Saengdao approached the young lord's chambers with some degree of caution, though open enough so as to not provoke the suspicions of the Ligi. It would not do well to have them think ill of her meeting with him, particularly when her intentions were for the betterment of Sahen's rule. In the mind of the average pride member at least. "Kafele?" she called softly, remaining far enough back from the entrance to afford him some privacy should he wish to turn her away, "May I speak with you?"
Kafele was talking to his brother Livius when the bright coat of the Zahama appeared at the entrance of the Jaw. It was not much of a private talk or one of particular interest – it couldn’t be not they were constantly surrounded by the unfriendly eyes of the Ligi – so the red lion stood at once and made his way towards Saengdao. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as his brother Livi gave the Atmaja lioness a polite nod before moving in a different direction.
“Lady Zahama.” Kafele said with a quick bow. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
"I wanted to speak with you about the plight of the hunters," she explained, looking hesitantly over her shoulder as she caught sight of the Ligi that had been following her. He looked bored, and that boded well for her. "Food is becoming scarce, I thought you might be able to help me in persuading Sahen to extend the boundaries for the hunters." It was a longshot, she knew, but it might go smoother if she had one of his blood on her side, even if it was not the dear princess.
Kafele listened carefully trying not to betray any hint of emotion in such a dangerous place, the image of a certain Tama huntress immediately coming to mind. Ixi…
“I’m not usually the best one when it comes to discuss such matters with my grandfather.” He admitted slowly. He lacked a certain diplomacy when the discussion turned to controversial topics as opposed to those who always had the right words, knew the right approach. “But I can talk to my uncle. I believe Sahen respects his opinion and he is much better than me on these matters.” he smiled a little before his expression closed again. “How bad is it? I know two huntresses have joined recently but I have little information from outside this place.” There were things that Kayin would tell him – and Jabari, occasionally – but that was something the red lion would like to keep secret.
"Nor am I," she sighed, "I supposed you would be the most likely to listen to me. The fish are gone, as are most of the small game. The larger herds have been found along the boundaries, but their feed within the pridelands is scarce and they know the hunters wait with empty bellies. They could be able to increase their yield with extra space or options to dam the river, but they need the freedom to do so." She could not promise him that there would be no problems from the change, but there would be many more without it. A starving pride could be violent, riotous even.
“Fish and small game…” Kafele repeated seriously, looking into the distance. He was somewhat touched that the Zahama would come to him to discuss such matters but this was a complicated topic subject to the… whims of his grandfather. “I suppose the Head Hunters could organize scouting trips to drive the prey within the borders. But I don’t think my grandfather would quite trust them to return…”
“I will ask for uncle Sikudhani’s assistance on this matter.” He said in a tone of conclusion, looking at the Zahama as if waiting to see if she anything to add regarding the hunting issue. “If you permit, there’s something I’d like to ask you…”
"That was my concern too," she admitted, "Perhaps they could have a Ligi accompaniement." His question caught her off guard, he needn't ask her permission to ask anything. She was there to serve Atmaja house, her mind was an open book. Well, to most anyway. She still had her secrets, as any lady would. "Of course Kafele," she said with a cautious smile, "Ask away."
“My only concern there would be that…” his tone grew quieter but he tried not any signs of caution. “That my grandfather might attempt to send the hunters that have cubs away, knowing that they will always return… but also leaving the little ones unprotected. I trust things can be organized in a way that ensures cubs are never left unsupervised. Just to make sure that there are no… accidents.”
He paused, sitting down with a quiet sigh.
“My question is related with what I was just saying. I met a young cub, a male. Not too long ago. He was pretty reckless and I caught near the base of the Weeeping Lion once. Kaseko, I think that was his name. Son of a hunter I was wondering if he was alright and… safe.” Born out of one who didn’t belong to the First Blood, a potential Chosen One. Kafele remembered him often, wondering if the Ligi had managed to get their paws on the little one.
"Kaseko," she repeated, her eyes showing an odd sparkle as she looked back into her memory, "I'm afraid to say that the name is not familiar to me, but I believe that the even the Ligi would not harm a cub without true cause." She hoped at least. Even Sahen understood the boundaries that could spark a riot within the pride. "They likely chased him away," she suggested, "Perhaps a few bites, but if they had killed him I would have heard it on the wind." Taking in a soft breath she considered the options, "I could look for him, if you wish. I have certain freedoms and no one would be surprised to find me among the hunters."
“I’d be very grateful if you did.” Kafele said, smiling a little again even though he wasn’t entirely sure the Ligi wouldn’t cross the line if they spotted an unattended cub. He’d never seen anything in his lifetime but he’d heard stories – scary stories - of things that had happened before his time and he truly feared for the safety of the young lion. “He’s been on mind a lot.”
“I’m sorry about the hunting situation.” Kafele said, retuning the previous subject. “I’m on good terms with a Tama huntress who hasn’t lost her spirit since joining the pride. I was hoping things would be better.” An experienced lion would notice that the red lion couldn’t help but smile wider at the mention of the Tama lioness.
Saengdao picked up on the shift, and couldn't help but feel her heart warm that such emotions would still exist through all of the trouble the pride was facing. So long as pride members still cared for each other there was hope for improvement. They would need all the care they could muster. "Things will get better Kafele," she told him, though she wasn't sure herself, "Age and wisdom has taught me that it always does, if slowly."
“I do hope so, my lady.” And in a way, he did believe it. Not even Sahen could live forever, after all. The ruler’s disappearance wouldn’t fix all that was wrong in the pride but it was definitely a step in the right direction. Kafele didn’t think any of his siblings would ever become like their grandfather – he was slowly losing hope regarding the arrival of the prophesized lion.
“I will look for my uncle then. Good day, Lady Zahama.” He gave the bright lioness a quick nod – not the bow that he would undoubtedly give her were they not being watched by so many watchful eyes before turning very slowly and walking away to the last place he’d seen his mother. Amira would most likely know where to find her brother.
"Good day," she said with a nod, adding before she left, "I will leave you a message if I find out anything about your little friend." The conversation had gone well, she decided, now there was little left to do but wait for the answer to come. She would go and pray over the feather that hung around her neck. Chaos, though he had seemed agitated with the prospect of the pride's problems, would guide them through it. She knew that the Chosen One would yet come, he had to. She had lived her life with that notion, she could not die before it was achieved.
