[PRP - North] Expected Visitor? [Avani & Kweli]

[Quaji]

The journey to the North House was uneventful, each step more painfully boring than the last as far as Avani was concerned. Moments of excitement were rare as they followed a well-worn path known to her escort. Each brief one was filled with anticipation for her being 'caught'. Only for Kweli to usher her behind a small rise or behind a fallen log, watching as the North soldier passed them by. There was one moment where she assumed they had seen them, pausing for a single breath before moving on. For now, they were unknown trespassers in the North, escapees from the Central House's watchful eye.

"I need a moment," she called to her companion as her pace began to slow. It had been some time since they had left the Central House's territory. Hours had stretched into days and the princess was coming to regret her decision to leave as her paws pulsed painfully while she sat and rested among the grass beside their path. Avani raised her head, squinting beneath the afternoon sun's light. "How much farther before we reach the North House?"  

[SilverLutz]

Kweli was taking his assigned task very seriously, guiding the Crown Princess to the North House as if they were surrounded by enemies. Of course there was no true danger here, but he was on high alert every moment that they were moving, finding safe places to rest when needed.

As Avani called to stop, he pulled up and turned to face her. She had seated herself in a small patch of grass to rest her paws and he decided it was a good idea to capitalize on the break as well. He did a quick survey of the path as well as their surroundings before determining they were 'safe' before joining her on the side of the path.

"Not much longer," he promised. "I'd say before the sun sets we'll be there." He was quiet for a moment, just a bit surprised that she wasn't aware of the distance between the two Houses, but reminded himself she hadn't grown up with the knowledge that she would one day rule the pride. She had a lot to learn still and he wondered how she was managing to face this task with as much calm and grace as she was. Perhaps this excursion to the North was a bit of a break from the responsibility being piled upon her.

"Will this be your first time visiting the North, Heiress?" he asked. He couldn't recall a visit from her before, but Royals rarely dealt with simple Soldiers when they did drop by.  

[Quaji]

"It is," Avani admitted, eyes trained on her guardian. "I have been to the West, in attendance for Duke Zhōng Jīliè's wedding ceremony, although only for a moment to offer my congratulations." The lioness sighed wistfully, remembering that beautiful day. She had been younger then, barely into her adult frame. "This will be my first time visiting another House since."

"How am I to be expected to rule these lands when I scarcely know them?" Her question was posed to none as she stared out over the landscape. Jagged, towering peaks shrouded by clouds and mist, trees dotting the rocky hills that were covered in the same short grasses she already knew so well from her home. It was familiar yet so, so foreign. So much of what she knew came only from her lessons with her tutors from the East, who told her what she needed to know and what was not worth her time or attention.

"What of you? Have you ventured far from your home in the North? Any grand adventures to share as we wait for my paws to cease their aching?"  

[SilverLutz]

Avani's honest answer was reassuring to Kweli. He'd never expect the Royals to lie or deceive, but for her to answer so quickly and frankly was welcome. Certainly they didn't trust one another as they hopefully would but conversations like these would help to build that relationship. Kweli knew he was in a place of high honor, not just because it would be his mission to ensure the health and safety of Avani and her future family, but also because she would have to trust him with her life and listen to him if he told her to do something much like they'd been doing on this little adventure. He couldn't think of anyone in the pride who would make demands - polite demands, of course - of any of the Royals, yet here he was.

He didn't answer the question that clearly wasn't meant for him, but when she addressed him directly he gave a small nod.

"Not terribly far, but into the rogue lands on a few occasions," he said, his voice low so it didn't carry. Thankfully the different rock formations and rolling hills helped to buffer sound, but he'd rather be safe than sorry. "Have had a few run-ins with rouges. Some pleasant, some looking for a fight. But within our pride?" He paused and glanced up at the sky, letting his memory wander. "I've been to Central House a pawful of times, only briefly for ceremonies and such. A few times to the West, once for the same wedding and twice more to seek an Artisan for this." He motioned with a paw to the decorative piece he wore in his mane that kept his fringe from hanging in his eyes.

"The East and South I've been to a few times both for patrols, but I didn't get to see or do much."  

[Quaji]

Tilting her head ever so slightly as she listened. "Perhaps we need to change our course, visit the West again. Their storytellers may be able to offer you lessons." Avani offered graciously, though her tone cautiously implied playfulness. "Your tales need work if you are to be a suitable attendant for me. Tell me of these rogues you have met! Of your victories, your losses."

A shrill cry above caught the princess's attention. Avani's red eyes strained against the sun's light but made out the silhouette of what she suspected was a falcon belonging to the North. "Perhaps another time," the lioness added to her previous statement as she swiftly rose to her feet, taking a moment to dust herself off as her eyes stared forward on their path. Just as she suspected.

A purple pelt crested the hill, approaching the pair with a small escort of some four other lions that filed neatly behind him. Avani's chin was tilted up as she looked down her nose, observing as they came to stop before them. Their leader bowed his head for a moment, shifting his eyes to glare at the scarlet soldier in Avani's company for a single breath before clearing his throat to address them both. "Your highness, if you sought an audience with my uncle, you needed only to ask and we would have sent our finest to defend you on your journey to the North."

"I thank you for your concern, Shòujiè Duóqu," the lion stood straighter as the princess said his name. "However it is wholly unfounded. I explicitly sent word to the North to inform them of my impending arrival, to give Lord Xun Lin ample time to prepare for my stay in the North, nothing more. Your appearance here shows how little faith your House has in your choice of candidate." Her head turned briefly to look towards Kweli, offering him a small smile as she looked back and over the five others that stood between them and the North.

The Northern lions behind their knight shifted with small amounts of embarrassment that had melted away whatever pride they had held as they had journeyed to meet them. They looked amongst themselves, none daring to speak a word as they waited for the Kiume to speak.

"Forgive me princess, but your safety is of our highest concern. Lord Xun Lin would not forgive us if anything happened to you in our House and we would not wish to invite the wrath of the Central House upon us. Please, allow us the honor of escorting you into the North."

"The status of your honor is none of my concern, ser. It is for you to defend from real threats to it and the one you perceive here is false, or is the North so unsafe that I need such a large party? If you wish to preserve what dignity you have, you and your guardsmen will walk well ahead of us, out my sight, and speak of nothing more. I was and am perfectly safe in ser Yong Zhi's company." Avani's tail flicked in annoyance, her tone shifting down dangerously so as she kept her eyes on Kiume, observing how he shifted nervously. Clearly, her orders were contradictory to those he had received. There was a moment where he opened his mouth and Avani thought he would object, speaking more on his honor or duty or something equally as boring, but thankfully he pulled it shut, choosing to bow his head to her. Each of those behind him repeated the movement before returning to walk down the path they had come.

"What a headache," she mused out loud as soon as the others were out of earshot.  

[SilverLutz]

Kweli glanced at Avani with a look of surprise on his face, clearly not expecting the Crown Princess to tease him. He knew the bond between a Royal Guard and their specific charge could become like that of a sibling or family member and in private company they could let their true selves shine a bit, but they'd only just met. For a lion who was used to tradition and who was fairly stoic even as a cub, having Avani speak to him as if he were a friend she'd known for ages before was a bit of a shock.

He didn't have time to sputter or make a fool of himself thankfully. A cry from above took Avani's attention off Kweli and, in turn, took the pressure off him to figure out how to respond. He nodded and followed her lead, getting to his paws and heading back to the path. It seemed their little mission was over and whatever the endgame was, it would be revealed to him now.

A little patrol rose over the crest of the hill before them and he stopped behind Avani, close enough to still offer protection but far enough to be respectful. He recognized Shòujiè Duóqu as he drew closer and stiffened slightly at the glare.

The less than subtle jab Shòujiè Duóqu's made at his skills drew a twitch from the corner of Kweli's mouth, but otherwise he was still. Internally he was raging, embarrassed, and ready to fight the Knight for his honor. Where did he get off saying something like that right in front of the princess? But Avani was quick to respond and her smile - although small - was enough to reassure him. At least she seemed confident in his abilities despite knowing him for such a short time.

Put in their place, the group turned and left, leading them towards the seat of the North at a considerable distance. Kweli bowed his head as Avari spoke, hiding his smile just a bit.

"Thank you, Heiress," he said quietly. "I'm unsure why Lord Xun Lin sent them after a decision was made to send me to the Central House. Perhaps there is danger here, or a at least the threat of it," he added, finally lifting his gaze to the lioness. "Something that's come up since I've been gone." It truly was a knock to his confidence to not be trusted by his own house after they'd sent him to be their candidate for the opening in the Royal Guard, but it was possible they simply wished to have extra guards on hand should something arise.

Still, the look Shòujiè Duóqu had given him was one he hadn't cared for.

"Either way, we'll move carefully as we have been," he said with a little nod. "Whether or not danger is present, I will see to it you are safe."  

[Quaji]

"You will understand how the politics between our houses work in time," Avani said as she began walking the established path. "The North was posturing. That was a display of strength, their ability to track an individual in their territory and appear in numbers without diminishing their true strength. It was never truly about you. It was ensuring protocol was observed, and roles honored in useless formalities. There was some true worry for my safety, but more for the wrath of my mother should anything happen to me. Could you imagine the rumors that would circulate if I were to break my leg in their lands?"

The princess chuckled. "Come, I would rather not invite them to return."

As the pair walked, curiosity got the better of her. Without looking away from the distant bodies, she posed the question to Kweli. "Have you never served the nobility of the North before? Surely someone put forward by them for the position of royal guard to the crown princess would be at least somewhat familiar to these inter-house politics?"  

[SilverLutz]

Avani's words helped soothe his ruffled feathers, though Kweli couldn't help but think the glare had been rather personal.

"Surely they have more faith in your ability to walk than they seem to let on," he said dryly, hopeful that his own humor wouldn't fall flat or be taken as an insult. Posturing for who? The princess? Insisting she needs more guards when she's perfectly capable of following the trails that lead to the North, especially with a guide? It was all a bit strange to Kweli but he supposed it would soon become quite normal.

He fell into step with Avani, again giving her a pace or two on him so she led but he stayed withing speaking distance. Her question made him shake his head slightly, once more feeling a bit naive in the matters of politics.

"Not individually, no. I've served as patrol for the Lord of the North but I was never given a front row seat to any of the inner workings of the political things that happen within the pride." Even as he admitted his shortcomings, he kept his voice steady and sincere.

"But I'm a quick study, Heiress, and I promise you that anything that I need to learn to serve you I will master. Including storytelling, if that's something you desire." There was a hint of a smile on his face just as there'd been on hers when she'd teased him earlier. Two could play this game...even if Kweli needed a minute or two to sort out his feelings and reactions as well as plan a comeback.