Book One: The Destitute

[Mercy]

       Alright everyone here we go! Book One: The Destitute. I'm going to take on an NPC for the very beginning just to add a touch of mystery and ahem...murder. 

Theme Song of Book One: The Destitute - Cry

        Nyx slowly patrolled around the Jocasta slave pride territory, heading west towards the towering black cliffs and the military outpost near them. Even now he could taste the salt on the air although he had only just crossed the Jocasta river. The river crossing had been easy today, the steep, crumbling banks were an easy climb and the waters had been slow and murky. Which was unusual. The waters were usually made up of clear rapids tumbling over each other as they made their way south. The Jocasta river was the main water source for the large Jocasta slave pride, and a new litter had just been born. If the river was slowing at the south end, that would mean trouble up north. 

         The centurion sighed as he continued his way west on his patrol. Perhaps he should have brought some guards with him. No matter, he would reach the outpost soon. The hot sun beat on his back and his dark fur soaked in it's warmth, making him feel rather uncomfortable. Suddenly his ears perked up. 

          "Do it again Niko! Can you make it bigger this time? Can you? I bet you can't make it as big as mine." a small voice cried out from a small cleft of rocks to his left. "Bah of course I can Rosco. Watch this! Get out of the way Aida." another voice said moodily. "You better watch out Niko! Mom is going to be back soon and if she sees what you're doing you're going to get in big trouble." a different voice squeaked nervously. Nyx narrowed his eyes, unsheathed his claws, and sank to the ground like a stone in a river. Cubs, he thought to himself, and silently padded towards the three voices. As he got closer to the cleft he could easily make out the three forms, and what he saw made his stomach churn in hatred and his eyes glow in anger.

           Inside the cleft, a dark furred, big eared, skinny, male lion cub was tossing a tiny fire ball into the air with his paws. The cub was clearly enjoying himself and suffered no harm from his toy. His brother, with his ribs poking through his skin was laughing excitedly as he mimicked his brother and created small dancing flames on the ground before him. Their sister, a small creature with haunted eyes lay on her side with her tail wrapped around herself. Furious, Nyx watched the slave cubs play together. Clearly slave cubs, their haunted eyes and thin ribs prove that fact, the mangy things. Their mother is gone... and the three are vulnerable. The law must be obeyed. Nyx thought to himself and reared his head giving a thunderous roar as he stormed the cleft. 

           The cub known as Niko peed himself as a monster emerged from the grass to his right. The monster had flaming red eyes, and tore at him across the grass. The fire ball the cub had been playing with extinguished itself with a puff, and as Nyx reached the cub he enlarged his claws and ripped out the male cub's throat with a simple lunge. Snarling in his bloodlust, Nyx leaped at the younger Rosco who had crawled into a corner and was baring his teeth in terror. His dancing flames heated the ground and soon a small fire was burning at the edge of the cleft. Nyx scooped up the cub and throttled it with a vigorous shake. The emaciated female trembled where she lay, exhausted, and cried as she watched the life blood drain from her brothers bodies. "Please..please..Rosco...Niko..no..." The pitiful female mewed. "Nooo! NOOO! MOTHER!!!!" Tears streamed down the creatures face and her chest heaved while her exhausted heart raced to feed her the oxygen she craved as she went into shock. A respiratory problem, Nyx realized. No superpowers in this one, but she could develop them, especially if her brothers had them. Besides, she was hardly likely to survive with this disability. He towered over the female and as his shadow covered her, she shut her eyes. He leaned down and crushed her windpipe, gently, with his strong jaws. The tiny chest shuddered once, twice, and went still. 

            Blood dripping from his jaws, the centurion stood and gazed at his handiwork. Three threats to the empire dead. He would ask for no reward, he was simply doing his job. Besides, now the growing pride would have less mouths to feed. He only needed to find their mother. Smoke began streaming out of the cave as the fire reach the bodies of the dead cubs and Nyx leapt away from the cleft. He changed his claws back to their regular size and then padded away from the fire. It would certainly die out on its own. But then a form emerged before him. "Where are my cubs!" a tall, gaunt, red lioness shrieked. She was covered in scars and her green eyes were glazed over in her misery as she stared at the blood covered male. Instead of answering her, Nyx re-enlarged his claws and leapt at the lioness. The lioness screamed and Nyx collapsed rolling to the ground. "My cubs!" she screamed again in agony. Nyx shuddered and his vision began to blur as the sound pierced his head. He sensed something warm running into his mane. Blood. This lioness had powers too. He struggled to stand but collapsed as the mother screamed again, the sound rising to a pitch that made his eyes roll back in his head. "Cub-killer! Their blood stains your jaws! My cubs! My cubs! MY CUBS!" Nyx spasmed as the freakish slave screamed her agony. "Die thief! You of the empire are beasts not kings! You steal the food from our mouths and decide who lives and dies! Die devil! You and your kind will regret the day you stole my cubs from me!" With those words the heart broken lioness dug her jaws into Nyx's neck and tore his soul from his body.

---

          Prince Roque flew lazily above the clouds. It was warm on the earth and cool in the clouds. There was hardly a breath of wind in the sky, and Roque savored the ease with which his mighty wings held him aloft. He circled Mount Rukor, his home, and then turned to look upon the horizon. His beloved homeland. A territory full of fertile grasslands, clear lakes, and lush jungle. He would be Emperor of this land some day. But unlike his father before him, he planned to be active in the affairs of his pride. He would celebrate the birth of cubs, lead his warriors into battle himself, and not go silent in his cave for months. He would be the glorious Emperor. The one to add the most territory to the empire, to lead conquests and wars, he would go down in history as the victorious leader. But there was Messala to consider. Messala was a stunning military leader, and one of his best friends, but he didn't have Roque's subtleness and consideration.

        Roque tilted his wings and turned to circle his home again. The setting sun changed the landscape into a mirage of color, tinting the grasslands with shades of gold and red. The sky itself seemed to be the color of blood. As night emerged Roque noticed a glowing form flying towards him. Eliora! His sister, the Commander of Flocks coming to see him, what a surprise! She hardly ever came to Mt. Rukor unless she was absolutely needed. It was a pleasure seeing her. He smiled happily and shifted his flight pattern to greet her affectionately.

---

           Eliora flapped her massive white-tipped wings and then began to circle her brother. If only her meeting with him was a pleasant one. "Eliora!" he cried. "Sister I have missed you. You hardly ever visit anymore, what brings you home?" She swallowed and acknowledged his greeting. "Roque I bring grave news. I wish we had time to talk but I cannot spare a minute. There has been a murder. A centurion in the Jocasta slave pride has been found dead." Roque's face displayed utter disbelief. He paused for several moments before snarling,"How can this have happened? That is the third murder in five months. The first was a Haides slave pride guard, the second a guard in the Jocasta slave pride, and now this. Where was he found?"  

        The siblings circled each other, high above their home as they considered the tragedy. A wind had stirred up and twisted Roque's dark curly mane and Eliora's long tangled fur.  She could see the news clearly upset Roque, his fur was beginning to tint red as he fumed. "He was found by some guards today patrolling near the Black Cliffs. He was a few yards away from a cleft in a rock pile. The area around the cleft was burnt and the charred bones of three cubs were found there. We believe he found the missing cubs and mother from the Jocasta slave pride. They all went missing the same day and it is believed the mother and cubs had powers and were trying to escape before being discovered. Nyx, the centurion probably happened upon the group and managed to kill the cubs before being killed by the mother, whose name was Lietai."

         "Where is the mother now?" Roque asked in a low voice. Eliora could sense his fury. "We do not know. I have sent some of my best spymasters and spies to search the area, and I am on my way there myself. I thought it would be best if I told you personally. Apparently Nyx had been missing for two days and the corpse is about two days old. He was just found this morning and I received the news just before sunset."

         "Do Anima and Messala know? Has news spread through the pride yet?" 

          "I was hoping you would tell Messala and Anima, brother. But, I have sent two of my lesser spymasters to tell them as well. I do not doubt that by the time the moon reaches it's peak tonight all the empire will know of the murder, except for those on the outskirts of the homeland."

           They continued circling each other, Eliora's night time transformation had taken place and now her wings were tipped with white and she glowed brightly with a green hue. Roque, on the hand was tinged with gold and she could feel the heat coming off of him.

            "The slave prides must be punished brother. These murders cannot continue. Soon we will have a full scale rebellion on our hands. Father has not spoken to any of us in two months and something must be done. An order must be executed. You must show your power. Messala cannot become Emperor, and he will use this murder as an opportunity to show his strength."

            Roque sighed and Eliora could feel his sadness. He hated dealing with the slaves, but he knew it was his duty.

            "I wil go and seek father's counsel. I will issue an order in the morning after meeting with Messala. Thank you for coming to me Eliora. I will visit you on Mt. Haides tomorrow."

            Roque finished speaking and then curled his wings into his body and fell to Mt. Rukor, spiraling as he fell. She watched as flames began to form around his head, then his chest, wings, and body, until he was nothing but a fiery falling star. Fire streamed out behind him as he fell and then as he neared the top of the mountain he stretched out his wings and slowed his fall. She watched in silence and then turned and set her sights to the west. The Jocasta slave pride. She focused on her body and made her wings glow a bright green and the rest of her body, black. She then took off across the grasslands, speeding towards her destination.

[Ruby_Fehu]

    Ruby watched with a fond smile as the cubs she had been training that day retired for the night, she was surprised by how full of energy they still were, if she had trained since dawn with only an hour to relax she would have just collapsed from exhaustion on the spot. Her gaze stuck on two cubs in particularly and it took her a moment before she came up with an idea, that could benefit her, the cubs and the cubs family. Ruby sent her amber gaze over the group before she spotted the lions she wanted and called out to them. Osanna and Lazarus, turned and approached Ruby with a questioning look on both their features and their trio of cubs jumping along behind them. “Ruby?” Osanna greeted in her gentle voice.

“Osana, Lazarus. I was wondering if I could make a suggestion, involving Pythes and Leukos.”

“We’re listening.” Lazarus said carefully, lowering his dark eyes to his three children.

“Well, as you know they are both starting to show hints of potential powers. I was wondering if I could have them both stay here for the night so I can monitor them. See if there is anything on a night that might give hints. Much like my glowing markings.” She explained, rolling her shoulders as if to emphasise some of her glowing spots. “I can control it, they may have something similar. It is, of course. Up to you.” She said politely.

“I wanna stay! I wanna stay!” Pythes chirped, jumping up and down on the spot. Ruby’s lips curled up into an amused smile as she saw Leukos nodding enthusiastically.

“I can assure you they’ll both be safe under my watch.” Ruby continued, looking up at the older felines.


    She watched as they exchanged a look, Lazarus shook his head frantically, worry evident on his features. Ruby had to fight back a smile when Osanna rolled her eyes theatrically. They continued their silent conversation, one that only couples like them could understand. After a while Lazarus’ shoulders slumped a little and he nodded in defeat. Osanna turned back to Ruby and the cheetah, lioness hybrid smiled politely, “Well?”

“They can stay for tonight, but don’t keep them up too late or else they’ll be too tired for training tomorrow.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t intend to train them, just… observe.” The young adult explained with a smile.

“Will Tiro be staying too or just us?” Leukos asked, looking up at Ruby with round green eyes.

“That is up to your mum, dad and Tiro.” Ruby replied gently.

“I want to go home.” Tiro piped up quietly, shrinking a bit when the adults turned to face him.

“Alright then.” Ruby said with a smile to the family. “I’ll update you tomorrow if I find out anything at all.”

“Okay, good night Ruby.” Osanna agreed with a warm smile before picking Tiro up by the scruff and walking off with her mate.



    The evening passed uneventfully, Ruby allowed the two brothers to feed before she decided it was late enough for them. There was no progress awake on an evening, maybe something would happen when they fell asleep. “Okay, come on you two. Bedtime.” Ruby said guiding the cubs to the back of the cave where she slept. She smirked as the two brothers moaned about not being tired whilst stifling yawns. With a huff they both dropped down side by side, curled up together. Ruby smiled sadly as the pair slowly drifted off. When their breathing became steady she turned and slunk to the front of her cave and settled in the mouth, looking up at the sky. She saw the glow of red and green in the sky and knew that it would be the Prince and Princess speaking. She was surprised that Princess Eliora had returned, it had been a while since she had last seen the familiar green glow in the night sky and admittedly, it was a slight comfort knowing that she was doing well. She continued staring up to the sky, curious as to what was so important that they were meeting up so late at night. After a few moments the green glow of Eliora retreated, the dark figure of Prince Roque remained still for a moment before he turned and soared off to Ruby’s left. The young adult watched with curiosity as the figure headed straight for Mt Rukor. Shrugging a little she focused on dimming the glow of her luminous spots so as not to disturb the sleeping cubs at all. She glanced over her shoulder and saw that the pair were still a dark mass at the back of her cave. “Obviously not a night time power.” She muttered to herself before looking back out over the dark area below her.
The proud feline made a disgruntled sound as she paced the outside of her cave and looked over the Vartan slave territory that was silent for the moment. She circled around and found herself back where she started, looking to the east where she knew the Jocasta slaves to live and made another sound of disgust. They were a waste of territory. They only thing that they would ever be good for is serving those of her fellow pride members.



    Ruby rolled her eyes a little before deciding that she wanted to try and get some rest for the night, at least having the cubs nearby would make her alert in her sleep and so for once her sleep wouldn’t be filled of nightmares of that night. It still hurt even though Ruby tried to hide it. With a low grumble she stretched and dropped to the floor, laying near to the mouth of the cave so that if anyone was to try and leave or enter she would be woken first. Opening her jaws in a yawn she rested her head on her paws and shifted herself into a more comfortable position, she lay silent for a few moments, her drooping eyes focused on the still sleeping cubs. With a small smile she allowed her eyes to shut. Unfortunately for her, her sleep was still filled with nightmares and haunting memories of Iris.

[Kirsui]

(OOC: I'm controlling a few freshly made NPCs here. I sent them to you via PM earlier, Eliora, so that you can add them to the NPC list. ^^)


Mwezi sat on the branch of a long dead tree, her long tail hanging below her with a slightly curled tip to keep her balanced. Her gaze flicked across the area below her, yet so far she had seen nothing out of ordinary. The Jocasta slave pride's territory was silent, almost as if nothing at all had happened. And yet, she was out there, this Lietai, the one who had murdered a centurion of the Jocasta slave pride.

She huffed silently, flicking her ears with annoyance as she continued to observe the lands below. This was unaceptable. Too many unsolved murders, too many disappearances. Even one of her own birds had gone missing, and though some considered this a minor thing, especially since Tymot was getting slightly too old for active duty, she had a hunch these events were connected. She didn't know how, but she just knew there was a connection.

The chion glanced briefly towards the central mountains of their Empire before returning to the task of observing the land below. Still no movement. It was frustrating, yet not unexpected considering the time of day and her choice location. Her chosen tree was close to where Nyx's body had been discovered, and she assumed the slaves especially would avoid the area until the investigation would draw to an end. Too bad for them that it might take some time, considering the lack of information she had been able to gather. The slaves had said nothing useful. The ones she had questioned knew not where Nyx's murderer had gone, or if they did know they shut their mouths despite any possible reward that they might receive if their information was valid and useful. Arrogant slaves... Something had to be done, but the dark feline didn't know what exactly could be done.

Her ear twitched as she heard the quiet scraping of talons against bark close to her. She glanced at the direction of the sound, and noticed that one of her birds had returned. N'oo was a good spy, one of the best she had ever had the pleasure of working with. Such a shame that he would have to retire from active duty soon.

"Any news?" Mwezi asked, turning to examine the area again.

"All is silent", the owl replied. "I ordered the others to circle around the area and report back if they see anything, as you commanded."

The chion nodded, and the two fell silent. If the rest of her birds found nothing, she might have to dig around herself. As much as she liked floating around as a cloud of mist, she would have rather done that anywhere but among the Jocasta slave pride. That is if one did not count the Vartan.

Shaking her head again, she pushed the thoughts of spies and murders away from her mind for a moment. "How is your mate?"

The owl beside her chuckled faintly, seemingly pleased by her question. "Annoyed to be forced out of active duty, yet excited. We expect our owlets to be strong."

Mwezi smiled faintly. "They had better be, I'm forced to let go of you when I most need your skills."

N'oo let out a quiet, hooting laugh. "It will be a few more days, master, before I too have to pull out of duty. In the meantime, I shall serve you as well as I can."

The chion nodded, and the two fell silent again. Mwezi knew Eliora would arrive any time now. She had come to the Jocasta slave pride's area as soon as the princess had sent her here. She only wished she had any viable news for her, but all she had heard so far was rumours.


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


"Come inside, child. There is nothing you can do."

Lumiar glanced over her shoulder at gave a half smile to Idela. The elder lioness slowly padded towards her, minding her every step in the dark of the night. The white lioness knew Idela was slowly losing her sight, and once again she was glad that the elder had taken time in her youth to learn of herbs and healing so that she was not required to participate on hunts. It was strange that Idela had not yet taken an apprentice, and Lumiar was certain that already there were those among the Haides slave pride that were competing over that position. Though the elder didn't show it openly, Lumiar knew that she despised most of the youngsters who had begun bickering amongst themselves over who Idela would pick.

With a small huff, the white lioness turned her gaze back towards the sky, her small smile draining from her face. She heard the elder lioness sigh, and soon Idela sat down beside her.

"Cannot sleep, young one?"

Lumiar shook her head at Idela's question. News of a murder among the Jocasta slave pride had reached the slaves of Haides a short time ago. A centurion had been murdered, and there were whispers among the Haides slaves that a slave was responsible, and that this would bring the wrath of the Pride Premier upon all of them. Five months ago someone had killed a guard of the Haides slave pride, and now it had come to this?

She shuddered at the very thought of what would happen now. She knew some of the more rebellious slaves might do something drastic now that they realized what a slave could do to a Pride Premier member. What if the spies on Mt. Haides would come down to the slave pride again to ask more questions of the death from five months ago? What if another centurion died? What if it was a centurion of Haides?

"You worry too much, young one", Idela said comfortingly after noticing the distressed expression that had crept on Lumiar's face. "These are no thoughts for tonight. Come inside. It would do you well to sleep before tomorrow's hunt."

Lumiar sighed, but heeded the elder lioness' words and followed Idela inside the slave pride den, where she settled down to rest. Idela was right. She needed sleep if she was to join the hunting party that would leave in the morrow.

[Leto]

OOC: I'll think of something for Na'hina eventually. So so far I'd be playing Leto.

-----------

IC: The only thing echoing in his ears were his frantic heart beats, his labored breath as he struggled to breath, every single muscle in his body ached yet, that did not and indeed had not stopped him before, in fact he would say he was almost used to the sensation; he had long since forgotten what it felt like not to be in agony. A sharp sudden pain in his chest followed out of nowhere, the strike send him flying, spinning around and crash landing with his back first into the mud with a muffled splash. “I said get up!” a snarling voice ripped through the cool evening air and squirting through the glare of the setting sun Leto could make out the silhouette of a feline, like an ominous shadow hovering over him.

He bit back the intense agony that surge through his system as he quickly crawled to his feet, hiding the discomfort and if not pain he felt; showing weakness here was a death sentence. A sickening blood taste was heavy in his mouth, the slave steadied himself outright braced himself for another attack, spitting out a black glob of blood onto the soil. His opponent was a soldier, a brute of skill and power that had made short work of the slave Leto had initially been thrown into the arena with; the golden fur of his deceased companion stained with dust, grime and blood as he was left to bleed out into the merciless sand, his throat torn up as he failed a haphazard charge. In truth the setup had hardly been fair, but Leto had quickly earned his opponents ire as he kept dodging every strike, and those that connected were left dealing only half the acquitted damage as Leto learned to roll with the movements.

The brute was taking his time, toying with his prey Leto knew this; but the seeker would not attack, he indeed Leto was dragging out the fight for a very good reason, reading his opponents moves. “Let’s finish this!” the brute snarled seeing himself done with this charade as he charged at Leto with a speed no mundane lion could possibly possess, the seeker was slammed into the far wall of the arena pit he could feel the bones of his ribs nearly shattering beneath the force of impact; it was like being hit by a rampaging elephant. The spectacle grew a collective gasp from the gathered crowds indeed as the soldier stepped off his opponent it looked like the game had been won; the seeker was motionless.

But it was all a ruse as the brute came in closer to check the state of his opponent, a cloud of sand and gravel was flung into his face causing him to reel back in pain and surprise, before he could gather his senses he could feel a pair of jaws lock around his throat. Leto with a fierce growl lined with pain and fatigue subsequently tore the brute to the ground and clamped his jaws shut drawing a sickening wet crack which echoed across the pit, causing a few of the on-lookers to flinch in disgust; the brute was twitching and gurgled as he bled out on the ground.

Leto eventually let go of the limp male, and with a shaky, exhausted breath he stepped back from his opponent, a cheer was building in the crowd but Leto paid the noise of praise no mind; he knew that this fight had been closest call he had ever had so far in the Arena, the centurions were upping the ante; if he wanted to survive, he too had to adapt and quickly. Upon being escorted out of the Arena by two recruits, each exchanging banter between themselves about today's fight as if ignoring that the center piece of their talk was walking between them.

"I knew he'd win. I mean did you see how the slave moved?! He's better than Vercha by a long shot!" The youngest of the two pale pelted recruits’ smirked voice carrying amazement it was evident he was new to his post and this had been his first visit to the Arena. Yet, apparently the stories of the terminal slaves and their achievements reached well beyond the Vartan desert, though Vercha was a name familiar to Leto. The seeker had met the Siberian tiger before but the two had never been made to fight; at least not yet, of the few of his fellow slaves Leto had ever had any dealings with Vercha was the most agreeable, certainly less violent and competitive. "I didn't know you were into filth, Cidius!" the older one mocked almost in disgust drawing a narrow eyed gaze from the younger male. "Pfft, right. Just because I acknowledge skill doesn't mean I-" he was about to continue but the older one cut him off. "Prove it!" the elder stopped forcing Leto to halt, "Hit him!" the older recruit dared the younger shoving Leto hard towards younger male, whose eyes widen in what could only be described as fear, "He'll rip my paw off!" the younger exclaimed not bothering to hide the fact that he was like a few of the younger recruits stationed in Vartan, actually afraid of Leto.

"Wretch!" the elder called forcing Leto to turn to regard him only to be met by the forceful hit of a backhand of a paw slamming into his muzzle causing the ice-eyed seeker to reel. "See? He's harmless, weak! The only reason he's alive is because he's a lying b*stard!" the older one sneered forcing Leto to continue with a hard shove. Like so many of the soldiers in Vartan they believed the ice-eyed male had powers, however nothing they did could actually prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had, his looks and inability to die was enough to arouse suspicion. The entourage eventually arrived at the holding caves and Leto was unceremoniously shoved into one of the smaller, isolated alcoves of the slave cave, they kept the seeker purposely seperated from the other slaves, fearing his willfull, rebellious streak, his combat capabilities and if not the fame and admiration he garnered from a few of his fellow slaves would incite ideas among the wretched ilk. His potential as an inspirational factor had be curbed at all cost.

“Cidius, I need you to watch him on your own for a couple of moments, I have to fix something.” The older lion excused himself, leaving Leto alone with essentially just one guard between him and a potential escape. Cidius was visibly nervous being left alone with a killer who had made mincemeat of some of the best, although in retrospect foolish soldiers in the garrison. “How do you do it?” Cidius asked lowly after a long while of silence having sat down outside the den, he knew talking to the slaves were forbidden but he couldn’t help himself, the youth shifted an ear in direction of alcove hearing the ice-eyed male in there. “Do what?” Leto replied his gravelled, still pain strained voice carrying a dull monotone, “You know survive!” Cidius shrugged a frown crossing his face, indeed it was odd… no matter how injured the male became he just didn’t seem like he could die, he was knocked out a few times but time and again he rose back up again after a few moments. “I dunno.” Leto replied curtly with a shrug, indeed he actually didn’t know aside from his own willpower and determination not to die. His best guess realistically was perhaps because, none of those he had fought up until now ever thought to, 'go for the jugular' as the term was.

[Lyonize]

Pain. As much as the thin lion had endured, one should expect to be used to it. You can build an immunity to snake venom, certain illnesses, and even some medicines. As it turns out, you can't build an immunity to pain itself. If the contrary were true, Maji ought to be numb to it all. Or so he wished as his tears stung the claw-marks running across his cheek. It was too dark to see anything in this cave. If he could approach the entrance, the sunlight would allow Maji to at least see how bad his wounds were. They felt severe. Instead, he lay flat against a wall at the back of the cave. If anyone entered, it was always marked by a shadow cast on the wall. Every so often, a silhouette would make and appearance against the wall towards the entrance, making Majis heart skip a beat. If it was her, he could expect more pain. More often, it was just a shadow cast by the guards at the mouth of the cave. Not that the shadows gave him comfort. One shadow scarred him just as much as she did. That shadow belonged to Herius. Most of Majis pain for the last twenty four or so hours had been inflicted by Herius, one of the greater spymasters of The Roost.

Majis ears flattened as his peripheral vision, blurred from the tears, picked up a black mass of a shadow against the wall. Another black form emerged, then another, and another. Maji blinked away the tears, trying to clear his sight. What small grain of hope he had dissolved as he saw her. The weak, tormented lion slunk away to a corner in a feeble attempt to avoid the white tigress. His breath quickened and became more shallow, each pant audible as a faint whimper. The two silhouettes on either side of the tigress grabbed Maji, yanking him across the ground before finally pinning him on his back.

"Hmm. Looks like Herius had some fun last night." Icillia said as she eyed Majis lacerations. "It's a good thing Ebon and Ashirah don't know about you. Otherwise, we might never get anything out of you." Positioned inverted above Majis head, the winged tigress held his face and turned it back and forth, perusing the distressed look on his face.

Maji squealed and squirmed but the figures pinning him down didn't budge. "I-I-I wasn't trying to escape! I-" he sobbed. "-I wasn't going-"

"Then what were you doing in the North Savannah!" She shouted, emphasizing each word.

Maji gasped. "Th-they chased me away! I-in-into the savannah!"

Icillia grabbed Majis face once more between her paws, pressing the back of his head into the ground. She placed one extended claw over his eye, dragging it gently across his brow. "You keep telling me the same lie and still, I fail to see any reason for the Haides slaves to do such a thing. Herius and I are tired of the lies. A murder has taken place and hours later, you are caught running across the borders of our territory. Hardly a coincidence, I think." The tigress hissed. "Now tell me..." she continued as Maji cried. "Where is Lietai? Are there any others? Who was the father of those cubs?" As she spoke, she dragged her claw closer and closer to the convulsing lions eyes.

"I don't know!" he wept through his spastic breathing.

In that moment, Maji hoped, begged, and pleaded with fate, or whatever deity there might be, for something to save his pitiful existence.

(OOC: It's been a long time since I last roleplayed. In fact, the last RP I was in is now in the RP graveyard if that gives you any idea. haha. So let me know if there's anything I can improve or if you're confused by anything.)

[Deleted]

“Do you even know where you're going?”
“Of course I do! I always know where I'm going.”
Kulaani groaned at his companions reply. “You're lost aren't you?”
“No! I know exactly where we are! We're in some grasslands!”
Kulaani gave a frustrated huff as he continued to follow his hyena friend. They had been traveling for several days now, looking for some dry, barren lands where the quarry they were hunting might have taken refuge at. Instead, they ended up here, the complete opposite of what they were looking for. Kulaani was certain they had taken a wrong turn somewhere, but his friend, Kaimu, would never admit to that. The skull wearing, brown spotted hyena was as good of a tracker as a newborn cub that had yet to open it's eyes. Kulaani looked around at his surroundings and saw nothing but grasslands with a few hills and some mountains in the distance.
“We should find some locals and ask directions.”
Kaimu sighed. “Alright, but I don't know who you're going to ask, I haven't seen anyone around for a while.”
“I know. I haven't seen anything to hunt in a while.”
Kaimu gave him a look. “So you're planning on asking the first animal we find for directions, then eating it?”
Kulaani shrugged. “I didn't say that... but the thought had occurred to me.”
Kaimu shook his head. “Don't you think that's rude? You ask for help, then kill the one giving it to you.”
“It's not rude, it's survival.” Kulaani replied.
“So what if someone asked you for help?” Kaimu asked. “Would you kill him too?”
“Yes.” Kulaani answered. “Look at it like this, I help him with his problem, he helps me to survive. I'd say that's a fair trade.”
“You're messed up. You have absolutely no social skills at all.”
Kulaani sneered at the hyena. “Why should I care? I have no intentions on making friends with everyone I meet. You're only here because you pestered me enough to the point that I'm used to having you around.”
“You should care because if you ever want to find your parents killer, you're going to need others on your side. “Kaimu argued. “I know you like this tough guy rogue reputation you've built for yourself, but you can't do everything on your own. Besides, someday you might have...”
“Quiet.”
“No Kulaani, you need to listen to me on this.” Kaimu persisted.
“No seriously, shut up.” Kulaani ordered in a whisper. “I heard something over there.” His ears pointed forward towards some tall grass. Kaimu followed his gaze and lifted his nose to the sky, sniffing for a scent but unable to find any due to the breeze blowing away from him.
“Are you sure there's something there?” Kaimu asked.
“I'm telling you, I heard som....” A loud roar interrupted him as a lion leaped out of the grass, with more appearing all around them. Kulaani and Kaimu moved so they were positioned tail to tail, facing the opposite direction from each other. Kulaani growled at the attackers while Kaimu watched tactically. During the day, his ability can weaken his enemy, but it is only good against one foe. It is practically useless against the amount they are facing now. Kulaani knew that he could take on most of the lions here, but that wouldn't be possible when he had to watch over Kaimu as well. As they contemplated on their situation, the lion that had roared approached them and stopped within two tail lengths. He had several scars running across his face and even more all over his body. While he might have been able to take on several lions at once, Kulaani knew that this one would cause trouble.
“You two are pretty far away from your pride. You slaves will never learn will you? Did you really think you could escape your fates? Or perhaps you were running for a different reason. Are you from the Jocasta slave pride or Rukor?
Kaimu was completely baffled by what the lion was saying. These lions keep slaves? I had never imagined that people would even do that.
“We're not slaves!” Kulaani growled. “We're not even from here! We just took a wrong turn and were hoping someone could give us directions!”
“Wanderers huh?” The lion mused, taking a moment to look them over carefully. “Do you two have any unique abilities or powers?”
Kulaani was about to answer when Kaimu beat him to it. “Powers? That's ridiculous, only pups believe in stuff like that.”
Kulaani quickly glanced at Kaimu, which the scarred lion caught. He signaled the other lions with his tail and they all closed the gap.
“We're going to need to ask the two of you some questions. You will come with us to the nearest outpost.”
“Are you serious?!” Kulaani asked furiously. “We get lost and you're going to interrogate us?!”
“One of our centurions was murdered. Reports say that it was a slave, but I won't rule out the possibility that it was a wanderer.”
Without giving a chance for a response, the lions herded Kulaani and Kaimu towards the military outpost and while Kulaani was fuming the entire way, Kaimu had a feeling that their lives were about to change.

[Zorayda]

[OOC: I'll post as Haraka next time.]

"No, no, stop, do you know who I am?!"

The lion chuckled darkly, gold eyes glinting in the dimly lit den. The mouth of the den revealed slivers of moonlight to the outside, where a sheer drop stopped the lioness from running away. That, and she had no means of flight... and her powers were nothing but pretty little lights, at best. He advanced upon her, muscles rippling beneath sleek fur.

"Now, now, darling. Of course I know who you are." His fangs gleamed in a smile that looked more like a leer. "But it matters not what your rank is, you see. You surely understand that your place is beneath me?" The tawny lioness's mouth gaped in fear and surprise that this male had no intention of stopping his advance. She mustered up courage and tried to leap away, but the lion suddenly was surrounded by shadow, and he was impossibly strong.

"No!" she cried out, using her light to try and blind him. He growled in irritation, but laughed when the light lingered on.

"Don't you know that shadows grow darker in the presence of light?" And with a quick pounce, she was gasping and squirming beneath powerful paws. "You will learn what it means to be a lioness. You will never be equal to any males of the Pride Premier..." he snarled. "Maybe I could toss you in with some of the slave males for a little fun. I'm certain they would treat you well, darling." The dark lion had a maniacal gleam in his eye as he stuffed most of the cloth scarf she was wearing between her jaws, so the only sound that was heard were muffled sobs as he maimed and violated the poor lioness.

Naught but twenty minutes later, a sound made the lion whip around, snarling. He had been interrupted while playing with his new toy. And it was none other than...

"Na'hina, dearest?"

The male's smooth baritone purred through the airy, well-lit den. Hangings of exotic animal skins marked exits and entrances for privacy, and rare gems and stones littered the corners and edges of the walls as decoration. The pelts of past slaves and servants to the family hung on one particularly long wall, the eyeholes empty and unseeing, staring up into the smooth cave ceiling. A small pool of cool water served as a personal bathing area or watering hole--a natural spring that had led into the den as cold cave water.

The dark lion padded on naturally quiet paws to a cozy corner of the den, where soft pelts of thick-furred goats or snow leopards made up a luxurious bed. He smirked to himself as she came to his call, the pale, beautiful lioness walking towards the sound of his voice. She had no way to actually seek him out otherwise, thanks to her disability... not too long ago, she'd lost her vision. A soft scarf was tied to her, covering her now hideously disfigured visage. The lion's muzzle lifted a bit in remembrance of causing the young lioness this pain...

"Slave! What are you doing here?!" Nafsi roared. But the pale lioness stood in shock under the ravaged lioness's lingering light, staring. Her face was slack, eyes glassy.

Curse the stupid whelp! Why had she come here?! She should be at home... Stupid slave!

"B****! You will answer when I ask you a question! Get out of here!" But Na'hina only stared, her eyes wide and horrified at the sight of the bleeding, moaning lioness laid out on the ground. That was it. With a ferocious roar, Nafsi attacked the small lioness slave, claws extended. She screamed in agony as he laid waste to those staring, wide eyes he so hated with a burning passion in that moment. He had to make sure she couldn't see... she could be used against him if he were found out. His needle-like claws sank deep into her eye sockets, popping them so that their fluids and blood leaked all over the den floor. He backed off suddenly--he needed to keep her alive. She was a valuable slave, skilled and had possible access to magic... Na'hina would prove a loyal mage for him, but only if she lived. He backed off, chest heaving with his breaths, as he calmed himself. His lip curled as he looked at her, crying, snotting, vomiting and bleeding all over the floor. Disgusting.

He padded over and ripped a shred of the ravaged lioness's scarf, coming back to place it over Na'hina's ruined eyes.

"You will forget everything you heard and saw here, or I will kill you, slave." The sound of a body could be heard being dragged across the stony ground before there was a short silence, and then a distant crack far below them...

"Come here, sweetheart. I'm right here," Nafsi purred so she would move closer. He licked his muzzle as she obeyed his orders and began speaking. "There have been some rumors going around. The slaves have been... rebellious of late. I'm sure you've heard rumors, no? Well, no matter." He got to his paws and stared her down from his impressive height. Though she could not see him, she could probably sense his looming presence. "I don't need to worry about you, though, do I, pet?" he murmured, running a paw from her jaw to her chin, lifting her face up to 'look' at him. "You owe me your life, after all. I'm sure you haven't forgotten?"

He dropped her face and made a sharp turn away. "I expect dinner is to be ready soon from the hunting slaves. Be ready to serve me quickly and perhaps I'll treat you to a little bit of a larger meal tonight."

[Mercy]

                        Roque fell fast and hard as he tightened his burning wings into his body, spinning as he dropped. The fire consumed him. Great tongues of golden flame streaked out behind his body as he fell. He burned with hatred for the slaves. How DARE they murder one of his own?! This, Lietai, must be found and destroyed. She would be given a public execution. He might even allow Anima to whip her. The other slaves would be rationed, they would be beaten, they would crawl and mewl in the dirt for his mercy. The hatred within him burned his spirit and he narrowed his flaming eyes. The wind roared in his ears as he pierced through a small layer of cloud, hurtling even closer to the great mountain.
                        He was nearing Elmas now, and which a great WHOOSH he forced his wings out and away from his body as he arched his back. The sudden shift caused him to jerk back slightly and he gradually slowed his descent as he circled the peak of his home. He closed his eyes, and tried to quiet his mind. It would be of no use for the Pride Premier to see him upset, he had to calm himself. He inhaled deeply, sucking in the hot air around him, and attempted to still the fury gnawing at his heart. He slowly flapped his flaming wings and gently alighted on the moonlit ledge leading to Elmas. He bowed his head, and with his eyes still closed, thought of the cubs he had been with earlier that day. They were rambunctious, happy, and strong. He began to relax as he recalled the smiling face of Felicia, and Tiro's adoring eyes. The fire around him flickered and cooled as the tension drained from his body. He sighed deeply and tried to prepare himself to enter Elmas, as his fire extinguished.

"Feeling ill?"

Roque felt his back stiffen at the velvet voice and irreverent tone. He opened his eyes and glared into the shadows of Elmas.
"Anima."

The shadows began to disappear as a thin red trail of flame climbed into the darkness, climbed up the spine of it's mistress. Tail fully alight, Roque could now make out Anima's form. She sat, primly at the entrance to Elmas and regarded him with a cold indifference.

"It is good to see you too, Roque. Have you also come to seek Father's counsel?" Anima sneered. "Messala just left. Silent as always." She said with a tilt of her head to the back of the cave. "It was kind of you to discuss today's events with us. Of course, we all know the prince ascendant has very important matters to deal with. Cubs, for instance. Tell me, have you discovered Pythes and Leukos' powers yet?" Anima purred, malice and sarcasm dripping off of every word.

Roque eyed her cautiously. He and Anima had fought constantly as cubs, but as they grew their mutual distaste for each other evolved into something more formidable. A severance of kinship. They were usually courteous with each other, but he suspected that the news of the murder had made Anima particularly angry.

"I wanted father's counsel before I sought you and Messala out, Anima. I didn't know Eliora's messenger would reach you first." He said slowly.

"Don't bother trying to redeem yourself. We already know everything. And Messala and I know our place, good prince. We know the favored one. We will forever be your loyal servant, Emperor. We too, will worship you as the weakling cubs do." Anima stood up, her fiery spine still burning.

That did it. Roque flung himself at her with a ferocious roar. Anima leapt to the side, and then launched herself into the air.

"Those are my students you mock!"

                She circled above him and called out laughingly, "Have I upset you? I didn't mean to brother dearest! I was only joking. Surely, you did not actually think Messala submitted to you?" She gently landed in front of him and looked at him directly. "Roque, I was being serious.. I will submit to you. Messala will not. You must speak with him tomorrow when you can. He is upset that you have not yet spoken with him about the murder, and we all know the slaves must be punished." She said seriously, and Roque saw fear in her eyes. So she was afraid of rebellion. "Messala is good and strong. I will not deny that he has been closer to me than you. But, we need an intelligent and manipulative leader, not a warmonger. We have too little resources for war. Our resources are failing. I submit to you now. Keep us away from war and I will be yours forever."

                Roque stared at her stunned. She was submitting to him? Now? At a time like this? He watched stunned as Anima bowed her head and stretched out her right paw before him, a gesture of true deference. Perhaps their kinship was recoverable. He watch for a few seconds, allowing the gravity of the moment to hold, and then he licked the top of her head. Anima rose and smiled at him."My brother and my Emperor. Prince of the Flaming Night let your wishes be my will." She said gravely, and Roque smiled at his sister.

                "Anima I have missed you." Roque murmured as he leaned close and butted heads with his sister. "And I you. Now, I must go. Don't expect me to be this affectionate with you though next time we meet. I could always tear you apart." she snickered menacingly. Roque swallowed and backed away. "Only kidding. Goodbye Roque!"Anima called and leapt off into the night.

                Roque turned and padded into the darkness of Elmas. His father had to have seen that exchange. Now he would know that Roque had Eliora and Anima on his side. He was going to ascend, whether his father wanted it or not.

"Father." He murmured softly.

"Father. Speak with me. Please. I need your guidance. The slaves have killed one of your cubs. A lioness with powers killed him. It is the third murder in five months, Father!" He felt his desperation rising to the surface.

"Speak with me..." he pleaded. Silence. He felt broken.



     "Roque."

                What was that? His ears perked up ad he searched the darkness wide eyed.


        "Roque."


                He was sure he had heard something this time. Was that...light?
        
        "Roque."
    

  "Father!"


            "My son." Roque gasped as a huge, ghostly, figure emerged from the darkness, wreathed in red light. "My son, your concerns have been heard. I saw the submission. I am here for you. You must kill their cubs."


                Roque flattened his ears in shock and dismay. The cubs, they were resources, they were...Tiro...Felicia......

            "They are not our cubs. They are slaves. This began with the death of cubs and will end with the death of cubs. They will see your power and they will submit just as your sister has. You will do as I command. When you have, and Messala is yours, I will step down, and you.... will become Emperor." The powerful voice seemed to be fading and the figure made of light began to dim.

           

             Roque felt as though he were in a trance. His father, whom he has only seen when he was a cub, was speaking to him. Tears, he hadn't known he had, stained his cheeks. The light faded completely to darkness and Roque wept openly. Had it been a dream? No. He had felt his father's breath. It was him.
He turned and quietly left Elmas. He padded out into the sunrise, to greet his pride. He would not ascend until he had spoken with Messala. Until then.... he had an order to execute.

---

---

---

            "Rage, rage, fire and flames.." Eliora sang the song softly as she flew over the grasslands. "Set it alight and burn away the fright.." She let the song fade as she reached her destination.

            Her glowing green wings seared the night sky as she began to swoop a bit lower to look for one of her spymasters. Sophio, Asher, and Paragon would be circling the perimeter of the area, and the rest of her scouts would be on the lookout for any suspicious activity. She scanned the ground beneath her and spotted a familiar form. Mwezi, one of the lesser spymasters sat perched upon the branch of an old, dead, tree. Eliora made her body glow green, and changed her wings to their natural gold. She circled to the front of Mwezi and then slowly descended, circling the area as she did. She frowned a bit as she saw that Mwezi was chatting with her slave owl, N'oo. Mwezi seemed attached to the slave sometimes; a displeasing trait. She would have to discuss her attachment with him sometime after this murder was quieted.

            Eliora landed on a large smooth stone in front of Mwezi and looked up at the spymaster. "Greetings, Mwezi." She said solemnly. "Where are the others? Do you have anything to report?

[Kirsui]

It was nearing dawn when Mwezi spotted movement in the distance. At first it was but a tiny, glowing spot on the dark night sky, but as it came closer and began to grow in size, she became certain that it was Eliora. She took a deep breath, preparing to report to her how little anyone seemed to know of what had happened.

She heard N'oo ruffle his feathers lightly when he spotted the Commander of Flocks approaching. She glanced at the owl and noticed he had straightened himself, clearly wanting to give the Commander a good impression while at the same time making sure he regarded Eliora with utmost respect.

She turned her attention away from the owl when Eliora landed, and realized it would be better if she got down from the tree.

"Greetings, Mwezi. Where are the others? Do you have anything to report?"

"Commander", Mwezi greeted back, nodding her head with respect. She and Eliora may be friends, but they were both on duty and the chion knew her place. With a small pounce she hopped down from the tree, using only a small amount of her powers to slow her descent so that she landed smoothly on the ground.

"I haven't seen the others since our arrival", she replied, keeping her voice hushed just in case there were any prying ears around. Not that she had seen anyone, but one could never be too careful at times like these. "The slaves know nothing, or at least they appear to know nothing. I suspect they either fear us, or they fear this Lietai."

She shook her head, huffing in frustration. "I tried to track her down, but the trail has gone cold. I've had my flock patrolling the area, but I doubt they've found anything. It has been two days since Nyx's murder. Lietai has had plenty of time to get away from here."

She sighed, glancing towards the horizon and the coming dawn. "The mists will rise soon. I was hoping to blend in and move around the slave dens unnoticed and to see if I can hear something they would not say in the presence of the Pride Premier. My flock cannot fly without arousing suspicion much longer. With your leave, I would like to send them back to the Roost as soon as it gets too light for them to fly. They can can report their findings there, what little there might be."


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


Dawn had arrived, and the Haides slave pride was awakening as they all prepared for their duties for the day. The first slaves to leave the relative comfort of their den were those that had been assigned to hunting duties, and among them was Lumiar. She was still feeling somewhat restless, having not slept well during the night due to the news of a Jocasta centurion's murder. Even as she exited the den, she could feel the gaze of the Pride Premier members as they tried to pinpoint anyone that did anything to cause suspicion.

She huffed humourlessly at the thought of Pride Premier trying to question her on the matters. She would not be able to tell them even if she knew something. Which she didn't, but still she worried.

"Hunters! Follow me!"

Lumiar was startled out of her thoughts by the commanding voice of Tiarak. The pale lioness wasn't sure how she felt about their slave driver. He seemed ambitious and eager to rise higher in ranks, and as such it was not uncommon to see him deliver reports of any suspicious activity by his fellow slaves to the Pride Premier.

Shaking her head she followed Tiarak as he led his hunting party away from the den, and found herself walk side by side with Laneri. The light golden lioness was someone she had known before their pride had been conquered and forced into slavery. Though neither of them said anything, Lumiar was glad to be in the company of someone she had known for a longer time. Shame she couldn't exactly express that in any way.

[Zorayda]

"Dinnertime! You all know what to do. Move it, meat bags!"

A slave driver's voice cracked through the air as the slave felines dragged heavy burdens of prey along on elephant-leather slings, so as not to dirty them with their own paws, fangs, or the ground they walked on. There was only the sound of dragged carcasses and the female driver's harsh, grating yells, as well as her snarls and the occasional whimper when she slashed at the hindquarters of the slowest domestic slaves to move faster.

Haraka was near the front of the pack of them, hefting his own whole, fresh zebra. Many of the Pride Premier enjoyed their meals to be intact, so slave hunters had found ways to take prey down without tearing it apart. The only evidence Haraka saw of the hunt were fang-sized puncture wounds in this zebra's throat, where it had been throttled slowly.

The ex-prince stumbled, his paws numb from being on his feet all day, and he felt the sting of the female leopard's claws on his rear. She didn't use her magic if she could help it; it seemed she wanted to save it in case she truly needed to use it on an insubordinate domestic. He still had a mouthful of the elephant leather in his mouth, but an instinctive growl of pain still rumbled through his teeth. The leopardess's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Are you snarling at me, slave?" she asked incredulously. Haraka stopped immediately, but perhaps took a moment too long to drop his gaze from hers. He felt searing pain along his right cheekbone, realizing a moment later that she'd slapped him with her claws unsheathed. "You'd better know your place, scum! If you weren't one of the fastest carriers today, I probably would have killed you."

Haraka kept his gaze lowered, walking backwards with his burden at a steady pace towards the premier dens. It was commonplace to earn new scars for him--having once been a prince of another captured pride, and having had a proud royal family, it was difficult for Haraka to keep his head down in the presence of those who treated him like dirt. The leopardess, satisfied, smirked and began to step away, when a jagged stone tripped her. She fell on her muzzle, standing and sputtering with rage and humiliation in front of hundreds of domestic slaves.

The lion did his best not to snort with laughter, but he couldn't help the small smile around the mouthful of leather he carried. The leopardess smacked him across the face one more time, harder, and screeched incoherent words of anger before stalking off.

Haraka laughed inwardly as she left, but did wonder--where had that rock come from? He was certain it hadn't been there before their slave driver had come over to scold him...

[Lyonize]

"You keep saying that and every time, it becomes less believable!" Icillia snarled. Her claws were all now extended, gripping Majis face as she pressed harder and harder. A couple claws had broken skin, letting flow a few beads of red blood. Maji felt as if his skull could cave in any moment as the brutish tigress pressed his head into the stone cave floor. "I'll find out what you know one way or another. Even if I have to-"

"Mrs. Icillia." Came a voice from the cave entrance.

"What?!" The tigress beamed at the guard who had interrupted the ongoing torture. He cleared his throat before he spoke, this time, his voice a touch shaky.

"Th-the scouts are back."

Icillia looked back down into Majis eyes. They held a glimmer, a single grain of hope that his suffering would cease at least for the time being. Her eyes burned a doubly more intense shade of cruelty that instantly snuffed out the speck of hope the frail lion had. She was furious now. Finally, she broke her gaze from Maji and walked so elegantly away that it betrayed her rage. She paused and turned her head to speak to the two guards who accompanied her. The white tigress' voice was smooth as silk, wholly contrasting her intentions.

"The truth is in him somewhere. Beat it out of him... No claws. I don't want him to bleed out."

"No..." Maji half mewled. A powerful set of jaws dragged him to his feet. Before he could back away or shrink in anticipation, the other guards paw collided with Majis face. Coming from the opposite direction, guard number one struck a blow to his stomach. He couldn't even yell. His breath had been knocked out of his lungs by that last blow. Time and time again, Maji was dragged by his mane and thrown into the cave walls. An hour of being beaten, thrown, and strangled passed. They put sand in his eyes and pulled his joints in directions they weren't meant to go. Every single muscle in his body ached excruciatingly.

When the two guards had had their fun, they spat on him, adding to the blood and dirt that already stained his once light tan fur. They left him, lying broken in the far corner. Tears flowed freely from his burning eyes as he cried but he could not make a sound. His throat was so badly bruised that any attempt at speaking was agonizing. If he could have drowned himself in his tears, he would have.

[Leto]

White ears swirled gently forward hearing her name called, “Yes, Master?” she muttered humbly and with grace she rose from her position near the entrance and diligently approached the smooth baritone which beckoned her. Na’hina made sure to move with quiet steps, there was a certain dignity in her poise and stature; the blind girl did everything in her power to try and elevate herself above the beaten and ravaged stature and demeanor borne by most of her fellow slaves, despite the fact that she was far from flawless… this she knew she felt it; the cloth around her face. It was a constant reminder to her of her failure as a good servant, especially her failure towards Nafsi, her actions had brought her Master ire and she had paid accordingly, and duly.

Despite this flaw, she presented herself as perfect in every other way; flawlessly groomed and clean fur kept as white as the new fallen snow, impeccable in her conduct and obedience. Her master deserved the best of the best after all; she stopped at the respectable distance from the male lowered her muzzle in deference even if she no longer had any gaze in which to meet his. “This one has heard the rumors, Master. She wishes they weren’t true.” She answered his question, her voice though frail of nature was determined and sure in its articulation. Na’hina did not waver the moment she could feel the presence shifting in front of her, her master was looming over her his impressive height and stature she had committed to memory. “This one would never even dream of such things!” She exhaled voice distraught at the mere thought of betraying of this male, however she almost froze the moment she could feel his massive paw surprisingly gentle in its touch stroking the side of her face; the girl couldn’t help it but her breath was subtly shaking.

It was a natural reaction; the white girl knew that Nafsi preferred she’d not hide her emotions. Some Master’s went to great lengths having their slaves devoid of emotion; not so Na’hina, she was allowed emotional freedom, within Nafsi’ whim of course; if he’d decreed her to hide her emotions she would obey. “This one will never forget your kindness.” She whispered in response to the words. The moment of intimacy soon ended as she could sense the gust of wind as her master quickly turned from her, “My liege is too kind.” The girl bowed humbly as her master offered a reward if she served him diligently.

Na’hina didn’t remain idle for long as she padded towards the bed made of thick soft furs with her paws she carefully arranged it puffing it up and smoothing it out in preparation for her master’s feast as soon as the hunting slaves arrived. Though a sudden racket out in the hallway caused the girl’s ears to flatten back against her skull, voices shouting judging by its tone it was coming from military officials, she couldn’t tell what they were yelling about from her position unfortunately but she knew they coming towards the den. Carefully, almost pleadingly she angled her muzzle in her master’s direction seeking any reaction of comfort from him; she knew what would happen if they came in here, she knew what she had to do; what she always had to do in the presence of officers, extinguish her tail flame, something she could do but it was a rather painful process she couldn’t maintain for long; just like holding ones breath, her body would not allow it for long.

[Deleted]

The sun was almost at its highest and lightened the dark room slightly through the narrow hole in the roof. Kaimu sat quietly next to Kulaani who was muttering curses at their captors. Two guards kept watch near the entrance to the den and they would occasionally throw looks of scorn at the skull wearing hyena. He was used to this considering the relation between the two species, but he would still feel relieved to get away from here. After being ambushed by the group of lions, they were led to this outpost and were left under guard in this den until someone would come and talk to them. All Kaimu knew at the moment was that a lion was murdered and there are slave prides in the area. He could also guess that these lions have powers, or at least know about them since they ask the two if they had any. The hyena was reluctant to answer yes to that and he urged Kulaani to do the same.

“…bunch of half-brained warthogs, I should have had a go at them from the start, could have taken them on and been far away fro….” Kulaani muttered slightly louder.

“Calm down.” Kaimu whispered. “Getting angry now won’t make our situation any better.”

“Don’t tell me what to do Kaimu.” Kulaani snarled in response, scratching his claws against the rocky ground. Kaimu could see that the lion was barely staying in control and it wouldn’t take much to set him off. The guards clearly saw it too and they tensed up in preparation to fight. Kaimu gave Kulaani a concerned look and leaned closer to avoid the guards hearing.

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t be angry, but you need to tone it down. You’re barely holding it together and we don’t need a fight right now.”

Kulaani growled. “I can take on these cubs, they’re no better than….”

“No you can’t take them on.” Kaimu whispered sternly. “Not against the numbers they have here. You wouldn’t make it out of this outpost and I can’t do much to help. My abilities during the day only work against single enemies.”

Kulaani glanced at the guards who growled at him in response and he looked away. “This is your fault.”

Kaimu rolled his eyes. “Should have seen that coming.”

“Had you asked for directions earlier, we wouldn’t have come here.”

“Why would I have done that when you asked me to track the killers?”

“Because you knew that your tracking skills are awful. Honestly, how are you that bad, you’re a canine aren’t you?”

Kaimu shrugged. “Yes… somewhat, and I didn’t think that we would end up in a situation like this.”

“Obviously not.” Kulaani growled and flicked his tail impatiently for several moments, then his right ear twitched when he caught on to the first part of the hyena’s sentence. “What did you mean by ‘somewhat’?”

Kaimu looked at the lion. “Well, hyenas do resemble canines in how we act, but we actually lean more towards the feline family.”

Kulaani looked at Kaimu with narrowed eyes. “You’re pulling my tail.”

“No I’m being serious. It’s why I think it’s ironic that our two species hate each other so much when we actually have something in common.”

Kulaani finally appeared to have calmed down a bit and looked interested, as well as concerned. “So you mean that a long time ago, a feline and canine actually mated together?”

“I don’t know, most likely. The point is that our species are could actually get along if we stopped focusing on the differences and instead….”

“Oh ancestors, the image is stuck in my head now!” Kulaani rubbed his head roughly as if the act would erase the picture. The two guards watched the scene with interest and confusion while Kaimu shook his head. He acts tough, but he’s nothing but an overgrown cub. The sound of approaching pawsteps interrupted his thoughts and he turned to see a group of lions enter the den. Kulaani sneered when he saw the same scarred lion that had captured them earlier lead the group in. The lion walked by the two and sat about a tail length in front with two warriors next to him.

“My name is Nillis, I’m in charge of the warriors and guards in this outpost. A couple of days ago, one of our centurions from the Jocasta slave pride was murdered. You two are here to answer some questions that might help us solve this crime.”

“We had nothing to do with any of this.” Kulaani growled. “We just entered this territory by mistake.”

“In which case you will have nothing to worry about. Answer my questions and if you are telling the truth, then the two of you will be free to leave.” Nillis gave them a smile, but there was something about it that made Kaimu’s skin crawl. Somehow, he didn’t believe that they would be allowed to go so easily. “Now then, how long have you been in our territory?"

“A day, we crossed over the border just before sunrise this morning.” Kaimu answered. Nillis stared into his eyes for several seconds, making the hyena uncomfortable.

“What is your reason for entering our territory?”

“We are tracking two killers.” Kulaani answered as calmly as possible. “The scents got mixed up and we took the wrong turn which led us here.”
Nillis, just like with Kaimu, stared into Kulaani’s eyes for several seconds. Kulaani narrowed his eyes and growled slightly, but grew quiet again when Kaimu flicked him with his tail.

“The Jocasta slave pride isn’t that far from here and the southern border is the only possible way for the murderer to escape the territory. Have you encountered anyone before running into us?”

“No. We were hoping to find someone to ask directions, but we only came across you.” Again, Nillis stared into his eyes and it was difficult for Kaimu to keep eye contact. Is he just trying to unnerve us? Maybe he is trying to make us slip up.

“Why are the two of you searching for these killers you mentioned?”

“They killed my parents long ago.” Kulaani answered slowly. “I’ve been tracking them for a while and I met Kaimu along the way. We became friends and he’s been with me since.” While Nillis stared at Kulaani, Kaimu tried to suppress the feeling of surprise. He knew the lion saw him as a friend, but he never thought Kulaani would openly admit it to anyone. Then again, this was a strange situation they landed in. Nillis sat quietly for a moment before addressing the two of them again.

“Centurions are highly regarded here and when one of them is killed, we do whatever it takes to seek justice.” Nillis turned his attention to Kulaani. “I know it must be frustrating being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time but as someone who wants justice, I’m sure you can understand why we needed to question you.”

Kulaani kept his gaze on Nillis and took a deep breath. “Yes… I guess I can. If that’s all you are going to ask us, are we free to go?”

“Just one more question before I let you go.” Nillis hardened his gaze slightly before asking proceeding. “Do you two have powers?”

“No. I told you before that we don’t.” Kaimu answered quickly, hoping to be let go soon. However, this time when Nillis stared into his eyes, he noticed that the lion’s sky blue eyes flashed red before going back to their normal color. A sinister smirk appeared on Nillis’s face and he flicked his tail.

“You’re lying.”

Suddenly the den was in motion as the two were quickly surrounded by at least ten guards. Kulaani wasted no time getting into a fighting position while Kaimu prepared himself to do whatever he could against them. Nillis walked past them and sat at the entrance. “I have the ability to see when someone isn’t telling the truth. You two have abilities of your own and I’m quite curious to see what they are.” Nillis gave a nod and the guards attacked the duo. Kulaani wasted no time springing into action as he charged into two guards before they even moved. Kaimu barely dodged a guard who came at him and he made the lion pay for it. Opening his jaws, a small green orb formed at the tip of the skull he wore and he blew the orb into the guards face. The orb dissolved into a mist that entered through the lion’s mouth, nose, and ears. The lion crumbled to the ground in agony and began to vomit. This would be when Kaimu would strike, but with so many guards, he had to leave the lion. The poison would not last long, but it would keep the lion out of the fight.

“Interesting.” Kaimu heard Nillis say before having to get back into the fight. The den was alive with the sound of roars and shreaks as the fight raged on. Kaimu managed to hold his own for a while, but was eventually outmatched and he was pinned to the ground by two guards. A third stood in front of him and raised a paw to finish him, but was knocked away by Kulaani. His friend was now in his other form with six spikes protruding from his back, and his eyes, normally blue, were now purple and wild with rage. He was bleeding badly from several scratches along his body, but Kaimu doubted that he even knew of them. Kulaani lunged at the guards holding Kaimu down and tackled them to the ground. Kaimu got up to continue fighting, but was immediately knocked down again by more guards, these ones new. More lions flooded into the den and finally managed to subdue Kulaani, though he continued to struggle and throw curses at them. With the fight over with, Nillis walked up to them with an approving expression.

“I’m impressed, and I rarely am. You two have some unique abilities that could be useful to us. I’d like to invite the both of you into our kingdom, we could certainly use you in our ranks.”

“Why the hell would we ever join with you?!” Kulaani spat.

“Because if you don’t, you will die.” Nillis answered bluntly. “Only those within the pride premier are privileged enough to have powers. Those who aren’t with us are a threat and are dealt with accordingly. Don’t be so quick to give us your answer though, we’ll show you our kingdom, then you can decide what you wish to do.” He motioned with his head for the guards to take them away. While Kulaani struggled all the way to the cell, Kaimu followed quietly behind and wished with all his heart that he had just asked for directions.

[Mercy]

Roque stared out across his homeland, feeling the first light of dawn warm his fur. He had killed cubs before. But, to kill all of the cubs in the slave prides? It would be a great show of power, but what if it fanned the flames of the potential rebellions? Roque sighed and closed his eyes as he thought to himself. He could not...no, would not, disobey a direct order from his father. Besides, less cubs meant less mouths to feed. The homeland was in a precarious position during such a harsh drought. Roque blinked open his eyes and his lips curled into a cunning smile. This order would show Messala that he was strong and had not grown soft. Roque would be a great leader, but he would NOT be kind to the slaves. Why did they deserve kindness? They didn't. It was time to plan out his order, and execute it. Roque crouched down and leapt into the sky.
"You want to execute all of the cubs in the slave prides?" the general Azazel growled. "Yes. We will call it 'Abyzou Mena'. Every cub within the slave cub den will be killed. Do it in whatever way you believe fit. Just so long as the cubs are all killed. Not a word of this order must be spoken of to the slave prides. If their parents do not give up the cubs, blind them and send them to the Vartan Slave Pride. Kill the parents too if you must. I want the order carried out by tomorrow at midnight. If you fail to finish it within that time frame, you will deal with me. Do you understand me?" Roque snarled. Azazel and the four other generals looked at each other and then nodded curtly to the moody Prince. "I am going to Mt. Haides now, and I will be on Mt. Rukor with the other Imperial Heir and Heiresses discussing the consequences of this order tonight. Tell Messala and Anima that I want them to deal with the cubs in the Jocasta pride together, and when they have finished I want them on Mt. Rukor as soon as possible." The generals nodded and filed out of the cave to prepare for Abyzou Mena. Roque followed them and then took off in a flurry of feathers as he made his way to Haides.
Roque landed at The Roost and was greeted by the wailing of a young lion. Disgusted by this display of weakness, he padded up to the lion and bared his teeth. "Slave! Stop your disgusting display and stand! Where is the Commander of Flocks?"

---

Eliora listened attentively as Mwezi reported her plan. "I think that is an excellent idea, Mwezi. I want you to blend in and move in amongst the slaves until tomorrow morning. If Lietai had any friends or cohorts in the pride you may be able to find out if they plan on following her. You may send your flock back. I am going to return to Mt. Haides to try to plan out what we should do next with my siblings. I want you to return to the The Roost by dawn tomorrow. You are a good spymaster and I know you are hoping to climb up the ranks. If you can find out anything about this Lietai from the slaves, there may be a promotion in store for you." Eliora grinned slyly. She flicked her tail and then launched up into the sky to find the rest of the spymasters investigating the pride.