The lands of the People were quiet in the cool hours before dawn, with it too late for the nightowls and too early for even the earliest risers; as far as Peya knew, he was the only one up and about at this time of day, because he was the only one with cause to be, the only one who was charged with watching his Brothers and Sisters. Trouble was brewing, between the changes being made, the newcomers, and the traditionalists in the pride, and he knew that he could not hold the tide back for long. All he could do was observe and inform, but that would not be enough. Days like this were days he wished he had not been the one to follow in his father's footsteps, and that he had been a common hunter, or a priest and this job had not fallen to him. Or that he had a true friend he could share the burden with, someone he could trust absolutely. But it that was not to be.
The best he could do was find a friendly face, and trust them as far as their words and actions went.
lost in thought as he was, he was surprised to see a female awake not far from him. "Good morning, Sister," he said, keeping his voice quiet as he padded down to her. "You are up early."
