"So it may be" The red primal lioness spoke up, her voice gruff and rather deep "However, you seem to know at least a fraction of what is going on in your pride, and that should be enough. We wish to hear everything you know, so that we may be able to help. We feel it is in our best interest to do so." The primal's vibrant blue eyes stared intensely into Horizon's. There was no malice in them, only a mystifying calmness that seemed to cover up a different emotion.

(I apologize for my recent inactivity. I'm suffering from a nasty cold right now )

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Horizon looked back at the great king, thinking hard about what would happen to her if she told more than her pride saw fit to share. He said he wanted to help, but that was a loaded statement, and she wasn't sure her pride would appreciate any help he had to give. They were, many of them, stubborn and proud lionesses. "Why would you want to help us?" Horizon asked delicately. "I mean, you don't even know us. Perhaps it's just out of the goodness of your heart, but . . ." She wanted to say something like, but it seems there's more going on here. But that would be too forward. Instead, she said, "But why do you feel it would be 'in your best interest' to do anything to aid my pride?"

(No problem. Sorry for my inactivity, I also happen to have a bad cold. Strangely.)

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"We understand your worry" Alnair interjected " Truth be told, it must seem strange that a pride of mostly strangers wants to help. However, you do know Bastet, and you seem to get along very well. Any friend of one pride member is a friend of the entire pride. Besides, we've become more cautious of Bastet's visions after... our last visitor." He finished cautiously, taking a glance in the alabaster lioness's direction.

(Quincadence? I think not! XD)

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Horizon smiled at Alnair, trying to appear friendly. Truth be told, if anyone could help . . . well, she was perfectly willing to trust them if there was a chance. "I don't doubt that there are pride who do kindness for the kindness' sake," she said. Upon hearing of Bastet's "visions," she looked at the lioness. "A vision?" she asked. Her pride had a lioness as well who spoke to the orishas and was granted visions, as cryptic and hard to decipher as they were. And she knew what terrible things could happen if those visions were ignored. "If this is something you feel you have to do - you must understand, though, that I'm far from holding power in this pride. I don't make decisions about who to trust and what to do. The best I can do is to introduce you to the lion who does."

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"Fair enough" Alnair stood up, although his moves weren't very graceful "I'll gladly speak to your king. Perhaps our prides could form an alliance. It would be wise to form more of those, especially during such harsh times."

Bastet flinched slightly at the mention of her visions. "I wouldn't call them that" She confessed "I simply see things that others don't. It is Esther, our Oracle who is the one receiving visions and prophecies from the Ancient Ones." She dipped her head slightly toward the lioness beside her, who has been staying silent throughout the entire exchange. She nodded in turn, but still didn't utter a word, instead focusing her draconid eyes on Horizon, and smiled as if trying to reassure the broodmother.

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"Perhaps," said Horizon, though she didn't look entirely certain. Truth be told, her pride wasn't known for being friendly, and the one pride allied to them were more like servants than equals. But maybe if William got involved first, he could convince Monarch. "It does seem like a logical thing to do."

Seeing Bastet flinch, Horizon immediately felt bad for having asked about it so bluntly. She had no idea what it was like to see things like Bastet could see, but she knew lionesses who could, and they hardly ever seemed to want to talk about it. "Of course, Bastet, I'm sorry," said Horizon. Seeing Bastet motioning to her pride Oracle, Horizon inclined her head as well. She gave the lioness a wavering smile in return.

She turned her attention back to the king. "I would be happy to set up a meeting. I'm sure I could convince William to come talk to you. Maybe somewhere on neutral territory? If that's alright with you."

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"That would be the safest way to resolve this. I can send a neutral Messenger with you who will accompany you on your journey back to the pride. I could also go there myself, although a foreign king crossing your pride's territory might be seen as an intruder. I will let the place of the meeting up to your leader." Alnair replied. The red primal lioness gave him a warning look once he mentioned going with Horizon himself.

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"That sounds fine, thank you. I think it would be best to send a messenger. Not that I don't trust you, it's just that I'm not certain how my king will react to another king entering his territory, even on peaceful business." She shifted, trying to think of a polite way to tell him that she was already expected back at the pride and needed to hurry. "Do you already have a messenger in mind?"

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"I do have a lioness in mind. She is young and a bit inexperienced but she'll get the job done." Alnair said.

The red lioness patted him on the shoulder slightly. "Can I have a word with you?" She said. Both primals stepped aside and seemed to exchange several words, before returning back to the other lions.

"Actually" The King cleared his throat rather loudly "It might be best to send two lions, just in case. Bastet, would you accompany Jewel to Horizon Red's pride?"

The alarm in Isis's eyes was immediately apparent at the King's request, but Bastet has already stepped forward and nodded her head in agreement. "I'll do my best" She said determinadely.

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"That sounds wonderful," said Horizon, nodding. She was going to say something else, but before she could even open her mouth Alnair was pulled aside by the primal lioness. Horizon glanced aside and smiled at Bastet, focusing on her so she didn't accidentally overhear anything the other two said. As the two returned, she looked back at them.

"Of course," she said, in response to the king's suggestion. "I would be happy to have Bastet accompany me as well. That might even be better, since William's already met her." She turned to Bastet to give her a far more welcoming smile. She was glad to have a lioness she already knew come with her. "I assume young Jewel is back at your camp, sir?"

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(Wait, William already met Bastet? When? I don't think I remember that)

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(Just for a moment, during the giveaway. It wasn't that important, but he does know her.)

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(I can't remember reading that, but ok)

"Really?" Isis remarked at Horizon's statement about William and Bastet. "How long ago has it been?"

Bastet's face seemed to reden at her words as her tail moved up slightly towards her stomach. "It was just a brief glance, nothing more." She mumbled. It was then that Horizon noticed her abdomen being a little more... round than usual.

"No worries, I'll send Chara to fetch her" Alnair said, nodding toward the red primal lioness, who turned her back and quickly dissapeared into the foliage. The King seemed to either completely ignore or not notice the exchange between Isis and Bastet.

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(Ah, no, you're right, she didn't actually meet him, she left without talking to him. Would you like to redo that, pretend I didn't say it, or imagine they spoke briefly?)

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(We can keep it the way it is. I imagine they saw each other, maybe had a small conversation and then parted ways)

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