope of a dune. Sand caught between his toes but it was a good feeling. He loved the desert, he adored it more than any other landscape he had traversed. It was his heart and soul spread beneath his paws.
But it was with that way with most - if not all - Firekin, for different reasons, but linked all the same. The desert meant something, it symbolised their life, their whole existance.
As he listened to those hopeful words Kidondo wondered if he had thought any differently. It's all be fine in the end. He'd always held that in his heart, from the day he had set out to slash tradition beneath his claws. It'd be okay. Everything would work out. And it had.
"I think sometimes, believing something will be okay, helps nudge it into reality."
He nodded then. "Yes, learning to develop a certain skill. Some will be apprentices to warriors, other to more gentle, wiser crafts, such as teaching and storytelling." He chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm. "Well, it depends on what you'd like to do. If you'd like to learn more about the pride, it's past, it's present and it's future, maybe you'd be best suited to a teaching role. If that was the case, I could direct you to my sister, Kaanga, or another if there are more who are willing to devote their lives to teaching and spreading wisdom."
"Kaanga is a little different from most Firekin, she may come across as a odd, and really she is, but she has a good and wonderful heart." He pondered. "When she has finished grieving for her father and lost friends, I will take you to see her. First, I must make peace with her myself."
The cub too slid down the slope, and though he lacked Kidondo's grace, it was obvious he'd been padding the desert for long, for the way he moved was not sluggish. He seemed to know what he was doing. The desert didn't really mean anything to young Nootau... not yet. It reminded him of his mother, but that was all; of course, this was bound to change with time. It was something he was ready, and willing, to accept.
Another small hint of a smile sparkled the cub's eyes, "Yes," it was said simply, as if there could be no other way posible, as far as he was aware, "Everything will be alright. It always is," the glass remain half full only for those that saw it so, after all.
Upon being asked, the young male haulted his step and actualy took a moment to ponder. After the minutes flew by, he nodded his head and seemed to have come upon a decision, "I wish to learn of the pride, of it's people and the land... it's past, it's present and it's future," it was clear due to his frame that he'd have been a sweel warrior, but his mind had tugged him in an entirely diferent direction, "I would like that..." he paused, and then mouthed the female's name, "Kaanga," as if tasting the feel of it upon his tongue. Another moment flew by, followed by a small smile, "I can wait. I would like that."
He smiled affectionately. This one had really struck a good note in his heart. He was a good boy, a good learner. Kidondo could already see he'd grow proud of this one. "But you'll learn other things too, I hope. With Kaanga, you'll learn joy and laughter." He decided not to mention that Kaanga was a seer. He wasn't sure how his sister viewed it. In fact, she was probably one of those ones that Nootau's mother had told him about.
Mad from her power.
But there was kindness and innocence and joy and he had a feeling those were the lessons Nootau needed most of all. And his sister seemed perfect for that, for she was love and gentleness and strength - if she could get over her gried that was.
"But first, you must meet No. She is my mate, originally of the Pridelands, but now Regentess of the Firekin."
And he glanced towards the den, unknowingly quickening his pace. He was eager now, eager for them to meet. Eager for things to be set into motion.
This had been a good day.
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