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 Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 1:49 am
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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2017 5:38 am
It had come as a shock to everyone involved; there had been several questions and numerous puzzled expressions as the bird had landed within their camp. She had come with grim but important news, but it had no relevance to their campaign, and required the attention of only one of their kin. It wasn't even one of those who had exploratory missions in to deeper regions, in fact, it had to do with one of their most diplomatic and philosophical members.
On this day, Shuurei had come to seek out Havase.
At first, he had been unavailable, but after further discussion with the Justicar...Destati had seen to it that he had been recalled. It should have come as no surprise that the brown lion was a touch confused when he returned to the camp. Quite frankly, even his own companions were perplexed, and it seemed that on this occasion Destati had elected to keep this information to himself. No doubt it would become a subject of gossip and considerable interest if this was the case as there were very rarely secrets within the Collective.
Secrets didn't work well in their line of work, they needed absolute trust.
"Destati?" Havase finally spoke, his brow raising as he drew near the paler, spotted lion and regarded him with curiosity. Without speaking, he was given a wave a paw to follow and without a word the Justicar had already moved off towards a more quiet and private area of their camp. If Havase hadn't been concerned before then, he certainly was now, and his brow promptly furrowed as he stepped after his leader to discuss whatever might have required him to come back so quickly.
As he stepped into the more private compound he didn't note anything of particular interest and shook his head. Had he done something that he wasn't aware of?
"You have my apologies for the cloak and dagger behaviour," Destati said at last as he turned round to regard Havase and finally nodded to Shuurei. "However on this occasion I thought it would be better that you received this news in private, and then you could determine how best you wished to proceed with it," he concluded.
"What news?" Havase asked as he cast his gaze towards the avian. In those moments Destati simply exited the area, leaving both the avian and collective scout to their privacy.
"We are aware that it is usually advantageous to keep relationships within the collective private, or at least, if you have any inclinations towards others its usually best to keep it low key," Shuurei said finally and tilted her head to the side. "But it seems on this occasion you may have been found out," she confessed softly and gave her chest a gentle rub. It was a vague beginning to a conversation, but she hoped that he would understand it, and based on the expression that slowly seemed to be flicking on to his features, it appeared that he did.
"All right," Havase's tone was more cautious than he was usually known for, even in times of stress.
"She was killed," Shuurei shook her head. "At least at this time we think she has been," she continued. "We haven't managed to recover her body but it seems that on this occasion she may have picked the wrong side."
There was a considerable pause as Havase processed this.
"She never picked a side," he said at last.
"Perhaps not vocally, but the company she might have kept seems to have -"
"That doesn't even make any sense," Havase interjected. "I am not even of high birth, associating with me is of no consequence."
"You have been spotted on occasions associating with certain individuals, innocent as your dealings might have been, there are those in the Al-Siq who know your allegiances are to the Justicar. Though they may not necessarily know what you -"
"So they thought she was a royalist, is that it?" He tightened his jaw and closed his eyes briefly. "She didn't deserve that; there weren't even any signs," he murmured.
"She didn't." Shuurei agreed gently and cleared her throat. "However while we still haven't been able to locate her for a proper burial, we did find something else..." The avian took a breath and prepared herself, it wasn't news she was accustomed to delivering and based on Havase's expression he seemed to be expecting the worst. Perhaps he thought they had left some sort of note, a sign, a message in which he was warned of his place in the world... Or more directly, that the Justicar was being watched. However on this occasion that which had been found wasn't quite as foreboding but no less important in the grand scheme of things.
"Havase you appear to be a father," she said finally and lifted her wing with a small smile. "Two of them, a little girl and a particularly small boy," she continued. "They appear to be quite young, but they are most assuredly yours, their markings are really quite distinct," she added.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"A father, you are one," Shuurei shook her head. "I assume that she was simply waiting until you returned to provide you with the good news," she hazarded a sad smile. "Fate didn't favour this decision, but for the time being the cubs are safe, we're just not convinced that keeping them under lock and key is necessarily healthy for them."
"Lock and key?"
"The Justicar's allies made the decision to keep them under heavy guard until they were given clarity on how to proceed. Rather than leave them vulnerable to whomever may have chosen to harm her, the guards removed them and we have kept them in relative safety for the time being," she tilted her head to the side and regarded Havase for a few moments. All things considered the lion was taking he news remarkably well, but then again all of the Collective possessed the ability to give measured responses even if internally they might have been screaming. "As their father, it seemed fitting that you help us make the decision regarding the future upbringing of your children. Whether it be a temporary solution or permanent, we preferred to let this be your decision."
"Thy can't be kept locked up," Havase muttered and rubbed a paw against his face, closing his eyes briefly as he attempted to grasp the situation more firmly in his mind. "They need to see the sky," he said finally. "I need time to think, I won't take long but I need to just... Work through this," he pursed his lips. "Is that ok?"
"Of course it is," Shuurei offered a sad smile. "I'll be here until you're ready to give me whatever instructions you would like, the cubs will still be safe until then."
"Are they at least comfortable?"
"Oh yes, they're coping remarkably well in the company of the guards but it's not the most appropriate environment for small children. It would be rather advantageous of them to receive an education before they're taught how to give a solid swipe of a paw," she pointed out with a chuckle. "We haven't, however, informed them about their mother's fate at the moment."
"Don't," he said firmly and shook his head as he turned on his heels. "Leave that one with me," he ordered. "I'll figure out what to tell them, along with the rest of their care..." he finished. Words: 1243
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