The Pride Days (IC): Hurt

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Fri Jan 24, 2014 2:03 am

Egret nodded, "Good, then I'll skip ahead several moons, and just explain what happened during this time. As soon as we were away from the Starclimb Pride territory, Bakari behaved completely different compared to who I knew him as. Because he could lose his status as an Elder if it was found that he was responsible for my pregnancy, he had no intentions of bringing me to a different pride, where the truth might still get out. Instead, he made a den, far from any other lion pride, or any other creature that would even associate with lions, and forced me inside, where he kept me prisoner, and would not let me leave. He never came to striking at me, though the words he said would curdle anyone's stomach. He would roll a stone in front of the opening of the den when he left to go hunting, and would bring back kills, and force me to eat them, and drink water, he refused to allow me to neglect my health, and because stress alone could not endanger whatever cubs I carried, my pregnancy was never terminated, or even endangered. My only regret is that my son was born into this. I tried my best to be a good mother to him, I would sing to him every night, and try to cover his ears, so that he wouldn't hear the insults Bakari would shout at the two of us. No harm came to either of us, for Ammon was Bakari's son, and he was too young to take anything but milk, at the time, which only his mother could provide. That did not stop us from fearing him, though, for he often threatened violence, and we could not escape. We were only grateful he left us alone. However, I could not stop my cub from growing up, and one day, he was old enough to take solid food. That was when the worst event that cast him into the situations that made him the way he is today occurred."

The white void once again became a scene from the past, this time, inside a relatively large den, where Past-Egret sat curled in one corner, with a small cub, with notably large paws, curled against her side, asleep. Perhaps Shebla had been expecting Ammon to be white when he was born, but the truth was, aside from a few white furs in his pelt, he had the tawny, spotted fur of an average lion cub. Over by the entrance to the den, Shebla would see that it was blocked by a large stone, trapping the mother and her son inside the den, unable to escape. Suddenly, the door shifted, and Bakari walked in, carrying a large rodent of sorts. He dropped it by the two. "Ammon, eat this." He barked, his voice harsh and commanding. This was no request, but an order. The cub startled awake, and looked up at his father, before his dark eyes widened, and he hastily got to his paws, stumbling over their great size, which he had not yet grown into. He moved over to the small bit of prey, and hastily began to eat it, as though fearing punishment if he refused to do as he was commanded.

Past-Egret looked down at the prey, before looking up at Bakari, "That will feed my son, but what of me? A single big-headed mole rat is not nearly enough." Although her voice was even, and she held her head up, fear was plain in the lionesses' eyes, fearing what Bakari would say. He had not ever done it, but he had often threatened violence, and they sounded real enough to make her worry. Recently, those threats had intensified, and more and more often, he gave her a malicious look that she did not like.

Bakari growled, flicking his tail, as he bared his teeth in a wicked grin, "As you can see, that is the point, it is just enough to feed my son, but you, I think that you are no longer of any use. Look, Ammon can eat solid food now, which means he no longer needs to rely on your milk for survival. That means that now, I can finally be rid of you, and I will never have to worry about this scandal ever becoming known. With this, he stepped past Ammon and the kill the cub had been eating. Ammon abruptly put down the kill, and turned to look at his father, before he began to tremble, as though sensing something. Hurriedly, the cub tried to dash over to his mother, but Bakari saw this, and batted him away with one paw into the opposing wall, where fell down, stunned. He then turned his attention on Past-Egret, who was now also trembling, with a fearful, knowing look on her face. She saw a murderous glint in Bakari's eyes, and she knew what he intended to do.

"No, you can't do this..." Past-Egret said, her terror strangling her cry into a whisper. Without a reply Bakari lunged at her, delivering a painful blow between her shoulder blades, claws unsheathed, leaving a deep gash down her back. Ammon, having recovered, could do nothing, but watch this atrocious violence take place. His mouth was open, as though he were trying to scream, but was unable to do so, for fear had closed his throat and stolen his voice. Then, it was too late, as Bakari rolled Past-Egret over, and plunged his claws right into her heart, killing her instantly, and causing crimson blood to bloom from her chest, a twisted look of savage glee on his face. He was actually happy to do it, for without Egret, there would be no evidence against him to make him lose his place in the Starclimb Pride.

It was then that Ammon found his voice again, "Mom!" The cub screamed with horror, and tried to dash over to his dead mother's side, but before he could reach her, Bakari turned, and loomed over him, before stomping down a paw right in his path, causing him to run straight into a powerful leg. Ammon fell back, and looked up at Bakari with terror-filled eyes, misted over with tears. It was already evident that the cub was already traumatized, scarred for life, but Bakari took no notice. The paw he had used to kill Egret, still stained with blood, settled on the cub's tail, so that he couldn't run away.

"Now, then, all I need to do is deal with you, you little whelp!" Bakari said, spitting the insult at his son. Ammon was too frightened to even move, and so he could only gaze up with fear that he would soon be killed, just like his mother. However, when Bakari lunged forward, he merely grabbed the cub by the middle of his body, lifting him up in his jaws, where he squirmed uncomfortably. Ammon was still small, but large enough where it was more preferable for him to walk alongside his mother, versus being carried. It was also noted that while it was possible to carry cubs in such a manner, it wasn't proper, because only the scruff was truly thick enough to not feel the teeth. Ammon yelped and struggled, but Bakari held him fast. With not so much as a single glance back, the wicked father carried his son out of the cave, further away from his mother's body.

The two vanished, and Spirit-Egret looked over at Shebla, "This is what Bakari did to my son and I. When I was no longer of any use, he murdered me, and did it in front of Ammon. He was at a young, impressionable age, and I was the only source of compassion when he was born. After the deed was done, Bakari returned to the Starclimb Pride, and proceeded to make an excuse for how Ammon had come to exist. He was not only murderous, but manipulative, as well. He found a way, and nobody ever suspected, but he and his son both knew, though neither said a word of it."

The scene around them changed, this time, to the entrance of a smaller den, which was wider. A white lioness, with four white cubs, two boys, and two girls, sat with her young nestled by her side. It was clear that the cubs were the same age as Ammon was, and soon, Bakari emerged from the trees, the rather plain-looking son in his mouth. He lowered his head, and dropped the cub onto the ground, before placing a paw on his tail, to keep him from darting away. Bakari looked up at the lioness, and she and her cubs all looked over at him. "Bakari, you're back? So are you here to bring my cubs back into camp?" She asked, completely oblivious. "We've been staying in this secret den for long enough, we want to be back with our family again."

Bakari silenced her with a growl, "Yes, I am back, but no, I am not here to lead you back to camp. I have a different job for you." There was meaning in his words, as he roughly shoved his charge, who stumbled over to the lioness and her cubs, who took in his colored, normal-looking fur, and seemed to regard his appearance with disgust. "This cub's name is Ammon, and he is of Barbary blood. I need somewhere to place him so that he can grow up in this pride free of suspicion. You will raise him, your cubs were born at the same time as him, and nobody will notice."

The lioness wrinkled her nose, "Ah, so you're responsible for Egret's pregnancy..." She said, cruel amusement coming across her features, "Why should I take this impure cub and raise him among my own cubs, who are by comparison, the image of perfection? I could just tell the King, when he realizes that his illegitimate daughter has given birth to an illegitimate cub, he will be very interested, and I am sure he will not force me to-"

Bakari once again stopped her with a snarl, "You will take the boy, for if his identity is discovered, I will have nothing left to lose. They will drag me down, and if so, I will drag you and your precious perfect children down with me!" He threatened. The lioness stared at him, and Bakari took a single, menacing threat forward.

The lioness rose to her paws hurriedly, "No, there is no need for that, I will raise him, then." She said, before looking down at him, "Do not expect me to show him any compassion, however, I will show only as much so as to fool others, he is still not my son, and his muddled blood is clearly evident by the fact that he was not born white. I will still be condemned, along with my mate, for producing such a failure. If so, then they may just allow me to treat him as I see fit." There was a ferocious glare on her face that made Ammon, who was just as terrified as the lioness was for her cubs, flinch away.

Bakari looked away, "Treat him as you will, I need only for him to live, and not be known as my son. I am not asking you to show him any kindness, he is not deserving of it, anyway. I would encourage you, in fact, to be as harsh as possible, lest he become unruly and wild, like his mother." With this, the lion walked away, leaving the lioness and her cubs to glare at their new family member.

Egret looked over at Shebla, "There was nothing I could do to help, though I wept and pleaded for mercy on my son. I was a new spirit, and weak, and even if I was older and more powerful, I could not stop them from doing what they did to him in his youth. This was only the beginning of more horrors and trials they put them through. Starclimb society was a harsh thing, and none were treated worse than Whitestrike cubs deemed impure. In many ways, Ammon was neglected and abused even more so than I was, and worse, it was socially acceptable, and even approved of."

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:17 pm

By this point Shebla was dripping with tears. She didn't sob or wail. Her tears were usually very silent. Her vision was flushed by them. It was so real she'd forgotten it was a dream. "I... I had no idea" Shebla said.

"He did mention something about being trapped in a cave a few moons ago. But it never struck my attention." She rubbed her eyes with a paw, clearing the tears away. She felt the urge to heal Ammon more than just physically, but emotionally. She had a new hope.

"I know that you have brought me here for a reason. I know you want me to help your son. I will do whatever it takes. In the meantime, should I tell Ammon about these encounters? Or should I keep it to myself?" her tail flicked with her new hopes. Sadness made her ears droop. Her eyes fluttered with her new mission and she was determined to fulfill it.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sun Jan 26, 2014 12:52 am

Egret shook her head, "No, I would warn you against it, Ammon doesn't like other people knowing about him, and if you immediately told him, he would just be more determined to leave. There are several who know this history about him, but the true information that will help you is not only knowing how he was treated, but how he learned to cope with it. However, being a spirit, I can only speak to you in dreams, and time still passes in the real world. The sun rises, and our time is coming to a close. I may speak to you again the next time you dream, and I will tell you more, there is no law that forbids me against it. I will tell you what others do not know, and what they are not willing to say aloud, for this story has more than just what you have already learned."

The white lioness spirit flicked her tail, "Be aware, however, that regardless of whatever approach you take, that my son is a very capable lion, and he knows it. What you have said in the past did not work because you treated him as though you knew things he did not, or that if he did not accept your help, that he would die. Although he is far better off with your help, and would probably go hungry until he regained his strength, he is not weak or foolish. He was about eighteen months old, just beginning to grow a mane when Starclimb Pride died off, and he began to wander about on his own, a very young age to be alone. He knows many things that he simply chooses not to mention. Though you may not take him seriously, he doesn't say he can do things if he knows he can't. What he does say, however, I will tell you he can back up whatever he mentions. My son was always an honest lion, you will not hear him lie to you once, if you ask him a question, though there are many questions he will tell you he does not wish to answer."

With this, the scenery around them faded, and Shebla found herself waking up in her den.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sun Jan 26, 2014 2:04 am

Shebla blinked her eyes awake and yawned. She stretched in her den and gave a glance to the medical den just beyond. She looked at the sleeping patients and Ammon. Her tail flicked with her new hope. But her thoughts were shattered. A loud wail. Coming from across the camp. Taru completely destroyed the brush doors of the medical den as he ran inside. His eyes were wide. He was standing on his toes.

"Shebla!" he shouted, waking the other patients. "It's Sira! The cubs! They're coming!" he shouted. Shebla had gotten to her paws and scrambled out into the area.

"Kamuzu! Mabel! Sira is having her cubs!" Shebla called back at the other specialists. Taru gave her a skeptical look. "You're not going to deliver them this time? But Jali and Sira said they wanted--"

"And I told them no! I'm never doing that again. Not since Bilela. Kamuzu might be old but he can still do it" she repledd. Taru looked at her with dsappointment. Then she rused him and Kamuzu out the den. They couldn't wait for Mabel. It was too serios

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sun Jan 26, 2014 4:29 am

Shebla may not have noticed as she rushed the two lions out of the medical den that Ammon was staring at her oddly. Since yesterday, he had gained enough strength to raise his head, and reclining, it was perhaps obvious that his grandfather had been a king. There was something distinctly regal about the way he looked, perhaps it was the thickness and appearance of his mane, or the way he held himself, overall. One could wonder how he carried himself so proudly, when he had come from an upbringing that would normally leave someone so broken and shattered that they would never look anything more than pitiful and timid. Taking into account, however, that he had become independent when he was so young that he had not even possessed a mane, that meant he had spent practically his entire life without anyone else, plenty of time to recover and gain confidence.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Mon Jan 27, 2014 12:09 pm

By this time Shebla, Kamuzu, and Taru had made it up to the Royal Cave. Sira's wailing had continue for what seemed like forever until it began to silence later. It had been a long time. In that very time, the Pride had begun to gather in the center of the camp and look anxiously at the cave.

They were excited for the arrival of new royals but at the same time, horrified for Sira. Many silently asked for help from the spirits, that they'd guide them through the night.

Then Jali emerged from the shadows. Everyone was trying to read the look on his face. He began.

"Tonight the spirits have given us a prince and a princess. The boy's name is Kadei. The girl's---Thema. They are healthy and in proper condition. Their mother is also alive and doing well. We will allow the Pride to come into the cave and view them tomorrow at sunhigh. Until then," Jali said as he retreated back into the cave.

Shebla and Kamuzu had made their way back to the Medical den. They stopped up on a ridge in the ground near the lake-side of the den. It was behind where Ammon was laying. They had foolishly thought they were not within earshot of him or anyone else.

"Shebla, are you okay? You seemed a bit... on edge, back there" Kamuzu's hoarse voice croaked.

"I'm fine," Shebla's sweet, young voice chimed in. Compared to Kamuzu's her voice was like a gentle breeze. Though even compared to an average person, her voice was soft and sweet. She continued, "I'm just a little distracted right now."

"By what?" asked Kamuzu.

"Nothing" Shebla sighed. Kamuzu gave an agitated gruff.

"Shebla, not again with the secret keeping. I thought we'd sorted out that you can tell anything to me. We've been friends since I saved your rump when Aziza gave you that pretty purple scar" he said.

"I know. I'm sorry Kamuzu. I just... have a lot on my mind" Shebla reassured him. "It's nothing, really. Nothing we need to worry about."

"Are you beginning to feel lonely again?" He asked. Shebla sighed. She knew he'd never leave her alone. She decided to pass if off as that but not deliberately lie to her friend. She never lied unless she had to. There's been cases when Shebla would lie to keep people safe. In a way it was like that.

"It might be" Shebla said.

"Shebla, don't worry. I'm sure there's others out there that are as lonely as you are. This pride truly sickens me sometimes. They condemned you and your mother for something your grandmother did. They were cruel to all of you... Even after Belabi was dead. They weren't even kind enough to save your mother when--"

"When the wildebeests trampled her to death--I know!" Shebla said in an annoyed manner.

"I'm sorry sweetheart," the old lion rasped. "But I'm only trying to help. But you really should go out and make friends for yourself. New members like Var, Kyra, Coglon. Surely they'll accept you."

"They don't have time for me. They have to focus on the war, stopping Dalmaa. Plus, I've told you before, I'm better off alone anyways. People do have the right to dislike me after all I've done."

"Those were mistakes! Horrible, horrible accidents! Sure, you might have screwed up in your early days of being a medical lioness but that doesn't change who you are."

"Yes... It does Kamuzu" Shebla said heavily. She gave him a deep glance that he knew he couldn't argue with.

"You can't dwell on what happened that night with Vilela. Jali has forgiven you" said Kamuzu.

"Do you have any idea what that's like?" Shebla shot scornfully. "To be trusted by an entire family to bring new life and then let them down? Did you see the look on her mate's face when she passed? They wanted me to deliver their babies. All I managed to deliver was death to the children and the mother both. Sometimes I fail to see how I live with myself after that... But I do." She paused for a moment as Kamuzu soaked it in. "I go on and I simply don't think about it. The memory pains me. It makes me think myself deserving to bear this scar."

"Shebla, you're a good person. It wasn't your fault" said Kamuzu.

"You don't get it. Every cub you've delivered has been a success. If you were a female, I bet you could deliver your own cubs! But for me... The one time I tried, it killed them all. And I will never do it again. If you're my friend you'll respect that. Because I know you're waiting to pop the question as to if I'm going to deliver Layla's." Shebla shot him another scornful glance as she continued. "I'm not" she said.

"I've always respected this issue" said Kamuzu. "I've never pressured you about it or anything. I know how much it bothers you. And I know that whenever you see a mother in labor it only brings back that horrid memory. I'm sorry Shebla."

"It's alright. I'm just stressed is all. What with this, the stone's retrieval coming soon, the sudden shortage in herbs, some of these patients, and Ammon escaping so much. It's just put a lot on me" Shebla sighed.

"Well I will say this Shebla... I won't always be here. You and I both know... My days are running short" exclaims Kamuzu darkly. "Eventually you must learn to deliver cubs. I don't want you to push it all on Mabel like you're doing to me. If you did I'd be very disappointed in you. Got it?" He asked.

"Alright" said Shebla. "Dawn is coming. You should probably get some rest before your athritis starts to act up again from all the rush."

Shebla had then entered the main part of the medical den and sighed. She examines a few holes where herbs were stuffed and checked them. Their sweet smell sunk deep into her coat and finally she sat down at the edge of the den, the part the lake connected to for the patients that needed water for their wounds or were in the den so much without movement that they needed easy access to the water.

Shebla stared at her own reflection for a while as her form bathed in the moonlight and with deep thoughts she ran her paw against the thick scar on her neck. She had a look that explained her worry about Aziza's return.

She kept staring at herself until she got the feeling she was being watched and turned to see Ammon staring at her. She got up and walked over to him. "Is there something you need, Ammon?" she asked with a polite and rather soothing tone in her voice. Her voice was silky. It could gently lull any cub to sleep. It sounded like a gust of wind against the grasses of a midnight plain, like the patter of rain against sandy shores. Her voice was like the beating of the wings of butterflies which always seemed to be flying around Shebla as they visited the herbs of the medical den.

She sucked away all of her thoughts to heed all of Egret's words. She put on a gentle, sweet smile for Ammon. She wanted him to feel comfortable around her an decided to approach him in a more serene way.

------------------------------

The camp was still stirring with murmurs about the new cubs. The night was full of fresh air and within the air, something extraordinary happened.

The cursed tree that wrecked Layla and Gamba's plans still stood. Ramla had treated Fenuku upon his return and saw that he'd not yet been fully affected by the curse. But now he had come back to the tree.

Fenuku looked it up and down, eyeing it deeply. "You think that you'll make the slightest difference? You are wrong. Even if Dalmaa is behind it, you'll lose. I defy your evil and... And you will burn!"

As if the spirits had heard his cry, his shout at the tree, a pillar of light clawed from the clouds and struck the tree. An inferno of flames consumed it, wrapping around the wood and finally toppling it over. The symbol had turned to dust. Oddly only the tree burnt. Nothing around it would catch fire. And soon it was completely obliterated.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Tue Jan 28, 2014 1:05 am

Ammon, having heard the entire conversation between Shebla and the other medical lion, felt the faintest aching in his chest, thinking about what they had mentioned. Failing to deliver cubs, and not only having the lioness die, but the newborns as well, such a thing was a terrible disaster, something that one with a softer heart would shed tears at. Not only to lose one's mother to a stampede of wildebeest, but knowing that nobody cared, and scorned the name of the family. Ammon knew he had a family worth scorning, and the only one worth any respect had been murdered, right in front of him, only when he had just began to see the world. That much had taught him it was better to be alone, because others crippled him when he could do so much more on his own. However, this feeling he felt, was different, one he was not familiar with, and one he did not understand, or know how to deal with. This lioness, Shebla, was alone, even among others, but she did not appear to desire the solitude she had been blessed with. She wanted to be among others, but Ammon was not sure why. It was true, he could not deny, that he had often wished to hear the voice of another lion, but how could he, when those friendships, were merely investments that dragged him down, prices he could not afford to pay? He didn't want them, so why did it make his heart ache this way, for someone he should not even remotely care about?

He looked at Shebla, his eyes unreadable, and flicked his tail, "Why do you care what happens to me, when this pride has nothing to gain from it?" He finally asked, his voice even, and his words chosen with extreme care. "I have made it clear to you, that I would not stay, so why do you insist on keeping me here?" The question was one he could not logically understand. Sunset Pride had nothing to gain by helping a lion that had no allegiance to it, one that merely scorned the king, and left. He had, of course, helped, but it was more for his own benefit, than that of others. He couldn't stand the idea of some characters running amok in the forest, and he couldn't let someone kill his rival, now could he? Ammon didn't even know who Shebla was, nor did she know him, and yet, she helped him anyway. It made no sense.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Tue Jan 28, 2014 3:38 pm

Shebla sat down in front of Ammon. It was obvious she was taken aback by the words she'd shared with Kamuzu earlier. But a always, she pushed through. Shebla rarely cried. An when she did, she usually had great reason for it.

But she smiled. She blinked softly an for a moment looked at her paws. Then her gaze met Ammon's.

"I have many reasons. For one, it's my duty as a medical lioness. For another, it's against my ways to not help someone who I see fitting to receive it. But most of all Ammon, I think this Pride could gain a lot from you." She paused to let it sink in. Then she spoke, laying down on her stomach with her paws neatly seated in front of her.

"Ammon don't think that Sunset Pride will gain nothing from helping you. We gain a lot. Sometimes you might not understand that we are a Pride of love. We love your company and your presence. Having you here makes us happy and that's not gain-less in my opinion." Her tail flicked behind her. She sat her chin on her paws.

"And maybe I'd like to get to know you."

Kamuzu had been watching from the tall grasses at the ridge a distance behind Ammon. His eyes were full of perplexity. Shebla had stepped away for a drink and at that point Kamuzu dropped down next to Ammon.

"I hope you realize Shebla's not someone who goes out seeking friends. Though she doesn't enjoy her loneliness, she accepts it and doesn't do much to change it. Her willingness to be friends with you is astonishing. Please take advantage of it while she lasts this way" he said before he turned away and let Shebla continue her conversation.

"There are times when I really enjoy being a medical lioness. I get to help people. Though there are times I fail. Times I screw up... And I make sure I soak in the ability to succeed in doing good as much as I can, so that it outweighs all of my errors..." She had a sad glint in her eyes as she looked up at the stars which were fading as dawn began to brim in.

Her bright amber gaze fell back to Ammon. "I've pushed myself out of every social situation possible. Not because I'm shy or anything, but I just..." She paused. "I don't do much to change what's wrong. I heal others emotionally, but I've never been able to heal myself." A bright blue butterfly had landed on her paw. She gently sniffed it as it fluttered up around her head and was finally gone.

"I'm sorry about how I treated you before. I told you that you'd die if you didn't give in to my help. I realize I shouldn't have done that. I'm just so used to the typical lion who's too big and powerful to let the medical lioness help him. The ones that are cocky, go around pushing people over. I know you're not that type. And I'm sorry about sending warriors to go get you. I know you didn't want me too. But I just couldn't let you leave Ammon. And I know they were rough on you. I'll soon have that taken care of."

It was about this point that the light of dawn as swelling and burnt the skies in a fiery red. The crimson sub reflected in Shebla's amber eyes, making them look like flaming infernos. She sat up as another butterfly landed on her back.

"So Ammon, would you please let me help you? Even allow me to get to know you, to befriend you?" She asked sweetly with her head tilting slightly to the side. The butterfly flew up onto her ear. It twitched from being tickled and the butterfly jumped but landed back down again.

Kamuzu's eyes by this point had widened as he sat at the entrance to the medical den shadowed by ferns and bushes and trying not to listen in. He distracted himself with checking the herbs and looking after a couple of patients and elders already awake.

------------------------

Ravens and vultures swarmed all around the black jaglion as she sat on the gray, dead grounds. Her ears dropped darkly, her mouth drew into a snarl. Her eyes were narrowed a the birds cawed to her words.

"Zalika? What is it?" Asked Aziza.

"SCRAM!" The jaglion shouted and the birds flew away in fear. She heaved deeply with rage and fury. Aziza could see the fire in her eyes.

"Those rats!" Zalika screeched. "Those filthy little cadavers... They'll all be hawk-food before the day's over with!!" She shouted.

"Sister, what happened? What did they say?" asked Aziza.

"They tore down my tree! The curse, it's broken! And Jali's cubs have been born. Just like Naith and Drey said! We have to stop them! Immediately! Before they go to find the stone!"

"We must!" Aziza's face turned into a thunderous snarl. "Drey and Naith may guide us, but they are not our leaders. Rally the ravens! Gather what forces we have left. Gather Seduki and Moral and their clan. Gather Scar's rebels! Gather all of Moonrise Pride! Surround Jali's borders and let there be no escape! Set up camps around his territory, cut his Pride off from the rest of the world..."

"That's what I like to hear" Zalika snarled. "Gamba... Fenuku... Layla... Those three are MINE! Alright?"

"Of course. As long as you leave the albino and Shebla to me..." Aziza snarled, licking her lips. It was almost as if she could taste their blood.

"Kavis gets to kill Kyra, Var, and Jali right?" Zalika asked.

"Yes. And Nassor gets Taru, Sira, and their Healer. Cyla's smaller, so she'll take out Kyra's brother Coglon. And remember, Kavis is going to swallow whatever mongrel maggot cubs Sira and Jali have produced" she said with a fiendish smile.

"Excellent. That will teach them. But we're not going to attack straight forward like last time right?" Asked Zalika.

"Right. I have a much different strategy of attack in mind" Aziza giggled. Zalika nodded as she began to howl for the vultures to return. Aziza caught her with a paw by the shoulder.

"And remember Zalika, Ammon and Shebla are mine. If anyone touches them, I don't care if it's my own mate, I'll kill them. Those are my kills. Got it?"

"Got it. But Aziza, may I ask, what sparked your hatred with the albino?" asked Zalika.

"He was the one who killed Barcal! If it wasn't for him, Barcal would be king and Jali would already be dead!" Aziza growled. "For King Snake, I will kill him..."

"Good. I will rally the forces. We move at sunhigh. We should be upon them by moonhigh tonight."

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Tue Jan 28, 2014 11:39 pm

Ammon thought for a long moment, flicking his tail, "That is a very bold question of you to ask, considering that I am more likely to reject your request, versus accepting it." he began, slowly stating the fact aloud. "However, you are telling me that you will believe the truth when I speak it, and part of knowing the truth, is that I can often tell when someone is lying to my face. You are being honest, and taking a risk by asking me to do something that goes against my own philosophy. I respect that, so with these things in mind, you may be a friend, though I do not see what point there is in it, or how it is helpful." His expression remained unreadable, but Shebla may have seen the slightest flicker of confusion in his eyes, as though he were mulling over something he didn't quite know what to do with. He seemed to be trying to cover it up, perhaps finding his lack of decision a fault and weakness he couldn't afford, "As for coming and going, when I walk again, I want to be able to do so outside this den, without being pursued by the warriors, when this induced weakness makes fighting them all but impossible. I will not leave, if you allow me the freedom to wander the forest in this territory as I wish. I may tolerate the others, but I have my limits about it, regardless. I cannot remain pent up in this small den, in a crowded place, or I may lose my mind." The longer Shebla talked to Ammon, the more readily she picked up the faintest of expressions that worked their way into his gaze. There was a small glint of wariness, even anxiety, and it seemed he might have been a bit stir crazy.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Wed Jan 29, 2014 5:42 pm

Shebla smiled. "Well I am renown for being bold..." Then she nodded. "Alright. I'll tell the warriors to leave you alone then" she said. "I'd expect your strength to walk to return soon. To fight it may be a while" she said. "I'll go get you some breakfast" she added, flicking her tail and leaving the den for a moment. Kamuzu who had his head in a hole, sniffing herbs, slowly looked over his shoulder at Ammon before turning to another section of the medical den.

Shebla brought back the leg of a buffalo which a large party of warriors managed to kill the day before. She sat it down in front of Ammon. "I have something to take care of real quick. But I'll be back. If you need something while I'm gone, Kamuzu should be around." She then moved out of the den.

----------------------------

There were eyes fixed on the camp from afar. Hyenas sat in the bushes with their gazes fixed on the area they knew Sunset Pride's camp was located. They were on a small cliff, looking over the treetops.

A large vulture lowered onto the branches, followed by a massive horde.

"What is it?" asked a bulky, lithe female.

"Moonrise Pride is moving into position. Aziza wants you t spread the rebels out across Jali's boundary and be prepared for her arrival. She wants stations of your warriors set up in camps in key locations as to keep Sunset Pride cut off from all of Ethiopia and the world."

"Right" said the female. She barked back at the others, her loud whoops were foreboding. Then she turned to the vultures. "What else?"

"If anyone comes to the border an spots you... Kill them" said the creature. The female nodded.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Wed Jan 29, 2014 8:28 pm

Ammon seemed conflicted about eating the buffalo, as a result of his tendency to believe that nothing came without strings attached. For a moment, he hesitated, and just looked at it, clearly uneasy. It was rare for him to be so deeply disturbed, but for once, he could not grasp a logical reason or explanation for things. He had been waiting for something to tell him this charity had consequences, that there was some obligation. He had been waiting to catch someone telling a lie, as he always knew when someone was lying. So far, the white lion had found none, and this perhaps alarmed him more than anything else. He was a lion who was meant to be without fear, and so far, he had lived up to such things. What he feared, however, more than anything, was this friendship he had agreed to. Surely it would slow him down, hold him back from doing the things he intended to do. What if it destroyed him?

What exactly, had Ammon agreed to, and what were the terms?

________________________________

Shadow looked up at the sky, his unreadable eyes glinting as though they had concealed all the stars in the heavens in their depths. A battle was coming, but despite the Great Healer's aid so far, it was not his place to participate. They sought to include him, but their ways, as mortals who did not see as deeply as he, or hear the truth so clearly, blinded them to the truth. Shadow only assisted, moving events into place, because they were meant to happen. No carving of the black lion existed in any runic marks or drawings, nor would there ever be. No prophesy of his coming or of his death was to be heard, and even spirits as powerful as Dalmaa, and those ancients who still spoke, could not see anything about him. Great Healers took a vow to never be violent and fight, and in their life, that vow became a sacred thing, until finally, they became in many ways, woven into the universe, a part of it, with sights and powers that were passive, but beyond the comprehension of others, even spirits. In many ways, the universe worked through the Healer, guided by fate, and by the pull of the world's energy. Many now wanted to kill Shadow, to force him to meet the fate of the Sunset Pride, to become violent as the warriors were, but for at least a time, he would now leave. The universe worked to keep them from ever even capturing him, for it worked in subtle ways, and while Shadow was forbidden to fight, or even hunt and eat meat, the universe also obligated all others to never force him to fight.

With this, Shadow looked away from the sky, from the sight of the universe that he watched, and vanished into the trees. He walked further and further, as the scent of hyenas touched his nose. He did not growl, though, or worry, because of what happened next. An animal of sorts, ground-dwelling, screeched, and there came the growls of the hyenas, which faded, as they chased the creature away. There came the lecturing in the distance, from one more in charge, as she scolded the two sentries for abandoning their post. By strange, subtle means, the universe had given Shadow the opportunity to escape.

By the time the two hyenas returned to where they were to maintain their watch, Shadow had already vanished. He was not to be involved in this battle, or dragged into this war. There was a different reason for his coming. He would wait until the time that purpose would become known.

_______________________________

Mabel, having failed to arrive in time for the birth of Sira's cubs, and with Kamuzu having decided the twins were healthy, slowly padded over to where Layla was resting by the lake, "Layla, as you know, Sira became pregnant several days after you, you are close to your due date." She said. She then tilted her head to one side, "I never got the chance, I forgot, but you are far enough along now where simply by ear, I can determine how many cubs are in your womb." She flicked her tail, and sat back on her haunches, arthritic leg stretched out, "I can do it now, but I have to listen, and such a prospect makes many lionesses somewhat uncomfortable."

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Fri Jan 31, 2014 3:54 pm

Layla smiled. "It won't bother me, go ahead" she said turning to her side to allow Mabel better access to her enlarged stomach. She had been aware for a while her due date was approaching. She was happy to know that her children were about to arrive. Overjoyed. She was excited, perhaps even too excited. But she still had the realization of the massive responsibility she'd have. But she was confident she could do it.

____________________

Shebla returned to the den just afterwards. "Sorry, I had to check on Ramla, the prophetess. Jali's had a few others take care of her lately instead so I can focus on this sudden herb shortage problem. But I thought I'd check up anyways. Old habits never leave you" she said sitting down on a moss-covered log. She began to groom herself.

"So Ammon, where did you come from before you found this pride? Have you been living on your own?" She wondered. She knew Egret would probably reveal most things to her, but she knew that asking Ammon these types of questions would contribute greatly to the new friendship.

____________________

There was a malevolent aura leaking from the tall grasses, the gray grasses. Dark shapes slipped through each strand and enormous black clouds of vultures passed overhead.

Aziza crouched, making sure to remain undetected. Though with her massive, muscular body, it was almost impossible to keep properly hidden. She knew that there was another lion pride not far as well as Sunset Pride's allies.

"How much further until we get to Shadingtree?" asked the small lioness, Cyla in a murmur.

"It won't be far. We'll be there by sunhigh. Then we'll take a short break. After that it's off to Nightstone Clan territory. It's easiest to cut through the lower part of Zanita's lands. Much quicker. The wind is heading in the direction of her camp so before we cut into her forest we must use the scent-camouflaging techniques Neith and Drey taught us" Aziza snarled as her scarlet eyes pushes through the long grasses. After a while the dry grasses cut her nose and dried her skin. She had to keep her eyes squinted to keep from grass stands poking them.

"Aziza," Kavis's deep, monstrous voice boomed in.

"Yes, your highness?" Aziza asked. Kavis made a puzzled face.

"...You don't have to call me that. You ARE basically like my mother" said the black-furred monstrosity. His snaky crimson eyes were like hot coals burning in the bushes. They pushed fear into lesser members of Moonrise Pride.

"I am your mother, adoptive at least. Anyways, what do you want?" She asked. Kavis took the previous from his thoughts, continued with his original output.

"Tell me our battle strategy now before we get close enough for anyone to hear" he requested.

"We will not even approach their camp at first. When they send hunting parties out to hunt we will take them down. After enough of them are dead we're going to come in through the side the lake is on which is not nearly as well protected. The medical den is the closest thing to it."

"I presume Shebla has a lot to do with this one" Kavis said.

Aziza growled. "She wasn't in the last battle... This time I will have her head. For what she's done..."

"Good" Kavis said sternly as he crept forward. He pondered over his adoptive mother. Or was she truly like that? She'd always treated him like a son, yet something was never right and along the lines of a mother. It seemed incomplete. Aziza had simply raised him solely for the purpose of having a bloodthirsty king. She had groomed him into a killer. There was barely any love, or any he could visibly see. But then again... Aziza didn't seem to love anyone. Even Nassor, her own mate, she'd always treated harshly.

Kavis might have been bloodthirsty, but he was wiser than the rest of them. He wasn't completely blinded by hatred that seemed to contaminate the family like a virus. He was more emotionally developed whereas the others only had a few very simple feelings that dwelled within rage, darkness, wrath and fury. Their ruthlessness Kavis had brought in with his own genes, but they did not bind him so tightly to missions set on revenge. He did as his peers said... For now. He followed the prophecies Drey and Neith had told him over the years, inspecting them himself rather than just believing what he was told. He was wise. Clever. Not foolish like Snake's family.

He began to think about Subira. His task from Snake was to make her his mate. To spread Snake's bloodline all over Africa. Kavis honestly wasn't that eager to fulfill this task. This meant settling down and having a family. Unless he were to kill Subira after he were done with her. Such was Snake's own custom. But her had an odd and unusual respect for females.

He'd only met Subira once, and even now the vision of her that he had painted in his head was beginning to fade. But he wanted to see her again. Who knows? Maybe he'll end up falling madly in love with her. But he also feared this. He feared love. Aziza had always taught him that love was the destroyer of warriors. It crushed them. Love was merely a weapon shouting to his enemies, to be used against him.

But Kavis tried to keep an open mind. He was just perplexed by the prophecy. Both the Pure Prophecy as the Wicked Prophecy didn't make sense to him. But he'd go in the way he was pointed until he was given a reason not to.

But he was aware of Aziza's odd rage. He'd never seen a female as violent and thirsty for death as she was. He was well aware that her deep craving, her hunger for retribution against Shebla had blinded her eyes beyond repair. He knew that her reprisal would be well fought and though he did not know Shebla, he feared for the lioness. Aziza would never stop until she was dead.

In another way Kavis was cheering Aziza on. He was proud of his "mother". But he was old enough to question if she was leading him in the right place. He just wondered what Nassor's opinion was. Nassor... The leopon who nearly never spoke. The one of very few words. Nassor was also smarter than Aziza. He planned strategies more carefully and attacked only when he was certain he'd succeed.

Kavis feared for Cyla. She didn't enter the last attack. Her small size would have been her greatest disadvantage. But now that the vultures bring word of a lion equal to her, the Witchdoctors find that this is finally the moment for her to prove her strength.

The clouds above rolled with light thunder and a few faint flickers flashed above. It was a light storm off in the distance, but what Kavis failed to perceive was that it was much more than a storm.

____________________

"They approach" said Star as he looked down a hole from the rumbling, damp clouds. "There are people in my pride that are too weak too fight. I have grandchildren born just last night."

"Something must be done about it" said another white lion. But this male had tree green slashes along the side of his face. It was obvious that this was Star's father, Osaqi.

"Indeed" spoke another figure. This one was a golden colored lion. His pelt shined an sparkled like the sun. Two enormous eagle wings sprouted from his back. It was Protheus, the greatest, wisest, and most powerful known ancient, the only one with equal power to Dalmaa.

"Dalmaa is walking with them" Star said pointing to a black shape slithering just beside Aziza. Though no mortal could see the evil spirit.

"Dalmaa is crossing boundaries he should have never touched. He's making things too unfair for Sunset Pride... I have an idea" said Protheus.

"Yes?" asked Star.

"The warrior Ammon has been overcome with weakness because he fell for Dalmaa's trap in their last encounter. Thus if Aziza attacks him... She will kill him with unimaginable ease... So I will restore all of his power for one night, so that he may defend himself against Aziza an her hordes. Bu the power will not begin until Aziza's first strike on him."

"Oh, good, good" Star said. "This won't interfere with Egret' plan, will it?"

"It shouldn't" said Protheus. His wings began to glow and bright markings shined across his skin like an aurora of pure gold. His beautiful eyes were made of every color in the rainbow and looked down at the world with the mission of help.

"Dalmaa is strong. You are the only one of equal power to him" said Osaqi. "Are you sure a few mortals can truly vanish him forever?"

"No. They cannot. As hard as it is to believe... We may need Dalmaa. He is the only force great enough to turn sinners into heroes that fight him. He is the only force great enough to pull together families. Plus, he is the one who creates sin. Who introduced it to all of the world of animals. In the early days of lion kind, Fray, the spirit of fire, gave his gift to the mortals. But animals were too destructive with its power and so Fray gave fire to the humans instead..." Protheus paused. "Dalmaa did this. For he has done his best to make things as harsh as he can for the mortals and will continue to do so until nothing remains."

"So if the mortals cannot truly banish him, what will?"

"The mortals cannot banish him... But they can" he said. The other two figures looked perplexed.

"He means there is a way with his stone" said a feminine voice as a new figure approached. It was a lioness with glowing pink eyes and a beautiful glowing silver pelt. She had a strange pink and red aura around her and flowers bloomed in her footsteps. It was Thovla. The Ancient spirit of love.

"But I would like to add something in. Something must be done about this. So much. There are so many romances, so many relationships and pure love in that Pride. And I still have so much planned. I can't allow my candidates to be killed."

"I am aware" said Protheus. "We shall watch over them. I will send as much strength as needed into Ammon. In the battle he will be very powerful. As long as he keeps a distance from Kavis, who Dalmaa is pumping as much power as he can into as well. It will at least help him defend himself from so many powerful opponents."

"Good" said Thovla. "And watch Shebla. She is important."

"I will see to it that she is not killed" said Protheus. "But this next battle will not even be as fatal as the last. Much of it will just be the two prides yelling at each other. Barely any fighting, the violence only sparks deep in the night."

"Alight. But you never know what that black-furred psychopath is planning" she said before she turned away.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Fri Jan 31, 2014 7:04 pm

Mabel nodded, and slowly put one ear to the side of Layla's belly. She was very quiet, as she listened for the sounds of the unborn cubs, of movement, and more importantly, their heartbeats. She heard Layla's, louder, because her heart was larger. Then, she heard beneath that one sound, two others, faster beats, fainter, but clearly signs of life. Mabel pulled away, and looked at Layla, "Twins, there were two heartbeats alongside your own." She said, slowly flicking her tail. "I did not expect a large litter, but considering who their father is, this is a unique case, most often, in the case of hybrids, only one cub is born. You're going to have two, and both are very much alive and healthy. You have taken very good care of yourself during your pregnancy." Mabel always had a heartwarming sensation rising in her chest whenever she listened to find out how many cubs were in an unborn litter, and found that they all sounded in good health. There was something miraculous and wonderful about it, the creation of new life. It was by far one of the greatest things, next to successfully delivering a healthy cub into the world. All the pain and agony of seeing suffering, seemed worth such treasured moments.

_________________________

Ammon thought for a moment, and one could see he was weighing if there would be problems caused if he answered Shebla's question. Eventually, however, he decided that the question was a harmless one, she was simply asking about where his native home had been, it was not a deeply prying inquiry that would bring up bad things to speak of. "I am not native to this land of Ethiopia, though over many moons, it has become home, more so than from where I once lived. If you were to venture north, until the point that you reached the sea, and then venture far to the west, until you reached an even vaster body of water known as an ocean, there lies in that place a mountain rage, overlooking it. The Atlas Mountain range runs through three different lands, and the mountain I came from was in Morocco. I passed through many lands to come here, crossing most of Africa, in the process." He slowly flicked his tail, "As for living on my own, I do not belong to any pride, for many prides I have seen have fallen under corruption. Many prides repulse me, their traditions and breeding programs to create so-called perfect warriors." His eyes grew hard at some memory, Shebla could probably figure it out on her own what it was. Ammon seemed to tense for a moment, but then forced himself to relax, "I have seen many things in my travels, seen creatures that most do not know, Africa has many unique sights in it."

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Fri Jan 31, 2014 11:24 pm

"Fascinating" Shebla replied with a smile. She knew already what Ammon was implying, but didn't want to bother him with demands of what e meant. She went on. "Well, I'm sure that you have seen some amazing things, traveling as you've been. I've always loved to get word from the people that the pride takes in who travelled in their days... If I can get to them before bad word is spread about me to them" she grumble under her breath, as though adding that last part to herself.

Shebla was hesitant to go on. "So what kinds of great things have you seen?"

___________________

Layla's ears pricked up with excitement. She looked to Gamba next to her with an overjoyed smile. Then she looked at Mabel. "Good, good! I'm so excited to have them, I can't wait for the moment they come out. And Mabel, I was wondering, would you like to deliver them?"

____________________

It was approaching noon. Now would be the time that Jali allowed the people to view the new prince and princess. At the moment, Mira and Kal were entering the cave, a line formed at the mouth. Their cubs were waiting outside, wanting desperately to come inside and see the babies.

"Mira, they can some in if they like" Sira said.

"I don't want your cubs to be disturbed Sira" said Mira as she approached. She smiled looking down at two cubs sitting curled up against Sira. A boy and a girl.

"Bring them in" Sira said. Mira rolled her eyes and motioned for her cubs to come in. Three of them. Two girls and a boy.

"Now be quiet" Mira said in a hushed voice. "We don't want to disturb them."

Mira's children were fascinated and were fixed to silence. Their eyes wide and smiled from ear to ear. The two girls were silently awing at them and the boy completely fascinated with the new life.

After Mira and Kal and their cubs had left, the next in the line was unexpected. Saber approached, stepping forward into the cave. Taru immediately jumped in front of him, stopping him from moving forward. Obviously even after three moons, the trust between him and the pride was still only barely.

"I only wanted to see the cubs" Saber scolded. "Are you seriously that paranoid?"

"You will go no where near my niece and nephew" Taru growled. Jali bared his fangs at Saber.

"Just let him see them guys!" Sira hissed. "He's not going to do anything."

They let him pass, but stayed directly at his side. He peered down at the cubs. A smile almost seemed to appear on his dark face. He then reared his head and looked at Jali.

"Beautiful children. You are lucky to have known them" he said, darkly hinting that Sira had killed his mate, Nara, just as they were attempting to have cubs.

Sira looked at the ground with a guilty, sorrowful look clouding her gaze. She didn't look at Saber directly the entire encounter.

"I... I am" Jali replied.

Saber nodded just before exiting. Jali and Taru simply looked at each other. They both had been feeling very guilty lately.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sat Feb 01, 2014 1:49 am

Ammon flicked his tail, "I believe you may be overreacting about bad news, Shebla, I have heard no one speak ill of you, not anywhere I could hear that I know of." He said, commenting on what she had muttered under her breath. He then flicked his tail, "There are many things in Africa, some things are different, but others are similar, it is as though multiple spiders wove a web, and you could tell which web was woven by something else, but still, all of the pattern was made of spider silk." It was an unusual comparison, but one that was easily understood, "There are some things, though, that may seem strange to you. There are strange creatures called deer, and the males have horns called antlers, which look like the branches of trees. They dwell in the dense, humid forests of some places I have seen, and may seem similar to antelope, though they have none of the same, prancing manner, and often, they were larger. They moved slowly, and cautiously, their footsteps careful, as though they did not wish to break a single twig under their hooves. When they heard something, they would raise their long, powerful necks and look at it, their ears pricked forward. They seldom made a sound, and vanished as though phantoms, moving swiftly, as though they weighed nothing at all. These were proud, majestic creatures, though you will find none here." His eyes had a distant look, as he recalled these memories, moments he could remember, pictures in his head.

He was not done describing the sights, however, "There is a desert known as the Sahara, which spans over much of the lands north of here, in a great band. I passed through it many times. It is a desolate thing, and silent, but for the sounds of the wind. A landscape of golden sand settling in the forms of large dunes, that spanned as far as the eye could see in every direction. You could wander for days, and not see another living thing. Rain did not seem to come, but of the wind, there was storms, blowing the sand into the sky, so that it blotted out the sun. I would have to seek an outcropping of stone, and hope it was deep enough to keep the constant dust from smothering me. This seemed endless, but it was only a small part, much of the desert was a flat plain of rock, gravel, and stone, for in many places, all the seemingly endless dunes had been blown away. There was, however, life here, though hard to find. Small, jackal-like creatures known as foxes ran about this land, and there were large, white antelope known as addax, with incredibly long horns, that could go nearly an entire year without drinking a single drop of water. There were cheetahs there, ones that now rest on the brink of extinction, thinner, and smaller, and so pale that they were nearly white, with spots so faded that they were either hardly visible, or completely absent. I could never speak to one, for they are wary of all, and fled from sight."

Ammon sighed, "The desert of the Sahara was golden in Morocco and in Algeria, along the path I took, but the sands grew paler, when I reached Libya, and more rocks rose from them. Water was difficult to find, and it is perhaps the most arid place in all of Africa. There was not much to describe there, so I continued to roam southeast, until I reached the land of Sudan. Once again, the desert sands grew golden, and I followed the great Nile river, going further south, where there was water, often finding myself retreating back into the dunes, to elude the humans that lived along the great banks. Near the southern part of the land, before I came to Ethiopia, I saw great rhinos, few left in the world, with skin so pale that they were known as White Rhinos, gentle giants, but not to be seen as harmless, for their power was still greatly feared. I traveled further south, until I came here, and this, being the first place with an abundance of water not surrounded by humans, was where I chose to stay. It is dramatically different from the other places that I have seen."

He slowly flicked his tail, "There were so many faces that I saw, alien to me, but they belonged, regardless. Many in the lands I passed through had never before seen a lion in the desert, and I never saw another lion there, either. It was a harsh, hostile place, and the shifting sand in dunes made catching prey difficult. I learned to walk on them and survived on meager fare, and hunger was no stranger to me. It was far easier on the rocky plains, for my paws were made for the stones that would otherwise cut them open." He turned up a paw, revealing the hard, calloused pad, which was clearly thick enough to not be scratched by stones. "Even then, water was scarce, and the constant heat always threatened to kill me. I would sleep during the day, and walk by night, as many inhabitants of the desert did. The days were blistering while the sun shone, but at night, I discovered that it was so cold, I felt as though I were at the peak of a mountain once more. It was a dangerous journey, but I would keep going, until I found someplace better."

__________________________________

Mabel twitched one ear, "I would be happy to do so, but I also need someone to assist me, labor can be short, or it can take almost an entire day, and you may need water, if it takes that long for your cubs to be born. I need someone to help me by going and fetching water so that you do not become dehydrated. That is all I need." She flicked her tail, "I would be honored if you would let me, for it is one of the greatest tasks I may have, as a healer. I will also need to be present, regardless, many have dealt with lion cubs, but Litigons are a different manner, they are different, and natural features may confuse someone with less experience." Her tail waved now, and it was clear that the medicine cat was happy to accept the position as midwife.

__________________________________

Kyra padded into the cave, having decided to come as soon as she could to go see the prince and princess that had been born. She looked at them, her bright blue eyes wide and alert, "Oh, my goodness, they're so cute!" She said, "They must be the most adorable little ones in existence right now." She said, the compliment heartfelt.

Coglon came up behind her, looking at the cubs, having been in line after her, "You say that about every cub you see, sister, you will probably say that when Gamba and Layla's cubs are born, though I must agree that they are endearing. Do not expect them to stay that way, though, for eventually they will have to grow up." He looked between Sira and Jali, "Your cubs are...lovely." he said, his voice a bit blank, as though he were poor at giving compliments, but regardless, attempting to do so. There was an awkward pause when no one spoke.

Finally, Kyra flicked her tail, deciding to usher her brother out before the moment grew any weirder than it already was, "Alright, let's go and let everyone else look." She said. She then ushered, half-shoved her brother out of the cave. "I can't believe you, were you serious?" She whispered into his ear, not entirely out of earshot. She was clearly a bit angry at him for his poorly-given compliment. He sounded so unenthusiastic about things, it sometimes aggravated her.

"Yes, I was serious." He said, a puzzled expression on his face, as though he had no clue he had done something wrong.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sat Feb 01, 2014 3:12 pm

Sira and Jali had thanked Kyra and Coglon both for their compliments and watched as they left.

Var by this time had joined their party, having seen the cubs just after they. He approached with a grin on his face. After seeing the cubs he felt bursting with happiness.

"They're certainly adorable" he said as he approached. "They'll be good leaders one day."

___________________

Layla nodded. "Shebla usually does that when Kamuzu delivers cubs. But she won't dare to actually deliver the cubs herself since a terrible accident a while ago. She won't treat pressure to do it lightly either. But she'll fetch water and help evaluate certain things" the lioness replied. She pondered about Shebla for a moment.

_________________

Shebla rolled her eyes. "You haven't heard half the things people say about me around here. There are only two families that respect me: Jali's and Layla's." Then Ammon began to tell of his travels .

"That's magnificent!" She said, listening to all of the things he told. But then she looked at the harsh things he listed. "Quite... Rough too. There's some things about nature I just don't get. But perhaps that's why it's left areas like this so calm, for us to live in while it unleashes its power somewhere we are not." She nosed at a few butterflies landing in front of her for a moment before they fluttered away. Then her gaze turned back to Ammon.

"I heard a story from the prophetess a while ago about a place called the Talon. It's a huge mountain where the spirits are closest to us. It looks to reach the clouds. Ramla had to cross through thousands of wastelands filled with heaping piles of bones to climb to the top. When she got to the top to receive the gift of the Sight, she also lost her physical vision. Now she can only see shapes and shadows. Poor girl, she's not even that old . Probably about our age. I remember growing up with her." She shook her head.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:47 pm

Mabel flicked her tail, "Ah, yes, Shebla has faced many accidents in her life, that much I am sure, but she has a good heart. I don't understand why so many lions and lionesses in this pride have cause to dislike her. It seems ridiculous.

_____________________

Ammon flicked his tail, "It is said that to obtain the power or wisdom of the spirits, or to obtain absolute harmony with the universe, that you must give something in exchange for that gift. Ramla lost her physical vision, but in return, she gained the Sight. Shadow, like many Great Healers, lost his tongue, for the sole purpose of learning to listen to things that others cannot hear. It frees them from the distractions that would muddy the sights and sounds that are beyond the comprehension of most, and grants them knowledge that is otherwise never known to mortals."

He then twitched one ear, "Deserts, though dangerous, are worth noting in their own way. Dunes that reach high into the sky, looming over like mountains, and plains that seem endless and vast. In the night, there are no clouds to obscure the sky, and so all the stars, and the moon, are visible, and you become just a small speck, in a world so large and great you feel almost overwhelmed by its size. Eventually, you see that the sand constantly shifts and changes, and so, the desert became an almost eternal thing, but somehow in its own way alive, because it was never a dead, still thing. Nature unleashes its power, and that is something to be feared, but it also fills one with amazement, because it is so incredible to see. Though difficult, being in the desert was not a truly awful thing, for it gave a harmonious glimpse of something greater than anything we know."

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sun Feb 02, 2014 5:22 pm

"I'm sure it did," Shebla mewed. "I've never been in a huge desert before. But I've always avoided extremely hot places. My fur is much thicker and fluffier than most lioness', so heat doesn't sit that well with me" she giggled. "Flies, I can't stand them. They get in your eyes in those hot places. Quite stupid bugs. If they were smart they'd leave those hot places and find their own water."

___________________

Layla sighed. "Many of the people who oppress Shebla belong to families of former patients of Shebla who were subject to her errors. Her grandmother, Belabi was a huge problem to the pride years ago. She did so much evil... Her family was punished for it. Then her mother killed by wildebeest, nobody even carrying. That was about the time Shebla began to make her mistakes. On top if that, Shebla had been assigned the task of looking after Ramla. Ramla had taught her a lot about the spirits and since she knew so much without having special treatment like the Sight and becoming a Seeress, the Pride was convinced she was a witch. Everyone thought that that was the reason she was harming people when she tried to care for them. That it was a curse. Things especially flared up when Vilela, Jali's cousin was having her cubs." Layla shook her head, solemnly.

"Shebla was the only medical specialist at the time. It was before Kamuzu had made his way into the camp. Shebla failed to deliver Vilela's cubs which resulted in the mother's own death as well as the cubs'. Ever since then... No matter how hard Shebla tries to improve things, no matter how great she does on future tasks... Nobody will ever seem to forgive her. It got so wild that at one point the entire pride rose against her an tried to drive her out one night. Jali put a stop to it, he knew she hadn't meant for it to happen and it was an accident. Since then she's made it up to him by helping him sort things out emotionally. Things he just can't get Sira to understand."

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sun Feb 02, 2014 11:13 pm

Ammon flicked his tail, "Indeed, one would think that as they arrived at the site of a kill that the great swarm intended to carry it away. They don't need as much water to survive, I don't believe, so the water found in a carcass where they breed is enough to sustain them. It is a mystery, otherwise, how they do so well in such places. The advantage certain creatures have is tails that they can use to swat the creatures away." Ammon had often seen brush-like tails that could flick incredibly fast to swat away flies, and though lions had tufted tails, they had never been suited for such a purpose. There was often a sharp, almost bone-like protrusion at the tail tip, hidden in the tuft, but he was unsure of the purpose. Lion tails just didn't have the right anatomy or strength to be used as a weapon.

_____________________________

Mabel twitched an ear, "I see, well, then I'm surprised their hostile intentions haven't extended towards me, what with this snakeskin I now wear around my neck. It is senseless to think a witch would try to help people, Shebla was apparently going through a rough time, and it was distracting her. Mistakes will happen, they happen to the best of healers, does everyone think that the instant someone in a medical emergency gets to a medical lioness they're safe? Accidents will occur, and people should know better than to hate someone for what they can't control."

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Mon Feb 03, 2014 8:12 pm

By this time Fenuku had walked over to the group. He gave glances to Gamba and Layla. "Gamba, Layla, the tree that was cursed... It's been destroyed" he said.

"What? How?" Layla asked in great surprise.

"I was shouting at it late last night and... Lightning hit it. It's gone. You can return to your private den" he said. He sat down to wait for their response, glad to know the wretched thing was gone.

_____________

Shebla nodded. "Strange how bugs work sometimes. Some of them can be used to treat wounds if ground up or mashed. They make good for feeding vitamins to us, though sometimes they may taste foul. But as for certain bugs, I truly adore. Like butterflies" she said gesturing to flowers behind her which always seemed full of them.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Wed Feb 05, 2014 1:54 am

Gamba stared at Fenuku for a moment, as though carefully considering what to say. "This is a perplexing thing, that you would simply shout at the curse mark, and that lightning would strike the specific tree without burning anything else. It seems, that you may have spirit powers, or something of that nature, although it has been whispered throughout the camp that during that time the veil between the world of spirits and that of mortals was temporarily torn. It may have been that a spirit heard you, and sought to assist you, though I cannot be sure." He said, finally, flicking his tail, "It seems, Layla, that strange occurrences might run in your side of the family, it has already been predicted that our cubs will be born with strange gifts, though of a more subtle nature. I am unaware of what all of this could mean."

___________________________

Ammon flicked his tail, "Butterflies are very colorful things, the most colorful bugs by far that you see during the day. They visit those flowers constantly, and they also flutter around you, it seems. They were made to be seen, for I have noticed that while many creatures enjoy looking at them, birds, particularly, do not want to eat them. I often saw their night time counterparts as well." With this, he reached out a large paw, and nudged it at a pile of dead leaves, and much to Shebla's surprise, she would notice that some of the leaves detached from the ground, and 'walked' onto his paw. It was not dead leaves, but a moth, a mottled grey, brown, and green one that was so well camouflaged, that it was not visible where it had been. It was clearly an insect, though, when revealed against the pure white fur of Ammon's paw. "I view moths almost as opposites of butterflies, for while one is seen, the other is invisible. However, just because they are not brightly colored, does not mean I do not find them beautiful, for these patterns on their wings are so close to that of dead leaves. I used to envy them, because for the longest time, I couldn't go anywhere near my prey without being spotted."

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Fri Feb 07, 2014 10:21 pm

Shebla nodded and added agreeingly, "I bet. You probably have to be really sneaky to move around their sight." She then began to groom herself again. She glance over at the butterflies and then at the moth. "We could all use a bit of camoflauge these days, what with all these spirits running around whom you can never truly hide from."

The day grew dim. Slowly Layla began to feel different throughout the evening. The sun set beautifully, constantly reminding her of her sister. But every sunset did. Now she was brought joy by the thought of Dyna, rather than sorrow. And her thoughts were interrupted... By the beginning of labor. "Gamba!" She hoarsely shouted over the silence of the night.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Fri Feb 07, 2014 11:16 pm

Gamba dashed over to where Layla was, his eyes whirling with anxiety. "Layla," He began, worried, about to ask what was wrong, before he saw how she was tensing with the pain. His eyes widened, and he looked around, "The cubs are coming!" He cried, alarmed. That was all it took to cause a hectic frenzy in the camp. It wasn't a huge panic, but there was always a general alarm when any lioness was going into labor. It was a normal reaction among any creatures that lived in a group, and generally, few could be more worried or upset than the mother who was giving birth and her mate. Gamba, though, was still capable of handling a stressful situation, even one as intense as his children coming into the world. He came by Layla's side, "We need to get you to our den in camp, there's no time to get back to the private den. Come on, I'll help you there, just lean on me." He spoke quickly, as the urgency of the situation called for. The cubs wouldn't be pushed out immediately, she could still walk, for now, but she wouldn't, later. He knew enough from helping Zanita deliver hyena cubs to know how it worked, except that he knew that there would be no rupturing and bleeding in birth naturally for a lioness. He hoped with all his heart that nothing bad would happen.

As he helped Layla over to their den in camp, he called out, "Layla's having her cubs! Someone get Mabel!" He cried.

_________________________________

Ammon's ear flicked, as he raised his head, hearing the commotion and Gamba's voice from outside. His eyes remained unreadable, but he reacted immediately, "Mabel must have agreed to deliver the cubs, but she cannot retrieve water for Layla with her arthritic leg." He looked at Shebla, "You should go help, any hybrid birth would be tricky, Mabel cannot leave her side for a single moment." He said.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sat Feb 08, 2014 1:44 pm

Shebla hesitated. Her face seemed to involuntarily express a twinge of sadness. She nodded and stood up, walking out of the den. She seemed in no hurry, but only yet to grasp the situation.

Out of her nightmare world, she took off and began running towards the place where the shouts were coming from. "Mabel!" Shebla called back to where she was sitting. "Layla's having her cubs!"

Shebla was already beginning to feel the uneasy sensation in her stomach that appeared every time she witnessed a mother in labor. Any time she so much as came near it... It only brought with it that horrible memory. But she didn't allow herself to cry. She didn't like to cry. She never cried. Not unless the situation was worthy enough.

___________________

Zalika stood just beneath the horrid branches of the Shadingtree. It was an enormous tree bare of leaves. It was gray, seemingly dead. Yet it thorny limbs seemed to block out sunlight quite well. The moon shined through the crams onto the blackish fur of the jaglion.

There were ravens covering her. They perched themselves on her shoulders, on her haunches, on her tail. Everywhere. She craned her neck, her scarred lips shined in the light. Her jaw was still sore. Her eyes gently shut as she breathed in the deep night scents. A soft, almost majestic purr emitted from her.

The eerie sight of the ravens covering her startled Aziza who was standing a distance behind her with the rest of the lion division of Moonrise Pride. Zalika was one of the only things that truly scared Aziza.

Zalika's deep breathing filled the gentle silence. Aziza knew that somehow she was speaking to the spirits... Somehow. She was said to have been gifted with the Hidden Voice. The ability to speak with the spirits, but within the mind. But in return, she must give up an emotion of her choice. But it could not be a negative emotion. That would be a win-win scenario. It had to be a positive on. So Zalila gave up happiness. It was a rash decision. She couldn't think of any other good emotions at the moment.

Many might think Zalika would be a depressed person from this. But no. She is more full of rage. But her rage is different... It's not loud or violent like Aziza's. It's a silent rage. A quiet one. Sinister to the bone. And that is why Aziza fears her so deeply. For one can be more feared by simply being silent than by means of aggression.

The ravens suddenly flapped away in a flurry of black feathers. Zalika was still sitting there. Then she turned around, eyes still closed. She stepped forward slowly, softly, paw by paw. Her eyes then opened. The blood scarlet irises glissaded to Aziza's gaze. Even the large female had to nervously glance down at her paws.

Zalika prowled forward, her lips like a crow's beak's glimmer in the moonlight. Her red eyes had a certain... glow... to them. Amongst the black night, they almost seemed luminous. It was ominous to every end.

"What did they say?" asked Aziza anxiously.

"They have told us to only strike the border tonight. We shall not touch the camp for a while" she said. Aziza nodded. Then there was the sudden appearance of Kavis, standing next to his adoptive mother. "We all need to rest. We've travelled nonstop all day. We'll attack at dawn. But for now we need to regain our strength."

"You all rest. I want to have a look around" Zalika said licking her malevolently long black talons.

"Zalika don't go into their camp and get yourself killed" Kavis said sternly.

"I won't" she said.

"But--"

Zalika shot him a glance that made his blood crawl. His heart seemed to stop in his throat. He didn't argue with her, but nodded his approval. Even Kavis seemed to fear her in his heart. She began walking out into the cool night grasses, gently being swept by the wind.

Along the way she stumbled upon a den of foxes. While the family was asleep she silently slit each of their throats. Pups and all. Then she took their dung and rubbed a bit around her legs and tail to disguise her scent.

It wasn't long before she made her way back to the Sunset Pride camp. She hid in the bushes, up on a large ravine and on a couple low branches of a tree. She was virtually unnoticeable, the black of the night disguised her perfectly. The only thing remotely visible... We're her piercing red eyes. The red eyes that everyone in the family seemed to have. Dark fur. Red eyes. That was their signature.

Zalika glared out... glared at Gamba and Layla. From her position she could see then through the branches. She watched... Watched closely and carefully. She watched the one who broke her jaw. She knew they broke we curse. She wanted revenge in the form of blood. Silent, easy blood... But that would have to wait. Now she was simply soaking in this scene.

Subject: Re: The Pride Days (IC): Hurt Sat Feb 08, 2014 5:48 pm

Mabel hurried over to where Layla was, looking every bit as wise as one would expect a medicine cat to be, with her gleaming yellow eyes and snakeskin wrapped around her neck, a charm that represented eternity. "Alright, Layla, we're going to help you deliver, and we'll be with you every step of the way. We have water for you whenever you need it, just say the word and Shebla will fetch it for you." Mabel said. As they focused on this scene, dark storm clouds that had been gathering in the east, invisible past the trees, blew in, and began to rumble and flicker with forks of lightning, and rain began to fall, lightly, at first, and then in a powerful torrent that made it difficult for anyone to see what was right in front of them, the rain so relentless and pulled by wind that it obscured vision quite badly. It was hard to hear over the rolling thunder of the sky, and Mabel, even as a midwife who had delivered multiple kinds of creatures, couldn't imagine a more miserable time to go into labor. Thankfully, the den Gamba and Layla had constructed had been prepared in such a way that water was kept out of it, so they were still dry, save for an occasional light misting as wind whipped outside. Gamba moved so that he blocked the den opening, for the most part, getting his pelt wet so that Layla would stay dry and warm.

Inside the den, a smell always associated with birth filled the air, and Mabel came closer to Layla, hovering an ear by her side, "Okay, first set of contractions, it's not going to be comfortable, but the harder you try to get them out, the faster this will be over with. Ready? Push!" She said. In the meantime, Gamba, standing by the entrance, his fur wet, worriedly watched over his mate. This was by far one of the most terrifying things he had ever experienced. He couldn't stand that Layla was in pain, but she needed to feel it to know when to push out the cubs. He felt utterly helpless in this situation, the most he himself could do was stand by, keep the rain from getting into the den, and hope the cubs would be born healthy, and the delivery wouldn't have complications.

___________________________________

North of Sunset Pride, a lioness carried a small cub, so tiny, that it must have been a runt, and no older than seven days, for its eyes were still firmly shut, and blind to everything around it. It was scrawny and weak, the signs of a cub that had been too weak to fight its other siblings to nurse. This could only mean that there were more than four born in the cub's litter, and that this lioness was out alone, away from her other young, for a very specific reason. Seeming strange compared to a normal lion, she could only be a Clan lion of sorts, and, having had a son that did not find favor with anyone, and one that would not likely survive, at that, she was abandoning him to die in the woods, as was the tradition.

So everyone else in her pride thought.

She wasn't a heartless monster, and she wouldn't be forced to act like one. She saw a chance, and she would take it, for her sake, and that of her cub. She would never raise him, she would never even know what he was like when he grew up, but this was a window of opportunity, the cover this storm provided the perfect distraction. Walking over to a thick clump of reeds by a small stream that ran into the lake of this strange new lion pride, she set the cub down in it, where he disappeared into them. She looked into the blackened sky, as jagged lightning flashed across it. She cried to the spirits in her heart, for all the merciful ones that would hear her, that a lion from this pride over the mountain would find her son. She prayed that they would find him, and take him as their own, so that he would not die such a horrible fate. She called for no predator to come, no evil, wicked thing to see the Lost cub, for that was what he was, for he would live, despite being abandoned. She believed with every fiber of her being, that placing this young one deep within the territory of this pride, that he would be found by a new mother and father, who would not care if he was different. She wanted her son to lead a better life than the one in her pride.

With a last, regretful nuzzle of her beloved son, no less loved than the others, she turned and vanished, slowly trekking back home, feeling her heart break. No scent trail was left behind, for the rain washed it away, but even over the rumbling thunder from above, she could still hear her son beginning to cry, in the squeaking mews of a child, not yet old enough to produce a growl. It ripped at her, but she could not give him the life that she wished she could. She begged the spirits, again and again, desperately, for them to give her son another mother and father, ones that would love him, no matter what.

In that moment, a miracle occurred, and though she did not know it, it was not the spirits that answered her, but the universe itself, fate alone, working before the spirits could, for the nature of existence and creation itself took the shortest path. The same universe that had gifted the youngest, and the weakest at birth with strange power, which had manifested out of the energy that swirled around him in the womb, chose to carry this cub, the third, yet eldest child, safely to his new, and original intended home, for he would do something great when he was grown. The wind blew, and carried the abandoned cub's mews, much further than would normally be expected. The faint, pitiful sound endured the roars and crackles of lightning, but it survived, and the wind continued through the trees, until it carried the cry to a pair of waiting ears, to the only one who heard it, a hybrid creature, awaiting for the birth of his twin children to be done. No others heard, but this one father did, and though he did not know it, the universe had intended for this to happen, all along, and for no other to hear what he did.

__________________________

The wind relentlessly continued to cast water all over Gamba, and he wondered when it would stop, when, on a gust of wind, he heard a strange sound. A crying cub, weak and faint, not close to camp, but not distant, either. His ears pricked up, and he raised his head, looking out the den at the pouring rain. Mabel glanced at him, taking only a small moment from coaching Layla through labor, "What is it, Gamba?" She asked.

Gamba scanned the empty camp, as everyone had hidden in their dens, "There is a child crying out there, and it's not in the camp." He said, his ears flicking wildly as they continued to hear the desperate mews. He felt a strange pressuring pull in his chest, the kind of nagging feeling, the kind he got when he felt like he was supposed to take action, to do something. He sensed that he was supposed to go look for the cub that was crying, but what if he was just imagining things, nobody else seemed to hear it.

Mabel looked back to Layla, "We can manage, Gamba, go and look, for something tells me a great and powerful force is at work, now."

Gamba looked back at Layla, "I will be back, as soon as I can, but I must know what strange occurrence this is. I cannot ignore it, for it pulls at me as surely as though I were being tugged by a physical force."

With this, he turned and vanished into the rain, exiting north of the camp. Layla would feel a strange tug, too, though she would have to work out on her own that this was meant to be. Gamba dashed into the forest, hearing the crying, and following it. He determined that me must find that cub, because he believed it, now, it was getting louder, and he was close. It was not his imagination playing tricks, but a real, solid thing that he was meant to find. He came upon the stream that emptied into the Sunset Pride lake, and finally, after looking about, his fur drenched, fixed his eyes upon a thick cluster of reeds. The mewing came from it.

Gamba padded over to the branches, his paws splashing puddles of mud, as he peered into them, coming upon the source of the sound, a very small male cub, so young that his eyes were still closed, perhaps only seven days old. He was scrawny and thin, he had not been eating well, and he was clearly much smaller than he should have been. He also looked strange, this cub, for his fur was a deep, dark shade of brown, tinged in various places with tawny colors, a brindle-furred color he had never seen before in a lion. There were the faint black specks that would vanish with age, but overall, this cub's pelt was very different from the general tawny gold or yellow of a normal lion. His tail was a near-black shade of brown, with the occasional highlighting streak of a paler, slightly tawnier color that glimmered like gold when it caught the light. Gamba knew this cub was abandoned, for he knew the traditions of lion prides in Ethiopia, he knew that this young one was no different than Coglon, a runt who had been left behind because he could not fight to nurse, and would die even if he was kept.

Gamba, hearing the cub mew and shiver, soaking wet, felt his heart ache, and lowered his great head to nuzzle the cub with his snout. The young one immediately quieted, but still shivered, cold and pathetic-looking. Gamba, taking a glance around, to see if the mother was still there, saw none, and immediately decided. He lowered his head again, but this time, took the cub by his scruff. He lifted the young one, and turned around, slowly going towards camp, as the cub, sensing that he was now safe, did not mew again.

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