Saengdao paced the riverbank, staring angrily into the swirling water. She could spot flashes of small brightly colored fish, but nothing like the fat bottom dwellers that use to be a fine food source. It was frustrating, not something she could blame on Sahen entirely, but a sign of the pride's decline nonetheless. They had been overfished, she figured. Just one more thing that made the average pride member's life a little more difficult. Normally she would have left this inspection to another, but it had been brought to her attention on more than one occasion by the members of her house. It was her job to ensure their health and happiness, was it not? So what could she do about something like this? There would only ever be the ability to hunt what food was available. Her head hurt. Sitting down with a sigh she considered her options. Perhaps she would be able to talk Sahen into extending the boundaries of the hunters, they might be able to dam a tributary or something similar a little further outside the borders. It was unlikely he'd agree to that though. They needed to find some way to replenish the forest then.
Iaeratu had been walking further and further from the dens in order to hunt. It was not that prey was getting scarcer in general, but the prey had learnt not to stay too close to the dens or they would end up lion food. Soon, in their efforts to avoid attacks, the prey herds would leave the lands completely, but what could they do? Iaeratu had to hunt. She hunted several times a day, in fact, simply to supply food for those within her house that couldn't hunt . She was heading towards the river, to see if the fish would provide a meal for anyone, though she thought it unlikely. Unlike the prey beasts who were simply leaving, the fish seemed to be disappearing altogether.
The figure on the bank of the river was entirely unexpected though, and Iaeratu froze. The Zahama. Now, Iaeratu had nothing against her - but in general, she was untrusting towards the higher powers. She hesitated, and contemplated leaving the female in peace.
Due to her high station, Saengdao had gained quite the perception for when someone was watching her. As a bit of a warning she twitched her ears, then turned her oddly haunting eyes in the direction expecting to find one of the Ligi guard sent to watch her. She was surprised to find a lioness she did not recognize instead. She was from the Tama house, that much she could tell, and certainly didn't have the look of a Ligi. She looked nervous, that was unfortunate. "If you've come for the fish I'm afraid to say you'll find only decorative morsels," she said with a soft smile, gesturing to the clearing in front of her, "Come, don't be worried. We are watched but not so closely that we cannot have a civil discussion." The Ligi had seemed nervous since her encounters with the gods, perhaps Neltharion had given her a stronger air of confidence, or the feather about her neck frightened them. She could not truly say, but she was glad for it.
Iaeratu stiffened her posture a little when she was addressed, but she didn't try to look hostile. The female before her did not appear cruel spirited - yet - so Iaeratu would merely act cautiously. A frown crossed her face at the female's comments of the fish. "Still?" She asked, and couldn't help but move forward towards the river, trying to spot some of the fish that used to thrive there but she found none. "I had hoped that some had survived and would replenish if we left them be, but it seems like they have been fished to disappearance." How frustrating! Yes, she could understand hunger, but to kill all the fish in your greed for food meant that you would simply go hungrier the next time. She glanced at the female, showing acceptance of her last comment but making no reply. Everyone was watched, but this female would be more so. Her eyes flicked to the feather hanging around her neck, having heard the rumor that it was the god's, before glancing away, back towards the river in hopes of seeing some glimmer of hope of future fish.
"There may be eggs beneath," she suggested, peering into the depths along with her newfound companion, "But the parents have long since taken off upriver." She was fairly certain the Ligi had been afford special permissions where others had not, as well. It was a sad state of affairs when many aspects of hunting needed to be supervised, but she knew even Sahen would not want his pride to starve. He would be considering options just as she was. "You're a huntress then?" she asked curiously, hoping to extract some sort of information. It never hurt to discuss these matters with those who knew them best, as much as some of the other high ranking members might dismiss the concept. This lioness would know more about the game patterns then she ever would, and perhaps she had some ideas of her own.
Iaeratu nodded, and also peered into the depths. It would be hard to see the eggs, since they would be hidden from other predators by clever parents, but it gave Iaeratu some hope. Perhaps one day the river would be filled a plenty with fish - but that was unlikely to happen under Sahen's rule. The hope dimmed but she was distracted by the question posed to her. "Yes," she agreed, before realising she shouldn't be rude even if she was trying to be cautious. She bowed her head to the Zahama. "I am Huntress Iaeratu of the Tama house." Her Tama status was rather obvious, she would have thought, but it was the polite way to introduce herself. The Zahama did not rule over the Tama, but she still deserved some respect.
"Zahama Saengdao, of House Atmaja," she said in a softened voice, returning the bow somewhat against common pratice. All members were equal in these times, particularly when every mind was needed for its unique contributions. "Were you born here Iaeratu?" she asked cautiously, trying to remember if she had ever seen one who looked quite like her. It was important in her station to know the heritage of all, even those outside her own house. It was information that would prove useful were any rebels to succeed in causing conflict in the pride. She would need to know who would turn to which side if she was to keep her own safe.
She visibly startled at the bow, unused to such a thing from a higher ranking person, but she did not say anything, merely watched her cautiously. To treat a huntress equal to a Zahama? That was unheard of. The question of her heritage distracted her, and she glanced away. "I was," she agreed. "My parents were a hunter and huntress pair." She wondered if she should expand on that, and decided that it would not hurt to, since it was fairly common knowledge amongst those in her house. "My mother is no longer with us." A ligi had not approved of her mother's words encouraging strength amongst the weakened.
"My condolences," Saengdao offered, her voice sincere. Many had lost their loved ones during Sahen's reign, and she believed that she now remembered the situation. It had been an admirable fight, but an ill advised one. She knew all to well the value in backing down when the odds were stacked against, but she could appreciate the lioness's passion. "There are many who share your sense of loss," she admitted, "It's quite disconcerting to see so many unhappy, this is why I am here. I've heard reports that food is becoming more and more scarce, am I hearing true?"
Iaeratu nodded her head, acknowledging the lionesses condoleneces, though they were of little use now. In her younger days, Iaeratu had been furious that no one had stopped the Ligi, but now she accepted it - to a certain degree. She would never forgive the Ligi for what they had done, but there was no use getting herself killed in her rage against them. Grasping onto the new topic of food, Iaeratu nodded. "The fish are disappearing and the smaller prey beasts are no long as plentiful as they were - not even the hares." Not that she blamed them, who could flourish in such conditions as these? She continued, carefully, "I hunt regularly, but I have been needing to go further and further away from the dens to find the herds of larger beasts." She hesitated. This was purely her own opinion, but perhaps by letting the Zahama know, something might be done. "I fear that they will eventually leave our lands completely in their effort to move further from the lion's hunting."
The Zahama nodded, taking in a deep breath as she thought over the new information. "I share your fear," she said, "As do many others, though there are some that would just as soon ignore the problem." Thought she was uncomfortable admitting it she felt it important to let certain things known. Witholding information would never help to solve the problem. "Food is plentiful in the Weeping Lion," she told the huntress, "Though I do not know from where. It's most disturbing, when so many others go hungry. I fear, I do not know what I fear." She hung her head, looking back over the water, "I wish to ask Sahen to extend the boundaries for the hunters, perhaps it will open new options."
Iaeratu nodded, and scoffed - unable to prevent it - when the Zahama mentioned food being plentiful within the Weeping Lion. She couldn't help but think back to Jabari and his demand that she hunt for him - when she had plenty of others that needed her help more than the healthy Ligi member. "Ligi sometimes ask us huntress to find them food - taking what we would give to the others who need the hunt," she told Zahama, tone tense. "Some of that food comes from us, but some has origins that I do not know." At the comment of expanding the boundaries, Iaeratu looked towards the direction of the boundaries, before commenting. "If you can convince Sahen of such things - many will praise your name...but no one would blame you if you couldn't." Her tone made it slightly obvious that she thought it unlikely for Sahen to agree to such a thing - why would he want to help the people? Unless he thought it meant more food for himself. But the idea of more hunting grounds was a tempting one.
"I have plans," she admitted, "To attain help from his kin." She doubted sincerely that she would ever be able to convince him on her own but with his grandson, perhaps she had a chance. It was a longshot, this was true, but she would feel miserable if she didn't at least try. "If he does not agree I have other ideas, we may be able to build a pen for some of the larger game if we need to build up the population, or dam a section of the river. It would require some cooperation amongst all the hunters, but it could help," she told her, hoping desperately that one solution would work. Times were hard enough already without famine.
Iaeratu was curious over these plans but she didn't want to probe, though the last suggestion was something she could assist in. "If it comes to that," she told Zahama, "you would have my support - I have hunted amongst the others in the Tama house for a long time now, and have some sway in their actions - though I doubt any would protest cooperation when it could mean famine or survival. I hope it does not need to come to such drastic measures however." She sighed gently, and glanced back the river.
"As do I," Saengdao agreed, "Though I may be the head of the Atmaja house my heart bleeds for the Tama's suffering as well. The Mwanasheria is a dear friend of mine, she wishes only the best for all of you." Famine would be dangerous to all, regardless of their house or their coat. It would bring the pride together, surely Sahen would be in support of anything that would lessen the tensions.
Iaeratu wanted to say that a bleeding heart was no help to anyone, it just ended in more bloodshed but she couldn't. Empathy, sympathy - they needed these emotions if they were going to act together as a pride, if they were going to help save one another. So she gave a small, gentle smile. "Someday all our wishes might amount to something," she said, sounding somber but the smile gave the hint of some hope lingering within her still. "But until then, at least most of us stand together." It wasn't much, but it was something.
"And we can be strong together," she agreed, lifting her paw awkwardly toward the feather that hung about her neck. It hummed with a certain raw power she couldn't help but appreciate. At least she knew the gods were on their side, as long as they were close she would not feel abandoned. "I will find you again, Iaeratu, when I know what answer the Shatkona gives."
