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 Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2019 8:16 am
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The cubs had been born some many moons ago and Ashiki was proud to say that they were thriving; even her tiny, undersized daughter was making a swift recovery with Chau's help. Unfortunately, as she had assumed, her body was not 'bouncing back' as it ought to. It was too tired and had spent too long holding onto the life in her womb. The ancestors' eyes felt heavier upon her shoulders each day that she clung to this earth-bound life and though she could feel them calling her to the stars whenever she shut her eyes, she was not yet ready to depart this plane. She would eek out every breath they would allow her until they were too impatient to give her one more.
"You don't have to do this auntie," the worried, gravelly voice said next to her ear, "Amachwane and I can handle it without y-"
"Enough, Azzan."
Though her body was tired and revolting against her, the bright, acid green eyes that shot sidelong at her nephew were anything but dead. They were vibrant, full of life, and carried every ounce of the regal command she had grown into during her long life. Again, she tried pushing herself up onto her feet with difficulty, and at last managed to keep her footing. Triumphant at last, she smirked, and began the slow, easy plod out of the mouth of her den and into the light that shone down on her from a cloudless sky. She managed to make it to the ledge of her overlook before she collapsed back into a seated position but this was as far as she needed to be. Below, she saw the young Eye (Telal, she thought was his name) leading the party of Warborn to the cliffside so that they might climb up to greet her.
In truth, this was not how she ever wanted to meet any other leader. Though her spirit was yet fierce, her body was weak and thin. Her shoulder blades were protruding too sharply at the base of her skull and her belly sagged with loose fur that had no muscle beneath it. The wound at her neck had healed over, though it was ugly, and the fur had not grown back quite well enough. She was a ragged, aging wreck of a Queen but she was still Queen. She would not stop fighting for her pride until every last ounce of breath had been stolen from her lungs.
If today was the last gift she could give them then she would be sure to make it count.
Behind her, Azzan postured himself, poised and ready.
"I will be your strength today, My Queen."
The words were low but she nodded and smiled, turning her gaze out to the incline where the party would be appearing any moment now.
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2019 3:16 pm
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Golka had been told little...but it was enough. A pride to speak with, a pride that were wounded but honorable, how could she resist something like that? The scouts lead by Azrasha escorted the High Warlord who towered partly over the sleeker lions and definitely showed the bulk of the Warborn's fighting prowess. When they were greeted by a young lion, Golka gave a small nod and let him lead through the termite mound ridden dusty lands. The red soil reminded her of home and she steadied herself for when she would greet the leader - the Queen - as far as she heard and soon they were in sight. She made the others stay with their guide as she herself trudged her heavy paws to where she met the leader of these Outlanders.
The physical state of their leader, even with those fierce eyes worthy of respect said much about what they had gone through. And the lingering smell of cubs made Golka's ears flatten with the tiniest pangs of sympathy, even though it never broadcast over her face. Her expression still read her strength and her respect as she stepped up and offered a firm bow of her head, barely registering Azzan was there supporting the orange lioness' back.
"Your Majesty," She started. "I am High Warlord Golka Bloodtusk of the Warborn, the Warchief and I sent out scouts to seek out allies, however I've been told that your pride has been having....issues with another pride?" Ever to the point as usual, she sat herself down and watched Ashiki patiently.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2019 1:01 pm
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Well, she certainly got right to the point didn't she? Ashiki could admire that, especially in her current condition with very little extra energy to spare. She dipped her head in a respectful greeting that acknowledged the presence of another leader in her midst but did not, or perhaps could not, stand.
"I am Ashiki, Scion of Taka, Daughter of Tiah, She of the Eternal Faith, Binder of Oaths, and Queen of the Ukuhlwa'Izwe." It was rare that she gave all of her titles and it was more than a little unnecessarily exhausting to recite them all but it was a matter of honor, here and now. This meeting could be the last she held as the monarch and she wanted to be remembered for what she had done, not the wraith of a lioness that she was now. "And yes, we have recently been attacked by a pride that is plaguing the rogue lands between here and their homestead. Although, I wish that it were so simple as that."
At her back, Azzan shifted on his paws, clearly holding in his own feelings on the matter. He wanted so badly to spit every insult he could think of in that moment but, for the sake of his Aunt and Queen, he held the acid rolling on his tongue.
"A traitor of our own blood is among their ranks and lead them against her pride; she is responsible for the attack, the slaying of her own mother, and the capture of my crown prince."
Ashiki's claws unsheathed against the rock beneath them, belying the anger she contained within her placid mask.
"As I understand it from Azzan, your delegate did not seem to shy from a potential alliance because of this. That is most curious."
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Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2019 12:06 am
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The High Warlord considered herself a patient lioness, she'd had to be when dealing with all the Generals, Scouts and Grunts under her observation and lead - as well as dealing with her slightly bullheaded brother who lead the entire pride. It'd been trained hard into her, something she was trying to ingrain into her own children. But the knowledge of this Queen's plight made her eyes narrow with a sense of indignation, of complete disgust at the idea of such...dishonor and cowardice shown to a woman of such honor. Slave takers? Already a sour taste grew in her mouth...but a traitor to their own blood? A snarl bubbled in her throat and she flicked her tongue with a huff.
At the mention of Azrasha's interaction she recalled receiving the information and nodded towards Ashiki, keeping herself as calm as possible as she sat opposite at a respectable distance. She was a visitor here and had no right to approach any closer than given, this was a sensitive time that could make or break any bonds they wished to have with this pride.
"The War Born are no cowards when it comes to a scuff, your Majesty, why should the idea of such a threat sully an otherwise opportune advancement towards an alliance with a thriving pride despite its recent losses?" She took a deep breath to pace herself as she kept her eyes on Ashiki. "I'm sure this Azzan whom my Scout Master spoke with heard the offers we had to give and repeated them to you, your Majesty?" Golka was big, she could've snapped a lesser lion like a twig and yet she was also eloquent and level headed as anyone who'd seen her fair share of fights and training grounds had to be. The danger was there, but it was girded beneath a great level of practice.
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Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2019 5:02 pm
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The High Warlord listened on in silence before offering a small nod, she understood the risk of treaties and diplomatic unions during times such as....well...as dire as a war. This may not have been a full out war but the slightest tipping point and this spark could blow over into an inferno. The Queen's comment on them being willing to make an alliance made Golka hum in agreement.
"In experience it's usually been the best to bring others together, to test their mettle and the trust of another with your life...I have made many a good grunt and general that way, but I understand it isn't everyone's custom." She rested her paws easily. "It is our custom to practice loyalty and strength, fighting without honor leaves us poor in the eyes of our ancestors and the spirits, if we didn't have honor we'd just be tyrants."
At the mention of offering, her ears flicked forward and she took a deep breath. This was indeed a poor time, resources would be little and she gave a small nod.
"I do not wish to appear as though we are taking advantage, your majesty, from the information our Warchief has made it clear that we are to support your pride to full strength before we carry out with negotiations, my grunts and scouts and their subsequent generals and masters are at my call and should you ask it at your call as well."
She waited and watched the Queen quietly, every now and then glancing to Azzan but her focus was purely upon Ashiki.
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Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2019 11:54 am
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Ashiki was not a lioness often overcome with emotion but even she could not deny the relief that swelled through her as she heard the words on the other's maw. For the first time since the attack, since her heir had been taken, Ashiki felt like perhaps she was going to do her pride a final justice; she could leave them safer, in the paws of an ally who not only had that strength to give but also shared their ideals in a way that no other ever had.
"May the ancestors bless you and yours, Golka. It seems ours have seen fit to bring you to us and I hope, in the future, when all of this is said and done, that yours are honored by this alliance."
Her head bowed, polite and pointed, before she turned it sidelong to glance back at her Claw.
"Azzan, please find Ebbe and begin choosing candidates for a Squadron. I would like him to give us real ideas on numbers, what we need and where we need them. We will send the delegates with Golka to make arrangements."
Azzan nodded without a word and bowed in a polite departure. Then he was gone, slipping down the path, even if it did not settle well upon him to leave the Queen unattended. He trusted her, though, and she trusted this one. It would have to be enough for him.
Ashiki's eyes flitted back to the stony lioness.
"If you would, please, give us some time. Ebbe will know best what we have need of and if you wish to talk with him, you may. I would feel better sending a group of our own with you to meet your pride members before they march all of this way. Perhaps it will help with the shock on both ends."
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