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Post by Narifia on Jul 30, 2008 22:53:40 GMT -5
Continued From: "A Life for a Life"Mikalli arrived at Teikan early the next morning, after losing his way and having to ask another hornbill for directions once that is. Luckily he'd been able to fly completely through the Elephant Graveyard with little incident other than some hyena pup deciding to give chase. Thank Aiheu it was only a pup.
Still nervous about talking to a hyena, much less the queen of the hyenas, Mikalli gulped down his nervousness and asked around the clan in search of "Shetani's mother," trying to ignore his obvious fear of hyena jaws as he searched.
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Post by Kai on Jul 30, 2008 23:15:29 GMT -5
"Hey, lookie Chon. A visitor!" Kali looked up from pouncing on his thoroughly unimpressed twin brother.
"I can't look while you're standing on me, ooka." Came the snarky reply. Kali releasd his brother with a growl.
"I am not an ooka!"
A young male hyena, who had been resting nearby, rose to reprimand his siblings.
"Hey guys, cut it out."
He lifted his gaze towards the hornbill, this was something completely out of place here. He had never seen horbill walking among them.
"I wonder what the birdy wants. I've never seen him here before, it must be something important." Chon chimed in, always the clever one.
Kiongozi could see that the little hornbill was nervous, so he tried to appear friendly and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Can I help you?"
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Post by Narifia on Jul 30, 2008 23:27:23 GMT -5
Poor Mikalli tried to sound ever-dignified, just like a royal messenger should be, as he stammered, "Y-yes. I am looking for the mother of a lioness named Shetani."
There, that wasn't so hard. And this hyena seemed friendly enough, but then again he was just one hyena. Mikalli still had to worry over meeting others.
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Post by Kai on Jul 30, 2008 23:55:40 GMT -5
His eyes widened slightly at the recognition of Shetani's name.
"I'll be back real quick. Stay here, kay?"
Kali raced ahead of his big brother, "Maka! Juuka!"
"Shush now, Kali. You'll wake up Makkede." Akida warned sternly, nodding towards the small ball of fur between her paws.
"Maka," Kion began as he caught up, "There's a small bird in the lands, he said he was lookin' for ya. He must be some sorta sahsja.* He said something about Sheti."
Akida had been waiting anxiously for news about her daughter. Although she was loathe to wake her sleeping son, she disturbed his sleep as she rose. Boko picked up his youngest son and brought him along, knowing the pup would not go back to sleep.
Akida had the air of a leader about her, she stood tall and proud as she looked down at the lion's majordomo.
"Speak sir, you have news of my daughter?"
*messenger
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Post by Narifia on Aug 19, 2008 23:33:52 GMT -5
"Y-yes. Queen Narifia of the Outlands sent me to tell you that your daughter Shetani was badly injured passing through the Elephant Graveyard," Mikalli reported, referring to the more mainstream name for the Graveyard Clan's territory.
"She is in the Outlands now, resting after being seen to by Rafiki. She tells of three hyenas from the Graveyard who helped her escape to the Outlands, but dissapeared afterwards. Shetani wishes for you to allow these three hyenas into your clan if they ever show up. One is named Kugongo but the others' names aren't known."
Mikalli took a small breath after saying all of that. He had almost rushed it, being so nervous, but he calmed himself to seem as professional as possible. Proud of himself for a good job, he waited timidly for the hyena's reply.
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Post by Kai on Aug 20, 2008 0:07:10 GMT -5
A small gasp sounded from Shetani's family. Except for the Khan, who was excellent at maintaining her composure. They relaxed slightly after hearing that she had been taken care of.
Those Graveyard Clan Hyenas, if I ever meet with them they'll pay. Shaking these thoughts from her mind, Akida gave a respectful nod to Mikalli.
"Thank you for delivering this message to us."
An aging male hyena approached Mikalli, a kind smile on his face.
"I hate to keep you, but if you would wait here moment?"
He gave Makkedde to Kiongozi to look after, then he raced off, as fast as a hyena his age could race. The sight to behold when he returned confused many clan members at first. Boko was carrying a large fruit in his jaws, along with a strange, large, dark feather. He dropped the items in front of Mikalli.
"Thank you for flying all this way to bring us this news. You have an important job, and we would certainly have been deeply worried without you. You bring us peace of mind. This is for you, for the work you did."
Boko nudged the fruit towards Mikalli. He had noticed that hornbills seemed to seek this fruit out most among any.
Some of the younger hyenas talked among themselves as the Khan's husband praised a simple messenger. A lion's messenger at that! But Boko knew how valuable communication was, and how essential his job was. Besides, Mikalli had brough them good news, important news. The chattering young ones were quickly silenced by a simple yet severe glare from the Khan.
"If ya wouldn't mind, on your return flight, would you carry this to Narifia-Khan for us?" He motioned to the feather.
"It ain't really much. We're not lions, we dunno much about what to give them as a gift, ya see. But give her our thanks, tell her we're grateful to her and we are in her debt. This is the feather of a bird that runs very swiftly. It is a symbol of friendship from us, so we may become fast friends."
He smiled, and Akida grinned.
"Let it be known that a Teikan hyena is true to their word, and repays good deeds. If Narifia-Khan needs us someday, we'll be there." She said.
Their little speech over, Boko said
"No need to rush off. Rest a bit if you'd like, enjoy your food first. Yer welcome here."
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Post by Narifia on Aug 20, 2008 0:53:38 GMT -5
Mikalli was stunned by Boko's grateful gesture. The hyena's gentle demeanor quickly dissolved Mikalli's original thoughts about all hyenas being despicable, cutthroat creatures. He smiled warmly, especially at the thought that Boko had been thoughtful (and observant) enough to find a hornbill's favorite meal; fruit. As for the feather, of course to Mikalli a feather was just an ordinary, everyday thing, but he also knew that to feather-less creatures they were items of great value. Jealousy, he supposed.
"I thank you very much for your hospitality," Mikalli said with a little bird-like bow towards Akida and Boko, "and graciously accept your gifts and invitation. I know Queen Narifia will be very glad to know of your friendship and kindness."
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