VoK Prompts

Prompt D2 - Write a 400 word scene/story of your choosing involving your pride members 
Word count: 1076 / 400
Exp: 300 exp

"Kuth, you may want to see this," King Intukuthelo opened his eyes to see his queen, Ubuciko, leaning over him, outlined by a early-morning sky.
"What is it, hun? And why so early?" the King yawned.
"I thought it'd be best if you got a handle on the situation before some busybody did," she glanced over her shoulder. "But then again, I may already be too late."
"Okay, okay. I'll be there in a second,"
"Suit yourself," Ubuciko shrugged before walking out of the den.
King Kuth had just turned over to fall back asleep, when he heard it. Not a bird was awake to make a sound, so the night should be silent, but it most definitely wasn't. Muted shouts and distant growls echoed from the Mainway like a choir of hungry elephants.
Was the entire pride awake? he wondered as he reluctantly clambered to his feet. As soon as he stuck his head out of the doorway, he saw what Ubuciko was talking about. Dozens of his pride were packed on the Outlook, all fighting for a view of... something.
Fairly upset that this ruckus had disturbed his sleep, Kuth stomped over to where Ubuciko stood at the back of the crowd.
"Aw, I see you decided to join the party," she joked, not impressed.
"Yeah, well, you didn't really give me an option," he responded, equally unaffected. Straining to see into the crowd before him, he added. "So what's going on?"
"To be completely honest with you, I'm not completely sure. Some say a cub fell off the Outlook-"
"Fell?"
"Some say there were vandals-"
"Vandals!?"
"And a little cub told me it was a search party for her missing pet beetle."
"Missing beetle!?"
"Kuth, be serious. And how in the world am I supposed to know? You're the king, so do something about it!"
The King rolled his eyes and walked towards the group, muttering, "And you're the queen."
As he approached, the crowd didn't part as normal, and he definitely wasn't in the mood. Standing tall, he let out a roar to silence the chaos. Of course, it was only halfhearted, seeing how he didn't want a pride full of deaf lions. Instantly the mob fell quiet and moved so the King could stand in the middle.
After a quick scan of the group, King Kuth said, "Well? Somebody please fill me in on why in the world everyone found it necessary to wake up in the middle of the night and start grumbling and growling like a bunch of dogs?"
A few silent moments later, a small voice spoke up, saying, "The adolescents found it okay to scratch up your palace walls, sire." Glancing downward, the King found one of the Snow Dingos (his scouts) standing before him.
The King then chuckled, lowering his paw so the rodent-sized dog could climb up and be seen. "Have you all no courage? An actual dog is the only one who speaks up! You should be ashamed! And where are the minors who caused this? Come forward."
Soon a group of five teenage lions stop before him, their heads hung close to their feet.
"Now, fellows, please explain to me what has been done." They glanced at each other and began to mumble in an argument.
Finally, a speckled tan one spoke up, saying, "I didn't do it! But I saw they whole thing!" Shouts induced from the others, but the King silenced them, motioning for him to go on. "Last night, we, uh, snuck out once everyone had gone to sleep. We, I mean, they weren't going to do any harm,"
Another added, "Yeah! We were just joking around! Isiqh bet Ethu he wouldn't write his name with ijikijolo juice above the Gateway, which of course he didn't because he's just a chicken! Bawk, bawk!"
All the boys laughed, except for Ethu who growled and added, "No! I was just being respectful!" He glanced at the King, who smirked and nodded at him.
"Whatever," the second lion continued. "We still needed some entertainment, so I bet Okudala he wouldn't so the same,"
All of the lions turned to the mentioned minor, who stood tall with arrogance and said, "And I bet him I could do one better. I would carve my name. And I did." Lifting a paw, he pointing about their heads to the top of the archway that lead onto the platform they stood on. Sure enough, like a practiced signature, was the name Okudala carved in the perfect slate. Continuing, the vandalizing lion said, "Of course, that tiny dog caught me in the act and decided to cause trouble," Everyone turned back to the small, white dingo that still stood in King Kuth's paw.
"He's a vandal," it barked before the King returned it to the ground. "Do something, sire!"
"Indeed, it is vandalism," the King addressed the crowd. "But I see this as an opportunity. Okudala, you favor the arts, do you not?"
"I do, Your Highness... but what is your point?" the lion said.
"Well, that rock had been empty for so long. So pointless and bare. I do think that we may as well make it something to remember, something meaningful, wouldn't you all agree?" Murmurs traveled through the crowd, but soon everyone was nodding in agreement. "So then, Okudala, since you have already signed your piece, I see it only fit that you carve us an emblem, a symbol perhaps. I am no artist, so I will also give you the freedom to design it, if you accept the challenge, that is."
"I would be honored, Your Highness! I will begin immediately!" The young lion grinned from ear to ear.
"Good. Then I see no reason for any of you boys to be punished, since we are benefiting from your actions. And thank you, little dingo, for watching out for my best interests. The rest of you, while our aspiring artist works, I suggest you get back to bed, and I better not see anyone slacking from their duties later on, is that clear?"
The king stayed back as the pride filed from his lookout, then turned to Ubuciko and smirked, saying, "How is that for 'doing something about it'?"
Now it was her turn to roll her eyes. "Whatever. I'm going back to bed."
Instead of going to bed himself, King Kuth lied down on the rock and silently watched as Okudala worked.