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 Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:27 pm
He loved everything about it, the sand, the heat, the rolling dunes. All here had to be tough and strong to survive because the desert was merciless. Take one wrong step here and it could be your last.
"Before we enter this place I must warn you of it's dangers." His voice had thickened out, it's deep tones showing that he was steadily growing. Adolescence had hit him during their journey back and the exercise was toning out his muscles so that already he was looking quite fiersome. One could quite tell he was a Firekin by his physique and by the vivid red of his pelt.
"We have lived here for generations, learning how to walk upon its surface, learning the hottest times of the day so we can avoid them. We use rocks for shade and we memorise paths in more ways than one. To an untrained eye the desert is a maze but to a Firekin's eye it is quite navigatable. The stars are the greatest help in finding your way, but the dunes too can be of assistance too." He turned his gaze to his dark-pelted female, noting that she too had grown. He could not help but admire the length of her slanting neck and the strange colour of her eyes. In fact everything about her appealed to him.
She would be a strong ally.
"Most think the best way to cross the desert is to walk a straight line, but if you do that then you'll miss the sparse water supplies. Water here is precious and rare so it must never be wasted but it is always there for one who knows how to find it. I'll teach you what my father taught me so that you'll be able to survive here with ease."
He paused, raising his head and tipping forth his ears.
"There, it's not far away now. We should reach it's borders within an hour or so. Are you ready?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 12:56 pm
It had been a long journey, although the black cat had never underestimated its length. After saying goodbye to Jing at the desert’s edge, she’d finally felt a kind of inexperienced and untempered freedom come upon her. The pridelands were far behind them now- and she suspected, they might always stay that way. But of what was left of it, she kept squirreled away in the back of her mind to remember in darker times. They would be fond memories of resting in front of the den and watching the rain fall. But now wasn’t the time; and for the moment, they had all but retreated as she became absorbed into the desert.
No had heard of the desert before in passing conversation, so she tried to not be as struck as she was when they finally hit the heart of it. But she was. Everywhere around them was a sea of gold as if parts of the sun had fallen off and collected in this place. Sand slipped and slid and whistled with a mind of its own, and their footprints seemed to slowly disappear behind them the further they went. Was it hiding their entry out of consideration? Or warning of how easily it would devour?
She did not like to admit a weakness, but she was well aware that all of this was new to her. She found though, that none of it, although striking was overwhelming. To be an appropriate companion to Kidondo, she’d have to become as much a part of the sand and earth as he was. So far, it did not seem like an unappeasing match.
No raised her head, turning it carefully as Kidondo spoke. A faint puff of hot air ruffled besides her. “I would like to know everything you can tell me,” She responded assuredly. Water was supreme here, that’d have to be the first and most important lesson.
Even in the unfamiliar land, she was not afraid to step out ahead of him. As he paused she took a few long strides forward, feeling the heat on her paws. In the distance there were some tall rock crevasses, and more shifting dunes. “What of when we get there?” She asked, and turned a pale eye towards him. “Do we go ahead into a lion’s den, or precede with some subtly?” Namely- how was she to play, just yet?
Her body shifted as she waited for a response, noting the particular changes that had been occurring between the both of them since they'd met. He'd always been a bit older then her- but now he was taller, and and what had once been a whispy mane was developing thicker and more encompassing. He looked good against the golden sand- and couldn't help but let a sly grin cross about her face.
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Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:14 pm
He bowed his head slightly, glad that she was willing and gladder still that she hadn't shied away. He wanted her to love this place as much as he did, share in its beauty and its strength. His nostrils flared slightly as he caught her scent on the desert wind and his heart seemed to be set alight.
With a low chuff of amusement the young prince loped forwards to join her, admiring how much her fur contrasted with the gold about her.
"I will teach you all I know but some things you must learn yourself. Though I'm sure you don't need telling that. All lions have instincts and you will need them now, more than ever. This is a wild land and it needs to be treated with respect or else it will take your life away easier than you could imagine."
Her other questions brought that creeping doubt back into his mind again. He did not want to think how the others would react to her and yet he knew it was inevitable. He could have been walking her to his death and yet she walked freely. How would they play this?
His eyes met hers and he knew then that he never wanted any harm to come to her. For one thing he had made a promise to her mother but that was not the only reason. She was his friend, his only true friend and the thought of her even getting a scratch made him swell with protective feelings. Finar-si help those who dared lay a claw upon her!
Aware that he had been quiet for a while now he sidled up to her, buffeting the side of his face against her shoulder as he passed by. "That, my friend, is up to you."
"I am old enough now - I think - to approach my father and I will do so in time. Perhaps in the end it will not matter if we move in with subtly or not but maybe we should be cautious." His whiskers twitched. "I do have one idea though." He paused and he pulled everything together in his mind.
"My kin keep slaves for their...amusement. A rule that I will abolish the moment I come into power. Perhaps for now, you could act the slave. You will still have to be wary in the presence of my kind but this way you could get the idea of how my Pride works. Whilst you remain...inconspicuous I will spread rumours of change, of deciet. Then when the time is right I will challenge my father." He looked at her again, with those eyes that seemed to see right through her.
He smiled.
"When I saw you before I saw things you could not imagine. I saw pictures of what could have been. Yet now when I look into the window of your future there is nothing but clouds." He seemed exceptionally happy about this. For this proved his theory.
The future could be changed.
Fate was but a myth.
Unaware that No probably hadn't understood what he had said he continued. "So what are your thoughts?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 1:51 pm
Even as he spoke of danger, a smile still played on her face on one side. He was right- a lot of surviving here she’d have to work up in experience. But there was something about the way the sand fell beneath her paws... it was by no means welcoming. Yet, it was not rejecting. It burned the pads of her feet, but they were adjusting. She would tend to them if they did blister and they would grow back the strong because of it. No had never shrunk away from hardship, and this was not any different. “I can feel it,” She commented. “The way it shifts. I’ll manage on unsteady ground, as long as I’ve got my claws into it.”
He was moving closer, and she felt the side of his face rub along her shoulder. As he passed, she curved her neck to feel his mane rub against her chin. She liked the feeling, and her tail swayed appeasingly. It would be worth it, all of it.
“Do they now?” She quirked as he spoke as her own mind began to bubble the plans he was speaking. She was cautious just yet of running in with wild intentions. They needed to be subtle- and she needed the time to learn as much as she possibly could. Although the idea of being a slave did not please her, it didn’t scuff her ego so that she was opposed to it. It was a perfect plan for now. She could keep her ears open and watch for Kidondo, and they could manipulate just enough for them to have leverage in the pride. And to watch for potential enemies, may they be many.
“I believe that is a good plan.” No remarked with a sway, leaning downwards and stretching out her long black body. Growth had come to her as well- although she was only half aware. What had once been slightly gangly and awkward was becoming sleek and compact. Her shoulders shifted as she rose herself back up. “I can watch people that way. I’ve never been troubled by blending in the shadows a bit.”
His next statement confused her somewhat, but she understood his meaning as much as one who was not a seer could. She walked passed him, curving her tail up enough that it lightly tapped him on the side of the face as she passed.
“I think it is best we continue on then, Master.” She chuckled. "Tell me some more about finding water."
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Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 10:55 am
He wasn't keen on No being considered as a Slave by anyone. He despised the term and hated how his kind had belittled others because of their heritage. He had watched from the sidelines as slaves were beaten and bashed and he had watched them survive against all odds. They were strong, stronger than any of his kind could ever know.
Well he would show them.
His mind turned briefly back to the slave he had rescued and he could not help but wonder whether she was okay. Poor Kiburi. She had looked half dead when he had left her, yet somehow he was sure she was okay.
He had looked into her future and seen cubs.
That had to be a good sign, right?
Snapping back to attention he gave No a small nod, "I'm glad you are in agreement. It could still put you in harms way but not as much as just striding in with fangs bared would." He could not help but smile as her tail curved up to stroke past his face and he moved to walk alongside her.
"Master? I think not. No one could ever rule over you." He flicked the mane back from his eyes and continued onwards, watching the horizon with an almost ravenous look.
"Water." He blinked, "is hard to find here, even for an experienced lion. The sand clogs the nose and makes it hard to smell it's scent and sometimes the heat can trick one's eyes." He paused, "mirages they are called, illusions or tricks. The heat can do strange things to you if you don't keep your wits about you. Travelling here too long can make you imagine the strangest of things, especially a nice pool of water. Use your nose first, then your eyes - even if it does hurt to do so."
He closed his own golden orbs and enjoyed the warmth of the sun on his back. "Tell tale signs of water in the desert are obviously the tracks of animals. They know better than we where to find the water. The birds, the snakes, anything and everything that lives here. If you don't find the scent of water, track a creature instead. Though it is best to try and memorise where they are. Walking back and forth a few times should be enough for you to gain a vague idea of their whereabouts."
He sniffed then and began to ascend up the side of a golden dune, pausing to speak again. "If ever you are in trouble there is always another way. A way that could be life saving. Some plants here - the spiky ones - actually hold water within them. If we pass one I will show it to you, but it should be easy to recognise without direction. It holds water within it's body like blood in ours. Cut it and you may drink - though obviously there will not be much there."
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Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:18 am
She smiled smoothly, and strode beside him. She would never be ruled, that was for sure. But she didn’t mind pretending. If anything, the knowledge that she had fooled them was good enough for her ego. The fact that it was dangerous was seemed so subliminal. Maybe she wasn’t thinking it all through. But she felt...she was ready for it. She was more then ready to get into the undertaking.
“No one will rule me,” No hummed. “But I am a good and eager actress. You'll have to pretend you can for the while.” Although if anyone could- it would certainly be him.
His thoughts on water were of a serious matter, and she quieted her expression to listen. Animals- she would remember that. It seemed obvious, but she knew she wouldn’t have thought of it at first. She would have hoped she wouldn’t have been foolish enough to keep going in a straight line. She would listen, and absorb what she could. Hopefully this feeling of familiarity under her feet would grow into a knowledge.
The slaves- she would seek them out too. They were not native firekin like herself, and surely they had learned their own methods. And privately, she would try to give them some hope.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” She spoke sincerely, her eyes on the horizon. “A clever land to hide itself. What about hunting?”
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:16 am
He smiled at her and agreed whole-heartedly, glad that she seemed to be up for the challenge. Posing as a slave would definately be good so far as gaining knowledge was concerned.
"Before we enter the lands I'll give you a list of lions you shouldn't approach, but first I'll answer your question." He paused and closed his eyes, trying to imagine his land.
"Hunting is difficult. This land is obviously not good for attracting herds so sometimes the hunting trips can last for days. Our lionesses are well trained and physically developed for long trekking though so it doesn't usually pose too much of a problem." He opened his eyes and continued a swift gait along the curve of another dune. "Most of our prey is found in the northwest and west where the brush grows, or along the river that stretches across the southeast." He smiled. "Once we reach my home I'll give you the grand tour. Though there is something I should tell you now. Near our lands is the jungle, it is green and bright and beautiful but my kind never dwell there. If ever a situation arises where we need to escape we will go there to lose them, circle out of it's expanse and head away."
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:34 am
No nodded seriously as Kidondo spoke of these lions, and then of hunting. She hadn’t thought it would be easy- ever since entering the desert, she’d scarcely seen more then a wayward antelope wander in the distance. To be a huntress in this land, she’d have to change a bit of how she thought when she hunted. Water would attract the most animals- and she made note of how the two were so connected to one another.
They were moving past another dune now, and she watched as the sand played off the crest in dusty buffets. This jungle he spoke of would be important she feared. There was every likelihood they would need to run- although she hoped it would not yet come to that. “I understand. I’ll make sure when we get there I know the direction towards it. Why does your kind not go into it?” Was there a danger lurking within?
She could only imagine. Strange things had always been spoken of outside of the pridelands. Strangers and rogues from other lands brought stories- but of this jungle, she was not sure. She took note, too, to ask him about the firekin she was to avoid.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:50 am
"I know not." He replied grimly, again shaking the mane from his eyes. It was good to look more grown up but it was irritiating when it kept blocking his view like that. "There are many tales and legends spoken of that place and none of them are good. Of great serpents with a poison so strong not even a God could survive it." He huffed, "if that was the case I would personally find that snake and ask it to hunt them down. Though what I would give in return I do not know."
He hated gods, truly hated them and he knew that it was they who had put his brethren through so much pain. If fate placed him within Finar-si's position he wasn't sure what he'd do, but he knew it would not be good. He could not stand and let a creature who deemed herself superior than all sit back and watch his kin suffer.
He would kill her if he had to. Though he doubted he would ever see her. She was as mysterious as the jungle legends themselves, perhaps even non-existant.
"Whatever lies in that jungle doesn't really matter. The tales were probably the mutters of an insane elder, though atleast they will protect us from angered traditionalists."
---
The sun dipped in the sky and with the lengthening of the shadows came the first glimpse of the dark rocks that homed the Firekin themselves.
"See those?" He directed towards the black rocks that looked somewhat menacing even to himself. "That is where the caverns are where my kind and the slaves rest. We will find water near there." He came to an abrupt halt then and turned to face his companion with a serious gaze. "Now before we continue I must give you a word of warning. Some of the Firekin are less high and mighty than others and are more accepting of letting a slave wander. Yet there are some you must avoid at all costs."
"The two you must steer clear from the most are my father - who you will probably be introduced to upon entry - and the storyteller Ripuka. She is an old lioness with one blinded eye and an orangey pelt. She looks quite different from the rest of us so she shouldn't be too difficult to distinguish. There are a few others but you will soon learn which lions you can use to your advantage and which you cannot. If we meet with any who may be altered in their ways I will let you know."
He continued onwards again at a slower pace now.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:13 am
Great serpents? She shut her eyes and wondered to herself. The journey was becoming more and more elaborate by the moment. And she could not dispar it. No had been enamored by the idea of doing something great- and she couldn’t help but look forward to the path, although it was surely taking them into strange and unknown places. “Such a story to tell,” She thrummed gently to him and flicked her tail. “I’ll hope one of us is a snake charmer.”
--
The desert continued to unfold before them, with hazy heat and wispy sands. It was far from what she had ever been used to seeing. The sun burned the sand which warmed her feet, and she couldn’t help but appreciate how her dark form looked against all the gold. She stuck out now- but come dark, she was sure that wouldn’t always be the case. She would try to confine most of her movements to then.
Finally- they crested over the dune and her eyes were assaulted by the shapes of towering rocks in the distance. The true firekin lands- but even though she did not need Kidondo to tell her what her eyes already knew, a moment later he informed her they had arrived. Steadily, she swallowed a breath and shifted her jaw. She was ready for whatever was down there.
They continued to approach. “The king and his storyteller,” She reiterated. “I will keep watch for them.” She was curious about this orange lioness- but she would be sure to avoid her and the king if at all possible.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:29 am
"Oh...and another thing." Kidondo added, "whilst the desert is hot during the day it is freezing during the night. The caves will keep out some of the chill, but most of us huddle together for warmth." He paused to think, "normally slaves stay together, but if you would rather stay with me for your first night then we can find some way around it. There are many unused dens where no prying eyes could see or hear if we need to speak in secret."
In truth he was not keen on thinking of No spending that long away from his sight. He wanted to keep her as close as possible, to keep an eye on her. Yet he knew that the other slaves probab;y wouldn't cause too much trouble. They would not harm No but the thought of her being treated as such a low status made him sick to his stomach.
"Either way, I shall let you decide."
He topped another dune and paused, drawing in a slow, deep breath. Then holding it within his chest he threw back his head and uttered his roar. The sound thundered in his ears and tickled his chest, blasting out across the sand as a warning and a declaration.
He was home.
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:52 am
No thought for a moment, twisting her tail slowly. “I think it could work in our advantage if we did. At least a few times so it didn’t seem out of the ordinary. We could use that time to speak on things.” She noted slowly, and wondered if that was perhaps the best plan. She wasn’t sure if firekin had personal slaves or not- but they were going to need a time to meet up and discuss, and night seemed the best for her. She wasn’t easily seen come dark.
The thought that it would get cold here seemed so out of touch with the lioness. She supposed she would see for sure come night fall- but privately decided that if she was cold, she’d try her best to withstand it. She would not be at the mercy of anyone here- be it elements or firekin, not matter what they would be lead to believe.
Kidondo roared- and she sat back to see what would come. When the king came, she would have to let the acting kick in- and her face solidified as she started to work out a plan.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:15 pm
Kimeti had taken to resting on the hot sand. His body soaked in the warm rays of the run as he dozed lazily by the entrance to his den. The day was just that, lazy. The sun had reached it's peak in the sky already and was beginning to descend which meant several of the lionesses had gone out in search of prey. Kimeti, per usual, had stayed back at the den area and continued his napping as he awaited the return of the hunting party. To say that he was surprised by the young, but quite bellowy voice of an adolescent male, his son none-the-less would be an understatment. Kidondo had been gone for quite some time but the sound of his sons voice was unmistakable.
Hositing his bulky frame from the ground, Kimeti shook his body causing dust and sand to fall to the ground. With a yawn and a stretch the King proceeded out to the origin of the call. Rolling dune after another her walked over. Each paw set just right that the sand did not shift under his weight and cause him to tumble. It was a talent that many lions and lionesses had to learn but one that paid off in the end. Navigating the sandy lands was important in ones own home.
Finally cresting a rather large dune, Kimeti saw his son and oddly enough a black female. Brows knitted together as suspicion rose within him. Unsure what the relationship was. Picking up his pace, Kimeti moved down the dune and up another few before finally reaching the two. Stepping in front of his son, Kimeti looked from No to Kidondo. "It's wonderful to have you back son, but who is this you have along with you." He studied No as if she were a piece of meat. It was obvious by the females frame that she was not a lion of the desert nor born to be one, so why she was with his unsure unless..."Did you find yourself a slave? About time you've gotten one for yourself."
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:46 am
Kidondo may have been big, but his father was huge!
The powerful, darker-pelted lion was all power, all muscle and the adolescent had to acknowledge that his father was the King. Kimeti looked the part too. He was a Firekin through and through, his very presence demanding authority - even from his own son.
But the son was growing and it seemed he too would be taking the shape of his father. Muscles were strengthening and there was a gleam in his eye that hadn't been there before. He would grow to be a warrior too.
There was fire in him yet.
Having No so close to such a powerful and deadly lion made Kidondo nervous. He would be powerless to protect her if Kimeti turned on her and the thought of it surrounded him with a cold embrace.
"Father." He acknowledged, bowing his head out of respect. "It is good to be back, there is nothing quite like breathing in the desert air." His tail flicked and without turning to even glance at No he continued.
"I did. I thought it was about time I found myself a slave, I am coming of age after all." He paused and slowly he met his father's eyes, his next words twisting a knot in his stomach. "What do you think of my choice?"
Would Kimeti think that No was an exquisite slave? Would he sneer and say that she was like all the rest of them? Would he compliment her on her figure?
Unlikely...
Why did he care what his father thought of No anyway?! Kimeti hated all outsiders and would never approve of his son befriending one. However deep down Kidondo felt that he needed his father's approval, because he knew somehow that No would always be with him...
She had touched his heart.
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:56 am
The arrival of the king came almost too quickly. It was as though his hulking form had came up from the sand and suddenly he was there, dominanting the space.
No had known it would be difficult at first to play the part of a slave- but she wasn’t prepared for how compulsive the reaction to scoff at the great firekin king’s comment was. It nearly flew out of her throat like a cough- and had it not been for his imposing figure and her genuine caution about him, she might not have been able to swallow it down. Instead, she turned the motion of her throat into a slight submissive peep, and cowed. Past her initial reaction- feigning fear over the male was not too difficult. He was one of the largest lions she had ever seen.
She was curious, however, to know what the king might say. She was expectant of anything- and wondered at what extent of the truth his statement would be. She doubted he could be too displeased with his son taking a slave- it sounded like the kind of manly thing to do, after all. Her ears flicked precariously, but she would not rise her eyes to meet either of the male’s, and stared instead at her paws. Which was a hard task- as the black cat was a curious one.
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