VoK Prompts

Prompt D2 - Write a 400 word scene/story of your choosing involving your pride members 
Word count: 470 / 400
Exp: 300 exp

"My darling, face it. We can't have children. We are getting old and must choose an heir before it is too late," Queen Umsebenzi Wobuciko moved to be in King Intukuthelo's gaze, but he still glanced away. Ubuciko knew that Kuth had always wanted children, but this had gone on for too long, and he finally had to face the truth.

"Surely there's something-" he grumbled, turning away. Kuth always wanted his way, but Ubuciko often had to be the voice of reason. She, too, once had dreams of raising cubs of their own to rule, but it was now obvious that it wasn't possible.

"Kuth, listen. We've gone through this a million times. There is nothng that can be done. At this point, we have to put our interests aside and do what is best for the pride. Wouldn't you agree?" Ubuciko reasoned. Silence. Kuth didn't argue, so she took it as agreement. "Go now, speak to the council about arranging an event promptly. We shouldn't waste any more time," Unable to deny his wife's logic, Kuth reluctantly stood and moped from the room. Of course, by the time the council's session began, his head was held high, and he spoke Ubuciko's reasoning as his own as she looked on proudly.

The council, in stark contrast to Kuth, was highly relieved to finally be seeking out the next ruler. In minutes, they laid out the plan that they had been forming in secret for years, and soon the entire pride was buzzing at the chance of royalty. Even so, that night's dinner made for awkward conversation.

"So, are excited for the upcoming festivities?" Ubuciko urged, thinking that, perhaps, Kuth was really as sure as he had acted in front of the council.

"No," he responded bluntly, not looking up.

"Oh, well then. I see. Hopefully you can find a better attitude by tomorrow then,"

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow. I spoke to part of the council and we all agreed that the games should be moved up so that we don't have to worry about the upcoming storm. We settled on tomorrow, and since we made up the majority anyway we didn't need to present the matter in front of everyone," Ubuciko explained, her voice level.

"You... did what? Do you know what tomorrow is? It's the start of a new year. Usuku Lomsunguli. Founder's Day. My day. And you didn't think to ask me, the king?" Kuth growled, but now it was Ubuciko that didn't look up. She didn't have to for Kuth to know that she was smirking.

"No. It was a council matter, and it has been taken care of. Now I am off to bed so I can be rested up for the long day tomorrow," Needless to say, Kuth didn't join Ubuciko in bed that night.