Soon. Soon he would finally be going home.
The night was still young, but the son had set so long ago. With many already asleep, some were still awake in the camp of Heinrich, the crown prince of the Mlima Tuokoa. One of them being the prince himself who was busy preparing for his journey home to the snowy mountains he was originally from. The hot plains were not his home, but rather a shelter. A temporary 'home' as he made his way through the quest his father had given to him before he left. The quest was almost complete, now all he needed was a firmer lineage, one that could not fall completely apart should a disease strike him or his colony.
He had a queen. He had two handsome sons, twins at that, so his lineage was at least out there though with his mind at Pinot the thought of more children would only prove to make sure that his royal blood continued on even if something were to happen to him. Mithrandir and Tomasz, his sons, while they would be make fine heirs, especially the latter of the two, he could not. Their mother had passed long ago, a passing rogue of no noble blood that he had fallen so deeply in love so quickly. There would be no way to tell his father that they were essentially b*****d children despite his love for the both of them. Regardless though, Heinrich acknowledged them and would continue to do so unto his dying breath.
His bald head dipped down, nose nudging itself through the loop of his clasp around his dark brown pelt. With a little maneuvering he got it sit simply on his back. This was a parting gift that he had received from his father: a pelt made from one of the lions that had pushed them from their forested home so long ago. It was sort of an heirloom and he intended to pass it along eventually. This was also a gift he would need in the colder weather of the the mountains. A small smile spread on his face. He could not wait to feel the snow crush under his large paws, the chill of the air once again on his face. A shiver of excitement ran down the leopard's spine just at the thought.
Noir moved silently through the encampment that she and her lady had become so familiar with. This had been their home for the last few months and she was quickly becoming comfortable around so many strangers, now friends. A cheerful smile had found its way onto her face as the aide moved some of the furs that Heinrich had given to Pinot out of the only den in the area and into the open air. It was time to get dust and dirt from them. There was no way Pinot would even tolerate a dirty fur on her back and it was Noir's job to make sure she never had to. She picked up one of her lady's favorites into her mouth and onto her back to take it to a clearer area to dust it. It was at least one of her favorites from what she could tell.
The smile grew a little larger as the pelt was placed upon her back. Even though it was only for cleaning, the soft, warm fur made her feel a bit more like...well, more then just common blood. It was a good feeling. A fleeting one, but still good. Once she finally moved to a clear area, a little ways outside of camp, she slid the skin off of her back and onto a low-hanging branch. There she turned, her tail raised to beat the warm adornment with it. A small humming could be heard easily as she worked.
Little did she know that she was being watched by a pair of curious royal eyes. Heinrich grinned to himself as he moved closer to the unaware leopardess. She was...lovely to say the least. Her simple pelt was nice and kept. Though it was not surprising as he knew who her mistress was. With Pinot as a lady to serve, she no doubt was required to keep herself so well groomed as she represented the burgundy leopardess. He could not help but chuckle at the thought of Pinot yelling at someone for a bit of fur out of place.
The chuckle was just loud enough for Noir's head to turn, ears swiveling towards the sound as she beating stopped suddenly. "Hello?" She called out into the darkness of the night, scanning the trees that lined the small 'oasis' of a camp. Oasis was not the correct term, but it was like one in the middle of the plains as it was a water source surrounded by trees and shrubs. Her ears fell back as did her tail as there was no immediate answer to her call. She was safe in the camp despite being on the borders...right? After all, Heinrich did have several guards positioned in various spots around the thinning lines of greenery. There was nothing to worry about, at least that was what she told herself as the silence continued to draw out.
"Good evening, lady Noir." Heinrich finally called back in response to her hesitant greeting as he revealed himself by moving closer to her. His pink eyes turned to look at the pelt that hung from the tree and then back to her with a sigh and something of a shrug. "Cleaning hm? I suppose I can always come back at another time."
"No, your highness." She quickly interjected, holding her tongue from embarrassing herself any further by speaking so outwardly towards someone of higher blood then her. Noir's head lowered, her tail sliding under herself to wrap around her leg. "I did not mean at offense, your highness. I am never too busy if you have need of me."
"Oh but of course. When you finish here, meet me by the watering hole in the middle of our camp. I have something I wish to discuss with you in private." Heinrich said simply as he turned away, looking back over his shoulder to keep his gaze on her as he waited for her reply to his 'request'. Though it was a request, it was more of an unspoken order.
Noir raised her eyes for a moment, meeting his hard look for only a moment before diverting her gaze from him to look back at the ground. "But of course." She responded with. How could she say no if he had anything at all to say to her? It was just downright impossible for someone like her to do without some kind of backlash!
There was a sound of steps that began to fade. He had already left, apparently satisfied with the reply she had given. With a sigh, Noir turned once she knew he was gone or at least the sound stopped. "I suppose I should get back to work." The words were more to herself then to the pelt she was currently looking at. Another sigh and she continued her cleaning while her mind wandered to think of what the prince had to say to an aide.
Soon she could find out.
[Word Count: 1224]
