Post by Kiniro on Oct 28, 2006 14:08:40 GMT -5
Pridelands - Waterhole Clearing
The Waterhole; a giant splash of cool blue dropped into the middle of the grasslands. The ground dips slightly here from all sides, creating less of an effort for water to gather. The grass dissolves in a circular motion, giving out to dusty, trodden on ground around the water's edge. The water itself is mostly clear, save for muddy areas here and there among the water weeds at the bottom. Some large, flat rocks sit on one edge of the large pool, for sunning or jumping. The water beside them is deep enough for most to have some fun. On the other side is a small, marshy patch of reeds where frogs croak and bounce about. Birds perch in the few boisterous trees around, twittering happily in the daylight hours. Small bits of color in the form of flowers sprout in the grass around, the fertile soil here perfect for such things. This is a place of gathering, and often one of neutrality, however once in awhile that is contested. For the most part, the cool water and the open ground create a peaceful atmosphere.
Ahadi - King of Pride Rock
Aso'Caed - King of Mwenyezi
Nemsharr - NPC Mwenyezi Lion
Raknarr - NPC Mwenyezi Lion
Late afternoon, the sun far off in the west and just waiting for the opportune moment to set, finds the King of Pride Rock active and preparing for some border-patrol. He's been doing a lot of thinking, as of late, and he does it best when he's on the move. First, however, Ahadi makes a stop at the waterhole to refresh himself before fetching a knight to make the rounds with him.
Three alien shapes come from the west. The King Aso and his loyal followers, two of his best guards, Nemsharr and Raknarr. The King can't look worse now, his breathing, just like an old man's, tired, his bones aching, his lungs can't hold the breath. This must stop, or he'll end up dead in a couple of days. It's a miracle he's got this far, only a proof of his strong will to carry one living. Reaching the waterhole, his guards spot the other lions on the other side, "Sir?" Asks Nemsharr in a growl. Aso titlts his head up a little, loking at the other side, he doesn't know this lions, but sure he has the idea that they are the so called Pridelanders, "Do not worry..." Aso nods to his lion, and again walks to the water, taking a drink.
Ahadi was certainly not expecting intruders in his lands, and so near to his home. But intruders he sees when he lifts his head from the pool of water to inspect the unknown scent on the wind. The king is immediately on his guard, and wishes he'd brought someone with him even this short of a distance. He lifts his head and shakes his thick, glossy mane in anger, glaring across the water. "Who treads so boldly on my land and takes so greedily of my drink," he bellows, baring his teeth and keeping his voice a mere notch below a roar.
The two guards start pacing towards the Pridelander, baring teeth and growling. Aso on the other paw, just stops drinking. He looks up at the other lion, his old face staring, scanning the leonine, "It is I... Aso'Caed, King of Mwenyezi..." He stars walking behind his guards, slow steps from the three lions, "These two, if you must know, are Nemsharr and Raknarr... Old friends and loyal guards." With a snarl, he orders the lion to stop, and that only makes Aso stand between them, "Who might you be... If it is not too *bold* to ask."
"I am Ahadi, King of Pride Rock, and ruler of all you now see. I granted you no entry to my kingdom, Aso'Caed, though I have no quarrel with you. What reason do you have for this unwarranted trespass?" Ahadi wrinkles his nose distastefully, clearly offended by the departure from tradition. What is the meaning of borders if Kings stroll freely on the territory of their neighbours?
Aso'Caed growls a soft chuckle to the other *King*. So this is the one he wants dead, now he has an excuse, "You see, thy majesty." He nods somehow respectful. Aso lifts his old head up again, looking at Ahadi from the corner of his good eye, "I am as. . . *young* as you are." He raises an eyebrow, feeling somehow wierd to say this, "I am being consumed by a curse, one offered by the one who chose me as King... Time is running out from my grasp day by day... I seek for a place named, The Valley of Great Kings. Thy lands or not, my life is on the line. So I'm obligued to trespass."
Upon hearing this, Ahadi gives a grimace of sympathy. "I too have been made aware of a sinister presence that is not of this world. My shaman has assured me that this spirit is of malicious intent, and I forgive this deviation of the law for such a reason. It was out of your control- forgive me for jumping to conclusions." He gives a slight, slight bow (although keeping his head higher than Aso did during the respective King's show of respect) and allows himself to relax. The king of the Pridelands does not, however, smile. This is serious business, and Aso'Caed still has given him no reason to trust him.
Aso'Caed looks away from the King, at the fadin sun in the horizon. A heavy and old paw is lifted, a wave to his guards, they soon leave the place to get a drink for themselves. Now that the two Kings are alone, Aso looks back at Ahadi, "I do not need to forgive you... You are just doing your job as King, and..." He narrows his brows, bitting his otngue for a moment before he adds, "In fact... You are supposed to kill us, for we are nothing else but trespassers." Aso takes a deep breath. A King invading another King's territory, Aso would kill the one who dared intrude in his lands, "Or perhaps we are too different."
So this is a king who would kill any who set paw on his lands, without asking questions. That makes him dangerous, and Ahadi is careful to watch what he reveals about his lands to this stranger. "I'm certain our policies differ on the subject, your grace. Had you been a lone rogue, I doubt I should have been so willing to hear you out. As a King, and a possible ally, you are entitled to a deal more respect and leniency." He watches the Mwenyezi body-guards through the corner of his eye, keeping the two and their leader in sight at all times. "I will take you to the Valley you speak of, if you have rested enough here."
Aso'Caed smiles warmly to the King. Well, he's nice, perhaps Aso was wrong, just maybe they could really be allies, only time will tell, "Ahadi... Forgive me." The King stands up as tall as he can. Wow! Ahadi is tall for a normal lion, Aso grins. He can see them fighting with each other one day... Ahadi looks like a worthy opponent, "But this task was given to me, and to me alone... Once I reach this valley, these two will go back to my lands. And whatever is going to happen to me, it will be my choice to endure that fate on my own. I wish not to risk thy life for my selfish purpose... Yet, you can help me by telling me where this place is, I only have a vague idea of the whereabouts."
Three lions from another pride wandering his lands unescorted? Ahadi doesn't think so. Not when he barely knows these strangers. "I insist that, at the very least, I go with you to the edge of the valley. There are those among my guard who might not listen so carefully to reason upon seeing so many strange faces, and it would make for easier passage were I with you." His tone is stern. He will not allow them free roam.
Aso'Caed takes the hint now. So they *do* have things things in common, mistrust in this case, "Then lead the way." The King turns to the sides, snarling at his guards, calling them of course. The two lions keep a safe distance from the Kings, and aso gets reasy to leave, "The sooner the better... I am not getting any younger."
And so Ahadi sets off, taking the king of Mwenyezi and his guards to the Valley of the Great Kings.
The Waterhole; a giant splash of cool blue dropped into the middle of the grasslands. The ground dips slightly here from all sides, creating less of an effort for water to gather. The grass dissolves in a circular motion, giving out to dusty, trodden on ground around the water's edge. The water itself is mostly clear, save for muddy areas here and there among the water weeds at the bottom. Some large, flat rocks sit on one edge of the large pool, for sunning or jumping. The water beside them is deep enough for most to have some fun. On the other side is a small, marshy patch of reeds where frogs croak and bounce about. Birds perch in the few boisterous trees around, twittering happily in the daylight hours. Small bits of color in the form of flowers sprout in the grass around, the fertile soil here perfect for such things. This is a place of gathering, and often one of neutrality, however once in awhile that is contested. For the most part, the cool water and the open ground create a peaceful atmosphere.
Ahadi - King of Pride Rock
Aso'Caed - King of Mwenyezi
Nemsharr - NPC Mwenyezi Lion
Raknarr - NPC Mwenyezi Lion
Late afternoon, the sun far off in the west and just waiting for the opportune moment to set, finds the King of Pride Rock active and preparing for some border-patrol. He's been doing a lot of thinking, as of late, and he does it best when he's on the move. First, however, Ahadi makes a stop at the waterhole to refresh himself before fetching a knight to make the rounds with him.
Three alien shapes come from the west. The King Aso and his loyal followers, two of his best guards, Nemsharr and Raknarr. The King can't look worse now, his breathing, just like an old man's, tired, his bones aching, his lungs can't hold the breath. This must stop, or he'll end up dead in a couple of days. It's a miracle he's got this far, only a proof of his strong will to carry one living. Reaching the waterhole, his guards spot the other lions on the other side, "Sir?" Asks Nemsharr in a growl. Aso titlts his head up a little, loking at the other side, he doesn't know this lions, but sure he has the idea that they are the so called Pridelanders, "Do not worry..." Aso nods to his lion, and again walks to the water, taking a drink.
Ahadi was certainly not expecting intruders in his lands, and so near to his home. But intruders he sees when he lifts his head from the pool of water to inspect the unknown scent on the wind. The king is immediately on his guard, and wishes he'd brought someone with him even this short of a distance. He lifts his head and shakes his thick, glossy mane in anger, glaring across the water. "Who treads so boldly on my land and takes so greedily of my drink," he bellows, baring his teeth and keeping his voice a mere notch below a roar.
The two guards start pacing towards the Pridelander, baring teeth and growling. Aso on the other paw, just stops drinking. He looks up at the other lion, his old face staring, scanning the leonine, "It is I... Aso'Caed, King of Mwenyezi..." He stars walking behind his guards, slow steps from the three lions, "These two, if you must know, are Nemsharr and Raknarr... Old friends and loyal guards." With a snarl, he orders the lion to stop, and that only makes Aso stand between them, "Who might you be... If it is not too *bold* to ask."
"I am Ahadi, King of Pride Rock, and ruler of all you now see. I granted you no entry to my kingdom, Aso'Caed, though I have no quarrel with you. What reason do you have for this unwarranted trespass?" Ahadi wrinkles his nose distastefully, clearly offended by the departure from tradition. What is the meaning of borders if Kings stroll freely on the territory of their neighbours?
Aso'Caed growls a soft chuckle to the other *King*. So this is the one he wants dead, now he has an excuse, "You see, thy majesty." He nods somehow respectful. Aso lifts his old head up again, looking at Ahadi from the corner of his good eye, "I am as. . . *young* as you are." He raises an eyebrow, feeling somehow wierd to say this, "I am being consumed by a curse, one offered by the one who chose me as King... Time is running out from my grasp day by day... I seek for a place named, The Valley of Great Kings. Thy lands or not, my life is on the line. So I'm obligued to trespass."
Upon hearing this, Ahadi gives a grimace of sympathy. "I too have been made aware of a sinister presence that is not of this world. My shaman has assured me that this spirit is of malicious intent, and I forgive this deviation of the law for such a reason. It was out of your control- forgive me for jumping to conclusions." He gives a slight, slight bow (although keeping his head higher than Aso did during the respective King's show of respect) and allows himself to relax. The king of the Pridelands does not, however, smile. This is serious business, and Aso'Caed still has given him no reason to trust him.
Aso'Caed looks away from the King, at the fadin sun in the horizon. A heavy and old paw is lifted, a wave to his guards, they soon leave the place to get a drink for themselves. Now that the two Kings are alone, Aso looks back at Ahadi, "I do not need to forgive you... You are just doing your job as King, and..." He narrows his brows, bitting his otngue for a moment before he adds, "In fact... You are supposed to kill us, for we are nothing else but trespassers." Aso takes a deep breath. A King invading another King's territory, Aso would kill the one who dared intrude in his lands, "Or perhaps we are too different."
So this is a king who would kill any who set paw on his lands, without asking questions. That makes him dangerous, and Ahadi is careful to watch what he reveals about his lands to this stranger. "I'm certain our policies differ on the subject, your grace. Had you been a lone rogue, I doubt I should have been so willing to hear you out. As a King, and a possible ally, you are entitled to a deal more respect and leniency." He watches the Mwenyezi body-guards through the corner of his eye, keeping the two and their leader in sight at all times. "I will take you to the Valley you speak of, if you have rested enough here."
Aso'Caed smiles warmly to the King. Well, he's nice, perhaps Aso was wrong, just maybe they could really be allies, only time will tell, "Ahadi... Forgive me." The King stands up as tall as he can. Wow! Ahadi is tall for a normal lion, Aso grins. He can see them fighting with each other one day... Ahadi looks like a worthy opponent, "But this task was given to me, and to me alone... Once I reach this valley, these two will go back to my lands. And whatever is going to happen to me, it will be my choice to endure that fate on my own. I wish not to risk thy life for my selfish purpose... Yet, you can help me by telling me where this place is, I only have a vague idea of the whereabouts."
Three lions from another pride wandering his lands unescorted? Ahadi doesn't think so. Not when he barely knows these strangers. "I insist that, at the very least, I go with you to the edge of the valley. There are those among my guard who might not listen so carefully to reason upon seeing so many strange faces, and it would make for easier passage were I with you." His tone is stern. He will not allow them free roam.
Aso'Caed takes the hint now. So they *do* have things things in common, mistrust in this case, "Then lead the way." The King turns to the sides, snarling at his guards, calling them of course. The two lions keep a safe distance from the Kings, and aso gets reasy to leave, "The sooner the better... I am not getting any younger."
And so Ahadi sets off, taking the king of Mwenyezi and his guards to the Valley of the Great Kings.