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"I don't know why Uncle wants to talk to us, Klona. I swear. If I knew, I'd tell you, but I don't and so I can't. I mean, it can't be that big of a deal, right? We're all staying out here in the woods, just like Uncle told us to - and we're not going back to the stronghold, probably," Orvar shot Sko a Look before turning his attention back to the inquisitive Klona.

Herryk had called a small family meeting, it seemed, and Orvar (being how he was) had taken it upon himself to round up Klona and Sko.

"He should be here soon, and so you can ask him yourself."

Klona promptly snorted and rolled her eyes. Orvar was such a horrid cousin, and he was probably lying but she didn't want to call him out on it - and part of her hoped that papa was going to tell Orvar or Sko to catch her a bird just like she'd always wanted.

An orange bird, wouldn't it be just amazing?!

"Well, Orvar," Klona peered up at Skogund (who was currently snoozing on a thick branch high in the treetops), "Klona isn't calling Orvar a liar because Klona does not wish to be mean," she turned to give Orvar a meaningful look, "but..."

"Gods, Klona, you've been in a snit these past few days."

Sko's dark voice rang out, deep and wicked. Near-black eyes peered down at the pale Klona and white-maned Orvar.

"I bet Da just wants to tell us not to go near the Stronghold again, like he always does, or something equally stupid. Sometimes I don't think he realizes that we're grown and we can look after ourselves."

Sko grinned.

"Especially me. Or maybe he just wants to tell me what a good job I've been doing looking after you, Klona. It's the worst job, I tell you. I bet that's what he wants to talk about."

"It isn't."

Herryk's voice rang out in the forest, and he peered up at his son where Sko lounged in a tree. His gaze moved in turn to Klona, finally resting upon Orvar.

"I have heard word that Captain Ru has returned. This is what I wish to speak to you about."

Herryk pinned his ears back, a mere swing-flick before they perked at attention once more.

"I do not know what this means for us; we will have to wait and see. Does Kazul know, Orvar?"

Herryk watched his nephew with curious eyes. His half-sister's boy had always been good to his Klona, and for that Herryk would always look upon Orvar as one of his own.

Orvar remained steadfast, watching Herryk with interest. Something else? He hoped it wasn't bad. Especially since Klona was so near; she was easily upset, and while Orvar knew that Herryk realized this, he couldn't help but worry that she might inadvertently find herself upset.

He shot Skogund a look of shock when the shadow-like lion landed on the ground next to him with a soft thud. It was odd to see Skogund at eye-level, and sometimes it was easy for him to forget how large his cousin was.

"What is it, uncle?"

Orvar settled himself on his haunches, gaze flickering between Klona and Herryk.

"You are so dirty, papa," Klona was very much elsewhere, her thoughts nebulous and often disjointed. She didn't catch the hesitation in her father's voice, didn't notice the way her brother landed on the ground. Her focus was entirely on her papa's filthy face (which wasn't really all that filthy, but that wasn't the point of her grooming).

That, and birds. Always birds.

"Klona still does not have a bird," her voice was a sad whisper, muffled against Herryk's thick mane. Because her back was turned, she did not see the way Orvar and Sko both rolled their eyes.

Skogund bumped his shoulder against Orvar's before settling himself next to his larger cousin; he truly was a handsome lion, lean muscles shifting beneath his glossy coat. It felt weird to be on the ground when most of his time was spent in the trees. He didn't feel unsafe, just at a disadvantage. He was with family, though, and as safe as he could be while not in the trees.

His gaze sharpened on his father's face.

"What is it, Da," his own words echoed those of Orvar, a dark curiosity deepening his voice. He wasn't sure whether or not to be concerned; his father was a worrywart, and so he tried not to fret prematurely.

Herryk grunted at Klona, doing his very best to avoid her tongue as he spoke. She was incessantly in his face, and while he knew she was doing it because she loved him, at times like this it could be frustrating.

"It is important, now more than ever, that you do not stray from the forest. Do not wander near the borders. Do not leave the cover of the woods. We are safe here. This is our home, and this is where we are safe. There might come a day where the pride will welcome us again, and at that time you may decide to return. That is fine; but for now, promise that you will do as I say."

Orvar didn't even bother trying to hide his sigh of relief. If Herryk asked Klona to stay home, she would. However, to sweeten the pot, Orvar tried a little coercion of his own.

"There aren't even going to be any birds where we're going, Klona. You'd probably hate it. When Sko and I get back, I promise we'll find a bird for you. I promise on the Gods."

He solemnly lifted a paw as he spoke, as if by doing so he would be incapable of going back on his word. He loved his cousin, but it would be much easier to travel without her.

Klona didn't look pleased by the prospect of missing out on any sort of adventure, and she especially didn't like the thought of Orvar and Sko leaving her behind. But her papa was asking her to stay home and keep him company, and Klona didn't want to let her papa down.

Plus, Orvar had sworn on the Gods that he'd get a bird for her, and there was no way he'd be able to get out of that.

"Klona will stay with her papa," she didn't sound thrilled, but she nuzzled Herryk regardless. "If that will make Klona's papa happy."

Skogund let out a breath that he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Without Klona, he and Orvar could move fast through the forest in their search for Kazul. The sooner they could find her, the sooner they could return home; there wasn't anything that Skogund needed to get back to, but he did not like being too far from his sister. She truly was his best friend, and he felt responsible for the pale lioness.

After all, he'd always looked after her.

"It won't take us long to come back," he assured nobody in particular, though his eyes were on his sister and his father. "A day, two at most, I think."

"Very good," Herryk nuzzled his daughter and gave Orvar a thankful look before he did the same to his son. He'd been blessed by the Gods for such a family; despite their origins, despite the fact that he was a b*****d - Herryk knew he'd lucked out. He had good, strong sons. He had beautiful daughters. His nephew was a decent boy.

"Be quick, and return swiftly. Most importantly, be safe. Do not put yourself in danger, and stay away from the pride."

Herryk looked pained.

"I would go myself, but," he gestured at Klona with his eyes, "you are undoubtedly faster than I. Safe travels, and come home in one piece."

He would never forgive himself if anything happened to them.