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Furiko was one of the first lions to gather at the stones once the word had spread of the gathering. He had a clear view of his mother from where she sat at the base of the stones. It had been a while since they had spoke and he'd grown tremendously. His muscles were defined more and his mane was completely grown in. He was a grown lion now and contributing to the pride at his very best.

After a few more moments he noted the group that was gathered and was suprised at the size of the group. He'd never realized how many there were in his pride until now. Out of the corner of his eye Furiko noticed his mother rising and turned his attention to what she had to say. Suprise made it's way across Furiko's face at his mothers words. Their leader had been abducted by a god?! It seemed impossible but he'd heard stories as a cub of evil gods who did cruel things like this but he never believed it would happen.

As his mother continued on with her speech his suprise turned to pride. His mother was going to take over the pride and be mtawala. He was the son of the pride leader. Furiko couldn't have been anymore prouder of his mother than he was at that moment. There was no doubt in his mind who he would follow between the new mtawala and the old one. Anyone who wanted to argue over her taking the position would be arguing with him too.

Pyralis had been at the meeting point long before anybody else, which was to be expected of the large male who was constantly seen with Ziarre, as though playing some sort of emotional support with his position near her side. However, he hadn't risen with her when she took it upon herself to put the new status of the pride in place, just the image of that large god, even larger than his own size, hardly a dark shadow whisking himself away from the pride on wings larger than any he'd ever seen.

Truly, it was quite an image to be within his mind, but he allowed it only brief passing when Ziarre spoke, seeming to take very little surprise in his sudden 'upgrade' in status, his ears flicking back while he scanned over those who were gathering. He could see his 'son' (well, Ziarre's son. He was simply a somewhat implied (albeit anybody could see not by blood) father) there, looking proud as could be of his mother.

Hourig was probably basking in just as much pride about it.

Which wasn't even a surprise, as the pale coated male had muscled his way to the front, shooting his half-brother a look, before looking intently towards his parents. Certainly he had to support why it was his mother had taken up the reigns of the pride (as well as put his quite physically capable up there to help keep things in line if needed), but there was something nagging at him ever so slightly;

Was there going to be some sort of search outside of the pridal lands for their absent mtawala? Well, ex-mtawala? Or even the god that had spirited them off? But even more importantly to him..

a contest for the rank of Gumu? Hourig had to keep himself from seeming too excited about this prospect, fidgetting anxiously in his seat. -He- wanted it. He wanted that position his mother had held. He had both of his parents strength; it wasn't an impossible dream!

But if he was going to express this, it would be to Tana or Mkazo. Only his siblings would be allowed to know (even if it would spawn a rivalry between the brothers).

Tana could see it now, her brothers arguing over who got to head the Ushujaa in their mother's stead. Ha! She was more impressed by her father's new status (as it meant he'd be allowed more time to go and see her amongst her new task with the children), seeming to puff with pride near the back of the ranks.

But that didn't mean she didn't also have her own concerns... what if the acts of this god were meant to split the pride? There had already been a great deal of scattering, from what she'd heard from her parents, when the child of a previous leader had come back to the pride to protest the old Mtawala's status...

Would that happen again?

It was a time of need - one that Andraste had never quite expected to be witness to. The leader of their pride was gone, the one they had all admired and trusted, who had rebuilt their pride from the ground up. The thought brought sadness flooding through her, for though she had never known Zaliwa personally, the stories of his deeds had been more than adequate to earn her undying support.

And yet. It was not simply a time to grieve for their ill fortune. They had to continue, they had to thrive in order to keep alive that which Zaliwa had fought so hard to achieve. New leadership, new personalities to understand and follow.

And, perhaps, the chance to become the new gumu. Andraste had never had such ambitions, but at a time like this, when they needed strong, capable leaders, perhaps, just perhaps, she could be of service to the price that she loved so dearly.

Tiifu hung at the edges of the gathering, not far from the Stones but not in the middle of the fray. His eyes were searching for his mate, he had heard word that she was alive. As Ziarre began to speak though he paused in his search to listen. He was an ushujaa, a warrior and a warrior didn't lose focus.

Zaliwa, that name it was familiar from his time in the pride before the plague. He couldn't quite place it, but was confused that he had been leading the pride. It was Orod'aelin that was named heir before the blue male fled. Tiifu was beyond caring about the politics of the pride though, so much had changed in the time he was gone. If he was honest with himself he wanted to find Raja and only have to worry about her and patrolling.

The only thing that slightly interested him was the tournament of strength. He knew Raja would push him to enter. She was fiercely proud of her blood ties to the pride, and of his, and she knew she wouldn't want there to be a gumu that hadn't been born of the Aali'makabila. Looking around now he didn't see many from the original pride. It seemed like he and Raja were the only two left, that was if the rumours he heard were true and she had returned to the pride.

Tiifu shook himself determined, he'd support the new leaders of his pride, and he'd find his mate. Things were going to be better now that he was in his old home.