Yakuti slunk through the pride, doing her very best to keep in the shadows. She wasn't sure where her mother's plans had gone awry; when they'd attempted to make their way to an outpost, they'd been stopped. Brynja had not been pleased, but the Reaver that had stopped them was under the impression that Thorgrim would not be pleased if his daughter strayed from the pride - and so now Thorgrim was aware of their attempted move.
Brynja had little doubt that the Captain was now keeping a very close eye on his daughter, and because of that, the Priestess did not venture far from her den. She was currently attempting to conceive with her seer-thrall, and while Yakuti did not approve of her mother's misguided ideas about what she might accomplish by becoming pregnant with her seer-thrall, Yakuti was ever-loyal to her mother.
Lost deep in her thoughts, Yakuti did not notice a dark lion watching her from the shadows. It was not until Bruten was directly in her path that she realized she was not alone. Letting out a soft gasp of surprise, Yakuti watched the Warlord's son with wide eyes.
"Yakuti. It is a good day to die."
Yakuti licked her lips and took a step back. Bruten was not a gentle lion, nor was he a kind one; however, his position demanded a semblance of respect.
"Not today, Bruten."
He eyed her quietly, taking a step forward to close the gap that her step backwards had placed between them. He was not keen on taking a wife, but Bruten knew that it would be expected of him. Brynja's daughter was a fine choice, and he knew he'd be wise to make his intentions known before another did.
"What brings you out this evening, Yakuti?"
Narrowing his strange eyes, Bruten took yet another step forward.
"Nothing but the fresh air, son of the Warlord." Yakuti fought the urge to take yet another step backward. Doing so would make her discomfort known, and she did not want to show weakness in the face of danger.
"Mm. It is pleasant out this evening. Walk with me, Yakuti."
Bruten brushed past the lioness without glancing back to see if she followed. He'd given an order, and he expected it to be followed.
Yakuti dutifully took up next to the larger lion, ears pinning just the slightest as she walked. She was not sure that she wanted to hear what was on his mind; part of her worried that he might want to discuss her mother's reasons for wanting to visit an outpost, and part of her worried that he might want to discuss other, more unsavory things. Things that she had no interest in.
Things like marriage.
Yakuti did not want to marry Bruten. He was big, and unhandsome, and while he had not fathered any bastards as of yet it was known among the thralls that he was a lusty lion. Yakuti did not want to have to deal with any of these things, and she let out a soft sigh as they walked.
"It is time for me to take a wife, Yakuti."
She faltered slightly, clearing her throat as she recovered from her slight stumble.
"I would take you."
How did she respond to something like that? She was going to have to pretend that Gruvan's cubs were her own, and in order to do that she needed to keep herself unattached. Not only that, but she did not want to marry Bruten. Yakuti was silent as she weighed her words, taking great care with her thoughts before giving voice to them.
"I am not ready for a husband, Bruten." She paused, glancing over at him with wide blue eyes. "I hope this does not give you offense, because I know that being your wife would bring with it great respect."
"You have another suitor?"
"No, I don't," Yakuti rushed to assure him. "I am just not yet ready to take a husband. It is simple as that, Bruten."
He grunted, but did not turn to look at her. They walked in silence for a long stretch of time before he stopped, pausing to watch Yakuti carefully.
"I could make it so that you do not have a choice, you know." He liked the thought of that, but he did not want to be completely unhappy in life. That, and he knew that Brynja would not make his life easy; part of him did not care. Part of him was not worried about a foolish Priestess. His father was their Warlord. His father could order Yakuti to marry him, and he could order Brynja killed.
"I still might," Bruten added as he continued walking. They'd gone in a haphazard circle, and Bruten began to steer Yakuti towards her den. "I will have you as my wife, Yakuti. If not now, then later. When you are ready. I will be a gracious husband. You will provide me with cubs, and our marriage will do you no harm. You are getting older," he was keen to make that dig. She was older than he. Bruten liked to think he was doing her a favor. "Your time for motherhood grows shorter; it would be best to take advantage of what little youth you have left, Yakuti."
Yaktui grit her teeth and schooled her voice into something much gentler than what she was feeling.
"I will let you know when I am ready to marry, Bruten." They were getting closer to her den, which was the opposite way she'd wanted to go. "I will consider no other, I swear it by the Gods."
That seemed to satisfy Bruten. It was as good as an arranged marriage, and he was content with that. All that was left was telling his father, who would undoubtedly be pleased that his son had found such a suitable future wife.
They drew up to Yakuti's den, and Bruten stopped just short of it.
"Do not die in bed, Yakuti. I will see you again in the days to come."
It sounded more like a threat than a promise, and Yakuti clenched her teeth.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening, Bruten. Thank you for the escort, and for the walk."
She did not waste another moment before heading into her den. Yakuti would have to talk to Brynja about their options, if any.
WC 1065
