Ashes of Corazan [Private]

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Ares looked at Hlela “What do you mean?” He asked “There’s food, water and everything we need… even more than we asked for.” He tried to clean his wound with his paw but ended up with smearing blood all over his muzzle.

“And what are you doing now?” V’dan looked at him “Trying to make yourself look scary? Leave it before it will get infected.” He listened to old male and lowered his paw.

His muzzle now covered in blood, looked like after some bloody feast. He regarded everyone gathered. “So will those lions will get here on time?” He asked Xaxas.

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“I do not know…” Xaxas sighed “I can only hope that the prides will answer the call. As you can see, I don’t exactly have much of a sway in matters.” “They will answer.” V’dan stated sternly “They are my bloody prides to begin with. If those cowards won’t show up, I shall have their heads.” After all, he was the High Lord of Xaxios’h, whatever respect Xaxios’h prides held to Xaxas was not important. They all swore allegiance to V’dan and he’s at the side of his Warchief. “I suggest we sleep together, I’m not entirely trusting of our hosts.” Xaxas added after a moment of silence.

Dawns light, gentle but persistent found its way through the entrance of their dormitory. Used to waking at this hour, Xaxas blinked, smiled sleepily and stretched. He rose to his paws, shook his mane and approached the entrance. It was a gorgeous morning, rose and gold and lavender where the sun haven’t yet chased away the shades of night. A smell of fresh dew hanged in the air as melodic chirp of the birds announced the start of a new day.

[Leto]

Leto was already awake having spent the hours just before sunrise doing a bit perimeter scouting and was now returning to the den, having been up for a few hours already. Upon approach he noticed his mate having awakened, the soldier smiled as he came up to Xaxas offering his husband a tender nuzzle followed by a soft purr. The seeker wasn’t sure what Xaxas made about Leto having left his side during the night, despite the fact that they were vowed to stay together if one was supposed to be technical such a vow was borderline impossible to keep, and not only that but given all they’ve been through the vow itself must’ve been broken by circumstance along several hundred times over the past decade.

“I did some perimeter scouting.” The male stated almost as if he was ordered, he was delivering a situations report to his mate. “There’s barely any food in this region, much less drinkable water.” He subdued a frown, “I am surprised Caine and his troops even have the fortitude to fight.” The soldier murmured, the food available in these lands could barely support a pride, even of Caine’s people didn’t number many, most were soldiers and they always ate more food than civilians. There was something that didn’t add up for the soldier, but he couldn’t put his paw on what it was… whatever it was that sustained Caine’s pride it couldn’t be the game in this area, because that was borderline non-exsistent.

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Xaxas was used to his mate’s constant wandering off. It was in his blood, once a seeker, always a seeker. As the dark male approached him with affectionate greeting, Xaxas returned it with all the same enthusiasm. As he listened to his husbands report, he nodded, gazing back at the land before them. Although the land directly next to the dens was fertile and somewhat revived, it would scarcely support a herd… besides no herbivore would be suicidal enough to live next to a lion den. No. Cain was starving out… that much was obvious.

“Hunger hangs over all of Ti’wenkai” Xaxas reminded his husband “The war killed or chased off most of the pray.” He uttered concerned “We can’t afford another war… as we can’t afford Y’shenna’s presence hindering those lands further.” He left his husband’s side and entered the den again. Everyone was slowly rising from their rest, as the golden rays of the sun penetrated their retreat. “Good morning.” The boy nodded towards the three lions. V’dan, Ares and Hlela slept at his and Leto’s side, while their soldiers were quartered with Rezan troops.

V’dan regarded them with worry “We cannot tarry in this land for long, we have more pressing matters to settle with Julan.” “I know.” Xaxas nodded “That’s why I decided to take a small scouting party and check the area.” “You?” the old man scoffed “You cannot put yourself-“ “Neither can you.” Xaxas protested “I’m sorry, master… you you’re not getting younger. My title won’t hinder my skills out there, but your age will hinder yours.”

The elder lion lowered his head in defeat. It was hard to live to those old days. In fact, had it not been for his last students he would not be alive at all. “We need you here.” Xaxas approached V’dan, nuzzling gently into the male’s greying mane “To handle the politics.” He gazed at Leto “My husband will keep me safe, as he had for those past ten years.” The dark soldier smiled, nodding to his mate. “I will take Hlela and Ares with me. We’ll try to find what’s going on here.”

[Zorayda]

The lioness arched an eyebrow at Ares when he insisted things were fine. Obviously the lands showed evidence of the opposite--Rezan wouldn't sustain a gnat on this sort of fare. But Hlela shrugged it off and ignored him, falling out the guard and making her way to proper quarters to sleep. The guards slept alongside Rezan troops, something that made Hlela a bit uneasy, but she trusted Cain and the others to use common sense. They needed soldiers to drive Y'shenna out and protect the smoldering ruins of their land.

Night claimed the lioness's consciousness swiftly. Her dreams were troubled with memories past--she saw herself torturing castless once more, heard the roar of Roshan himself as he demanded blood. She watched her comrades die bloody, terrible deaths, throats torn out, flesh ripped, blank eyes staring without seeing anything. She woke no less than four times in the night, startling awake only to curse and fall back into an uneasy sleep. When morning came, Leto had already been out scouting like the Seeker he was, checking out the resources and protecting his mate even in the wee hours of the morning. Hlela actually woke later than several of them, having had a terrible night of sleep. Her blue eyes were shadowed and she felt a bit more irritable than usual. 

Xaxas woke a little later, and Hlela received orders along with Ares to check Rezan out. She wasn't sure what they would find, but she had a feeling they wouldn't be happy with any discoveries they made.

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Night came fast and everyone was trying to rest before next day. Ares was still sore from his little sparring with Cain, but he didn’t regret that. If he wouldn’t do anything, old general would keep mocking them and insulting further. At least this way, he could see that they are serious about their mission. At least that was what he was telling himself.

Trying to fall asleep, he kept thinking about his brother. Despite not being on best terms with him, he was worried if anything changed since he was sent away. Everyone in Corazan suffered greatly from this conflict and they deserved a rest from constant fighting.

When Ares woke up, everyone else was already on their paws discussing what to do next. He overheard the warchief’s plans. Of course he couldn’t prevent smiling when V’dan was ordered to stay behind because of his age. Seeing this as good omen, he stretched himself before journey. He wasn’t thinking that much will happen out there but he thought of it as a nice break from old and crazy lions that constantly surround them.

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They departed before breaking fast. Not that Xaxas expected there to be much food, but he wanted to be gone before most of Rezan would woke up and possibly interfere with their plans. Warchief’s first intention was to visit Rezan Hill, although he wasn’t sure in which direction they should’ve went, it couldn’t been far from the slave pits Cain made his new residence in. Going by the description it had to be quite a landmark, hard to miss.

He felt confident about this small escapade. Both him and Leto were a formidable duet, while Hlela, as a ranking soldier must have possessed quite a forte as well. Ares… well, he was a goof and maybe not trained in combat at all but he looked most intimidating of them all. And if it came to fighting he was a walking pile of muscles with claws and fangs attached to them, which must’ve count for something. Or so he thought. In any case, Ares’s was an asset as a guide, advisor and perhaps intermediary with the locals.

He led them with conviction, as if setting course for something, but in fact he had no idea where they were going. He wanted to reach the hill range that encompassed the plain on which slave pens were located. As they climbed the high grounds, they finally were able to see what they’re up against.

“F**k me…” the boy uttered in terrible realization. Cain took residence in a hidden retreat, nestled in the see of ashes. As far as the eye could see, what used to be savannah now was reduced to cracked earth peppered with char. The inferno that had took grip of this place must have been of unworldly proportions. It was one to see it from below, it was something completely different to see the extent of the destruction from above.

Northeast from here there was a black mound crowned with a rocky formation. At its base stretched and glimmered a waterhole, but even from this distance they could see that the waters had unhealthy, greenish, almost swampy-like looks to them. “That’s the Rezan Hill…” the boy deducted. It was grotesque and sinister looking cemetery, but even now it was possible to imagine how splendid the residence was in its glory days, surrounded by lush grassland and shimmering, pristine water.

[Leto]

The soldier stopped as they cleared the hill, standing next to his companion staring out across the wasteland of grey, black and brown that stretched for miles, broken by greenish pools of once pristine waterholes, now poisoned by disease and plague. Xaxas’ words echoed Leto’s own thoughts; whatever had ravaged these lands must’ve been a towering inferno. His eyes were drawn towards the mound their destination, which was crowned by a rock formation bearing the scars of the fire.

Leto wasn’t entirely sure what Xaxas hoped to prove by setting out on this venture, did he even have goal for why they were doing this? Checking the area wasn’t exactly conclusive and Leto had already done some scouting himself in the wee hours of the morning, “What do you think we’ll find?” he turned to his mate, drawing his gaze from the mound and to his husband who in contrast against all this brown, grey and black stood out like a beacon of sunlight.

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“Nothing but ash and bones…” he replied, trailing his group “…but I want to climb that hill. It’s the perfect spot for observation.” the boy regarded the plains stretching far and wide. Rezan Hill was higher than any other knoll in the area, its rocky pinnacle being a dream viewpoint.

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Stepping forward closer to warchief, Ares pointed his paw towards the hill “It shouldn’t take long to get there, but I think we should stay away from water. I wouldn’t want to risk you falling ill warchief.” he said with noticeable care in his voice.

He looked around. Despite few months that passed, nothing has changed. Even the yesterday’s rain haven’t left any mark on the ground. He could almost feel that even nature was denying Corazan a chance to recover. Scorched ground and poisoned water was everything that left.

He didn’t blamed Cain. Seeing all the destruction and with what the general have to deal with on daily basis he found some sort of respect and empathy towards him. Being the leader is one thing, but ruling the sea of desolation and starving subjects is completely another.

He looked at Xaxas. He never thought about it but he started feeling sorry for the boy. Younger and almost forced to take the mantle of warchief to hold this falling nation to pieces, he couldn’t even imagine himself in his stead

[Zorayda]

Hlela's head ducked solemnly at the sight of the lands as the group walked, scouting together. Everything was utterly destroyed here. This couldn't even be called a home anymore--and suddenly she knew Cain better, why he acted the way he did. Her ears flattened against her skull in shame and a rare wave of insecurity. Roshan may have ordered her and her troops to cause all this damage, but it was times like this when she thought it might have been better to allow herself and her entire squadron to be killed. It would have saved her the dishonor and shaken faith to her core, at least.

Ares made a comment about keeping away from the poisoned water, and Hlela silently nodded assent. A wise choice--for once.

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They approached the height after nearly an hour of walk through nothing but desert of dark dust. Skeletons of different animals were speckled across the area, breaking the monotony of charred stumps and bushes. It was a dead wasteland. Nothing lived here and it was unlikely anything would in the nearest years.

The mound rose before them, grim and ominous, like a tombstone on a grave. It was a sad memento of a once great pride. High above, on the top of the hill rose even higher the rocky apex. Three giant monoliths sore to the sky rested against each other. Smaller rocks provided support to the enormous structure, while a spacious stone ledge made for a promontory.

The approach to the top was made possible only through a stepped patch which brought them all the way to the ledge. Now they could finally see how magnificent of a lair this was. It was a highly defensive position, with just two means of approach, a small rocky trail leading downwards, or the stepped path they have taken. The den arched around the terrace, composed of a dozen of small caverns and alcoves, all reaching deep into the rocky crown. The promontory itself offered amazing view of entire prideland, although the view itself wasn’t exactly breath-taking.

Xaxas walked into the largest of caves assuming it would be the General’s household. The lair was charred, walls covered with black soot. He need not to walk far to notice a first skeleton… and then two more, all crawled into the corners of the chamber. They were curled up, frozen in the final pose they took in their agonizing last hours. The blonde did not spoke, there were no words needed, nor there existed any to described what he felt.

[Leto]

The soldier scanned the surroundings as much as this gave an awesome view point they themselves were also visible for miles, this alone worried the seeker. Anyone could them here friend as well as foe, brows narrowed as he turned from the scenery and stepped inside one of the large caves, the same one he had seen Xaxas enter, he came up next to his mate as he stood staring at the charred remains in silence.

The seeker offered the blond a comforting nuzzle, ten years ago such a sight might have unhinged Xaxas to some degree maybe even Leto himself, but what they had experienced during the war had hardened the males to sights like these, neither had gotten used to it but it had less and less of any obvious impact on the males, although the blond’s silence was telling that he did feel something, indeed strongly so. “This is why we do this, love.” He whispered through the tender affections, “To stop it from ever being repeated.” He murmured leaning back eyes falling on the corpses, he swore he could see some smaller skeletons hidden inbetween the bigger ones; cubs.

“They should’ve been buried.” The soldier muttered absently, it wasn’t proper to leave them in such a place, though such a task was the job of the remaining pride of Rezan; Leto was just making a point.

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“Buried?” Ares asked annoyed “How exactly do you want to bury them in solid rock?” With irritated tone he continued “If Cain, with what’s left of his pride haven’t done that it means neither should we. They had their reasons to leave them here so it would be wise to respect their choice.” He pointed at the savannah “Besides, where do you want to bury them? In ashes of their subjects? Or under rotten corpses of whatever Roshan dragged here?” His brow lowered and he let a slight growl to slip his muzzle.

Ares was angry. He grew tired of the seeker having an answer to every question, even those that weren’t asked. He didn’t knew Cain’s pride close enough to know why he would left his family remains here but he was convinced that general had his reasons. If they would start dragging around bones of his spouses and children, he felt it would be grave insult.

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As soon as the sun showed on the horizon, morning cold started to give way to the heat. Despite the recent rain, ground was still dried up and deprived of any vegetation. What once was a savannah, rich in various animals and shadowed water holes, now was a desolated desert of ash and bones. The dread silence of the place was broken only by the wind which periodically blew the ash and sand into the air in form of greyish clouds.

Ares stood at the entrance to the hollow. He wanted to quieten down after his recent outburst, but emotions were still boiling inside him. It was the first time since he begin his service to the warchief, that he openly criticised Leto. Inside, knowing that it was not only inappropriate but also it isn’t part of his duty to comment on others. But standing right here, in this graveyard that’s part of his home, awoken in him emotions that are getting stronger every day. Something starts pushing him beyond just words, to take action. Two days ago he would still try to turn everything into a joke, saying that things are going to be alright but closer he gets to the heart of Corazan, he grows more impatient and prone to act. That’s why he assaulted Cain. Risking incident between new warchief and collapsing kingdom, he knew that they couldn’t stay there and talk, they need to act.

What’s going on with me? The question sat in his head. He didn’t understood anything of why he became so focused on trying to solve problems that were troubling Corazan. “Maybe it’s because of all that time away from home?” he asked himself while gazing at the distance. Suddenly he noticed silhouette on the horizon. At first it, he couldn’t make what it is but after short time, the shadow took a form of a lioness. “Hey, everyone!” he shouted “Someone is coming!” He kept observing the trespasser getting closer, curious who could it be, since no one could know they will be here.