Post by Arazia on Feb 8, 2008 16:44:48 GMT -5
One of the Tyne Kings comes to have a discussion with the Southern border guard about the training of the pride's youngsters, and ends up getting not only a revelation about Kiapo's intentions, but also a story about Tyne's own history.
Characters:
Kiapo - Adult Lion (Guard)
Elimnyama - Adult Lion (King)
The day is slowly ebbing into the first small twinklings of twilight as the stars begin to show on the horizon. The coming night is a well-deserved blessing for all the lands still under the grips of the 'great dry'. For Kiapo, it means that his shift as border-guard is nearly at an end for the day, and there is a well-earned place of rest when he arrives at the pridal cavern. Since a long-ago confrontation with Ukomobasi, the lion had largely kept to himself. Doing his job, sleeping at night, and then beginning again the next day. Perhaps that made him seem a bit less social than other lions, but he simply didn't want to intrude upon the day to day family life around him. "Great Kings, watch over these lands." He murmurs to himself, giving homage to the coming starlight. Then, the chocolate-toned lion pushes himself to his feet, stretching languidly before starting the slow trek away from the borderlands.
The slow shuffles of paws amid the grasses overture's Elimnyama's arrival. Other than this small noise, the dark king moves quietly along the river shore and finally brings up his pace when the southern border is in sight. He's decided to do a little extra patrolling, having become necessarily aware of the fact that Tyne still has an abundance of water while the Forgotton Lands (and the possibly dangerous rogues who live there) have little to none. Elim' squints as he catches sight of a large figure - clearly a male lion - moving toward him from the border. Alarm does not immediately surge up in him, though, as he knows of Kiapo's habit of prowling this area. Though he rarely sees or talks to the older male, he nonetheless recalls the friendship that exists between this lion and Tisea. He dips his head in a nod as he draws closer to Kiapo, and finally slows to a stop. "Evening, Kiapo. How are things at the border tonight?"
It is not unusual to encounter other lions near the borders, especially with the many young males that live in Kivuli. However, Kiapo rarely encounters one of the two Kings of these lands. Thus, when Elimnyama approaches, he slows his pace slightly until he only stands with his head slightly bowed. "G'evening, m'lord." Overly polite as always, the brown lion raises his head and glances towards the stone he uses as his own 'marker' for the edge of Tyne's lands. "Quiet so far, this evening." Turning his head back towards the King, Kiapo bobs it up and down slightly. "There was a strange giraffe around earlier, but I don't think he means any harm." He pauses, thoughtfully, then continues... "The rogues have been a bit more scarce... perhaps due to the lack of water. But I think that Sir Kamau's presence helping the guards adds to that as a well." His tail swishes slightly, and with a small tilt of the head, the lion asks, "What brings you out this early, tonight?"
The king's ears press backward very slightly, hiding a blush in their pale grey rims, at the title of 'mlord'. Nobody in Tyne addresses him so, and as he's still just a young king it makes him a little nervous. Elim' begins to wonder, more than a few moments ago, how this conversation will go, but he hoists a polite smile on his face to hide his nerves and listen attentively to Kiapo's report. He follows the other male's eyes to the mentioned stone, divining quite easily the purpose to which Kiapo has put it, and nods accordingly. Well, Aitan and he can't possibly pee on EVERYTHING! Help from the guards and the younger boys in training is always appreciated. Elim' raises both brows at the mention of Kamau, and a grin slides around his muzzle. "Well, I'm glad he's taking that initiative. I was a little afraid of us all becoming a little complacent in the lack of threats lately, so it's great that we've got the younger generation to train up. That'll keep us on our toes for a while." At the question of why he's here, Elim' doesn't answer immediately. Rather he slides onto his haunches and smiles passively at Kiapo. "Well, I was hoping you and I could discuss something. You and Aitan and I don't talk nearly as much as we should, considering you're one of the leading guards here."
With the King seeming to want to discuss something, Kiapo settles down into a sitting position, his whipchord tail curling around his haunches in a relaxed manor. Unlike some lions, the brown guard rarely seems nervous or excited, worried at times, but otherwise much of what he feels seems hidden behind an impassive exterior. "I believe Lord Aitan was planning on beginning Sir Kale'Kizuka's training soon, as well. Will you be bringing your sons out for training?" It seems like polite enough conversation, curiosity about the young lions of the pride. "The eastern border seems the best for the young ones, since it doesn't border on the Ghost-lands." He seems to keep his thoughts about threats to himself. Sure there have been rogues now and again trying to get through, but only a few of the scruffier ones seemed to be a threat. With his eyes still looking calmly at Elimnyama, the lion nods slightly, "What would you like to discuss?" Then, with a little chuckle the lion shows a small glimpse of emotion as a smile quirks his maw. "Well, I wouldn't say a leading guard, sire. I just do my job." He shrugs one shoulder, showing his usual humility.
Elimnyama feels inner relief when Kiapo sits as well. He'd wanted to gesture somehow for Kiapo to have a seat, but couldn't think of a way to do it without seeming condescending to the older guard. His ears furl forward in his thick black mane, attentive to his surroundings and particularly the area of the border even as they talk. "Indeed. Kamau, Onaedo, Kione, and Cyrus will be starting their training with us males very soon. I believe the young ladies have already begun their hunting lessons. If I send the boys out to you, one at a time or in pairs, every now and again, will you mind? I'd like them to observe what you do, but if they becomes bothers then simply send them back to me and we'll figure out something else. I agree that the eastern borders would certainly be best for them when they begin to patrol on their own." Elim' is much less adept at keeping his emotions to himself, but anymore his bouts of sulkiness and irritability are a thing of the past, not permissable when one is supposed to be running a pride. His attitude right now, though, seems to be more relaxed than a few moments earlier. "Also, I'm not sure if it would be asking too much but I was wondering if you would like to help Aitan and I train the boys in a few combat methods. If they should happen to meet a rogue or to, obviously I'd like them to know how to handle it apart from calling out for help."
"I began showing Sir Kamau the border routes not long ago, but he was the only one who seemed interested." Kiapo nods slightly, taking in the other names of the pridal youngsters. He knew the names, but it always took a moment for the mind to connect the faces. "I'd be more than willing to have them come out, though. Usually I have them take patrols with me for a few days to get the feel of things, then let them have a trial run on the eastern or western borders, under supervision, of course." There were other guards, so Kiapo could easily trade with them every now and again to help the younger lions get used to the routes, but he still seemed to prefer to take the more dangerous, southern patrol, himself. "I didn't offer previously because I thought that you and Lord Aitan might prefer to do the training for your sons." At least, that's the impression he'd gotten from Aitan. However, he does seem a bit surprised when the mention of combat comes up. His tail twitches just once, and then gives a slow nod of his head. "I'd be willing to help. Afterall, I've been a rogue for a time... I have at least some idea of their fighting tactics..." He seems a bit abashed, admitting such a thing, but those were different times.
Elimnyama shrugs one shoulder, his face rather impassive. "I can't speak for Aitan on this. I'm not sure what my brother is planning for Kale'Kizuka. I haven't seem him for a while, so we haven't had the chance to discuss it." He dips his head in a respectful nod as Kiapo agrees to help him. "The knowledge you got from being a rogue will definitely be a benefit to the boys. I'm very glad they will be able to get a different perspective on things. It might be wrong, but I'm almost excited to see these pampered little cubs get thrashed around.. all for the good of training, naturally. Thank you very much for being willing to help." Elim' looks away as a bird shrieks overhead, and in the process he catches sight of a star recently appeared in the evening sky, the very one he always privately associated with his father, Fuadi. He smiles serenely, then glances back at Kiapo. "There was one more thing. I was wanting to know.. Aitan and I have both chosen our heirs and we'll be making that announcement to the pride very soon. Obviously they won't be ready to rule for quite some time, but I was curious. With a switch in power in Tyne's eventual future.. I didn't know where your future was going to be. Will you stay with us, Kiapo, or do your plans take you elsewhere?" Hopefully Kiapo will be able to perceive what Elim' means but doesn't say.. Elim' really doesn't want to discuss his mother's death, though he knows that it is inevitable at some point, and he knows it would be impractical to hope for the old Queen to live much longer once her grandchildren are crowned.
"Understandable." Kiapo replies with a soft tone, although in some way he makes a mental note to speak to Aitan at some point about his son's training. The white youngster certainly had issues of his own, unrelated to training, but all-in-all, that was generally what Kiapo worried about. He gives a little chuff at the idea of the young ones finding out just how rough the real world can be, but only nods in agreement. "You're welcome, sire." The lion's own eyes look upwards towards the skies, although perhaps not towards the same star that Elimnyama holds such meaning to. The plurals certainly peak his interest, since that obviously means another pair of Tyne Kings, but he makes no comment as to his opinions of such things. However, he does understand the implications of things, and sighs slightly. "I've followed legends all my life... until I found this place. This place of legends." He laughs slightly, eyes looking down at the ground, and then up once more towards Elim'. "It would be nice to continue to call Tyne my home... but in the end, I am only here as long as you and your heirs wish me to be. As for other matters..." The lion just shakes his head from side to side. "I seem destined to live a bachelor's life. It would warm my heart nothing greater than to find a mate, have cubs, a family... it just doesn't seem to be in my future. I can only follow what the Great Kings have laid out for me. But until the Kings take me to the land beyond, or the rulers of these lands wish me away, I will stay." The lion closes his eyes and lifts a paw to his chest, as if re-affirming some great oath.
Elimnyama watches Kiapo with a strange expression. He suffers from warring emotions as he looks at the older male: half of him is fascinated simply by the lion's calm, almost archaic rhetoric, while the other half of him longs to curl his lip in personal dislike of the idea of Tisea taking another mate. Naturally it's nothing at all against Kiapo, it's simply the fact that Elim' still holds so much loyalty to Fuadi. He would never try to stop Tisea taking a new mate if she desired - never - but he can't say he'd be thrilled about the thought of his mother being with anyone other than his father. He forces himself to smile slightly. "Well, you've been a wonderful help to us over the seasons, Kiapo. I can't help but feel that your place is here, no matter who's ruling, but I won't ask you to stay if you feel you should be somewhere else. I'm sorry you feel that a mate and cubs are behind you, but our pride will always be glad to be your family. You really ought to come up to the cavern more often."
If Kiapo knew about Elimnyama's reservations, he'd be one of the first to reassure the King he had little to fear. 'Po been set strait by Ukomobasi long ago, and he had largely given up any hope of more than a friendship with Tisea. As hard as it might be to believe, he was speaking more of in a general sense. There simply were not many lionesses in Tyne who had much interest in a fly-by-night guard as a mate. "There is no place else for me, not anymore. But I thank you for your concern, Sire. I left behind all that to come here in the first place. Perhaps someday one of the lionesses might take a shine to me, one can only hope." He smiles just a little, showing his own faint uncertainty. "It would be nice to leave something behind other than a legacy as a guard, you know?" Then, noddining his head, Kiapo chuckles a bit. "I appologise for not coming to the cavern more. I just didn't want to give the wrong impression... I seem to do that a lot. Everyone seemed to think I was trying to seduce Lady Tisea, when that is far from the truth. She just seemed to need a friend." The lion raises his shoulders, seeming quite sad. "She seemed... lonely. But I backed off. Better that than risk offending you or Lord Aitan."
At the mention of other lionesses, Elimnyama blinks once, clearly taken aback. Perhaps he misjudged the friendship between Tisea and Kiapo. With this new thought in his head comes a feeling of guilt, and with that Elim' internally resolves to go out of his way more than ever to be greatful to Kiapo for his dutiful service as a guard. And evidently a celibate guard at that. As Kiapo unexpectedly addresses the impression that he was trying to seduce Tisea, Elimnyama blushes outright, his ears pan back, and his expression turns rather embarrassed. "Well, I.. I didn't think you were trying to /seduce/ her.." Finally, at the mention of offending Elim' and Aitan, the dark king releases a true sigh and slumps a little. "Kiapo, I'm sorry. I feel as though I've misjudged you.. badly. I.. I know my mother is lonely, and I know she'll have benefited from having a friend like you. Aitan and I.. we're just very attached to the memory of our father. But we don't wish for our mother's loneliness. We'd give anything tto see her happy. If you.. did decide to pursue her, we won't be offended. Fuadi's been gone a long time, and Tisea was very devoted to him. I know he would want her to be happy again too. I have to say.. I'm.. very impressed by your consideration of Aitan's and my feelings. Thank you for that. But we won't stand in your way."
A bit of surprise shows on the lion's face as he quirks one ear, perhaps not having expected that Elimnyama was one of those who thought that he was trying something 'funny' with the former Queen. His ears fold back slightly into the mop of his mane, lost for a time as he seems to think about what to say. "I understand that." Still seeming a bit lost, the lion twitches his nose. "I would never wish to hurt either of you, or in any way tarnish the memory of your father. You are Kings of a great lineage that I honor and respect, because without that lineage... I would not be here today." To be honest, Kiapo has no idea if Elimnyama has ever been told -why- he is here serving in Tyne, but it all ties back to the king who's name Kiapo now bares. The lion raises a paw, as if showing that he took no offense. "Besides, it is not my place to persue her or not. Tisea's heart is Tisea's heart." For once, he drops the customary 'lady' off of the front, perhaps because he is speaking not of her title, but of her as an individual. "If she wishes something of me, that is her choice. I have tried to watch out for her cubs... since they did not have a father, but in the end... I am what I am. Just one lone lion who cares about this pride, and has a debt to still repay."
The raised brow and general look of bewilderment should answer that question for Kiapo: no, apparently Elim' was never told about Kiapo's reasons for being here. "What.. do you mean, you wouldn't be here today?" he asks slowly, not without a tiny touch of suspicion in his voice -- not suspicion of Kiapo necessarily, but definitely suspicion that there's something he's not been told. Elim' blinks, his eyes widening with curiosity and for the moment he neglects to thank the guard for taking it open himself to watch out for Kamau, Onaedo, and the others. "What kind of a debt?"
There is a small, breifly seen look of pride on Kiapo's face as he straitens slightly. It seems that he takes great honor in his own past and in the legends in which he was brought up on. "I grew up in a small family, my father, mother, aunt, and two sisters. Not quite a pride, but we certainly weren't rogues." He shakes his head from side to side, thinking their family far more civilized than any rogue troup. "One day, after a hunt, my father sat my sister and I down and told us the story of Kiapo, the king. The lion I was named for. He said that a great King once ruled a land called Tufani, the storm lands. It was called such because of all the great rivers, the storms in the wet season, and the mist that hung in the air." The lion's voice takes on a somewhat reverant tone. "The King of that land was named Kiapo, and he had come from the Shadowlands before taking his place as king. Not only did he care for his own cubs, but he took in those who had no parents of their own. But one day, a group of hyenas came from the western lands. They claimed the storm lands belonged to them. They caught the King off-guard, and he knew the only way to protect his family was to lead them far away. Over the sands, over the deserts, the hyena leader chased him until both King and hyena clan were so lost from where they had come that neither could find their way home." The lion pauses, taking a breath and trying to collect himself to go on with the story...
Elimnyama isn't known for his foresight, and didn't know he was in actuality asking for a legend. But the king, grown and in the peak of his adulthood, not to mention with a reputation for snide remarks and dry, irritable personality - is reduced to the position of a young cub at storytime. Hardly aware of the transformation, the big male merely stares at Kiapo, fully engrossed in the imagery and poetic flow of the tale.
"In the days that passed, they say that the King called out to his ancestors, begging them to lead him home. Pleading with them to return him to the place he needed most to be. But the Great Kings had other plans for him..." A sad tone echos in Kiapo's voice, his head lowering as he speaks this part of the tale. "He wandered through the vast places between. Perhaps even beyond the edge of the world, all trying to return to his family. In the night, he even thought he could hear his children's calls in his sleep. But it was not -his- cubs he heard." Shaking his head, the lion's voice pipes up a bit. "Nearby one of his resting places was a dark den. Within, two young cubs. Where their mother had gone, he did not know, but he knew that if they were left alone, they would surely die. So the King took them in, raised them, taught them to survive. And then, one day, when the two were old enough to take care of themselves... he disappeared. Some say he was only a ghost of the king, still watching over lost cubs. But I believe that he never gave up looking for home, and I pray some day he found his place again among his family." Closing his eyes, Kiapo gives a moment of silence, as if it seemed only a proper way to honor the long forgotten king. Then, slowly, he raises his head again. "Those cubs were my ancestors. That tale was told from father to son. My father searched for this place, but never found it. So when I came of age, I took up the quest. We owe our lives to your ancestor, and his sacrifice."
Elimnyama blinks as the story comes to an end and, surprised at himself for becoming so lost in it, he shakes his head as if trying to return his brain to its rightful former state. "Kiapo.. My great great grandfather, /that/ Kiapo?" Elim' stares at the other lion, frowning in disbelief as he tries to get his head around this story. "I always just thought it had to be a common name. I mean, I knew I had an ancestor named Kiapo, but I never thought.." Elim' raises his shoulders and then drops them, nonplussed by this whole matter. "So.. my great, great grandfather.. after he disappeared from here.. raised up the cubs that were your grandparents.. or great grandparents?" He squints his eyes in another frown and shakes his head vigorously. "But- they can't be the same Kiapo. Anyway, this kingdom's called Tyne, not Tufani. I mean.. rivers and storms and all.. it /sounds/ like Tyne, but they can't be the same place or they would've been called the same thing." Tyne really needs a historian. Srsly.
"I believe it is indeed /that/ Kiapo." The lion nods his head. "And yes, I believe he was the one who raised my great grandfather and his sister." It certainly is a lot to wrap one's mind around, but the world had a strange way of connecting pieces of long-ago puzzles. Kiapo smiles just slightly, "True that it is only a story, and such things change from generation to generation, but I think the -heart- of it is true." Showing more emotion in this one conversation than he has in quite a long time, Kiapo adds a chuckle to the mix. "Lady Tisea told me that in the time of your ancestors, this land -was- called Tufani. The daughter who ruled afterwards... Kisa.. no, Kasama. She changed the name to Tyne, I believe. At least that's what I was told when I arrived." Tisea was quite confused to hear the story as well. Ghosts from the past like to creep their ways back into things if you let them.
Elimnyama just gapes at this news. His great, great grandfather didn't just -die-, then. He went on and led another life. He raised two little cubs who passed down their bloodline and story to this lion, whom Elim' had always just assumed was a random rogue turned respectable. Between this and finding out that Kiapo is actually not seducing his mother .. That's a lot of beliefs to have dispelled all in one evening. Elim' flattens his ears and closes his eyes. "I remember great Grandma Kasama. She and my great grandfather Binstari were alive just a little while after I was born. No one ever mentioned 'Tufani' to me. I wonder why Kasama changed it.." Opening his eyes, he blinks at Kiapo. "So.. what does that make you and me? .. We're not suddenly related now, are we?"
As much shock as Elimnyama may feel at the moment, Kiapo felt quite a bit more the first time he walked into the land of his father's legends and stories. Of course, the seasons since he's arrived have only solidified his feelings relating to his quest and his purpose. "I can't say why, but it may be something buried somewhere in your own pride's story. Stories tend to get lost if they don't get passed on, you know?" And Kiapo, in his own right, is at least part-storyteller when it comes to the legends of Tyne's history. "As for us..." This time, Kiapo actually manages to bark laughter. "No, it doesn't make us related by any means. But you are blood of many great Kings, even ones who have stories only half-told. And me? I owe my life and the life of my family to that blood. So, I promised to guard these lands with my life. It seems the only right thing to do?" The last phrase comes somewhat as a question, his ears tilting upwards. Afterall, many might think such a practice silly, especially to go to such extents just to chase a legend.
Elimnyama breathes a sigh of relief to learn they aren't related. On top of everything else, no force on earth could ever have made him alright with his mother taking a cousin as her mate. Ew. "I don't know too much about the stories of Tyne and its rulers," Elim' admits with another sigh. "I think all of that has gotten away from us throughout the generations. This is all.. a lot to try and understand, but thank you for telling me about your ancestors, Kiapo. Well, yours and mine, I suppose. I can understand how you feel loyalty to these lands, and I know the entire pride appreciates what you do here." He gets to his paws, his expression still a little dumbfounded, but his tone is nevertheless measured and sincere. "I hope we will see you up at the pridal cavern more often. You're just as much a part of this family as anyone else. Maybe more than some others, since I don't know of anyone else who went on a quest to find these lands." He smiles weakly, then begins to make his way toward the southern border. "I'm just going to do a bit more patrolling around here before turning in. It was a pleasure to speak with you tonight, Kiapo."
Characters:
Kiapo - Adult Lion (Guard)
Elimnyama - Adult Lion (King)
The day is slowly ebbing into the first small twinklings of twilight as the stars begin to show on the horizon. The coming night is a well-deserved blessing for all the lands still under the grips of the 'great dry'. For Kiapo, it means that his shift as border-guard is nearly at an end for the day, and there is a well-earned place of rest when he arrives at the pridal cavern. Since a long-ago confrontation with Ukomobasi, the lion had largely kept to himself. Doing his job, sleeping at night, and then beginning again the next day. Perhaps that made him seem a bit less social than other lions, but he simply didn't want to intrude upon the day to day family life around him. "Great Kings, watch over these lands." He murmurs to himself, giving homage to the coming starlight. Then, the chocolate-toned lion pushes himself to his feet, stretching languidly before starting the slow trek away from the borderlands.
The slow shuffles of paws amid the grasses overture's Elimnyama's arrival. Other than this small noise, the dark king moves quietly along the river shore and finally brings up his pace when the southern border is in sight. He's decided to do a little extra patrolling, having become necessarily aware of the fact that Tyne still has an abundance of water while the Forgotton Lands (and the possibly dangerous rogues who live there) have little to none. Elim' squints as he catches sight of a large figure - clearly a male lion - moving toward him from the border. Alarm does not immediately surge up in him, though, as he knows of Kiapo's habit of prowling this area. Though he rarely sees or talks to the older male, he nonetheless recalls the friendship that exists between this lion and Tisea. He dips his head in a nod as he draws closer to Kiapo, and finally slows to a stop. "Evening, Kiapo. How are things at the border tonight?"
It is not unusual to encounter other lions near the borders, especially with the many young males that live in Kivuli. However, Kiapo rarely encounters one of the two Kings of these lands. Thus, when Elimnyama approaches, he slows his pace slightly until he only stands with his head slightly bowed. "G'evening, m'lord." Overly polite as always, the brown lion raises his head and glances towards the stone he uses as his own 'marker' for the edge of Tyne's lands. "Quiet so far, this evening." Turning his head back towards the King, Kiapo bobs it up and down slightly. "There was a strange giraffe around earlier, but I don't think he means any harm." He pauses, thoughtfully, then continues... "The rogues have been a bit more scarce... perhaps due to the lack of water. But I think that Sir Kamau's presence helping the guards adds to that as a well." His tail swishes slightly, and with a small tilt of the head, the lion asks, "What brings you out this early, tonight?"
The king's ears press backward very slightly, hiding a blush in their pale grey rims, at the title of 'mlord'. Nobody in Tyne addresses him so, and as he's still just a young king it makes him a little nervous. Elim' begins to wonder, more than a few moments ago, how this conversation will go, but he hoists a polite smile on his face to hide his nerves and listen attentively to Kiapo's report. He follows the other male's eyes to the mentioned stone, divining quite easily the purpose to which Kiapo has put it, and nods accordingly. Well, Aitan and he can't possibly pee on EVERYTHING! Help from the guards and the younger boys in training is always appreciated. Elim' raises both brows at the mention of Kamau, and a grin slides around his muzzle. "Well, I'm glad he's taking that initiative. I was a little afraid of us all becoming a little complacent in the lack of threats lately, so it's great that we've got the younger generation to train up. That'll keep us on our toes for a while." At the question of why he's here, Elim' doesn't answer immediately. Rather he slides onto his haunches and smiles passively at Kiapo. "Well, I was hoping you and I could discuss something. You and Aitan and I don't talk nearly as much as we should, considering you're one of the leading guards here."
With the King seeming to want to discuss something, Kiapo settles down into a sitting position, his whipchord tail curling around his haunches in a relaxed manor. Unlike some lions, the brown guard rarely seems nervous or excited, worried at times, but otherwise much of what he feels seems hidden behind an impassive exterior. "I believe Lord Aitan was planning on beginning Sir Kale'Kizuka's training soon, as well. Will you be bringing your sons out for training?" It seems like polite enough conversation, curiosity about the young lions of the pride. "The eastern border seems the best for the young ones, since it doesn't border on the Ghost-lands." He seems to keep his thoughts about threats to himself. Sure there have been rogues now and again trying to get through, but only a few of the scruffier ones seemed to be a threat. With his eyes still looking calmly at Elimnyama, the lion nods slightly, "What would you like to discuss?" Then, with a little chuckle the lion shows a small glimpse of emotion as a smile quirks his maw. "Well, I wouldn't say a leading guard, sire. I just do my job." He shrugs one shoulder, showing his usual humility.
Elimnyama feels inner relief when Kiapo sits as well. He'd wanted to gesture somehow for Kiapo to have a seat, but couldn't think of a way to do it without seeming condescending to the older guard. His ears furl forward in his thick black mane, attentive to his surroundings and particularly the area of the border even as they talk. "Indeed. Kamau, Onaedo, Kione, and Cyrus will be starting their training with us males very soon. I believe the young ladies have already begun their hunting lessons. If I send the boys out to you, one at a time or in pairs, every now and again, will you mind? I'd like them to observe what you do, but if they becomes bothers then simply send them back to me and we'll figure out something else. I agree that the eastern borders would certainly be best for them when they begin to patrol on their own." Elim' is much less adept at keeping his emotions to himself, but anymore his bouts of sulkiness and irritability are a thing of the past, not permissable when one is supposed to be running a pride. His attitude right now, though, seems to be more relaxed than a few moments earlier. "Also, I'm not sure if it would be asking too much but I was wondering if you would like to help Aitan and I train the boys in a few combat methods. If they should happen to meet a rogue or to, obviously I'd like them to know how to handle it apart from calling out for help."
"I began showing Sir Kamau the border routes not long ago, but he was the only one who seemed interested." Kiapo nods slightly, taking in the other names of the pridal youngsters. He knew the names, but it always took a moment for the mind to connect the faces. "I'd be more than willing to have them come out, though. Usually I have them take patrols with me for a few days to get the feel of things, then let them have a trial run on the eastern or western borders, under supervision, of course." There were other guards, so Kiapo could easily trade with them every now and again to help the younger lions get used to the routes, but he still seemed to prefer to take the more dangerous, southern patrol, himself. "I didn't offer previously because I thought that you and Lord Aitan might prefer to do the training for your sons." At least, that's the impression he'd gotten from Aitan. However, he does seem a bit surprised when the mention of combat comes up. His tail twitches just once, and then gives a slow nod of his head. "I'd be willing to help. Afterall, I've been a rogue for a time... I have at least some idea of their fighting tactics..." He seems a bit abashed, admitting such a thing, but those were different times.
Elimnyama shrugs one shoulder, his face rather impassive. "I can't speak for Aitan on this. I'm not sure what my brother is planning for Kale'Kizuka. I haven't seem him for a while, so we haven't had the chance to discuss it." He dips his head in a respectful nod as Kiapo agrees to help him. "The knowledge you got from being a rogue will definitely be a benefit to the boys. I'm very glad they will be able to get a different perspective on things. It might be wrong, but I'm almost excited to see these pampered little cubs get thrashed around.. all for the good of training, naturally. Thank you very much for being willing to help." Elim' looks away as a bird shrieks overhead, and in the process he catches sight of a star recently appeared in the evening sky, the very one he always privately associated with his father, Fuadi. He smiles serenely, then glances back at Kiapo. "There was one more thing. I was wanting to know.. Aitan and I have both chosen our heirs and we'll be making that announcement to the pride very soon. Obviously they won't be ready to rule for quite some time, but I was curious. With a switch in power in Tyne's eventual future.. I didn't know where your future was going to be. Will you stay with us, Kiapo, or do your plans take you elsewhere?" Hopefully Kiapo will be able to perceive what Elim' means but doesn't say.. Elim' really doesn't want to discuss his mother's death, though he knows that it is inevitable at some point, and he knows it would be impractical to hope for the old Queen to live much longer once her grandchildren are crowned.
"Understandable." Kiapo replies with a soft tone, although in some way he makes a mental note to speak to Aitan at some point about his son's training. The white youngster certainly had issues of his own, unrelated to training, but all-in-all, that was generally what Kiapo worried about. He gives a little chuff at the idea of the young ones finding out just how rough the real world can be, but only nods in agreement. "You're welcome, sire." The lion's own eyes look upwards towards the skies, although perhaps not towards the same star that Elimnyama holds such meaning to. The plurals certainly peak his interest, since that obviously means another pair of Tyne Kings, but he makes no comment as to his opinions of such things. However, he does understand the implications of things, and sighs slightly. "I've followed legends all my life... until I found this place. This place of legends." He laughs slightly, eyes looking down at the ground, and then up once more towards Elim'. "It would be nice to continue to call Tyne my home... but in the end, I am only here as long as you and your heirs wish me to be. As for other matters..." The lion just shakes his head from side to side. "I seem destined to live a bachelor's life. It would warm my heart nothing greater than to find a mate, have cubs, a family... it just doesn't seem to be in my future. I can only follow what the Great Kings have laid out for me. But until the Kings take me to the land beyond, or the rulers of these lands wish me away, I will stay." The lion closes his eyes and lifts a paw to his chest, as if re-affirming some great oath.
Elimnyama watches Kiapo with a strange expression. He suffers from warring emotions as he looks at the older male: half of him is fascinated simply by the lion's calm, almost archaic rhetoric, while the other half of him longs to curl his lip in personal dislike of the idea of Tisea taking another mate. Naturally it's nothing at all against Kiapo, it's simply the fact that Elim' still holds so much loyalty to Fuadi. He would never try to stop Tisea taking a new mate if she desired - never - but he can't say he'd be thrilled about the thought of his mother being with anyone other than his father. He forces himself to smile slightly. "Well, you've been a wonderful help to us over the seasons, Kiapo. I can't help but feel that your place is here, no matter who's ruling, but I won't ask you to stay if you feel you should be somewhere else. I'm sorry you feel that a mate and cubs are behind you, but our pride will always be glad to be your family. You really ought to come up to the cavern more often."
If Kiapo knew about Elimnyama's reservations, he'd be one of the first to reassure the King he had little to fear. 'Po been set strait by Ukomobasi long ago, and he had largely given up any hope of more than a friendship with Tisea. As hard as it might be to believe, he was speaking more of in a general sense. There simply were not many lionesses in Tyne who had much interest in a fly-by-night guard as a mate. "There is no place else for me, not anymore. But I thank you for your concern, Sire. I left behind all that to come here in the first place. Perhaps someday one of the lionesses might take a shine to me, one can only hope." He smiles just a little, showing his own faint uncertainty. "It would be nice to leave something behind other than a legacy as a guard, you know?" Then, noddining his head, Kiapo chuckles a bit. "I appologise for not coming to the cavern more. I just didn't want to give the wrong impression... I seem to do that a lot. Everyone seemed to think I was trying to seduce Lady Tisea, when that is far from the truth. She just seemed to need a friend." The lion raises his shoulders, seeming quite sad. "She seemed... lonely. But I backed off. Better that than risk offending you or Lord Aitan."
At the mention of other lionesses, Elimnyama blinks once, clearly taken aback. Perhaps he misjudged the friendship between Tisea and Kiapo. With this new thought in his head comes a feeling of guilt, and with that Elim' internally resolves to go out of his way more than ever to be greatful to Kiapo for his dutiful service as a guard. And evidently a celibate guard at that. As Kiapo unexpectedly addresses the impression that he was trying to seduce Tisea, Elimnyama blushes outright, his ears pan back, and his expression turns rather embarrassed. "Well, I.. I didn't think you were trying to /seduce/ her.." Finally, at the mention of offending Elim' and Aitan, the dark king releases a true sigh and slumps a little. "Kiapo, I'm sorry. I feel as though I've misjudged you.. badly. I.. I know my mother is lonely, and I know she'll have benefited from having a friend like you. Aitan and I.. we're just very attached to the memory of our father. But we don't wish for our mother's loneliness. We'd give anything tto see her happy. If you.. did decide to pursue her, we won't be offended. Fuadi's been gone a long time, and Tisea was very devoted to him. I know he would want her to be happy again too. I have to say.. I'm.. very impressed by your consideration of Aitan's and my feelings. Thank you for that. But we won't stand in your way."
A bit of surprise shows on the lion's face as he quirks one ear, perhaps not having expected that Elimnyama was one of those who thought that he was trying something 'funny' with the former Queen. His ears fold back slightly into the mop of his mane, lost for a time as he seems to think about what to say. "I understand that." Still seeming a bit lost, the lion twitches his nose. "I would never wish to hurt either of you, or in any way tarnish the memory of your father. You are Kings of a great lineage that I honor and respect, because without that lineage... I would not be here today." To be honest, Kiapo has no idea if Elimnyama has ever been told -why- he is here serving in Tyne, but it all ties back to the king who's name Kiapo now bares. The lion raises a paw, as if showing that he took no offense. "Besides, it is not my place to persue her or not. Tisea's heart is Tisea's heart." For once, he drops the customary 'lady' off of the front, perhaps because he is speaking not of her title, but of her as an individual. "If she wishes something of me, that is her choice. I have tried to watch out for her cubs... since they did not have a father, but in the end... I am what I am. Just one lone lion who cares about this pride, and has a debt to still repay."
The raised brow and general look of bewilderment should answer that question for Kiapo: no, apparently Elim' was never told about Kiapo's reasons for being here. "What.. do you mean, you wouldn't be here today?" he asks slowly, not without a tiny touch of suspicion in his voice -- not suspicion of Kiapo necessarily, but definitely suspicion that there's something he's not been told. Elim' blinks, his eyes widening with curiosity and for the moment he neglects to thank the guard for taking it open himself to watch out for Kamau, Onaedo, and the others. "What kind of a debt?"
There is a small, breifly seen look of pride on Kiapo's face as he straitens slightly. It seems that he takes great honor in his own past and in the legends in which he was brought up on. "I grew up in a small family, my father, mother, aunt, and two sisters. Not quite a pride, but we certainly weren't rogues." He shakes his head from side to side, thinking their family far more civilized than any rogue troup. "One day, after a hunt, my father sat my sister and I down and told us the story of Kiapo, the king. The lion I was named for. He said that a great King once ruled a land called Tufani, the storm lands. It was called such because of all the great rivers, the storms in the wet season, and the mist that hung in the air." The lion's voice takes on a somewhat reverant tone. "The King of that land was named Kiapo, and he had come from the Shadowlands before taking his place as king. Not only did he care for his own cubs, but he took in those who had no parents of their own. But one day, a group of hyenas came from the western lands. They claimed the storm lands belonged to them. They caught the King off-guard, and he knew the only way to protect his family was to lead them far away. Over the sands, over the deserts, the hyena leader chased him until both King and hyena clan were so lost from where they had come that neither could find their way home." The lion pauses, taking a breath and trying to collect himself to go on with the story...
Elimnyama isn't known for his foresight, and didn't know he was in actuality asking for a legend. But the king, grown and in the peak of his adulthood, not to mention with a reputation for snide remarks and dry, irritable personality - is reduced to the position of a young cub at storytime. Hardly aware of the transformation, the big male merely stares at Kiapo, fully engrossed in the imagery and poetic flow of the tale.
"In the days that passed, they say that the King called out to his ancestors, begging them to lead him home. Pleading with them to return him to the place he needed most to be. But the Great Kings had other plans for him..." A sad tone echos in Kiapo's voice, his head lowering as he speaks this part of the tale. "He wandered through the vast places between. Perhaps even beyond the edge of the world, all trying to return to his family. In the night, he even thought he could hear his children's calls in his sleep. But it was not -his- cubs he heard." Shaking his head, the lion's voice pipes up a bit. "Nearby one of his resting places was a dark den. Within, two young cubs. Where their mother had gone, he did not know, but he knew that if they were left alone, they would surely die. So the King took them in, raised them, taught them to survive. And then, one day, when the two were old enough to take care of themselves... he disappeared. Some say he was only a ghost of the king, still watching over lost cubs. But I believe that he never gave up looking for home, and I pray some day he found his place again among his family." Closing his eyes, Kiapo gives a moment of silence, as if it seemed only a proper way to honor the long forgotten king. Then, slowly, he raises his head again. "Those cubs were my ancestors. That tale was told from father to son. My father searched for this place, but never found it. So when I came of age, I took up the quest. We owe our lives to your ancestor, and his sacrifice."
Elimnyama blinks as the story comes to an end and, surprised at himself for becoming so lost in it, he shakes his head as if trying to return his brain to its rightful former state. "Kiapo.. My great great grandfather, /that/ Kiapo?" Elim' stares at the other lion, frowning in disbelief as he tries to get his head around this story. "I always just thought it had to be a common name. I mean, I knew I had an ancestor named Kiapo, but I never thought.." Elim' raises his shoulders and then drops them, nonplussed by this whole matter. "So.. my great, great grandfather.. after he disappeared from here.. raised up the cubs that were your grandparents.. or great grandparents?" He squints his eyes in another frown and shakes his head vigorously. "But- they can't be the same Kiapo. Anyway, this kingdom's called Tyne, not Tufani. I mean.. rivers and storms and all.. it /sounds/ like Tyne, but they can't be the same place or they would've been called the same thing." Tyne really needs a historian. Srsly.
"I believe it is indeed /that/ Kiapo." The lion nods his head. "And yes, I believe he was the one who raised my great grandfather and his sister." It certainly is a lot to wrap one's mind around, but the world had a strange way of connecting pieces of long-ago puzzles. Kiapo smiles just slightly, "True that it is only a story, and such things change from generation to generation, but I think the -heart- of it is true." Showing more emotion in this one conversation than he has in quite a long time, Kiapo adds a chuckle to the mix. "Lady Tisea told me that in the time of your ancestors, this land -was- called Tufani. The daughter who ruled afterwards... Kisa.. no, Kasama. She changed the name to Tyne, I believe. At least that's what I was told when I arrived." Tisea was quite confused to hear the story as well. Ghosts from the past like to creep their ways back into things if you let them.
Elimnyama just gapes at this news. His great, great grandfather didn't just -die-, then. He went on and led another life. He raised two little cubs who passed down their bloodline and story to this lion, whom Elim' had always just assumed was a random rogue turned respectable. Between this and finding out that Kiapo is actually not seducing his mother .. That's a lot of beliefs to have dispelled all in one evening. Elim' flattens his ears and closes his eyes. "I remember great Grandma Kasama. She and my great grandfather Binstari were alive just a little while after I was born. No one ever mentioned 'Tufani' to me. I wonder why Kasama changed it.." Opening his eyes, he blinks at Kiapo. "So.. what does that make you and me? .. We're not suddenly related now, are we?"
As much shock as Elimnyama may feel at the moment, Kiapo felt quite a bit more the first time he walked into the land of his father's legends and stories. Of course, the seasons since he's arrived have only solidified his feelings relating to his quest and his purpose. "I can't say why, but it may be something buried somewhere in your own pride's story. Stories tend to get lost if they don't get passed on, you know?" And Kiapo, in his own right, is at least part-storyteller when it comes to the legends of Tyne's history. "As for us..." This time, Kiapo actually manages to bark laughter. "No, it doesn't make us related by any means. But you are blood of many great Kings, even ones who have stories only half-told. And me? I owe my life and the life of my family to that blood. So, I promised to guard these lands with my life. It seems the only right thing to do?" The last phrase comes somewhat as a question, his ears tilting upwards. Afterall, many might think such a practice silly, especially to go to such extents just to chase a legend.
Elimnyama breathes a sigh of relief to learn they aren't related. On top of everything else, no force on earth could ever have made him alright with his mother taking a cousin as her mate. Ew. "I don't know too much about the stories of Tyne and its rulers," Elim' admits with another sigh. "I think all of that has gotten away from us throughout the generations. This is all.. a lot to try and understand, but thank you for telling me about your ancestors, Kiapo. Well, yours and mine, I suppose. I can understand how you feel loyalty to these lands, and I know the entire pride appreciates what you do here." He gets to his paws, his expression still a little dumbfounded, but his tone is nevertheless measured and sincere. "I hope we will see you up at the pridal cavern more often. You're just as much a part of this family as anyone else. Maybe more than some others, since I don't know of anyone else who went on a quest to find these lands." He smiles weakly, then begins to make his way toward the southern border. "I'm just going to do a bit more patrolling around here before turning in. It was a pleasure to speak with you tonight, Kiapo."