Diná had been hearing some strange things from her grandson as of late, and had been keeping an eye on the both of them recently. At first, she hadn't paid the talk any mind. They were boys, Surtak could do with them whatever he wanted. They would leave the pride to be rogues, and that was that. Some extra training before being run-off would be good for them, even if it was with an Umholi Diná didn't particularly care for. Now though, she wasn't so certain. Her tail twitched out behind her as she stared at the sleeping form of one of her grandson's, Khanyo. He hadn't grown very tall, even for Bonelands standards, and a boy his age really shouldn't be that heavy. She'd also noticed the constant bruises and minor cuts, which worried her. Bora had been watching her partner stare at the same spot for several minutes now, and there was only so much grooming of feathers she could do before she wound up plucking them. With a clack of her beak the large buzzard gripped the branch tighter in her talons. "We have work to get back to", she reminded the lion, somewhat testily. She was hungry, and could only find food while airborne. What on earth was Diná starring at?
He'd gotten a good round of 'sparring' in with Neze earlier, and the boy was tired. Their father may have disappeared, but that didn't stop either boy from wanting to continue. It had been fun, and even without Surtak's constant supervision 'sparring' was something they could do. Though, it had gotten rougher. Khanyo could still feel the sting on his leg where Neze had bitten him, even through his dream sleep.
The lioness flicked her ears back at the grating sound of the white buzzard's voice. It could be difficult to listen to at times. "Yes", she replied, though did not take her eyes from the golden cub. His growth was stunted, she was sure of it. He was thick without height, and that could be dangerous in the rogue lands. She wrestled with the thoughts before, knowing he was just a boy and not one of the girls, but she couldn't be certain Surtak would teach him or his brothers everything they needed to know.
She's agreed, but had yet to move from that spot. Bora was getting irritated. She ruffled her feathers and tucked her head in tighter to her chest. "Don't you think we should get going then?" Another 'yes' without movement would only irritate her further.
The cub stirred in his sleep, uncomfortable. It was almost as if he could feel eyes watching him, and that transitioned itself into his dreams. His leg twitched out from under him, and his eyes shifted restlessly under their lids. He didn't think much of Surtak disappearing, not while awake at least. But he often dreamt it was his fault, somehow, some way, that their father had left.
Between Bora nagging at her and her thoughts swirling around Khanyo, Duma and whatever their father had been teaching them, Diná was upset. She didn't much care for the boys of her own litters, much less her grandsons, but something had to be done. Even if they would leave her and the rest of the pride as adults, she had to be certain they were prepared for it. Plus, who knew what nonesense Surtak had been filling their heads with. It only took two steps for her to reach the thick cub, and in an instant she'd nudged him with her nose to wake him.
That was the complete opposite of starting their work. Bora was certain of it. An angry grumble left her beak as her wings spread out from her body. Strong talons grasped the bark of the tree tighter. "If you do not wish to work today, I shall find a meal on my own", she warned. Hunger was a difficult thing to ignore.
He awoke with a start at the touch to his shoulder, sharp little claws extending to catch whatever had touched him. That thing seemed to be his grandmother, and her soft growl warned him from taking another strike at her. "S-sorry", he tried to explain through weariness, though the rest of the explanation was cut off by a yawn. Still, his ears went back in apology. "I didn't know..." He honestly didn't know what else to say.
Being stricken on the nose was not something she'd expected. Nor was it normal for a cub to react in such a way to being awoken. Diná's eyes narrowed, the small sting to her cheek forgotten as her mind whirred on the question. What was Surtak teaching them? "Up, boy. You'll be spending the day with me", was her command. Yes. She was certain now. There were things she had to teach him.
Apparently she was easy to ignore. Bora ruffled her feathers once more, spreading her wings further. It had been no empty threat, she would find a meal on her own. Being with lions had not in any way encumbered her ability to care for herself. Or so that's what she believed.
His ears shot forward with the unexpected answer, and what hope had been there faded away quickly. "I'm suppose to train with Neze today", he told her, stifling another yawn. If it was one thing their father had passed onto him, it was the importance of training with one another. He hardly spent time with Diná, though he knew she spent a great deal with his sisters.
The golden patched lioness stared at the little cub that was not suppose to be so little. His attitude was not something she'd expected, nor did she appreciate it. A warning growl escaped her throat. "You are coming with me, and there will be no arguing. Its time you learned some Bonelands tradition." Diná was strict with the girls, with her own daughter especially, and this boy would not escape the lesson they had already learned. In the Bonelands, one listened to one's mother, and in this case Grandmother. As an afterthought she added, "Bora will be accompaning us." She'd noticed the bird about to take off and thought better of it.
She was in fact about to leave her branch and take to the skies. Though she paused, hearing Diná's last statement. Slowly she folded her wings to her sides, eyeing the two lions. "Indeed", she grumbled, finally. Whatever Diná had in mind, had better include something to eat. The sooner the better.
Khanyo wasn't exactly sure what to say to that, or even how to accept it. He had to train with Neze today, or else his half-brother might find someone else to fight with. And then get better at it! But he wasn't about to risk his grandmother's wrath, as Chazama had warned them of it early on. 'Always do what grandma says', were her exact words. Khanyo stared at the older lioness for a long time, weighing his options. Another growl from her throat had him on his feet however, and quickly padding behind her.
((Word Count: 1190))
