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 Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:56 pm
Asali'jua balanced easily on a fallen log, enjoying the peace this far corner of the swamp offered - even a loving mother needed a break now and then. Besides, her absence would help Narindima'moyo, the son she'd once named Nyoe, get in some bonding time with his younger siblings, which he'd been very surprised to discover he had. At that response, the Queen had laughed. If that had been his reaction, what would Juu's be?
Oh, she did hope he'd come home soon! And Mng'aro, too...was he still smaller than his brothers? And there was Johari, of course, and Nyasi. If they didn't return soon, she would have to conduct funeral ceremonies for her own children.
With a soft sigh, she stretched out on the hollow log.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:05 pm
The Queen of the Spirit-talkers was not quite as alone as she thought; today, the Goddess of Swamps shadowed her steps. Mama Bwawa had a vested interest in the wellbeing of the Jini-msemi. Not only were they her worshippers, they were her descendants.
...well, some of them, anyway. She'd very nearly wiped them completely off the face of earth in that fit of anger she'd had some time ago. It was the pale lioness she now watched, along with her offspring, who still bore the goddess' blood. Her blood, however, was not the issue - Asali'jua's choice of travelling companions upon coming home was the problem. She'd brought only two males with her, and the result was a new generation made up entirely of cousins.
It was, in short, a disaster. How would this new generation spawn another, when they had only the children of their uncle with which to associate? Something needed to be done, and Mama was going to do it - with the swamp-queen's help.
And so at last, she let the magic of invisibility fall away, and spoke directly to her descendant for the first time, "Asali'jua."
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:09 pm
Asali saw many things, but this was one she never saw coming. She had communed with spirits, been done favors, but to see the goddess herself! She was, for once, quite openly surprised, and in her rush to abandon her perch and bow, she stumbled on the soft ground, falling to her knees with much less decorum than she'd intended.
"M-Mother," she voiced, eyes cast at the goddess' feet. "I am honored beyond words."
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:14 pm
The horned goddess smiled gently, pleased by the Queen's humility. "Rise, Asali'jua, and walk with me," she said, gesturing with her forepaw, "For we have much to discuss. You have done well, my dear, very well - but in one way, I am afraid you have failed."
With those words her clear blue eyes hardened just a touch, as an indication she was very, very serious, and the lioness had best listen well.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:19 pm
"Of course, Mother," she replied instantly, rising to her paws with a great deal more grace than when she'd 'descended' from the log. "Thank you, Mother." Mama Bwawa was, of course, not Asali'jua's real mother, but the title was an honorific more than anything, although they were of course distantly related.
At the reprimand for her failure, whatever that was, he turned her head in careful shame. "Forgive me, Mother, I did not mean to fail." Asali lifted her head to look at the goddess once more. "Only tell me how I can atone, and it will be done."
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:25 pm
"Your pride," Mama elaborated, moving through the swamp with a sureness no one but she, the very patron of it, could ever match, "Has grown well enough, and in that way I am pleased. You hold true to the traditions, and in that way I am pleased. This new generation is strong and promising because of your efforts."
"You have however, made a mistake, for there is one thing all the youth of this pride has in common that it would be better they not. Can you tell me, Asali, of what I speak?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:28 pm
Speaking to the goddess was a trial Asali had never quite known the like of. Not only did she know what Mama Bwawa was capable of if sufficiently angered, it was difficult to be strung along not knowing her fault, being at once praised and chided for her actions. In regards to the question directed at her, she took the utmost care in determining the answer.
Really, it wasn't a terribly difficult one. After a few moments, she sighed and answered, "Blood, Mother. They are all cousins, because Jabali and Matope are brothers."
As usual, the thought of Matope made her heart ache. Of all the things she saw, his fate was not one of them. What had happened to him? Where had he gone, and why? Not knowing was a terrible agony.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:34 pm
"Precisely." The goddess nodded, approving both of the answer and the care with which it had been given. "And this is what we must do something about, you and I. The Jini-misemi are in need of new blood, blood not connected to the two brothers. They were wonderful choices, don't be mistaken, but their children now have no mates."
"Together, we will work to remedy this...little problem. That is how you will atone. Am I understood?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:38 pm
"Yes, Mother, you are understood," Asali replied softly. Though it was something she realized now, in her haste it had not occurred to her when she had banded together with Jabali, Matope, and Sehani, that there would be trouble down the line. She had founded a pride that was destined only to die out if something wasn't done now to correct her oversight.
"What work would you have me do?" The lioness awaited a reply with baited breath.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:44 pm
"Good." Not that Mama had expected any other answer; who would dare to tell her no? Certainly not Asali'jua, the most devoted and committed of any follower. Imara'moyo's daughters had raised his grandchild well.
"I will deliver to you new blood, both from outside and from myself, and you will raise it as pride. This will fix the problem, if enough is found."
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:46 pm
Asali might have replied with more assurance that she was ready and willing to do whatever her goddess demanded, and such words were on her lips until a particular detail of Mama's plan registered more clearly. Words of fealty all but flew away.
"From yourself, Mother?" she asked tentatively. "How do you mean?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:50 pm
"I mean it quite literally, my dear; after all, how could I implore you to correct a problem if I myself do nothing to further the cause?" The Lady of the Swamps smiled, for the reason she gave was very little more than sweet talk. She would happily ask her servant to do something and then stand idly by. She only helped now because it seemed dire necessity.
"I will bear cubs, and they will be for you to raise alongside your own."
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:54 pm
Asali's amber eyes widened in near-disbelief, and once more she dipped her head in a bow. "I am honored, Mother, that you would trust me with such a task. I will do as you ask, but.."
Something had occurred to her, causing her to hesitate. "How am I to raise cubs? Mine are long-since weaned, and I could offer them no milk."
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:58 pm
"You will have more cubs," Mama answered simply, "As soon as your body is ready again. But, Asali'jua, and this is where you must heed me, they will not be the children of your consort. The brothers' blood is prevalent enough in this swamp as it is." Her voice had the hard edge of command.
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Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:04 pm
Upon hearing the request, Asali's heart fell. While she would do what the goddess asked, and gladly, she worried for Jabali, for whom she had such strong affections. It had been common in the swamp for a ruler to breed with more than one lion or lioness, but he hadn't been raised as a Spirit-talker. He would take it in stride, no doubt, but would it hurt him?
She didn't know, but there was nothing to be done for it. What Mama Bwawa said, she would do without question, and despite the whisper of misgiving, she agreed confidently, "As you wish, Mother."
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