Glozelle:
Gloz sat outside of the temple, doing nothing more than waiting for his turn to patrol part of the prideland's boarders. After his last encounter with Ebio and little Zhen, he had been feeling more and more conflicted about leaving them. He was at such an impasse that he was starting to wonder if what he thought so strongly was the right thing to do really was. He wished Ela was here, she was always his voice of reason. Eyes closing, he pictured her laughing , cheerful face in his mind, as if that would somehow tell her his thoughts.
For all he knew, it just might. He never really understood her abilities, just believed in her skill to use them.
"Sister, I miss you," he mumbled under his breath. It made him wonder. What would Caspian do if Gloz asked him for advice. No, he wouldn't do that. There was little trust between them and though Gloz gave his brother enough to believe he was an honorable male, this was too personal to outright ask him about.
Caspian:
Fatherhood was a difficult thing to manage. There were far too many cubs for he and Dafina to keep a decent watch over, but there were more than enough pride members to report back in regards to their offspring's midadventures. Poor Luci was being harassed by one of the other cubs in the pride nearly constantly. Fathered by a firekin and mothered by a lioness with less than a stable grasp on morality it was little wonder why the cub had turned into a spitfire. Rillian had already gotten in a fight defending his sister. He'd taken to following along after Gaddith, learning how to strengthen his blows and endure the desert heat.
Caspian still longed for the sea breeze and the gentle hiss of the waves nearby. It seemed he'd never return.... perhaps he wasn't meant to.
His rounds for the day were over and he returned to the pride's lands ready for a rest. No doubt Dafina was of the same mindset having spent much of the day with the cubs. He took the long way home, his mouth dry and his throat parched. A good few minutes at the oasis would do him some good.
Glozelle:
There was no mistaking the male that was coming in from his duties to the pride. Gloz had grown up watching enviously while their father spent time with Caspian, had watched the younger male escape their lands, and, well, he was just easy to pick out.
Without really thinking about it, Gloz stood and walked over to his younger brother. Unfortunately, he couldn't quite find his voice at the moment, words clogging one another in his throat as they all tried to get out at once. This awkwardness didn't change his expression, however. It was as neutral as ever as he nodded his head when he was close enough, greeting his brother with a flat, "Caspian."
Would Caspian be happy to hear that he was leaving soon? Pleased that he would receive information on the movements of the pride? Surely not disappointed.
Caspian:
"Glozelle." He answered, his tone guarded but cordial as ever. The pride ad allowed Gloz to remain, and during his stay he'd not made any sort of fuss or riot. It was more than Caspian could ask for- but it didn't mean he had to welcome his half brother with open paws.
His children did seem fond of their uncle. Perhaps more for Gloz's sake than anyone else's, he'd neglected to mention that the lion had sided, once, with the very tyrant that now reigned over Caspian's rightful territory.
Glozelle:
"Do not tell anyone this..." It was certainly a serious way to begin the conversation, but it was necessary. He did not want anyone else to know just how far along his healing was. Especially not Ebio, Zhen, or his nieces and nephews. He didn't want any more trouble in this than he already had.
"I'll be leaving soon. Probably within the next few days." The words were short, almost clipped as if he hated saying the words aloud. He left it there, almost testing Caspian, to see where his first thoughts lay.
Caspian:
Caspian's first response to the question was a narrowing of his eyes. He lifted his head away from the surface of the water, deciding that he'd wet his throat once the conversation died off.
The news, however, had his eyes going wide a moment later. "..why? Are you mad? Miraz will tear you limb from limb and leave you for the hyenas."
Glozelle:
Gloz sat down and shook his head.
"Miraz knows nothing of what happened, and... I believe he has a bit more trust in my word than Sopesian's. Regardless... I have to." He cast a sidelong look as his brother, silently telling him to really think about it.
"When you first brought me here, you said that I wasn't the first, that another group had managed to find you before I came near. Someone has to go back, to keep them at bay, or at the least to keep an eye on things," he continued explaining, looking out over the water rather than at the male at his side. His own throat felt dry, but it was for a completely different reason.
"I don't see any other way."
Caspian:
"So you will go throw you life away." Caspian summerized gravely, his eyes falling down to his reflection in the oasis. It was his responsibility to bring down Miraz, not anyone else's. Those lions' conflict had been with him. Even with Gloz' prior attempt to end his life- it wasn't his place to sacrifice himself.
"You can stay here. Those lions will not be back. One of the gods...from the old stories- she came. She stopped the others and drove them away."
Glozelle:
Gloz hadn't heard about that part of the story. A goddess? He partly believed in them, but because he hadn't seen them with his own eye, he was a bit wary on believing in their existence completely.
But did it really change anything?
"I still don't think that will be the last of them. If I can do something to keep them from finding their way back here, it would be better than nothing." He didn't mention his promise to Ela, to never leave her behind. He didn't mention how he wanted to kill Sopesian for trying to claw him in the back. If he thought he could help put Caspian back on the throne, he would say so, but in the end he was just one lion, and while killing Sopesian might be seen as justified and acceptable in his uncle's eyes, he doubted he could take down Miraz without some repercussions.
Caspian:
"That is why we have guardians here. If they try, the guardians will stop them. Surely Miraz won't send his entire army here. Not across a desert. Not after a whirlwind sent his assassins running with their tails between their legs." He shook his head roughly.
"I think you are being foolish. This is unlike you."
Glozelle:
He had no idea what Miraz would do. Or Sopesian, for that matter, whoever was on the throne now. For all he knew, they were marching across the desert as they spoke, maybe not the entire army, but enough to take the pride by surprise. And while he agreed that the guardians would probably be successful turning the army around, he didn't want to see it happen if he could help it.
A growl worked its way up into the back of his throat and his eyes narrowed. He would have to be honest, in some part.
"I left someone behind. A long time ago I made a promise and damned if I'm going to let her down again." He hadn't meant to say quite that. More like all of it. 'I left someone behind and have to go back for them' would have been fine, really. But he was agitated, worried, and torn between two females he very cared deeply for. He was allowed to be a little out of sorts.
Caspian:
"So it comes out." He looked back to the water and dipped his head to drink. It was a small distraction and it gave him time to calm his temper. Never speak out of anger- his father had impressed that into him early enough that the young lion at least made the effort to bite back on his temper.
"My children...they are very fond of you. I would hope their uncle would not leave them to wander what became of them."
Glozelle:
Gloz closed his eyes, raising a paw to rub the spot on his muzzle that lay between them.
"I realize this. That was why I told you not to tell anyone of my intent," he replied. How had this happened? He had been wandering the desert, half-dead, with only one creature that had ever given a damn about him and now... How had everything changed so quickly?
He shook his head again.
"This is something I have to do. I don't see any other way."
