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“Right. Leading the pride. How hard can it be?” With brows furrowed and pelt ruffled, Amatus lowered her gaze to the ground. Her tail lashed once, twice, and she jumped up suddenly. “Oh gods… Leading the pride— you’re not serious, right? You jest, surely.”
“Did I not say she’d hold such a reaction?” Ryah purred, or did something that resembled a purr.
“Yes, alright, the skull is yours, and won fairly this time too.” Lahtaegis grinned, “Amatus, unfortunately, I do not jest about such matters. But, the good news is, you will do just fine, when the time comes, that is.”
The words of encouragement did nothing to ease the young lioness’s concerns, and the three sat in silence for a while. A breeze gently danced through the leaves of the Great Tree, bringing with it scents of the Honeycomb Rivers to the north of the pride’s current territory.
After a few long moments passed, Ryah nudged the little lioness, “Would it help to know that Lahtaegis felt the same way when he was chosen as King Lairel’s apprentice?” Lahtaegis nervously gave his mane a quick lick, an involuntary habit he fell prey to always at the mention of the former king.
“He di— I mean, you did?” Amatus looked to the Lion who was now sitting as though he was uncomfortable with the conversation. “I did, and I know Ryah will give you much better training then he ever could, so you’ve nothing to worry about.” This seemed to cheer her up, and she nodded, smiled, and bounded off towards the river.
“Well, that seems to have gone fairly decently, considering all the tension and build-up you two put her through.” Keir mused, padding up to the pair of lions with a mischievous smirk. “Keir, you’re back, and in one piece.” Lahtaegis smiled and nuzzled into him as Ryah greeted him with a friendly flick of the tail.
“Indeed, and lucky for you, whatever would you do without me?”
“Maybe he’d actually get his hunts done on time.” Ryah replied sarcastically.
“Simply unfathomable.”
“Hey- my hunting ability is exquisite, in fact, I’d wager I could bring in a couple zebra before you even have a chance to track a hare.”
“Do you really want to bet on that? You shall lose miserably, my friend!” Ryah flexed her claws, spotted tail flicking around playfully.
- August 12, 2022
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