Warray wasn't looking forward to visiting the Mazu Lands. He didn't understand the apeal it had to Bed, and frankly he felt she was unsafe there, especially with all the males. The dangers of the rogue lands seemed a far better place to raise a family than Mazu. After seeing what a horrible play Mazu was he would take Bed far away from it and show her the wonders of rogue life.
First thing first was he was going to meet Mazu's king. Nahasi, Bed's nephew. In his mind he imagined a wicked king, someone large and powerful. He would be cruel and hate all those around him, especially females and those who were weak. Warray swore he would keep Bed protected while there though. If Nahasi or any other male laid a hand on her than he would fight them. He would fight till he defeated them or died.
Bed had showed him around Mazu and showed him where he would be staying for the visit. He was next to the female's den. Bed arranged it so she would be close by if he needed anything. He missed being next to her, laying in their own den back in the rogue lands. She had promised to go with him back there if he truly hated it here. He had no intention of ever having a moment of enjoyment while stuck in the pride.
Nahasi waited in the council room. He had just finished a council meeting and wanted to stay to meet Bedeinka's guest. It made him happy to see that his aunt had finally found someone to love her. She wasn't the easiest lion to get along with, he knew that personally. He was also greatful that he came to visit the pride. Perhaps Warray the prince would stay in the pride. Nahasi would love to hear different stories about the old pride. Perhaps he could incorporate some of the customs into Mazu. It might make Warray feel more at home.
He saw the reddish lion walk into the room. A warm smile went on Nahasi's maw as he approached the lion. “I would like to welcome you to Mazungoku. My aunt Bedeinka has told me a lot about to Warray. I would love to hear your stories about your old pride, that is if you are feeling up to it.” He said as kindly as he could. He didn't want to intimidate his guest. On the contrary he wanted Warray to feel at home. Any friend of his aunts was a friend to him.
“Would you like to eat? I could have one of the guards bring us a meal?” He himself was hungry after such a long meeting. He hoped Warray was stomach was empty.
“I am fine King Nahasi.” He said with obvious fake politeness. Warray did a quick mocking bow before walking up to the king. This lion was not how he imagined the King. He was still so young, so inexperienced. He couldn't understand. There was a kindness to the lion, a young innocence if you will. Why did the king have to be like this? He could flat out hate someone just because they were king to the pride he despised.
“I don't really feel like talking about my pride. I wish more to hear about Mazu. Bedeinka has told me much about the pride customs and I'm not sure if I like what I hear.” He decided honestly was the best way. Perhaps he could get a stir out of Nahasi, and make him hate him. It was the best option he had at the moment.
Nahasi scanned the lion. This wasn't good. What had Bedeinka told him that made him dislike the pride so much? He had never had this problem before. Most outsiders find the pride a safe haven. He couldn't think of a single thing wrong with the pride. Than his stomach growled. Of course it would during this intense moment, Nahasi thought.
He went to a guard and requested some meat. It was rude to eat in front of a guest he knew, but since Warray didn't want any he decided it would be okay. “I am curious, what part of Mazu do you not like?” He asked a little bewildered. He was still trying to think of a negative point of Mazu. All he was drawing was blanks.
Warray scowled. Was this king so ignorant that he couldn't see the faults of his own pride? Or was he like Bedeinka who was raised in the messed up pride and so couldn't really tell the difference. “First off I hate the way females are treated in the pride. I think they should be aloud to be free to roam and leave when they want to.”
Maybe he would get kicked out of the pride. What would Bedeinka do than? Perhaps she would come to hate the pride as much as he did. It wold be perfect. He would provoke the king as much as he could till he was kicked out. Than he would be happy living in the rogue lands with Bed. They would have a family and be as far away from Mazu as possible. He would never even mention the pride to his cubs and he would have Bed promise to do the same. It would be horryfing if he found out one of his cubs lived here.
“Females are welcome to leave whenever they wanted to. It is the old ways where they were treated like prisoners. We provide food and water and company for them when ever they desire it. If they were not happy they would tell us so and we would take them to the rogue lands and find them some where to leave peacefully.” He explained the best he could.
“We never harm them. Not since my father took over the pride. My grandfather on the other hand used females as slaves. If any male treated a female like a slave now I would ban them from the pride.” Nahasi didn't want Warray to be under the impression that females were beneath males in the pride. He loved the brotherhood mothers and would never wish harm to any of them.
Warray stared at Nahasi confused. Was the king lying? No he couldn't be. Than what about what Bedeinka said. She told him differently. “I am sorry King Nahasi. I think there has been some miscommunications between Bed and I. I did not mean to take it out on you.” He was truly sorry. He hoped he didn't upset the king in anyway. Later he would talk to Bedeinka about the events and figure out what was the truth and what wasn't.
Nahasi nodded his head. It seemed that Warray was wrong about the pride. The guard came back with the meat and Nahasi was greatful for it. He sat down and started munching on it. “Warray are you sure you don't want some?”
Warray shook his head. “I need to talk to Bedeinka right away. I will be back though to talk to you some more. I am sorry for my rudeness.”
“It is fine. Please be gentle with my aunt though. I know she can be hard to deal with at times, but she means well.”
“I will King Nahasi.” And with that Warray went off to find Bedeinka.
WC: 1,231
