Word Count: 1051
The heavens had blessed him with a surprising amount of knowledge, graced him with unending patience and an unsatiable curiosity. He had explored the world and scoured each corner for oddities and exotic plants and animals that could ultimately be of benefit to him and to others. Over the course of the years he had been subject to success and failure, but his one defining moment had been that in which he had stumbled upon a pride torn asunder by a tsunami.
They had assumed this was through the wrath of the gods and a lack of favour, but he would have thought otherwise based on his own expertise. However, there was no reason to dispute their claims or religious views, it simply wasn't his way. Instead, he had gathered what information he could from them and then provided a solution which had bizarrely... ended up in them receiving the assistance of a deity to bestow upon them the necessary plant life to allow the local flora to regain their strength.
That had been at least three years ago now and news of the tragedy had dissipated quickly which he could only assume meant for good news. Had more befallen them then it wouldn't have been long for this news to greet the leopard's ears for he heard and saw everything. He was no seer and never would he claim to have such gifts, but he was the watchman and if there was news to be had...then he would receive it.
As it was, all had been quiet on this front and as such the leopard had continued with his travels, carrying samples along with him as he explored the outer reaches of unmapped lands. Undisturbed and unconcerned with the outside world that had appeared to fall into an uneasy peace, he could continue with his research for has long as he wanted. Or rather he would have if something hadn't jolted his senses and caused him to look back towards the horizon with eyes as round as saucers.
He didn't have to be a seer to know something wasn't right.
Without further hesitation the leopard had diverted from his chosen path and quickened his pace to a sprint as he moved back towards familiar territory. A recognised and beloved horizon without his sights, he disregarded everything of interest (for now) and proceeded the way he had come - he didn't have much time, he wasn't sure how he knew, but it was evident...
*****
"Are you sure this is wise?" Spectre murmured softly as he regarded his mate, cupping each of the cubs under him to keep them out of sight and mind. Beside him, his mate merely pursed her lips and continued to observe the leopard with knowing eyes. She had a fondness for mortals, but this leopard was one of the few she would go out of her way to call for.
"It is the only choice," Arimathras replied gently and turned to her mate and her cubs. "A storm is on the horizon and I can't intervene, neither can you," she continued and offered a small smile.
"And he can?" The lion seemed doubtful as he shifted his azure gaze down towards the quickly disappearing cream leopard.
"History and heroics are a powerful weapon," she didn't explain further, Spectre seemed to understand in this respect and she closed her eyes. "He is a master strategist and they will need him, they may not know this yet, but they will."
"Then I only have one more question," Spectre uttered tentatively and regarded his immortal mate with concern. "Will you be there to intervene as well?" he enquired, unhappy with the prospect of losing her to an unfortunate series of events, particularly when he was of the opinion her place wasn't to meddle further.
"No," she said and shook her head. "I can only give them the tools and then we will see which side is favoured," she murmured.
If only he had known what awaited him and the expectations that had been placed on his shoulders. He was not prideborn and had never had the inclination to be, and yet the responsibility had been thrust upon him to take a stand and to guide these unsuspecting individuals. When he arrived how would he respond and how would they react? It was a considerable gamble on the part of the deity but at the very least, the leopard had responded to her call without question.
...Or rather, he had responded to the signs she had cast towards him.
******
It didn't take the leopard a very long time at all to return to familiar ground - a few days of solid travel at a reasonable speed and he had touched down on mapped territory once more. It was here that he came to a halt and cast his eyes across the horizon, lips pursing as he took note of where he was... The Kitwana'antara Lands, home of disease and pestilence. A terrifying prospect to all who were of lion ancestry, but to him it was no cause for concern.
"It's rare," a voice spoke up and he turned round to gaze at the black and orange striped male.
"Rare?" Raja responded, his eyebrow raising.
"For visitors to use the backdoor," Lawsonia replied simply and raised a brow. "To what do we owe the pleasure, shaman?" he continued, his eyes narrowed with suspicion as he spoke the truth about the rarity of such excertions.
"I am no shaman," Raja corrected him with a curt snort.
"Then what are you?" Lawsonia challenged, glancing at the herbs lining the leopard's pale back.
"The watchman..." he replied softly, pressing his lips into a thin line as he examined his surroundings more closely. He then heaved a deep sigh and turned to regard the lion once more, all to aware that this one had not been struck down by pestilence. "How far is it to the next border?"
"It would take you most of the day to reach the other side of the pridelands if that is your intention," Lawsonia responded and cast his gaze towards the direction Raja should have been looking towards. "Unless you take a short cut..."
"I need that short cut," Raja's response was abrupt.
"Then I suggest you follow me."
