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Stommerd had also been looking towards the skies, void of clouds carrying life giving water. He made his way slowly to stand beside his mate, brown eyes gazing towards the horizons. “Are your thoughts the same as mine?” He questioned, turning his head slowly to look at her. “If things continue as they are we will be forced to leave to follow the rains, and the unknown lies in our path.” Prides had come and gone along their old migratory path, and many prides now along this route were unknown to them. The dry seasons were coming on quickly, and if they did not do something many within the herd would likely not make it.

Stommerd kept silent for a time as he thought on her words. “It will not be safe either way for us. Either we stay here and perish slowly, or move on into the unknown, and risk being overrun by predators.” The patriarch turned to gaze over the lands he now protected, watching those grazing peacefully. Perhaps some were becoming aware of how grze the situation within the land would soon become, but those too young seemed blissfully unaware of any trouble that might be looming on the horizons. “If we stay it will be guaranteed that we will lose many of our herd,” He spoke as he turned back to look at Nija, “And if we leave these lands and migrate anyways then there is no certainty at all.” His ears swiveled back as he scowled. “I do not like this situation. It is not one I can fix with the sharp point of my horns.” In a short fit of anger he stomped the ground with a hoof, frustrated at this situation, which seemed to have no clear solutions.

Stommerd nodded his agreement. Either way they would lose members, but this way at least had the possibility for the most survival. None here were likely to survive without water, and with little ones now amongst their numbers he felt even more compelled to find a way to keep as many as he could alive. “Then we will make sure they are safe. Perhaps the leaders of these prides might be sensible enough for negotiating.” He spoke, looking over at her. Talk was not his forte, but with the current situation he felt he had little choice but to try. “I will travel to these lands then and see if we can work out some sort of deal with the predators in them. If we can come to some sort of agreement that would make migrating safer then we shall do so after my return.”

“What?” Strommed exclaimed, turning quickly to look at his mate. “I can’t let you go, it’s far too dangerous!” However he took a step back, ears swiveling back in thought. If the herd was attacked he was not sure what would happen. The guards would surely be able to handle it to a point, but Nija wasn’t a military leader, so if he left her here then who was to say she would fair any better in such a situation? His ears perked forward and he spoke with a huff. “Fine, but I insist you take a few guards with you. And I expect constant updates from avians. If so much as a day passes and I hear nothing I will come looking for you myself.”

As much as he hated to admit it to himself Nija would likely be a much better negotiator than himself. If he could solve this with a fight then he would, but solving a problem with words was far more complicated for him.

Strommed nodded his approval. He certainly would be picking these guards out himself. In fact he was already planning to get a Sky-Watcher to gather a few he had in mind to speak with them personally. The patriarch went over this short list of select guards until her final statements made their way past these thoughts. “Wait, what?” He stammered, ears twitching. “Oh well..” He continued, shifting slightly. “Of course I will. I’ll make sure everything runs smoothly during your absence.” Now a second list started to form, a list of people he could trust to do these things for him. He was a military leader, not one to look after the ill and expecting, however he would still personally make sure everything ran smoothly.

Quickly the male regained his composure, righting himself with a quick huff. “I have some things to take care of before you depart. If you will excuse me.” He gently nuzzled her cheek before taking his leave to call together the guards he had in mind to accompany her.