|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:41 pm
It was the last full moon that would come before Aure had the cubs, and they were well aware of that. There were three or four full moons during a pregnancy, and based on when they figured this had all started.. this would be the last chance for the cubs to be born during a full moon. It was nerve-wracking, but it didn't seem as if it was going to happen- and so Unyezi had another idea. It was not something done often or lightly, but there was another option and it was with that in mind that the king sought out the shaman.
"Shira," he called, hoping to find the lioness nearby.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 1:55 pm
When others might have given up hope, they had a plan, one that had been rarely used and thus not well known about. However, they had found out. And now they too would be one of the few to use it to their advantage. Aureole followed close behind Unyezi as they went to find the one who understood what they needed most. She stopped dutifully behind him as he called out, her eyes themselves looking for the shape of the shaman. Her belly was swollen and hung low, swaying gently as she walked but it was a reminder of their urgency.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:21 pm
 Shira was indeed close by - she knew (like all the others) about the pregnancy, and had been keeping track of the days. Tonight would likely be the last full moon before the delivery, and thus the last chance for royal children to be born.
The dark lioness's neck pouch was stuffed carefully full of the necessary herbs - beth root, feverfew, pennyroyal, to name a few - and she'd been lingering near Unyezi and Aure's den for a while. It was without surprise that she responded to Unyezi's call.
"Here, king." She inclined her head to both of them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:30 pm
Unyezi wasn't terribly surprised to know that Shira was nearby, he'd half expected she might be as anxious as they were. At least, he expected she was on their side about it all. Hopefully this was a good sign, that she was so easy to find. He glanced up at the moon one last time, then smiled at Aure before following the sound of Shira's voice to where she stood.
"Shira," he greeted her, "I'm sure you can guess why we came looking for you.."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:43 pm
Aureole was a little nervous, admittedly. She wanted to do things right but was also without the knowledge that Shira's brain held. It left her anxious and worried, as she was adept at but previously had only applied in regards to her missing brother. Aureole returned a smile of relief to Unyezi as Shira appeared and shifted on her feet nervously. The dip of her head towards Shira acknowledged the Shaman with respect but she could not find words to say.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:04 pm
Shira lowered her neck, allowing the neck pouch to slide off and slip to the ground. She raised her head again and smiled to Unyezi - a smile she hoped conveyed some form of reassurance.
"I have everything you'll need," She assured him. "If you decide the risks are worth the gain."
They'd come to her late. Very late. Dawn wasn't far off, and if they wanted royalty, well, they'd better get started. She turned to Aure, casting one slightly disdainful glance at her distended belly. What female would ever allow herself to get pregnant? Shira wouldn't, not if she had any say in the matter! There were plenty of herbs availible, if one knew how to use them.
"Because you two have come so late in the night, we're going to have to act fast." She spoke matter of factly, her expression bland. "I won't lie - it could be dangerous for both you and your unborn children. Thankfully you're late in your pregnancy already, so the children should be ready." Shira carefully opened the pouch with one long claw. "The dose is higher than normal, and it won't be a fun night for you, Aure. But if you choose to take these they'll be born, and they'll be royal."
She emptied the herbs onto a rock and stepped back, waiting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:16 pm
Unyezi had hoped it wouldn't come to this, which explained the reluctance to come directly to Shira during the day. He knew there were risks, knew what could happen- and he knew what could happen if they didn't have royal cubs. It wouldn't look too good, and it would mean they could face another situation like with him and Njiru. As Shira spoke to Aure, Unyezi looked at his mate as well. They would have to decide fast, and though seeking out Shira was almost as if they made the decision he knew there was always time to back out, always second thoughts.
"Aure," he murmured, not sure what else there was to say. She was the smart one, it would be up to her. They weren't far from when Aure would naturally give birth, or it didn't seem terribly far off to him, the cubs should be fine. Or so he tried to reassure himself. It would have to be up to Aure if she agreed, if she felt she could handle the risks for herself. Unyezi wouldn't force it one way or the other, though his hopes were very clearly set on high classed cubs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:27 pm
Aureole felt almost like a wicked child who was repenting for their mischief as she stood before Shira knowing the consequences of her actions and the remedy to fix it. She bowed her head taking in a breath. They made it sounds as though there was the option to say no, to turn back. But there was no turning back and there was no denying this and going forward without it. She felt she had no choice, knew she had no choice, and she embraced it, refusing to cower from her duty.
With a sigh, she impressed upon herself a face of courage, strength, and one without doubt. But it was true that everyone was affected by fear ...as was she. She smiled at Unyezi as though his concern and hesitation were silly. To Shira, she nodded. "I accept the risks and whatever comes with it. It is for the good of the pride, for its survival and strength." Aureole had been serious but courageous all her life. This would be no different.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:34 pm
Shira nodded once and motioned to the herbs piled there with one sweeping paw. It wasn't a large mound, and the sweet-strong scent of crushed leaves rose up from it and perfumed the night. The lioness took a deep breath, savoring the smell.
"There you are then." She settled back on her haunches, tail wrapped close around her slender body. "Once you take them, get comfortable. They'll take a little bit of time to work, but once they start it'll go fast." It was the only comfort she could offer the queen, and it was a bare comfort at that.
Not that Shira felt too bad - she'd never let herself get into the position of queen, or any other that required that she bear children. As Aure had stated, it was her duty - one she certainly couldn't shirk.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:40 pm
Unyezi smiled back at Aure when she looked over at him, though he couldn't make the same mask that she could for his worries. This seemed inevitable now, and they would have to accept however this little venture ended. He held his breath momentarily when Aureole nodded and agreed to the risks that this put upon herself. The pride came first, that was that. The king did not exhale until Shira reminded them that it would take a bit to start but once it did it would go fast.
"So here we go," he commented, nuzzling against Aureole in a last minute sign of affection and confidence in her. If all went well, as they expected it should, then they were about to be parents.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:02 pm
Aureole nodded attentively to Shira and turned to Unyezi. "You'll be a father by noon, I'm sure." Of course, they both knew he would not know for sure for two long as Aureole would need to go find Mitsuki. Only the priestess and Aurole would know for sure when the babies came as they would be the only two present. "I shall give you an heir."
She turned to look at Shira, opinionated but dutiful. "Thank you," she said with another bow. She drew forward to take them. This was it, the beginning of a new and different chapter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:09 pm
"You're welcome, your highness."
Shira watched silently as Aure ate every last leaf, then gave a brief nod to both and departed swiftly. She was just glad she didn't have to be around to witness the birth, and could only hope there would be too few cubs to provide her with an apprentice.
Her tail twitched in annoyance. Unyezi wouldn't hesitate to assign a cub to her, if there were enough. It would have been easy to give Aure the wrong dose, the wrong herbs... The thought passed fleetingly through her mind and she banished it irritably.
This birth was for the good of the pride, and the pride always came first.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:17 pm
Shira was quite right to expect that should there be such a cub available, an apprentice would be forced upon her. There were no two ways about it, the pride could not risk having Shira as the only one who held such vital information. He never suspected she might try to set circumstances in her favor, though- because one thing was certain, whether or not she got an apprentice from his own cubs, eventually she would. If he had to ask one of the new high class members to go and learn he would- even if they were adults.
"I'll go and get Mitsuki," he said when Aure finished, "You make yourself comfortable."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 4:31 pm
Aureole grimaced internally at his comment of get comfortable. Somehow she didn't see that as likely. That no matter how comfortably she positioned herself, it wouldn't be comfortable soon enough. But she supposed that she was supposed to become endeared to her children after they were born, that they were supposed to be a blessing and something worth the pain. But truth be told, she had given little thought to what was planned for them, just that one would be bonded to their father to follow in his footsteps as leader.
Aureole watched him go. She sighed but did not want anyone know that she was actually afraid of what would happen tonight. One thing she was not comfortable with was pity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
