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Sitting in the den that belonged to his family, Cervantes listened to his mother hum a lullaby tune that he remembered listening and falling asleep to as a cub. Every part of him did not relax after the presentation of Emperor Shen's cubs given that his mind was on his sister's public declaration and humiliation. No matter, he did not want to see his sister's flame snuffed out so soon and without any true allies to enter a battle with if it came down to it. Sure he was over thinking this but Cervantes did not want his already broken family further broken with his elder siblings nearly all gone or disappeared and his litter mates just as scattered. It was enough that the father he never knew was not there and all that was left was a strong Nan that was his mother who kept it together. If she learned what had happened with Xaviera, it would not bode well with a very upset mother.

Sighing deeply, he looked at the simple den and wondered if he should get something for his mother to cheer her up, like some clothes or a trinket or two. Such random thoughts were interrupted when the claw knocks on the outside of his den sounded.

Najila stopped singing to look at the opening that had a simple though thick cloth as a cover. Najila looked over at her son with a raised brow. "Who is there?"

Cervantes stood up and motioned for his mother to stay where she was with his paw. "I will see, mother."

The large Tah walked over to the cloth and opened it to reveal several guardstah. Clenching his jaw tightly, he narrowed his eyes. "What is your purpose here?"

Najila moved from her spot to see whom her son spoke to and frowned deeply at the sight of the emperor's guardstah. "Cervantes....what is going on?"
"You are requested to come with us. Be advised that there is no choice in the matter." One of the guardstah stated in a stern tone of voice.

Cervantes looked back to his mother and shook his head. "Your guess is as good as mine, mother. There is no reason for these unwanted visitors but to keep the peace I will go with them."

Najila growled low and approached her son, glaring at him and then at the guardstah. "You will not go anywhere."

The dark red pelt Tah sighed deeply and closed the cloth of a door over the entrance of their home and looked at Najila. "Mother. Please I do not want anymore trouble than is necessary. I will soon return and if I do not then you have my permission to wreck as much havoc as you see fit. I would be honored to have a great mother who would do such a thing." He stated gently.

That didn't do much to ease his mother, he could tell but Najila knew better than to go against her son. He was just like his father; stubborn yet honorable. "Very well but..." She pulled the cloth aside and growled at the guardstah, "If so much as a single hair is touched on him or any of my offspring, pray to the Grand Weaver for mercy because I won't show you a single ounce of it." Najila lifted her head regally and turned her head away and went back into the den.

Ever so slightly did his lips quirk up in amusement of his mother but that amusement died as soon as it appeared when he looked at the guardstah and moved out of his den. "Very well, take me where you intend." He said coldly.

WC: 613

One of the guardstah present dipped his head respectfully to the Nan. "I'm sure you have nothing to worry about..." he half grumbled, thankful at least that the Tah was coming calmly so. They then all turned, most of them leading the way to the Advisor's chambers in the palace walls. A couple stayed behind to pull up the rear. Extra precautions, of course.

Yahui sat patiently in her room. Tail curled about her paws and brows stitched together as she remained deep in thought for the time being. There was a lot she had to do now... and she had to be even more so careful in how she tread now. Pick her words and tones carefully. Which body language she used... how to sway others to believing she's not nearly as tyranical as their fearless leader. The knock on her door stirred her back to the present and she blinked. Almost in a blink, she jumped and straightened herself up. "Come in..." she called out, red eyes now focused upon the door.

The door pushed open by one Guardstah and dipped his head. "Tah Cervantes, Nan Yahui."

"Cervantes?" she murred in question, brow raising and head tilting only slightly until she caught sight of the Tah in the hallway. "Ah! Yes!" she purred, seeming to light up almost excitedly at the sight of him. "Thank you! Please! Come in, Cervantes!" she purred further and moved across her not-too-small hovel to gather a pot she'd been steeping for some tea. "Thank you, GentleTah. That'll be all for now." she flicked her tail to dismiss the guards and turned a rather pleasing smile towards her guest. "Would you like some tea, Tah Cervantes?" The guards left, closing the door behind them.

Whether he did or didn't want tea, she seemed to have poured him a cup as well.

WC: 308

Cervantes followed the guardstah silently as he observed their formation around him and found it wise on their part but also foolish. The large Tah entered the chambers of the advisor with a raised brow until he went down into a stoic position when he saw the elegant Nan approach him with such enthusiasm that it made him cringe on the inside. Not only that but he recognized the Nan from the presentation of the emperor's cubs who had looked at him for a brief moment. It was his turn to take in the long, luxurious pale mane and the adorned trinkets that made this Nan appear to be stunning. For anyone who had lava blood would have fallen in love at the sight of her and do whatever she beckoned of them but Cervantes reflected that he did not feel anything other than a need to return home to his mother and wait for his sister to return, hopefully.

Watching her fuss about, he nodded curtly at the questioning of his name and watched her pour tea out for them even after asking if he would like a cup. Cervantes nodded politely in acceptance of the tea but did not touch it. The Tah was not that much of an idiot. Sitting down, he watched the Nan with little emotion but waited patiently for her to begin addressing the purpose of his presence. Cervantes only had one or two ideas and frankly he hoped that this Nan did not feel the need to cause anymore trouble when he did nothing but appear at the presentation and left just as quietly. The aroma of the tea was soft and soothing but it did little to bring him true comfort.

WC: 289

Yahui poured them each some tea from the same pot and settled them down on a small table where she settled into a comfortable sit and used her thoughts to bring the tea to her lips. "Well?" she murred, eyeing him as she blew on her tea. "Don't be shy." she giggled lightly. "Sit! Relax. You have nothing to fear from me." She took a small sip of her tea then settled down. Red eyes then scanned over him a moment before she sighed. She noted his tense and questioning stance. Thoughts settled her cup down softly.

"I understand that this seems a bit odd..." she started, bringing the volume of her voice down a few notches so that only Cervantes would hear her words. "But I suppose I should get right to the point..." Her posture straightened, but her expression remained soft. If anything concern and worry seemed to dance about her eyes as she spoke. "The Nan that spoke out today seemed... cautious of her words and actions upon noticing you within the crowd. While it was subtle - and missed by Tah Shen - it was something that I had noticed." Her words were soft as if she were making it a point to not speak loud enough in case the guardstah were still in earshot outside the door.

"I suppose I should first tell you that anything that is said in this room shall stay in this room. I have no intention of seeing any more flames snuffed out. I am simply seeking information and understanding here." Her ears shifted back faintly before rolling to focus fully onto him. "As for the Nan... Is she a friend of yours?"

WC: 281

Nodding in politeness at the assurance to relax and to not be shy as if they were having a friendly social call did not ease him at all. She was the advisor to the Emperor, no doubt someone close to Shen and in his ear. Taking in the deep breath, Cervantes visibly relaxed to not be offensive but deep within, behind the stoic mask and emotionless eyes he was tensed and ready for anything. It was sad that he grew up in a seemingly precarious cut throat era of the Fire Tribe. Cervantes hoped he would be alive long enough to see that his nieces were safe with mates and a place in the tribe but under the banner of peace and tranquility.

Listening to Nan Yahui speak to him with her voice lowering as if she didn't want anyone to overhear their conversation nearby or through the walls when she began to describe the scene where her sister had stepped up in defiance to the event. Cervantes didn't trust this Nan at all....at least not at this time. So the things they would speak here could very well be honored but he wasn't about to place any value to it not leaving here...she was the advisor, seriously come on. Now it came to the core of what their relationship was, one that he was proud to share no matter what decisions his sister or any one of his siblings made in their lives. "The Nan is my sister and litter mate, Nan Yahui." Came a simple reply from a rumbling deep voice.

WC: 263

Yahui nodded softly. "I see..." she half trailed. Red eyes scanned over the Tah a moment before she gazed down at her cup. There were many things that ran through her mind at this news. Either he was following Shen and the Nan knew of his disapproval of her outburst, or they were of both the same mentality and the Tah was simply warning his siblings of her actions...

"She is very brave, Tah Cervantes." She started softly. "But also, very stupid..." Her tea lifted slowly to her lips. "It's obvious she's aware of what Shen does to those that oppose him. I can honestly say I'm happy that she has a good strong Tah as her brother to keep her rooted." She sipped at her tea some more.

WC: 129