[PRP - Central] An Important Request (Hanjari x Thrain)

[Quaji]

There was an obvious sense of urgency as the Captain moved, traversing the Central house's landscape with ease. It was similar to that of the North's and the rocks were something that he had become used to. He could not count the times he had slipped, fallen or cut his paws during his first weeks in the Tianxia. Now, months later, everything seemed easier to do. Well, except hunting. He had been good at that in the Pridelands but it seemed to him that he had traded that skill for a new one. Fighting. The adrenaline, the pride he felt, it was something he felt as though he had been born to do; to defend.

Nodding silently to the royal guards that were posted around the Central house and he had arrived.

It was the first time since he had come to the Tianxia that he had been to the main hub of everything, the Central house. Of course he had heard stories about it, but it was all so...well, surreal. He had been summoned here and for what reason, he did not know.

There was a nagging worry that this had something to do with that large rogue male he had fought off of Duke Jilie but no, that had already been handled. Perhaps it was about him dueling Duke Shan too often? No, that would have been settled by the Lord of the North, not the Emperor. Regardless of why he had been summoned, he was concerned about why him. Why not someone else, like...well, anyone really? There were a number of other members of the North and the pride in general, that at least to him, seemed better qualified for anything he could possibly be considered to do. Of course, who was he to keep an Emperor waiting. There had to be a good reason and he assumed he would find out.

Now if only he could find his way around...  

[Quaji]

Distracted? Maybe. Surprised to hear his name? Most definitely.

Startled by who he could only assume was one of the royal guards that guarded the imperial family, Thrain quickly composed himself for what would probably be the most stressful meeting in his life. It could easily make or break any career he hoped for, so as he followed after Ryger, he was going over in his head what Shan had told him before he had left the North. Keeping his head up and his tail down, he made his way into what one would consider a throne room if the Central house had one. It was almost a small piece of the West house had found its way up so high. The smell of the flowers, the few birds. It was not at all what he had expected and neither was the red lion ahead of him.

Bowing his head slightly, he stood at attention many yards from the emperor. "You called for me, your majesty?"  

[Quaji]

Silently, he listened to the emperor speak.

Him, the most fitting candidate for a request, from someone that that was deemed important by the imperial family? It was humbling to say the least but there was already a sense of excitement bubbling inside of him that sent his heart fluttering. This was the exact chance he had been yearning for to happen to him, now he only needed to see whatever it was through. Oh, and do it well, of course.

Wait, did he say...

Thrain's attention was grabbed the instant the Pridelands was mentioned by name. Both of his ears turned to attention and his tail twitched as his eyes locked the emperor's with a certain amount of silent begging for him to continue as that surely couldn't have been all. It wasn't even the emperor's son that interested him, but there was something going on in the Pridelands and he hadn't heard a single word from his family. Swallowing hard, he tried his hardest not to ask about his birth pride, especially about his mother and uncle. So the son of the emperor, and as he recalled, the one who went on to become the heir to the Pridelands. Surely the prince felt out like the fish out of water, much as Thrain had when he had joined the Tianxia. At least he never had the entire pride looking to him for answers.  

[Quaji]

The captain could only guess that these soldiers would defend the pride against what he assumed to be the Mava'bunda. He hadn't even been born the last time the Mava'bunda had tried anything against the Pridelands, but he had seen and heard of the events that unfurled. In fact, uncle Simi was one of those living with the results from those battles. If he could help prepare the Pridelands, prevent that from happening again, from more needless dying, then of course he would help. It's not like he could deny the emperor his request, but he could be happier to accept it.

Wordlessly, Thrain nodded as that simply could not be everything but there was no need to for him to speak just yet. It was an honor that the emperor considered him the best candidate for training the beginnings of the Pridelands' future...army? Could one even call it an army? It wouldn't be the same as the North's forces, but it would a standing guard that could protect the pride, and one that would be formally trained instead of just hunters called to arms like he had heard happened last time.  

[Quaji]

"I understand what I am to do, both when I arrive and when I am to return. Is there a set amount of time I am to be expected to spend in the Pridelands?" Pausing for a moment, another question quickly came to mind. "Am I right to assume my party will not consist of just myself?" The journey to the Pridelands was a long one and one he had already made once before but in the opposite direction. If he was to get there swiftly and begin training almost immeadiately, then he would need to minimize the chances of injuring himself along the way. A hunter, possibly a messenger as well and perhaps a guard or soldier to help show example exercises to any would-be soldiers in the Pridelands. Hm, yes, two or four more in his party seemed like the right number and he was sure it would be no problem finding those willing to make the journey. It would be a chance for others to see a land besides the other houses and without moving prides, it may be some of their's only chance.

"If it is no problem, I would request I pick a few members of the North to accompany me to ensure we reach the Pridelands swiftly and return safely."

It was no surprise to Thrain that there was trade involved in this and he was simply part of the deal involved, but it would give him the opportunity to not only help the Pridelands and see his family again but to prove himself to the emperor. But to ask members of the Pridelands to leave, and suddenly at that to make an over two-week-long journey to a strange pride that they have only heard about a few have seen...Then again, he had made that journey with no incentive or even knowing if there would be a place for him in the Tianxia. They would at least have that assurance.  

[Quaji]

Three months was his limit, and he assumed that would begin when he left so haste was of the utmost importance once preparations were made to leave. There were a few names who jumped out at him when thinking of who he would ask to come with him and hopefully they would all be willing. It would be strange being home and being able to trust them in a land that would probably feel foreign by this point would be helpful for their success.

The captain nodded. There was nothing else that really needed to be asked. He knew his objective and time frame. "Understood." His military training showed through with that one word and the way he stood before the emperor.