[PRP] Politics

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Things had quieted down...somewhat. The missing lions had been brought back, but Matumaini and Onwa’ohuru were gone again, accompanying the Firekin to their desert land as representatives of the Mwezi’Johari. Given all the bizarre events the Great Lion had seen fit to bestow upon the pride in recent moons, including the seemingly unending night and the rumor that there was a fish-lion-goddess in the watering hole, Lailah was unsurprised to see the Queen seeking her out.

"I didn't make a mistake you know," the Shaman told the younger lioness. "Everything that's happened, everything that will happen, you're the best ruler this pride has had in many years."  

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Lailah watched the younger lioness. The Queen clearly had a lot on her mind, but the Shaman was reluctant to bring up any specifics at this moment. The religious aspects of the pride were her responsibility, but most aspects rested in the Queen’s paws.

“I suppose a rebellion is possible, but it seems unlikely. Those who remember know we’re far better off than we were, and I don’t think I’ve seen unrest in the younger generations,” Lailah offered in response.

“It’s good that the Firekin were able to bring back most of our missing children.”  

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The Shaman considered her monarch’s words. Of all the things Kimondo had actively done on her own, instead of merely restoring things to the way they were before Shangyue, letting any slaves who chose go free was the most controversial.

“You did what you thought was right,” Lailah told Kimondo. At the moment, she didn’t wish to offer an opinion on that situation. Not until the younger lioness actively sought it out.

She was somewhat surprised at Kimondo’s conclusion as to where the difficulty lay. But it was her duty to consider this thoughtfully. And while she could think of a number of lions who took their duties to the pride seriously, serving as Hunters and Guards despite their birth class, there were far more who spent their days in idyll as Lords and Ladies.

“I think you do have a point. A pride can only support so many idle paws, and while slaves work for the benefit of all to earn the protection the Great Lion has denied them, it behooves all other classes to bear some of the load and protect them in turn,” Lailah mused aloud.  

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The Shaman considered this point. From the outside, governance looked easy, especially as compared with the more physical duties performed by Guards, Hunters, and Slaves. However, there was a great deal to do in all respects.

“This is why, instead of a single Apprentice as I was to Stellaluna, I have my three Cleric apprentices. It helps a great deal to split the workload and delegate what I can,” Lailah allowed.

“The question is, how many Lords and Ladies will you choose to assist you? And what will happen to the rest? Since we both know there are too many to effectively govern anything,” the Shaman said dryly.  

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“You have it,” Lailah assured her Queen. Though she did have some questions about that particular group...

“What about Unyezi? I’m sure the whole pride knows you periodically seek out his advice. Or does that relationship remain as it is?” She understood that the idea was to get the High Class more involved, but Unyezi was also a past monarch still thankfully living amongst them. Certainly it was a question that some of the pride would ask, so Kimondo would have to be prepared to answer it.  

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Lailah nodded as Kimondo further explained her thought process. This was precisely why the Shaman knew her choice had been true; Kimondo wasn't here to ask for guidance nor forgiveness. She wanted Lailah's support as the other key individual in pridal hierarchy but this idea was all her own. To be a proactive force rather than reactive, as Shangyue had become by the end, was part and parcel of being a good monarch.

"How big do you intend this council to be?" the Shaman asked. "Too large, and it will become unwieldly." Just because Lailah could get away with three apprentices - though she might be willing to take on a couple more if she saw youngsters with the potential for it - didn't mean Kimondo could expect the same given the sheer size of the pride these days. Religion was not the same as the day-to-day affairs necessary to keep everyone fed and at peace.  

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"Our nobles often think the Great Lion's blessing puts them one step from the monarch," Lailah muttered softly, though keen ears might hear her words. She had generally been so fed up with people during the interim between Shangyue's death and Kimondo's ascension that the Shaman had retreated almost entirely from the pride and snapped at almost everyone who came near.

"Well, this is why you're here, isn't it?" she pointed out to the younger lioness. "To sound out your ideas for the pride so that we can find all the flaws before you implement them. Certainly I'm always here to hlep you, just as the other lions you've spoken to before me, or will speak to afterwards." Unyezi, surely, would be one of those. But Lailah would never deny Kimondo the wisdom of others. Besides, she, like ever lion, had biases that they didn't even realize and it was best to gather a variety of viewpoints before making major changes.