[PRP] Invasion!

[Jovi of Shadows]

The morning was a strange one, Bamba considered. Siyo'Jini had disappeared with nary a word to anyone, two mercenaries quick on his heels, towards the pride's borders. And not long after that Thunzi had come around to 'brief' them on a situation that had cropped up. Seemingly over night? Maybe Bamba was still too tired to fully function this early in the morning, but it seemed a bit strange to him. The tall lion took a moment to shake out his dark mane as he stretched and yawned to help wake himself up. "This is odd, right?" he questioned aloud, to no one in particular. There were a few bodies around him, but he wasn't expecting anyone to actually answer.

Helle also wasn't an early riser, but when Siyo'Jini came barging in to steal her mate, Khanyo, out from under her this morning she had made it a point to wake up. Something was going on, and it was serious. She had just managed to make it to her paws when Thunzi had come around to warn everyone about possible hostilities this morning. That confirmed it. The large lioness gave herself a hard shake as she prepared for battle. She had just managed to start her guard's route around the pride's den area when she came upon the tall golden lion, his comment just as sleepy as he looked."Probably, but we'd best be ready," she replied without a second thought. He looked able bodied, so she assumed he was a member of the fighter's guild.

Bamba gave her a curious tilt of his head, wondering if he had seen this lioness before. In passing, perhaps. He seemed to remember she hung around Khanyo and Neze, but honestly the ranger wasn't around enough to be certain. "Yeah, yeah," he yawned as he sat back on his haunches to scratch an itch at his side with a hind leg. He wasn't meaning to be dismissive, but he wasn't about to start arguing with someone he didn't even know. Best to just end it there, right? When he noticed her giving him a sideways look he shrugged. "I'm just saying, I don't even know a Kiv'mauti." Were they a Merc? Bamba had been around Siyo and Thunzi for years now, and seen many mercenaries come and go, but he'd never even heard mention of a Kiv'mauti. Well... hmm, maybe? Years, and years ago, when he'd first joined, maybe he had heard the name.

Helle gave the long-legged male a hard look. She couldn't decide if he was trying to purposefully get under her skin, or if he just didn't care. Either way, she wasn't particularly happy about it. "That doesn't matter. If the Boss says its important, its important," she replied. She also didn't know any Kiv'mauti, but that hardly mattered. She was from the Stormborn, where it was impossible to know everyone on a name-to-name basis thanks to their numbers, but that didn't mean they weren't Stormborn. So, if this Kiv'mauti was a Merc, it didn't matter if Helle didn't know them.

((The events in this RP will take place at the same time as 'No Quarter' and 'Death's Shadow'.))

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Skadi had been quick to move when Thunzi had slipped through the pride, heading in the direction he'd come from to hopefully meet whatever threat might be edging closer to their border head on. Before she could spot any hostiles, though, a little cluster of members of the pride caught her eye. She veered towards them, trotting lightly with an eager look in her eye. She could tell one of the felines gathered was a former Stormborn like herself given the braids she wore in her tuft, but the other lion and the leopard that was slowly approaching could have been anyone.

"Any news?" she asked once she was within earshot of the three, slowing her trot to a walk. "Beyond 'trouble' and 'if you know a Kiv'mauti, no you don't'? Well met, sister," she added, grinning broadly at Helle.

Kazul approached the three lions quietly, all ears at the moment. She wasn't much of a talker but she did want to know what was going on. The alarm wasn't often raised on their own turf, but any who decided to attack the Tani'Ajiri were either very stupid or very strong. Surely no one in their right mind would try to take on a pride of warriors and mercenaries?

The energetic lioness that approached last made her ears press back against her head. The loud, bombastic sorts were never really her type, though she did admit they could be useful in battle. As a distraction.

"Nothing," she said with a shake of her head. At least, nothing new. She supposed they could wait and see if Thunzi brought any word, or if The Boss returned from his sudden errand to the border.

Jovi of Shadows

 

[Jovi of Shadows]

Bamba wasn't typically one to pick a fight, especially with a fellow Merc, but he was definitely considering it with this lioness. Not only had his morning been spoiled by the possibility of hostilities, but now this lioness was on his case? "I never said it wasn't," he grumbled grouchily as he climbed to his paws. Whatever, it wasn't worth it to fight her over something so stupid. Thankfully, before anything else could be said, another lioness approached them, and she seemed to be in much better spirits. Bamba was about to open his maw to respond, when a 'nothing' came from right beside him and made him leap nearly out of his skin. "Gah!" he coughed out when he craned his neck around to spot the red leopard. Where had she come from!

She'd had just about enough of this male and his nonchalance, but as luck would have it someone else approached their small gathering. Sister? It took Helle a moment for the recognition to sink in, but the braids and the size of the other lioness made her maw split into a toothy grin. "It's a good day to die," Helle confirmed with the typical Stormborn greeting. She'd missed saying it, as most of the mercenaries tended to look at her funny when she had. "Nothing yet," she agreed with the leopard, opting to ignore the male's silly outburst. It was best for all of them that she did so.

Geez. He gave the quiet leopard a side long glance before he settled himself into a more dignified position again. "I'm sure whatever it is, the Boss has already gone off to deal with it," Bamba sighed. There wasn't much the Boss couldn't deal with, especially with two mercenaries at his heels, and Bamba had seen him deal with a lot over the years. "So let's just calm down, yeah?" That last part was mostly meant for Helle as she was once again giving him a hard look that made his skin crawl. Ugh, it was too early in the morning for this.

For as happy as she was to see a fellow Stormborn, she was just about ready to give this male a good swat to knock some sense into him. Did he seriously just tell her calm down? She turned to take one purposeful step in his direction, her gaze thankfully sweeping behind him as she did so, just as something strange caught her attention. "Move it, Flower-blood," she grumbled at him as she shouldered past the golden male to get a better look. She lowered her head to sniff at a spot on the ground, her nose wrinkling with the scent of fresh blood. "It's lion," she declared, all seriousness returning to her voice. Indeed, a small puddle of blood lay before her paws, no more than a few drops big, but it left a trail leading away from the border and closer to the dense forest of the pride's den area. Something was going on.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Skadi snickered softly as Bamba yelped. Clearly the male hadn't seen her coming but it still was pretty hilarious to see a full grown lion startle over something so small as a single word. Everyone was on alert, though, and nerves could make even the most battle-hardened warriors do some pretty strange things.

As more confirmation came that no one had heard anything new, the teal lioness heaved a sigh. Waiting could really suck the fun out of a battle.

"You'd think anyone stupid enough to try anything here would just charge in. I want to sink my claws into something!" she bemoaned, doing just that by digging her claws into the dirt beneath them. It wasn't nearly as satisfying as flesh, but it would have to do.

Kazul rolled her eyes slightly at the jumpy lion but didn't comment on it. Instead her attention turned to the brown lioness as she brushed passed the male, her eyes intent as she sniffed a spot on the ground.

"Blood?" she asked, approaching as well. How long had that been there? She scowled slightly as she glanced around, searching for the injured party. "How long have you two been here?" she added, fixing her gaze on Helle and Bamba. She'd seen Skadi walking towards the group and she herself had only just arrived so it was clear they'd been here longer, but how long?

Skadi had to snicker again as her fellow ex-Stormborn called the male flower-blooded, but she sobered up quickly when blood was found.

"Is it fresh?" she asked with a grin. Whoever had bled here couldn't have gone far, right?

Jovi of Shadows

 

[Jovi of Shadows]

Bamba didn't bother reproaching Helle for bumping into him, heck, he was just done with this whole thing. "Flower-blood?" he muttered under his breath, not quite understanding, but still feeling somewhat offended either way. He was about to be on his way when he hesitated, glancing over his shoulder as clearly something had caught her attention. Blood? Damn. He had really been hoping they wouldn't have to deal with anything this morning, but it seemed fate had other plans. Bamba gave a defeated sigh as he turned to address the question thrown his way by the leopardess, his demeanor becoming more serious now that he couldn't shirk away the responsibility. "A few minutes perhaps? I had just wandered over here before you all showed up," he responded with a dry irritation at their situation.

"It's pretty fresh," Helle responded to Skadi, letting Bamba answer Kazul's question for her. Her blue eyes squinted as her gaze moved to follow the drops of blood and the direction they led in, her paws slowly moving her forward as she did so. She stopped suddenly when the golden male stepped past her, and she was about to yell at him for doing so, when he leveled a rather serious look at her. It was almost refreshing considering his earlier behavior.

"These are drag marks," he explained, waving his paw at the tall grass that had been pressed down, leaving a somewhat easy trail to follow. If you knew what to look for, of course. Bamba made his living as a ranger, a bounty hunter for the pride who was often away from the territory for contract work, so he was quick to spot such things. Well, now that he had his head in the game. "Something big, maybe lion sized, was dragged this way, and it looks like the blood follows this same trail," he frowned. He only came back to the territory to relax before heading out on contract again, and he wasn't looking forward to what they might find at the end of this trail.

Helle gave him an appreciative look, much preferring this attitude over his previous one. She turned to Skadi, her blue eyes gleaming. "Looks like we're about to sink our claws into something after all," she rumbled. Something strange was going on, and someone might even be hurt. As a guard, Helle had a responsibility to investigate what was going on. "Let's get to the bottom of this," she gave both Skadi and Kazul a nod as she followed after Bamba, hoping the two of them would want to see this out to till the end as well.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Kazul nodded slightly as Bamba confirmed they hadn't been there long, either. How the scent hadn't reached them before was a mystery, but it didn't matter much now. It seemed Helle was on the trail and she fell silent once more, content to let the lions lead for now.

Skadi joined in the observations, taking a sniff of the blood to confirm it was a lion. The scent on the ground was just as obvious now that she was looking for it, but she was thankful to have the Ranger and the Guard who were far more adept for finding clues like this than she was.

"Good," she said with a grin, glancing at Helle. "Lead the way and we'll bring up the rear." She glanced at Kazul who gave a little nod, leaving Helle and Bamba to head the charge. The leopard followed the three, ears on the swivel to ensure they weren't being followed in turn, occasionally glancing over her shoulder. She much preferred to use the element of surprise in an attack, but she supposed if she remained hidden behind the larger felines the foes they were potentially facing wouldn't notice her and she'd have a bit of an advantage.

Jovi of Shadows

 

[Jovi of Shadows]

Bamba swept his gaze over the little band of Mercs that had assembled, his features serious as he nodded in turn. He and Helle would lead. The trail was fairly obvious the further they followed it, and he wasn't certain if that was a blessing or perhaps some sort of ill omen, but it led into the heart of the pride, towards the forest where most everyone made their dens. Where his mother and aunt would surely be. His pace quickened to a brisk trot as his jaw set into a firm grimace as the stench of blood became more obvious, and swathes of it had been brushed against tall stalks of grass.

Helle had fallen silent as the group had made their plan, thankful that Skadi and Kazul had agreed to be their backup. Matching Bamba nearly step for step and quickening her pace when something seemed to have alarmed him. Up ahead Helle could hear the sounds of rustling brush, paws scraping dirt, and what she could have sworn were the sounds of a small scuffle. She signaled to those behind her, her ears flattened against her skull as her body flattened into a stalking charge. They were nearly to the tree line, to the start of forest, when the tall grasses gave way to a small clearing and the scene unfolded.

Jua'kali, a rather small male lion and a healer to the pride, was struggling to regain his paws, and doing a poor job of it. His pale fur was matted with blood and fresh wounds, but perhaps the most out of place thing about him was the glazed over, confused look to his blue eyes. Around him stood three strange lions, one had a grip on Jua's neck and was attempting to drag him back down to the ground, while another raised a paw to strike Jua in the face and seemed to be demanding something in hushed tones. The third looked nervously around them. All three froze in place as a fourth strange lion ducked back into clearing, uttering a few quick, quiet commands and leveling a sneer at Jua. "Get rid of him, he's served his purpose," the fourth demanded quietly. "We've found where they're hiding Kiv'mauti!" The other three turned their attention to the struggling, confused Jua'kali as they prepared to descend upon their helpless captive.

Bamba had seen enough. He recognized Jua as the healer who had seen to his injuries over the years, and though the two hardly spoke, he was still a Merc. What they had done to the healer, to a Merc, was unforgivable. The tall golden lion didn't bother to announce their presence, he simply charged at the nearest body, the one who had struck Jua in the face, as fangs and claws sought to end his enemy. His opponent, though surprised, was well versed in the ways of battle as he had managed to escape the killing blow and the two engaged in silent, deadly combat.

Following close behind Bamba's initial charge was Helle, her blue eyes gleaming with fire as a snarl ripped its way onto her maw. She thrived in battle and seeing a fellow pride member injured to such a degree by outsiders boiled her blood. The lioness, thick with muscle from years of training both in the Stormborn and the Tani'Ajiri, slammed into the lion holding Jua's mane in his mouth. She tumbled over him, her claws latching into his flesh as if he were no more than a prey beast. He would not escape her fury as her fangs caught him under the throat. He struggled against her, sharp claws slicing angry red lines into her legs as she held him in place, but she felt his blood hot on her tongue and that only strengthened her grip on his throat.

The explosion of movement and action around Jua'kali only managed to confuse him further. He was bowled over by Helle's charge, but the grip on his neck was released and he was free of the pain that been constantly at the back of his head. But what was going on? His mind was fuzzy, and it hurt to move. He blinked furiously as he tried to clear his mind, to command his legs to move, to speak, anything, but he only managed to groan out in pain. There was a vague sense of dread in the back of his mind, like he had done something he shouldn't have, but he couldn't quite grasp what it was for the time being.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

As Kazul and Skadi followed Helle and Bamba it became clear that whatever they were tracking wasn't far off. The blood was more obvious now, the path made by a struggling creature clear enough to spot, and as the two guides quickened their pace the rear guard was quick to follow. It occurred to Kazul that they were heading deeper into the pride's lands which made her ears press further back against her head: who could have infiltrated their own lands like this?

Skadi wasn't thinking about that, too caught up in the spike of adrenaline that had shot through her body when they'd started walking faster, closer to a trot. She mimicked Helle's pose, branching to flank her a bit as they entered a small clearing, leaving Kazul to pick up the rear.

The scene before them was chaotic. The source of the blood was found and it was one of their own. The three other lions that surrounded him and a fourth that appeared a moment later were strangers, and therefore were about to die.

Skadi moved with Bamba and Helle, just a body length or so behind them. She too let out a sound of rage, though hers was a full on roar rather than a snarl. The two that were attacking their fellow Merc were being seen to so she focused her sights on the third lion who was ready to help his comrades, but she didn't give him the chance to. She pounced, fangs flashing and claws extended as she sailed into the third assailant, bringing them both to the ground in a heap. She twisted to sink her claws into the shoulders of the brute, her jaws closing down hard on his back, working their way through muscle and tissue to get to his spine.

Kazul hung back for a moment, surveying the scene, before moving through the tall grass closer to the trees. She wasn't as large or as strong as a lion, but if she could get the element of surprise she could certainly hold her own against one. The sounds of the battle covered any tiny noise she made as she reached the treeline and scaled one of the trees with ease, perching on a limb above the chaos. There was one lion who was unattended by her fellow Mercs and she waited until he was fully distracted before she moved.

Leaping from the tree, she silently extended her claws to catch in whatever part of the lion she could reach, her momentum more than enough to send her target flying. She turned her head to sink her jaws into hot flesh, holding on tight as they tumbled over the dirt.

Jovi of Shadows

 

[Jovi of Shadows]

Bamba wasn't looking to drag out the battle with this strange lion, but the two were very nearly evenly matched. They exchanged quick blows of claws and attempted to drive the other off balance, where one of them would gain the advantage over the other. In the end, Bamba was able to outmaneuver his foe through sheer force of will power and an onslaught of blows that had the other lion staggering backward. Bamba saw his opportunity the same instant his opponent realized their mistake, but there was no avoiding Bamba's claws as they caught him under the chin and throat. After that, the stranger made many more mistakes that Bamba quickly took advantage of, until finally he was able to put an end to the stranger for good.

Thankfully Helle's grip was strong, and even though the lion struggled to free itself from her grasp, her jaws had found a sound hold in its throat. He probably would have been cursing at her, if she hadn't sufficiently closed his windpipe. On the other paw, she was growling at him for slicing up her legs as he flailed in his vain attempt to escape her. By harming a Merc, he had made an enemy of the Tani'Ajiri, and for that she would kill him. Sounds of battle were all around her, but she didn't dare look away from her foe, not until she felt the life leave his body for good. She would have to trust that her fellow Mercs could handle themselves, and considering the company she was in, she had no doubt that they could.

Jua hadn't managed to gain much control over his body, but his mind was slowly clearing from the fog that had come over him. Not enough for the older lion to understand what was going on around him, or why, but enough for him to realize that he was in danger. Or had been. He couldn't quite tell. It was all fuzzy. Something... something about, Kiv'mauti? That word stuck out in his brain but he couldn't quite grasp its importance. He'd managed to roll onto his back, to temporarily alleviate some of the pain in his limbs and steady his breathing.

Bamba, quite certain that his opponent was dead and would not be getting back up again, took a moment to catch his breath and survey what was going on around him. The other three strangers were being handled by his fellow mercs, so Bamba took the opportunity to trot over and check on Jua. The older lion seemed out of sorts, but it was the various wounds, some still open and bleeding, that had Bamba the most concerned. "Take it easy old man," he said, hoping to get some sort of recognition or response out of Jua.

When she was certain that her foe had drawn his last breath, Helle released him from her grip and flexed her jaw. She was quick to note that Bamba had taken to checking on Jua, so her attention shifted to Skadi and Kazul as she climbed back onto her paws. She looked between them, prepared to jump in to help either of them if they needed the support, but just as happy to let her fellow mercs handle their business.

Jua'kali, or so he was calling himself now a days, had lived a long life full of regrets that had made him bitter and callused. But, when his mind was as foggy as it was now, with barely the ability to focus, he was simply an injured old man who hadn't a clue what was going on. His head lolled over towards the sound of Bamba's voice and he nodded, a tired "Yeah," as his response. Damned if he couldn't remember how this had all happened, though. Had he perhaps, known these fellows before? No, no that wasn't quite right. In fact, the opposite might have been true. Had they hurt him? He lifted his paw to his eyes and focused his gaze on the bright red fur. Huh. That wasn't right. His fur was pale.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Although she was smaller than her target, Kazul made short work of the unsuspecting lion. The force that she'd landed on him with had done enough damage to keep him from fighting back, and from there it was just a matter of finding the right position to clamp on to his neck to slowly deprive him of air. Whatever internal injuries he'd sustained from the leap kept him subdued enough that it only took a few moments to dispatch him, allowing the leopard to leave him not long after Bamba and Helle were finished with their opponents.

Skadi, however, was still fighting. She and the lion she'd picked were trading blows, both back on their feet after the initial pounce. Skadi could tell this lion was letting adrenaline fuel him, having seen his comrades go down to her fellow pride mates. She was restraining herself just a bit, not wanting to kill the last member just yet. Before she'd come to the Mercs she'd been a reckless lioness in battle, killing first and asking questions later. Now, though, she was starting to use her mind and it was proving to be quite the asset.

There was finally an opening in which Skadi pounced, pinning her opponent to the ground. She pressed one paw against his throat, cutting off his air even as he thrashed to try to toss her off. She held her ground and Kazul came over to help, pressing her claws into his soft belly. He instantly stopped moving, though it was clear he was struggling to breathe.

"You guys got any questions for this intruder before I finish him off?" she asked, turning her gaze to Helle and Bamba. Jua didn't concern her for the time being, though she was no medic and never claimed to be. It was obvious he needed attention, but this many lions sneaking into the pride unnoticed was more of a worry that one single lion. He'd have to wait.

Jovi of Shadows

 

[Jovi of Shadows]

Helle kept a careful eye on what was going on around them, and she nodded approvingly to Kazul as the leopardess finished off her foe. That just left Skadi, and her lion. Helle turned her full attention to her fellow sister of the storm, her claws scratching at the ground just in case Though with Skadi's skillful display of battle technique, Helle doubted she would need to jump in. She would need to compliment her fellow stormborn after this whole affair was taken care of. It all seemed to be over once both Skadi and Kazul had the male restrained, and with quite the good idea about questions. "I do have a few," Helle remarked as she padded her way purposefully over to where the male was being held, her claws coming dangerously close to his nose as she stopped in front of him. She crouched to be eye level with the intruder, though safely out of snapping distance of his jaws, as she trusted her fellow mercs to keep him restrained. "What made you think you could sneak in here without being noticed? What were you planning?" she questioned, her blue eyes intense as she stared him down. When he was silent, save for the wheezing breath he was struggling to gasp, Helle gave him a smirking look, the tips of deadly fangs exposed. "Play nice, or my leopard friend may just gut you now and let the buzzards sort you out," she reminded him.

The intruder was quiet for a moment longer before the fear reached his eyes and he gagged out, "No, don't, I'll-I'll talk...!" He struggled to breathe, and his voice was raspy at best, but he was clearly panicked and desperate. "We've been scouting your territory for days! Waiting for the right time to strike. We-we set up-" he had to pause to cough as he wheezed out the last words, desperately trying to suck in enough air. "A trap! Divide your forces, distract you-" his voice was growing weaker as gulped for air that would not come.

Helle narrowed her eyes, remembering how Siyo'Jini had taken her mate to the border with him. Worry struck the back of her mind, but she couldn't let any of that show right now. She had a job to perform as a guard. "Why?" she growled with an intensity that overtook her. Time may be of the essence! "And why drag along one of our own?" she questioned, briefly giving Jua a glance over her shoulder. It looked as though they had nearly beaten the old medic to an inch of his life. That was unforgivable.

The intruder sucked in a hissing breath as a look of hate spread across his features. "Kiv'mauti must pay for what she did! You can't hide her from us, we'll kill her!" He turned his gaze to follow Helle's towards the injured medic, as best he could as he was still restrained, and a disgusted sneer came over his features. "We jumped him, and the coward told us she was here," he coughed out in a raspy breath. "The old fool was afraid to die, so we beat him till he told us everything we needed to know," another wheeze as he struggled to breathe. "We were going to leave him here as a dis-distraction...!"

Bamba was doing his best to ignore the infuriating string of answers the intruder was spilling, trying to keep his temper under check so he didn't distract from the interrogation. He was no healer, but he could at least try to help Jua to his paws. The task was more difficult than he had expected, as the older lion seemed to have little control over his limbs. "Y'all handle this a*****e, I'm taking Jua to find a healer," he rumbled as he purposely kept his back turned to the whole ordeal. He was afraid that if he saw the intruder, he might not be able to hold himself back from attacking him.

Jua'kali was having a difficult time getting to his paws, even with the help of Bamba. Though his head was starting to clear up a little bit more, and the little bits he was able to hear and understand shamed him. Ah. Yes. That's what had happened. Thankfully he was still too fuzzy brained to completely comprehend what all was being said, much less respond to any of it. With some effort and a great deal of help from Bamba, the old healer finally managed to make it up to a sitting position where he panted from the effort.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Skadi and Kazul both applied more pressure as their captive refused to talk, and that combined with Helle's threat got him to squeal. Kazul's eyes darted over to Jua as it was made clear the old lion gave away valuable information, but what was she going to do? What they wanted to know was already given to them and the lion had suffered a terrible price for it, even if it had been before he'd talked. Now he would have the guilt of being an informant over his head.

Skadi didn't care much that Jua had spoken up. He was a healer and wasn't expected to withstand torture. He was also old, and the fact that this band had preyed upon someone so easy a target got her blood boiling more than the fact that Jua hadn't been able to keep quiet.

Again, the name Kiv'mauti came up. Skadi growled softly, frustrated that she had no idea who that was, but all that really mattered was that there were more of these attackers in their pride. She'd heard enough.

"Good little bird," she chided as she extended her claws, piercing the tender skin of the lion's throat. Even his mane couldn't save him now. "Sing one more song before you go, will you?" She waited to make sure Helle didn't have any further questions, though she didn't let up the pressure nor her claws.

Kazul flicked her gaze to Bamba as the male moved to help the older lion, giving a small nod. "Warn anyone you see that there are more of them within our lands," she said. "They could be anywhere."

Jovi of Shadows

 

[Jovi of Shadows]

Helle glared at the intruder as her lips twitched into a snarl. It seems they had stumbled into something much larger than just what was going on with these four. And all for the sake of one individual. Someone Helle didn't even know, but it was at least obvious they were somehow aligned with, or part of the Tani'Ajiri. That could be sorted out later, she supposed, but after this she was sure going to make it her business to find out. Perhaps a talk with Thunzi, if she could ever manage to grab his attention for more than a second. She would think, after something like this, he would have something to say.

The claws that slipped into the intruder's neck had him gasping out in pain as realization hit. He wasn't going to make it out of this alive! "I-I told you want you wanted!" he pleaded, muscles tensing as if he were about to thrash, but somehow keeping his panic under control. The claws in his throat a good reminder to not do so. "P-please!"

Helle scowled at him. Just moments before they were about to kill Jua, after brutally beating him and dragging him about the lands. He couldn't really expect mercy after what he had done, and what they had stopped him and his fellows from doing. She did have one more question to ask him. "How many are with you?" she rumbled, grabbing his attention as she got closer to look him in the eye.

Desperate for any sort of chance he may make it out with his life, the lion eagerly sang his last song. "There are ten of us! Some at the border to am-ambush, and-" it was difficult for him to get the words out, as panic and wheezing breath were choking him. "U-us here! A-an-and others who scouted ahead."

Helle's features turned grim as he affirmed there was indeed an ambush waiting at the border. She could only hope her Khanyo would be safe, but she would be lying if she said she wasn't worried about him. He was a strong fighter, she told herself, and he had Siyo'Jini and Neze with him. Those three together were a force to be reckoned with. But still, she could feel the pang in her heart at the dread of not knowing. "I'm done with him," Helle affirmed with a nod to Skadi. If the others had any questions for him, or if they wanted to end him here and now, Helle would be fine with that.

"On it," Bamba affirmed to Kazul as he continued to assist the older lion to a standing position. Hearing that were so many in this intruder's band worried Bamba, and he mentally kicked himself for being so reluctant to believe anything was really going on. These could have easily gotten to his mother, or his aunt, and he would have never forgiven himself if something had happened to them. "Almost there, old-timer," Bamba grumbled as he helped heave Jua onto shaky paws.

Jua was regaining more and more of his cognitive functions, but the more and more that he heard, the less he wanted to. It was rather difficult for the old lion to stand, and he leaned heavily against Bamba for support. He... he would need to apologize to Kiv'mauti when he saw her next. As his patient, he should have kept his mouth shut about her whereabouts. But, well, he hadn't wanted to die. He hung his head out of shame and exhaustion, and said nothing as Bamba began helping him limp away to find another healer.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Skadi wrinkled her nose as the lion begged for his life. Did he really think that was going to work? She let him finish what he was saying, but once Helle gave the word that she was done with him Skadi gazed down at the trapped lion with nothing but pity on her face.

"Begging doesn't suit you, intruder. I thought it would, but I was wrong." She didn't waste much time in dispatching the lion after that, letting her jaws do the work that her paws had started. Kazul kept her paws pressed against the lion's belly as he squirmed, but once he fell still she moved away.

"Ten," she repeated quietly, an ear flicking off some of the blood splatter from her previous victim. "There were four here. That leave six, unless he was mistaken." Ten to take on a whole pride seemed idiotic rather than ambitious, though she knew the value of keeping a party small. The less of you, the harder it was to find you.

"What now, then?" Skadi asked, her muzzle dark with blood. She had an irritated look on her face despite their success. "It would be nice if we'd been told who or where this Kiv'mauti is..." Trailing off, she glanced at Bamba and Jua, considering for a moment before deciding the old lion could help them.

"Wait, Bamba," she said, trotting over to the pair. She gave Jua a steely look to let him know just what she thought of his slip of the tongue, but she didn't voice it. "You know where this lion is. Tell us where so we can intercept more of these intruders."

Kazul rolled her eyes but remained silent, not caring for the way the Merc was interrogating their own pridemate. Still, perhaps if they could figure out where all the attackers were trying to get to they could at least pose a bit of a threat to the rest of the six...if there were six. If there were more they may not be as successful as they'd just been.

Jovi of Shadows

 

[Jovi of Shadows]

Helle wore a grim frown on her maw as she considered the intruder's words. Most likely, it would be too late for any of them to warn Siyo'Jini and the brothers that they were walking into an ambush, as they had left for the border well before dawn. How many of these intruders still roamed their lands? Her blue eyes narrowed as she followed Skadi's line of thinking and she silently followed after her fellow lioness. She didn't like it, but there was only one way to get to the bottom of this, and they needed to put a stop to it as soon as possible. Her gaze locked on Jua as she awaited whatever answer he may have for them.

Bamba began to protest as Skadi came to hold them up, but Jua took an unsteady step in front of him and that shut his maw for the time being. Still, Bamba felt this was not the time to be interrogating the injured old lion! His brows furrowed in frustration, but he remained silent so Jua could say his peace.

Jua was having a difficult time holding himself up, but he felt nothing but shame under Skadi's steely gaze. "If it'll help," he agreed quietly, as he hung his head. He was tired, everything hurt, but that didn't compare to the remorse he felt in his heart for what he had done. "Kiv'mauti is a patient of mine, and an old friend of Siyo'Jini and Thunzi. You can find her at my healer's den," he explained, his pale eyes far away as he thought of the betrayal he had wrought her. He swayed on his paws and was only just barely caught by Bamba who dipped down to lend him a shoulder to lean on.

SilverLutz