Solid paws thudded over the dry ground, beating out a steady rhythm as the brown-hued lion walked along. It had been a few weeks since they had been initiated into the pride and he was becoming familiar with the lands around the pride. His clan had discovered what his old job had been and he had been offered the chance to become a guard, something he accepted gratefully. He needed the work to keep himself busy and at least he could keep protecting Aaliyah in this manner. Tomorrow he knew the lionesses were going on a hunting expedition and that Aaliyah would be with them, he fully intended on volunteering as one of the party’s protectors to stay near her. It would be her first time away from the main bulk of their new pride and he still worried about her. He knew she had been struggling recently, as the strain of survival in the roguelands had been taken away and their place in this new pride guaranteed, there had finally been time to think and to grieve... something he knew was needed, but Aaliyah was not responding well and had even gone off her food.
Sighing deeply he lifted his head and checked the area, his one remaining eye narrowed against the glare of the sun as he checked the pride’s boarder. After making sure the scent mark was updated and that no sign of recent rogue activity was in evidence, he resumed his walk, following along the invisible line that marked the edge of the pride’s territory. Once more his mind wandered, returning to his weakened mate and the new problems that faced them. He knew she suffered from the loss of their pride more than a regular lioness would. Not only was there the grief of loosing friends and family, but she had been their Sharman, their spiritual guide. Not one himself he only had their personal connection to wok from, but if the echo of her pain he felt through their link was even a small portion of what she truly felt, then it was a wonder she had survived at all.
Sighing heavily he flicked his tail, feeling the weight of worry and uncertainty bearing down on him. It had been relatively easy once they had escaped the boxes that had trapped them, he had known wat he needed to do.. get them as far away from the humans as possible, stay out of sight and then the next priority had been water, and food. Survival was difficult, but basic and required no thought other than base instinct and a sharp awareness of their environment. But now he had a bigger challenge, one he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to defeat. How did one confront something that wasn’t real? How could he take away Aaliyah’s pain when it was inside her?
Confused and constantly driven by worry he shook his head, forcing his mind back on his job. He couldn’t be so distracted this far out. If a hostile rogue found him like this he was easy meat.. and then who would look after Aaliyah? No, he would think but.. later. For now, he had to live up to her expectations and ensure they had a secure home for the future.... and that meant paying attention to his job. With a sigh the lion set off, spirit worried but his heart determined.
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