Sure he had been introduced to all of the other four Houses in the Tianxia; the West, the South, the East and the Central houses, but that didn't mean he knew exactly where the borders were, what rock belonged to whose house or any marker yet that defined the lands of a house. He had been pursuing a green pelted hunter for days now, but always seemed to be just behind them. Only catching glimpses as they slipped over the hills to not be seen until the next.
It was frustrating to say the least. What use would he be in a pride where he couldn't even catch up to a poacher? Maybe the messengers of the South could help him with his stamina and speed...
Not too far off, fighting could be heard.
ALL HE HAD WANTED TO DO WAS GET A PRESENT.
But no, now Han was pushed chest to chest with a much larger lion. A darkness that had oozed out from behind a tree and just started swinging his paws, his claws out and his teeth bared. There was obviously an intent to do harm and Han, being from the West house, wasn't exactly known for his martial skill. He knew basics from sneaking to watch the royal guards train as a cub, but never anything more. It was always about the finer things. Well how in the hell was knowing how to recognize old painters' works, the feel of different materials and the lyrics to famous songs going to help him now?!
Halion's dark violet fur shined under the flashes of lightning above the trees. His eyes were hazy, but his claws knew how to hit their mark regardless. Maybe he was just in his element, but his intent was clear. The steel blue lion needed to die. Raising onto one paw for only a second, he pushed against Han's belly, unstabling the poor boy and causing him to fall onto his back with hardly any grace. The dragon's son fell as well, tripping to the side, landing wrong on his paw, but even the pain shooting up his leg did not stop him. Perhaps it was adrenaline, perhaps something else, but he didn't seem to care about it.
And that frightened Han as he stared up at his attacker. The Duke scrambled to get back up onto his paws, hurrying away with only a single glance back to see if the unholy dragon was still pursuing him. It was and it wasn't much longer until it had caught up with him again. Roars from both sides filled the air and it likely wouldn't be long now until the guards finally found him, but would they find him alive and wounded or dead... He had just wanted to commission a necklace, maybe a bracelet for his to-be wife in another pride. Now he may never even see her. A widow before she was even married...
Thrain's attention was snapped into a new direction. That didn't sound like a storm. That sounded like...fighting?! The West was not known for that. That was the North's job. The guard from the North found his paws moving almost on their own accord and with some large amount of haste as well. Maybe it was just a couple of guards from the West sparring, training or settling an honor issue through a duel. Golden eyes looked through the trees, spotting a familiar steel blue blur moving. It stumbled, got up onto to have this darkness descend on its back. There were claws. He could see them glisten.
His legs moved again, getting his closer. A realization hit him. He knew that steel blue coat, those cloud markings and the one time the poor soul looked into his eyes, he knew those facial markings. The one being attacked was from the royal family in the West. He was a Duke, a son of the Lady Ria and Lord Alizeti. A bellowing roar left his lungs and he joined in the fight.
The cloud-legged lion had look up, around, hoping to see a familiar face. A royal guard, maybe Jing Liqiu, someone...anyone. Even an artisan would have been nice. His standing in the pride would have drawn someone to help him, surely it would. His mother wouldn't be happy to find that he had been killed while others watched, but he would never know. He would never see her cry over him. On his back, his belly exposed, he looked up into the blood-red eyes of his to-be murderer. There was nothing but hatred in them. Why? Why did this lion seem to hate him so much? What had he done?
The heavens opened up and rain began to fall. Lightning illuminated the trees and in some sections, the ground. It also allowed him to face his killer. There was no peace in the young Duke's heart. No, he was terrified of dying. He hadn't even done anything with his life. There was nothing to remember him for. No great deed, no long line of children and grandchildren, nothing. As his eyes finally started to slide closed, accepting of his fate, the pressure of the opposing lion's paws left his chest. Blue eyes snapped open to see a tan blur push against the darkness' chest. Each of his protector's paws pushed against the shoulders of his to-be killer.
Halion hadn't expected there to be help to come for his young prey but here some was. The god-son snarled, hissing between his teeth before he let out a frustrated rumble. He had been so close, SO CLOSE to his goal, to impressing his father with the freely flowing blood of royalty. Now his quarry was scrambling up to hide. Hah, he thought he could hide from a seer. He would have laughed if he had been meeting the other equally large lion's mouth as the two tried to get their mouths through the other's mane.
Up on his back legs, Thrain pushed against him, his paws; claws out, he swiped. Each competitor fighting over the life of the steel blue lion's fate. One wanting to kill him, the other to save him. Neither had managed get the upperpaw, but that was better than this monster managing to overpower him. Maybe he could keep him busy until other guards arrived.
NO!
He had stumbled, slipping in the wet grass, allowing the other lion to break their stalemate and begin his pursue after the Duke. Quickly he turned, mud coating his paws, his mane soaked, small twigs and specks of mud in it, he lunged at the attacking lion. Thrain's claws sunk into Halion's back legs, dragging the beast down onto the ground. A pained roar filled the air, but it was hardly audible with the sound of pouring rain around them. He was down, now was his chance!
Silently, from (hopefully) the safety of hiding behind a tree and brush, Han cheered on his unknown savior. He had never seen this lion before, but his coloring was familiar. Maybe was mistaken. Maybe he had seen him before and couldn't remember their meeting right now. There was almost no thoughts going through his head except trying to pray to the gods for his victory. There was a sudden amount of pain that finally began to ache all over. Taking on look at himself, the Duke was covered in scratches, a few long gashes on his back were still oozing blood, staining his beautiful coat a red similar to that of the dragon-looking lion's eyes. The two were on the ground now, out of Han's view, moving to try and watch, a spike of pain shot up his leg causing him to stop. Glancing down he froze. When the hell had that monster gotten a chance to BITE HIM?! Sure enough there were puncture marks on his leg. Great.
Halion snarled, hissed, growled, every angry sound he could make as he tried to break free from Thrain's grip but as much as he tried, the more the claws of the defender sunk in and tore at his skin. Turning, he swung behind him. Extended claws found their mark and tore across the guard's face. Blood mixed within the pools of water beneath them. His blood. The royal's blood and now Thrain's blood. There was a moment of pride that caused Halion to grin widely.
The grin faded quickly as he realized that he couldn't move his arm. Panic began to set in as he realized Thrain's mouth was around his forearm, just a few inches above where his dew claw was located. He stared, unsure of what he was doing...No. NO!
The guard bit down. The sound of cracking filled the air.
Han winced though he wasn't sure why. That b*****d deserved it! Still, the thought of losing a paw or walking with a limp was a horrible one. Whatever, this wanna-be murderer could deal with it.
Halion's pained roar echoed. Something broke. Something had to have broken for the amount of pain that was rushing through his body. It was numbing. No, he could still do this. He could still make his father proud! He had to!
The son of a Illuae's lips raised, his mouth coming off of the criminal's leg. Blood dripped from his mouth. He wasn't done yet. As Halion tried to stumbled back, dragging himself, either to get away or to go towards Han. Either way, Thrain walked with him casually, watching him intently. The moment he looked up to see the Duke staring wide-eyed he knew what this monster was going to still try and do. A low rumble formed in his chest as he snarled loudly. One paws pushed against the chest of the offender while his mouth lunged against, this time gripping mane, ripping it from his neck.
Halion cried out in pain, laying still as his body began to go numb. The feeling was beginning to leave everywhere, every part of his body. Still, the royal brat was still within his view. He could still...do this...His world went black and his body still.
As the body stilled underneath him, Thrain slowly began to back off, panting heavily as he looked around him. The pridelander stumbled back, falling onto his rump as he began to smile. He hadn't thought he could do that, let alone save the Duke as well. THE DUKE!
"Your grace," He spoke cautiously. It felt odd to talk with the taste of blood still in his mouth.
That's when the guards finally appeared, surrounding the son of Illuae and Halion while another saw to the Duke. They were growling, menacingly so but they were obviously defensive as they saw what had been done to the son of their Lord and Lady. As one approached Thrain, obviously with the intent of either killing or at least injuring him, a voice broke through the sound of rain and distant thunder. The approaching guard froze, looking back.
"No. Leave him alone." Han commanded, his voice low, obviously trying to keep it from shaking as he stood with one paw raised. There was blood all over him but he didn't seem to care at that moment. Maybe it was his upbringing, his bloodline, his rank or a little of all three that prevented him from showing weakness now. "He saved me. He deserves your respect, not your claws." Gritting his teeth, Han hobbled towards Thrain and offered him a smile. "Come on. I'm sure my mother would love to meet my defender. Who are you though, stranger?"
Thrain blinked up at the Duke. He was exhausted from his tracking of a possible poacher and now the fight, especially now that any adrenaline he had was wearing off and leaving his system. "Tie Shi, your grace." He spoke just loud enough for the others to hear. "I'm a guard in the North house."
"Well then Tie Shi, you just saved the life of Zhong Jilie, a Duke of the house you're currently in; the West. I owe you my gratitude." He raised his head, looking over, counting the guards that had shown themselves. "Three of you bring that one." Han motioned to the still body of his almost-murderer. It was still breathing, but at least it wasn't moving right now. "You help me, and you...help him." The last him was spoken while motioning to Thrain.
With the help of guard from the West, Thrain rose to his feet and followed behind the Duke and the guard helping him while being trailed behind by the other three. One who carried the god-son with another guard on either side of them.
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