It was hot. Very, very hot. Seascann couldn't remember the last time the borders had gotten so hot. Which had brought him to this watering hole on the very edges of Tearmann territory. Perilously close to where the Bati'vichwa had last been seen. But he was a Dearg Sciath before his brother's death had made him Oidhre. The thought of the long-ago dreaded enemies of Tearmann did not fill him with fear. He leaned down to take a drink of the water, welcoming the cooling liquid.
He had started patroling the borders in an attempt to sort out his thoughts. It was here he'd trained, and here he felt most comfortable still. Perhaps, when he stepped down, he would take up his old position once more. But for now....he was Ri. And Laoch was not here. He and his sisters and the Bean Crag were safe in the rogue lands with the Dragan, learning and being protected all at once. And Seascann...well, he had a murderer to uncover. One who was so cowradly as to stoop to poison. What honor was there in poison?! He sighed and focused on cooling off first.
Stalking...carefully, quietly....Guiv cut through the water as only a crocodile could, seeking to end the life of the one who'd come to the shores of HIS watering hole, newly won from his brother. And he would feast. Oh, Guiv would feast....He was so close. So close...The reptile cried out as something landed on his snout, causing him to surface and cough up water. And meet the very angry green eyes of one of the two young lionesses that had helped him win the watering hole back. Imani did not look happy at all. Guiv did not like when Imani was not happy.
The purple and red juvenile had rushed from her spot on the opposite shore when she'd spotted Guiv's form in the water, heading towards the strange lion at the other shore. Only weeks of knowing and training with the croc had allowed her to see him. She growled and whacked him on his snout, claws out to make her point. "PRE-DA-TOR. NOT PREY. He is a predator, Guiv!" She sighed as the croc looked at her funny. "How would YOU feel if a lion snuck up on you and tried making YOU dinner?" Guiv grimaced.
"Guiv not like. Guiv not like at all." Imani nodded.
"Exactly. So no eating other predators."
Seascann had never been so....surprised in his life. He hadn't even noticed the croc until the little lioness had landed on its snout. Had he been older, he was certain his heart would have failed. And the fact the croc wasn't even ATTEMPTING to eat her...well, Seascann was certain he would never see anything stranger.
"I...thank you, miss. Perhaps you've scolded the...reptile enough?" And who was she? He knew everyone in the coalition by appearance, if not name. And she was not familiar at all. Not even a marking familiar.
Imani hopped off Guiv's snout, letting the croc sulk and swim back into the depths of his home. Likely to his den to pout. She splashed over to the lion, grin on her maw. "He's not too bright, so I gotta remind him of things sometimes." She sat next to him, her fur more than a little muddy now. And she didn't mind at all. "I'm Imani! What's your name, Mr. Lion?" She'd never seen anyone who looked like him before. And he looked older than her Daddy. And he just had a...regal feeling to him. Like a great hero!
Seascann chuckled at the girl's enthusiasm. "Well....perhaps it is good to know there is one crocodile who will think a little more carefully about their next meal." He gave the little one a bow. "I am Seascann. And you, little Imani, are in Tearmann territory. I do not recognize you though....is your family new?"
Imani blinked. Territory? Oh no...Daddy would SOOOO yell at her later, for trespassing! She hadn't meant to! She just liked visiting Guiv! She wilted. "I...uhm....sorry Mr. Seascann. But I uh...I think I'm not supposed to be here. My family lives elsewhere, but I wanted to visit Guiv in his new watering hole." She looked up at him with pleading green eyes. "That's okay, isn't it?"
Seascann blinked and laughed. "Of course, Imani! I won't deny you that. Just be careful, and don't cause trouble." What an odd little girl. Most rogues he'd ever met were much older, and seeking entrance. She just wanted to see her....rather strange friend. If one could call a crocadile a friend. "Your home isn't far off, is it?" He didn't like the thought of one so young wandering through what had been Bati'vichwa territory.
Imani shook her head, excited. "Nope! If Mommy yells REAL loud, I can hear her! And I can definitely hear Daddy's roar!" She leaned so she was on her back paws and batted at Seascann. "Wanna play? Not many of my sibs like my games, and the one that does...Well, he doesn't play it right." She pouted. "He wants to be things like earthquakes and tornadoes, not a proper hero or villian!"
Seascann smiled. "Play pretend, hm?" He'd not played such a game in a great while. Ion and Meib had been quiet little girls, and Laoch....well, he'd always bothered Scanath if he wanted to play such a thing. "I don't see why not." It would get his mind off things. "What are you, usually? The hero, the villian, or the damsel in distress?"
Imani blinked and wrinkled her nose. "PAH! I am a great heroine! A champion of good! No villian can stand up to me and my mighty roar, and I rescue princes! And damsels sometimes. When Naida wants to join in. Which isn't often." She struck a 'brave' pose, her chest puffed out and tail arched behind her with her paws planted firmly on the ground. "I strike fear into the heart of my enemies! What about you, Seascann?"
The Ri chuckled and put a paw to his chest. "Well...I fancy myself a great warrior. Perhaps...I am the heroine's teacher? Too old to match her speed and strength, but certainly young enough to hold his own, and continue teaching her new and greater techniques." It would be good to indulge in some pretend. Very good indeed...
Imani bounced happily. "Ohoh! That's perfect! And together, we journey across the land, ridding the world of evil and nastiness!" She grinned, giving a cub-roar to emphasize. "And our current enemy is...uh....who's causing trouble now, great teacher?" She looked to him expectantly, hoping he could come up with a good bad guy.
The earth-toned lion leaned close, as if whispering a great secret to her. "We must be quiet about this, for we might cause panic among the common creatures should they hear. The Bati'vichwa have returned. Great, terrible lions who enslave others and treat females as nothing more than tools. Their warriors wear metal creations on their heads, passed from father to son and relics of when they were kept by the strange two-leggers. They have been spotted on the eastern border, and the Crimson Guards are afraid they cannot stand up to them!"
Imani growled and leaned into the 'whisper'. "Yes...we must find their stronghold, and seek to end their reign of terror before it begins!" She stalked forward a bit. "The night is young! We can use the shadows as our allies and the light of the moon to see our enemies by!" It was the middle of the day, but Imani had a vivid imagination. She could smell the coolness in the air that came with night, hear the night-bugs singing...
Seascann followed the juvenile, trying to be serious and keep the mood. "They say it lies in the desert beyond the borders. And it is heavily guarded. But....what is a few dozen lions to us, no matter how terrible?" He gave a cocky grin to the girl, an expression few outside his family had seen. There was something about the little one that just drew out one's inner self. It unsettled him and relieved him at the same time.
Imani returned the grin. "We've taken down evil gods and tyrants! What are a few more evil guards?" She laughed softly, something like a chuckle, and started forward. "We shall travel for three nights to reach their stronghold, and then rest a night and day to prepare. What say you, great teacher?" It didn't really make too much sense...but it was make-believe after all. And in it, the rules of the world were written by herself and her playmates.
Seascann nodded, looking very sagely. "That sounds like a plan, young heroine. And once we assess their fortress, we shall make plans and attack!" He followed her, slowing his steps to match hers. She wasn't really tiny...but she was so much smaller than he was. Perhaps it was the fact she was still growing, and the fact he was a descedant of Mar. Whatever it was...well, it made keeping step a little awkward.
The game went on for some time, Imani thoroughly enjoying herself. Eventually, they got the great 'Kor' and were halfway through the battle when a familiar roar pierced the atmosphere. Imani eeped and laid her ears back. "Uh...I gotta go now, Seascann. I don't think Daddy is happy with me." She smiled at the older lion. "I'll be back though, I promise!" She held up a paw.
Seascann blinked, then smiled at Imani. "I shall keep an eye out for you then, Imani. And perhaps...we can defeat Kor when you return?" He placed his paw on hers, gently so he wouldn't put too much weight on it. "Safe journey back, little heroine."
Imani grinned and nodded. "Yes! We'll win for sure!" She darted forward and nuzzled his side, then darted off. "I'll see you later, great teacher! For nothing can keep us from our crusade against the evils of the world!" She laughed brightly and ran towards home, gleeful that she'd made a new friend.
