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Name: From an elaboration of Welsh "del" ("pretty").
[You had to coax Delyth into it, but as she stalked alongside you, you were pleased to note that she had listened thoroughly and her technique was perfect. +2% training experience!]
Lore:
The first cub of Heulwen; the only cub in her litter. Born thanks to a rebellious fling between her dam and Evimerath, the tyrannical, mutation-obsessed leader of a neighbouring pride.
Delyth's sire arrived unexpectedly at the pride when she was a newborn; he was met by a patrol after crossing the border and requested to speak with Heulwen. The patrol members were uncertain, but one of them fetched the Queen. Upon hearing the request, she asked Sylváris to accompany her, giving the excuse that he needed more experience with diplomatic meetings. He nodded, but could sense her agitation and wanted to make sure she was alright.
Evimerath acted pleasant enough towards the pair, but many aspects of the visit set Heulwen's teeth on edge; for one, the fact that he had brought a pair of lionesses with him who kept looking towards the patrolling group hungrily and flexing their claws, even after Heulwen sent them to continue their route. Stranger still were the uncannily similar, heart-shaped scars they each bore upon one shoulder.
The Queen became even more alarmed when the interloper cheerfully revealed that—somehow—he was aware that his brief encounter with Heulwen a few months earlier had resulted in a pregnancy, and requested to meet his offspring. With her head held high, Heulwen reported that the cub was healthy, and—as a hint that he had no right to custody—that they resembled her own father. Evimerath nodded politely, and repeated his request to see the cub. The Queen, more firmly, recited the common rule among many prides that a dam has the right to refuse contact between her cubs and their sire if he doesn't reside in her pride, in order to ensure both parties' privacy and prevent inter-pride conflict. To this same end, she added, sires have the right to refuse to claim cubs that aren't born into their pride; she advised that he should take advantage of this.
Evimerath seemed amused. With a smirk that was echoed by his companions, he declared that where he comes from, such laws don't exist.
Heulwen hesitated, confused; just where did this lion come from?
Sylváris, however, did not hesitate—hearing the implied threat loud and clear, he launched himself at Evimerath. Taken by surprise, the much larger male reeled back, roaring as his face was held between forepaws and his muzzle bitten by overlong fangs. The strange lionesses snarled and grabbed at Sylváris, clawing his flanks while he clung to the thrashing Evimerath, kicking his hind paws at his target's chest and stomach.
Heulwen watched in horror. Although she'd undergone enough training to hold her own in a fight, she'd never needed to put it into practice; and having given birth to her first cub a matter of days ago, she hadn't overcome the related pain and exhaustion. Surely, leaping into the fray would do more harm than good...
Suddenly, she knew what to do. Throwing her head back, she gave a mighty roar; within moments, responding roars sounded, growing louder by the second as the patrol that had lingered nearby raced to the aid of their leader.
With the addition of four allies, the fight was laughably easy. Despite their intimidating behaviour, the outsiders were rather weak, with wildly aimed blows and poor musculature that indicated malnourishment. Within a few minutes, Evimerath and his lackeys limped away from the scene as quickly as they could, sending dirty looks over their shoulders.
As Sylváris and the patrol group licked their wounds, Heulwen shyly approached the Felis and offered her assistance. He turned an injured shoulder towards her, silently accepting the offer. The patrol group sensed that their queen wanted a moment alone with her second-in-command, and excused themselves to return home.
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