Winter's Bane Pride

||Prompt A4 :: 150exp||

What allegiances does your pride have? (With npcs, rogues, other user prides, other creatures?) 200 words or 1 art piece minimum

NPC(s): Carter + Umama 

Pride: Rose Of The Thorns + Sun Kissed

Ukusizana Pride: Intukuthelo

(1676 words)

Bane looked up at the old, wise King. King Carter. The King had found Bane alone in the woods and welcomed him into his pride. An act of kindness he will never forget. Bane had been left behind when an enemy pride had fled in defeat, moewing all alone and confused. Carter looked down at the cub and instead of treating him like an enemy's cub, he took Bane in and treated him like a son. He taught Bane the ways of the pride, hunting, fighting and morals. When Bane had to move to start his own pride, Carter was there to give his full support.

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Umama had just lost her litter of cubs when the king had brought in an abandoned cub to her. At first she had out-right refused to take care of an enemy cub but as she looked at the shivering, defenseless form, her motherly instincts took over and she curled up around him. She raised him as her own.

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Intukuthelo (Bane ventured forth to find help/found pride/asked for help/doubtful but came to look/encounter demon/spread the word/provide medicinal herbs)

"We need more help," said his healer, bringing him out of his thoughts. Bane looked up at her from where he was sun-bathing on a rock,"What do you mean?" he asked as he stretched and sat up.

"I'm running out of healing herbs and the frost has ruined any chance of us harvesting new stock," Sun replied calmly.

Rose stretched out beside him and then sat up,"So there won't be enough herbs to last us the winter?" she asked, flicking her tail.

"That is correct," Sun answered, nodding her head.

Bane sat up and yawned, the warm sun had him feeling relaxed and tired but he shook them off and looked at Sun as she continued.

"We will have to venture north in search of these herbs,"she said,"I will not be able to attend as I need to stay here and look after the sick and wounded. Bane," Sun looked at him,"you are one of the few in this pride that I have taught about all the herbs and healing techniques, I think it's best if you go. Rose can stay here in your place," she finished.

She was the only one who spoke to the King in such fashion, well, the only one who got away with it due to his respect to the lioness. 

Bane nodded,"You seemed to have thought this through," he chuckled,"Very well, I will leave tomorrow at midday."

He knew what was to come when the night overtook the skies, he needed to help fight but he also needed to rest as the journey was going to be a difficult one.

When time came for him to leave he nuzzled Rose lovingly and said his goodbyes. He just hoped he could find what his pride needed.

Three days travel it took him to leave the snow of his home behind. He took a path he had never taken before onto a field of white. The air was slightly warmer than the south and he enjoyed it as the winds ruffled his thick fur. Soon he saw tellings of a pride that lived here. He walked further into their territory, hoping to run into a patrol of some sorts. He heard a scurrying of pawsteps to his right and he cocked his head to the side. One of the small creatures tripped and tumbled it's way to stop before a puzzled Bane. It was a small canine-like creature with white fur. He raised a paw and tapped the still form where he was greeted with a yelp of terror and he watched it scurry off, questions formed in his mind, what under the heavens were those beasts?

He wasn't left in his thoughts for long when a group of lions approached him, looking him up and down, unsure of his motives. Bane tried to look as non-threatening as possible as he spoke with his velvety gruff voice,"Greetings, I have come to speak with your King."

The group parted to reveal a dark furred male with white markings,"My name is Intukuthelo, King of this pride and this land,"he spoke in an even voice,"What can I do for you, stranger?"

"My name is Winter's Bane, King in the South," he replied,"I come here seeking aid," he paused, would they believe him?

"The South lands are plagued by demons when the sun sets,"he said,"our herb stores are running low and the frost has destroyed almost all of the fresh stock and we are in desperate need of healing herbs if my pride is to survive the nightly attacks."

"Demons you say?" asked Intukuthelo raising a brow," Forgive me for not taking your word for this, but this is.."

"I know what I must sound like, believe me," Bane nodded," But please, you need to help us."

Intukuthelo grunted, he didn't know what to make of this. His curiosity needed to be satisfied so he made a decision.

"Winter's Bane, please follow us back to camp,"he said flicking his tail,"We will feed you and speak more of this matter."

The group encircled him as he followed Intukuthelo to the pride's camp. He held back a gasp as he saw the camp, the valley seemingly slashed into the earth by some giant heavenly claw. Caves lined the sides of the rock surface. 

He sat down next to the other king, glad to be resting his weary paws. A lion had brought him a piece of deer/elk and he took a hungry bite.

The two kings spoke until the sun touched the horizon, the skies growing dark. Intukuthelo bid him goodnight and left to sleep. Bane tried to fall asleep but his adreniline was pumping and muscles twitched, he strugled and forced himself to sleep eventually. 

When the sun peaked over the distant mountains Bane was already awake, under the watchful gazes of a few of the pride members. He saw Intukuthelo approach with another lion, presumably the healer, both had large leaf wrapped parcels in their mouths. 

"Here," spoke Intukuthelo,"these are all the herbs you asked for that we can spare. I hope that this is enough."

Bane smiled,"More than, thank you."

"Shall we set off?"asked Intukuthelo, he was still unconvinced by the other king's claims of demons and thus decided to join him and venture south to verify these demons with his own eyes.

The days traveling back to his pride felt long but the two kings passed the time by talking. They started the journey as strangers but near the end they seemed to be more than friends, somewhat like brothers. 

The air had grown frigid and the icy winds clawed at their fur. Bane stepped closer to the strong king, offering his warmth. They padded into camp, shoulders brushing and was greeted by a lioness tackling Bane to the ground laughing. He had seen her making her way to them so he had gently dropped the package before the two lions collided, leaving a startled Kuth standing watching the pair.

"Oh how I've missed you," purred Rose and nuzzled his shoulder. 

"I missed you too, beloved," he purred.

Sun had made her way out,"Greetings, stranger,"she said calmly to Kuth,"I beleive we owe our thanks to you for these herbs."

"I am happy to help," said Kuth nodding his greeting to the lioness.

Bane stood up, shaking his fur and led them to a few rocks bathed in sun and hoped on, laying down. Rose helped Sun take the herbs to the healing den within the vast network of tunnels in the mountains. some pride members brought the pair some elk to feast on. They hungerly ate their shares before Bane stretched out and closed his eyes.

He felt the confused gaze of Kuth and smiled,"Better get some rest my friend, the real battle begins as soon as the skies grow dark."

Kuth felt a little excited, demons? Were the even real? Bane had spoken of his pride's faith as well as how he became king over these lands. it was all so much. He became lost in thought as he drifted off to sleep in the warm rays of the sun.

A coldness had began to creep through the land as he was awoken by Bane nudging him. Rose stood by her mate as they waited for Kuth.

"Now remember, when we attack please stay back,"Bane said with concern,"I dont wish to see you hurt."

Kuth was about to protest when an unearthly shriek tore through the sky, making him wince. 

He followed the two lions and the pride running out of camp between the mountains and into the forest.

He stopped after a while his muscles frozen in place, his eyes wide with shock.

Black bodied creatures slunk from the darkness, their entire being seemingly made out of masses of shadow. the pride fearlessly ponced and fought, claws tearing into flesh and fangs finding their mark. The creature's bodies were distorted, unlike any beast he had ever seen. The pride seemed to attack and move as if one mind controlled them, the result of hours, nay, months of training.

Once the creatures were slain the pride took turns to rest, waiting for the next wave of demons.

It seemed an eternity until the sun's rays touched the land once more. The corpses of the fallen demons disapeared into smoke and the lions all checked on one another. 

"We were fortuanate tonight,"spoke Bane from beside Kuth,"No lion was lost to the demons."

Kuth's legs ached as he turned to look at the tired king. All of his stories had been real! Kuth shook himself mentally and replied,"I am happy that this night held such a victory," his mind burned with so many questions but he knew they would be answered eventually. For now he would do all he can to help, he helped a few injured lions back to camp, earning Bane's respect.

It has been a few weeks since then, the prides alliance still as strong as ever.