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 Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:58 am
Ali grimaced as Kosuke pointed out the obvious. They did need to get Sinbad in his right frame of mind. It was an embarrassment to their line and himself. There was a time the older lion had commanded respect from the rest of the pride and his offspring. Now he was quickly becoming the member no one spoke of.
"I don't know." He muttered back, keeping his voice low. "If Finar'Si does return, hopefully she'd do more than just fix him. This problem never would have happened if we hadn't lost her blessing..."
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:59 am
Since his promotion, Xipil had been nothing but busy focusing on keeping his soldiers both in line and in shape but it was only getting more difficult by the day. The water supply was dwindling more than ever and it left the calculating lion internally fretting about the days to come. He took only the water that was needed to keep him going, often it wasn't much but he refused to take a lick more. There were more important things that he had to worry about.
When his father's roar sounded he was quick to respond to it, last time had been about the water supply something he had fought to keep open and rationed fairly to all members. He had heard and seen the aggravation brought on by the newcomers and could only speculate that this call was about them. Lives had been lost and blood had been shed, by the way of the Firekin they were to avenge what had been lost.
He slid in among the crowd silently, his steps nearly inaudible though his stature prevented him from being invisible amongst the crowd. He stood tall and proud, head held high as his blue eyes flicked back and forth between his parents. His father looked displeased and a frown settled upon Xipil's lips at the sight.
"We show them our strength," Xipil chimed in, a fierce look of certainty in his eyes. "We receive the justice that we seek," he paused, thinking carefully of the consequences that could arise. "But we cannot rush in blindly, with all of our forces this is a game of strategy not brute force."
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:19 pm
Settling on his rump the black youth flicked an ear back, listening to the quite and not so quite mutters going on around and behind him. He knew what had been going on off course, the strangers that had turned up and the ever present threat of disappearing water, and now this attack by yet more strangers. But some of the pride mutters didn't seem to be focused on those three things, though of course the good majority was, and several shouts of 'war' and 'revenge' made him press an ear back. He hoped they didn't just rush out there though.. if these strangers could hurt a firekin member, then they were stronger than the average rogue that was for sure...
Souzan glanced back over his shoulder. Despite the worries and concerns, there was no doubt in his mind that the pride would win eventually, it was just a matter of how many they lost through death and injury.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:27 pm
No listened quietly to the mixed and passionate reactions of those around her. She liked to hear the initiative. Although the hesitation caught in some of their voices became what she directed her next line towards. "No offer of concession was given. Do not mistake us. We have as of yet received any contact from our attackers. We do not know what they want, or if it was an isolated occurrence. We cannot even say if they are the Nergui, as some of our Hongshan friends have been whispering."
Her back straightened, and her eyes slowly drifted the crowd. "I also caution you from putting words into my mouth. Listen to what I say. Never will we leave our home unprotected. The firekin will have retribution, but we will not march off like mindless ants, hunting down some enemy we do not even understand," as she spoke, she moved forward slowly on the rock. Looming down at those directly beneath her. "We are not simple minded. We are not ants. This attack is the result of a greater problem, and one we intend to fix."
"There was once a time that we firekin were feared by the outside. The fact that these supposed Nergui have attacked shows us that there is a greater problem: the world outside the Motoujamii has not seen us in some while. Before the drought we had the war. Before the war, we had the plague. Many years, in our own conflicts," to this, she motioned her head towards Kidondo approvingly. "We are not the tyrants of old. Because we are not fools. But we will not be disrespected."
"The lands outside the Motoujamii need not fear us," she paused. "But they will respect us. If we are attacked, we will respond. If we need for something, we will take it. Those who are our allies will flourish, and our enemies will falter. And we will start by taking what we need most. We need water."
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:39 pm
Zii and Ute stared up at their regentess, both of them leaning against each other for support. They knew what was coming and neither of them really were for it; but what could they do. It had to be done. They were going to die if they didn't find water... and they were going to lose face if any pride felt they could barge in and take things over. It was long coming.
"We need water. That is a fact..." Zii did say, though it was obvious by her expression she wasn't going to agree to words of her pride. She disliked the thought of raiding. She had always felt that way. I dislike war. She whispered to her daugther; whom leaned against her and sighed; blue eyes shut. She knew her mother was afraid of losing those she loved.
"What ever our Regents say; I will do." Ute said aloud, her chest puffed out and her blue eyes a glow. "For the good of the pride." She added, tossing glance at anyone who dared to give her harassment about her words.
"I don't want you to go." Zii said softly, looking very crushed as she leaned against her only child. She shut her eyes and lowered her head, her twisted hip sticking out awkwardly from where she sat in the sand. "Please... gods... don't let me lose my only child"
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:39 pm
Near the two regents stood Azarax, surveying the gathering Firekin with his customary frown, though he frowned neither at his soldiers nor the reason for which they had gathered. Rather, it was a look of deep concentration, as often crossed his visage when he was faced with a matter of great importance.
Rarely did any emotion other than that look of stoic concentration cross the tan-pelted general's face, and now, more than ever, he looked ready to confront the issues that stood before him. Now, more than ever, he was being critical, judging the capabilities of his soldiers as individuals and as a whole. For there were many factors to be taken into consideration now - the weakening of the troops from the drought, the unanswered questions that surrounded their opposition - and they were not to be taken lightly.
And still, Azarax was Firekin, born and bred, and his blood ran hot under unworthy threats and unjustified violence. Revenge - though he recoiled from the word - beat in his heart, for his ancestors had long dominated these sands with brute strength and cruel violence, and this was the legacy that they had left in their oddly colored son. Azarax did not need a pelt of red to be a Firekin.
And war. Though it hurt him already to think of the blood that would be spilled and the lives that would be ended, he wanted this. He wanted it for himself, for the departed, for all his soldiers and all the civilians yearning for justice. Retribution would come, and when it did, Azarax would be there to lead the charge. Because war, much as he despised it, was one thing he had always been good at.
At the edge of the gathering crowd, Atesh stood, uncertain. Even from where he stood, the bright-eyed lion could see the fire raging in his father's eyes, and he could tell, as only his father's son could tell, that something was brewing inside the tan lion. Something fearful was waiting to be let out into the world, and nothing but woe would find those that had sparked that horrible fire.
Moving from where he stood, the striped lion inched closer to Azarax. His father had always towered above him, larger by far than Atesh had ever thought to be. From where he stood, he could see the tan general standing stiff, straight-backed as he stared, sometimes into the crowd, sometimes out and nowhere in particular, as if he was already planning, strategizing, imagining the horror on the faces of their enemies when they brought justice raining upon their sorry hides.
There would be war, that much Atesh could see, and no matter how many or how few deigned to follow his father into battle, Azarax would be there, for justice... justice had always been the one principle that Azarax stood for, and Atesh knew his father would fight to the end in pursuit of it.
So he, too, would be there. Atesh was no soldier - no longer - but he knew his training, and any son of the general knew well enough to stay fit, to stay sharp in anticipation of a day exactly like this.
The striped lion stepped up beside his father, bowing his head almost reverently before the tan lion. "I will be there, Da," he said quietly, his voice reflecting that gentler, pacifist side to him. But ever did his eyes sparkle and flame, almost like his those of his father. Yes, he would be there, if they would have him, for justice, too, was Atesh's calling.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:40 pm
Amidst the shouting, Veru sat mostly motionless like a stone in the sea. He had been faintly aware of Seide's head against his- something that should have brought him a flurry of excitement and joy. Instead, these attacks had even taken that away. He couldn't enjoy it fully, because in the pit of his stomach he was still mulling over the events of yesterday and into the night. For a lion that was committed to not taking anything seriously, Veru was doing just that.
It was hard to think that a lion who had grown up in as harsh conditions as he had might have somehow escaped death for so long... but if he had, the deaths had not felt like this. Sorrow was buried under smiles and casual jokes. Locked away into some part of his psyche that he didn't want to address. Death wasn't something he cared to mull over. But Nur'yu... Nur'yu was like a shot to the heart. Lions like him didn't deserve to die, and not over this. Every attempt to push away the feeling of severity was met by the memory of a scraggly maned little kid finding him out in the desert. Even if Nur'yu had been an adult, he'd always see that cub.
It left him with the unusual prospect of actually having to deal with his emotions. And while most of the pride was screaming for blood at this point, Veru did not feel so equally moved. He felt tired. Like he was suddenly a lot older than he was supposed to be.
Across the way, Seide was helping police. She had some sort of announcement to discuss, and she'd told him about it, but he suddenly realized he hadn't really heard it at all. Something she was proud of.
He did not long for revenge, but resolved himself to follow whatever it was she had in mind.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:42 pm
"Is it south then, are we to travel to the lush lands below the desert to find water? Or do we go North, to the lands the intruders fled?"
Morag spoke boldly as she paced into the gathering, stubbornly refusing to stay in the medical dens after a week of aggravating inactivity. She was tired of laying around all the time, listening and not acting... The dark lioness joined her family, but kept some space, telling all that she was an adult and while affiliated with her family, she was an individual. She'd had far too much of familial concern over her injured state. At least she was on her paws now, and she refused to lay back down.
"Our water seekers have failed to find water, so far, so when you speak of taking it, I assume you mean from lands we know to have water, and in abundance. To go that far would mean moving the whole pride, would it not?"
As yet, she would hold her opinions to herself, waiting instead to see what thoughts hid in the regents' minds.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:01 pm
 Khin'del, Father of the departed, was doing his fair share of greiving. He'd feared losing one of his children to thirst. Never had he thought that one would fall in battle. At first, there had been disbelief, denial. No, his son could not be dead! Then realization and truth hit, and the emense sadness that had him bouncing between time alone and comforting his mate. Now, came the anger. "The blood of our attackers will quench our thirst and be like water," Khin'del muttered, staring at his feet. Then his eyes lifted, hard and full of firey passion, "I will not accept negotiations of laughable peace. Blood for blood. They will be obliterated and their name rendered nothing. Not even an old faded fairytale." A Parent's rage. A Father's vengeance. There would be blood. "I swear it." ----  Celosia had been nothing but tears for days. The waterseeker had come home to the news of her fallen brother and been inconsolable for then on. Her eyes were red with tears, her cheeks still stained and wet - tears the only water for miles that she had found. She lay beside her father, sniffling and pathetic to look at. She listened to his words, his vow, his promise, and made them her own. This was personal. She was no warrior, but she was a Firekin. Fighting was in her blood. She'd turn her sadness in to determination, and prepare for war. If that is what was to happen. And from her father's words, that is all that he would accept. Indeed. Words and negotiations could not bring her brother back.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:05 pm
"No." Kidondo was quick to stamp out the idea of abandoning the Motoujamii. "This land is our home. It is our stronghold. The desert is a harsh creature but it is that hardship which will protect us. We have the advantage here in a terrain we are familiar with. In a land we have adapted to thrive in. It is she, the desert, who has made us strong, she that has made us adaptable. If the water does not come to us, we shall go to it."
He drew himself up straight and growled, turning his eyes to meet those who were looking his way. "When No said 'take' she meant just that. The lands to the north can only be assumed as Nergui territory now and without more detailed information on their numbers and motives, it would be unwise to venture there." He took a step forwards. "So, we look south and to the bounties that lie there."
He felt the lust for battle stir him. The desire for action intensifying. It pulsed in his veins as he spoke and put more force into his words. "There is no unclaimed water left that we do not already know about. That is the fact of the matter. So we shall take from those that have what we do not. We shall expand our territory and claw the water back from others in the southern lands." His eyes seemed to blaze. "Claiming these reserves will ease the tension on the ones we already have now. It will give us respite from the drought to ensure we can win this inevitable war." His ears fell back into his mane. "We will need a force of lions to do this, of course, to claim and protect these emergency supplies for when they are needed."
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:05 pm
Kuza spotted the General appearing off to one side and pulled herself up straight. While she had not had any personal dealings with the tan lion she was still one of his soldiers and it was an automatic reaction to his presence. Stand p straight, eyes sharp, tail still, ears attentive and quivering. All the old training, the awe of her youth, returned like a whispy dream of a time gone by, yet the practical application had been drilled into her from the first day she took on her apprenticeship.
Now, she glanced over to him, inclining her head in acknowledgement despite the fact that he probably hadn't seen her and wouldn't react even if he did. She was one soldier among many in a warrior pride, yet she did not feel the need for more, to make a point of advertising herself in this situation. She would do what needed to be done when the time came, and her actions then would speak all that there was to be known about her.
Listening to the dark regentess, she nodded quietly to herself. While mindless violence didn't suit her, she understood that they needed to show these strangers the firekin were not going to be easy prey, otherwise who knew what other trouble would find them. Yet it was Kidono's words that made her tilt her head, pale eyes darkening with that slow burning energy she held within her. Thirsty and tired they might be, but war as the firekin way of life and finally there was talk of a definitive action. While not in the direction some may desire, it was enough for Kuza to know they would finally be doing something to win the first battle.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:13 pm
Nuria's eyes sparked at the words of her regents, and blazed further at the calls for war. While she had been born after the two groups rejoined, her parents had been Safi--and she longed to see a time like those in the stories, when the name Firekin had commanded respect. It might have been mingled with fear, but it was respect nonetheless. She was not so sure anymore that the new blood infusing the pride was to blame, even if they did not have the Blood, but...something had changed from those storied days. Something the Firekin needed to regain to survive.
"Nobody should strike against the Firekin without regretting it," she declared, standing proud. "I would see them pay tenfold for every drop of our blood spilled! And so...so I would strike forth."
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:15 pm
Xiāofáng listened quietly, as a waterseeker she had been working hard since she came tot he pride, and no one knew how bad the shortage was than those that had the task of finding the illusive liquid. Having been a rogue before joining the firekin, Xiāofáng had certain experience than most pride-born lions did not, yet even she had become truly concerned about what was to happen tot he pride if they didn't fix the water issue.
Her heart felt heavy at the news that they would go south, yet she could not fault the decision. She only hoped those they encountered had the sense to leave and save their lives, than fight for something her pride would kill for. A starving lion was more than just dangerous, they were unpredictable, and she knew that at the moment, the firekin as a whole were at their most dangerous. They all knew what would happen if they failed in procuring resources... and that knowledge would make them even more determined to win.
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:21 pm
All the talk of 'abandoning' the pride to move forward irritated the red cat and it showed in the way his forehead crinkled just slightly. Doing so was unthinkable and he wanted to criticize those that had thought to voice the idea concerned or not. That would be something cowards or idiots would resort to. The firekin were not that.
They were not fools.
Xipil stepped forward at the words of his father, since his promotion he hadn't done much that was worthy of his title. Now he saw the opportunity to help and to prove himself further worthy. "Allow me to assist in this," he requested. "Water is our most precious resource, with it victory is certain to be ours."
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:34 pm
Souzan sat quietly, having been unable to spot his family and as of yet too young to hold any real position in the pride, he was mostly there as a show of strength. But even as he listened, he followed the various conversations around him, felt the undercurrent in the pride and listened to the leader's as they spoke.
Yet he could never have imagined what was being proposed. Going south? Taking water? Yes, it was greatly needed... but if the entire pride was not relocating, how were they going to get the water back home? Or would they like... send shifts of lions out to drink at the water they found and hike back again? Wrinkling his nose in confusion he couldn't see an obvious answer, so he waited yet again, wondering what the adults would do, how they would pull this heist off...
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