KNEEL TO THE CROWN       The scabs on the crown of his head were beginning to peel off. The punctures along his spine where the lioness's claws had anchored were already smooth scars, hidden easily beneath fur. But his right ear, now split in two, would never be the same again. And, damnit, he couldn't reach it to clean it or tend to it. He'd gotten some help in the Hollow, but still. At least it made him appear a bit older, like he had seen his fair share of violence, instead of a pristine young cub. The next adult to allude to his stupidity or lack of ability because of his age was going to be shown just how capable he truly was.       The colossus drifted to a stop at the beginning of the Lagoon's scent borders. Claws flexed into the sand, the familiar--and irritating--feeling of grains rubbing between his toes. There was no guarantee that what he was intending to do here would bare fruit. No guarantee that he wasn't just making a mistake in the effort to make things right. Life had no guarantees... beyond the fact that life itself seemed to dislike him. He gathered himself and let out a breath, relaxing. Now or never.       Zagan let out a series of loud chuffs, calling into the Lagoon to summon its sovereign. 220 words | @Vasilis Set a few days after the cluster thread in the Pit. STAND IN THE SUN hail to the king

He was called forth from his fishing, the slapping of a large flat fish against his face as his soaked body now smelled to the high heavens of sea salt and kissed by the sun. He didn't bother dropping the fish and instead made his way to his borders where he was greeted by @Zagan. What was this about? His head titled to one side before letting the half-alive fish drop to the dune he stood on. He never sat, never leaned, but remained still with neutrality to his being. "You rang? How may the Lagoon be of service?" he asked the man who smelled of dusty rocks and moist earth.

KNEEL TO THE CROWN       The golden boy was quick in responding. Good. The longer the colossus had to wait, the more he might seriously consider just turning tail. This was, after all, not the way his father would handle things. A small scowl passed over his features at the thought, fleeting. He was of his father, yes, but he was not his father. And if he wanted to make his own way in the world, he had to do things his way.       "Diuris." Zagan began with a neutral tone, giving a firm nod to the man. He'd met him at the passage some time after Diuris had claimed the Lagoon, and given his first name, but a formal introduction had been skipped. "I am Zagan Casimir, son of Gwyn, prince of Obsidian Hollow." The sheer formality left a bitter taste on his tongue. Pomp and circumstance was not on his playlist. "I was overdue a proper introduction to you." But that was not why he was here.       "You were witness to the... scuffle, between my father and that cub's presumed father during your claim of the Lagoon, yes?" Not to presume the newly crowned king wasn't aware of things in his own kingdom. Mostly to start the conversation open-ended. "Did you see how the entire situation started?" Pale eyes watched for reaction, trying to gauge the reaction as the young man navigated the encounter with as much tact as he had ever shown. 239 words | @Vasilis STAND IN THE SUN hail to the king

He felt his heart feel tense. But his face didn't react. "Well then, welcome to my border Zagan, son of Gwyn." he tells the young man. He watched him as he spoke about something that happened during his claim of the Lagoon. His eyes lifted upright as he thought back. There was another scuffle, yes but he was not entirely TOO sure as to why or what it was for. "I know that there were a few individuals involved but I am sorry to say that for the reason I wasn't aware of as I was face deep in my challenge against Vermier. It was only after that I realized another scuffle had happened behind my own claim to this land." which he was honest about, he had no idea WHY it had happened only that it HAD happened. "Why do you ask about this situation Lord @Zagan ?" did something happen after he had left his fight with Vermier?

KNEEL TO THE CROWN       The welcome was received with a nod, the action much more relaxed and casual. Not that Zagan's stance had any tension--call it naivety but he had trust that a sovereign would not attack without warrant. Yet, even so, there was still another modicum of stiffness that slipped visibly away. Diuris might see sense in this. He might be willing to help the Casimir's endeavor. Don't hope just yet, but think of the possibility.       Brows furrowed. Diuris not knowing the cause or the specifics was a double edged sword. Explaining his side might be taken as trying to sway the opinion of the man. That would be useful, but only if it was successful. If it failed, it would destroy any option of what he was trying to do. "I ask because..." He grunted, trying to find the words he wanted. "Did you see the... cluster, at the Pit a few days ago?"       If Diuris had been present, it hadn't been noticed. Him not knowing of it... shit. Another double-edged sword. "There was a fight to settle differences between Pistis and... I do not know the other lioness's name, but she was the mother of the cub from your claim of the Lagoon." He felt as if his tongue was starting to twist in his head. Was he being clear? giving enough information? The frustration at his own failings was evident in his eyes as he grumbled at himself. Should he just... start from the beginning and explain the entire thought process? 251 words | @Vasilis STAND IN THE SUN hail to the king

He watched, the flopping of the half-alive fish caused him to quickly reach out to it without much emotion rolling over his face, Nails dug into its scales and puncture it. Killing it swiftly with one last flop and twitch of its salted body. He flickered his eyes over Zagan's face as he listened. ' I ask because' and Vasilis felt his mind snap a bit 'out with it' he wanted to say but Vasilis kept calm, silent, and observing. He watched the man as his face contorted and moved with what he was talking about. He remained standing as he blinked his honey eyes occasionally to keep the salt from drying them out. His body dripped the seawater from him, darkening the sand beneath his bulk.

When he asked about a cluster at the pit, the only thing that came to mind was the large brawl he had witnessed in secret. But no one had known he was there. And Vasilis would like to leave it at that. His face never rose or fell with any notion to give away anything. So instead he changed it to become perplexed. "The pit? I am sorry as I am not aware of such a place? You'll have to forgive me as I've only been around the face of the sea since I arrived. And the deepest place has Ive been back to was the passage and around the cave systems to the north of here." he spoke truthfully as he then listened.

'she was the mother of the cub from your claim of the lagoon' was said and he turned his head down to think. There were only a few there that he knew had cubs. "That I am sorry? I know of only Jewel and her cubs from the Cove. Others that were there I didn't get the chance to talk with them to know them on a deeper level. " he took his paw to his chin and tapped it gently. Though there were Pistis and a few others who had watched his fight. But their names were lost to him. "Lord @Zagan...Is the child lost? Am I needed to search for this mother and child ?" he asked sincerely wondering WHY Zagan had asked for information regarding them. What did it matter to the Lagoon king?

KNEEL TO THE CROWN       Whether Diuris was becoming annoyed with him or not, Zagan didn't know. Zagan was becoming annoyed with himself. The inability to navigate a diplomatic endeavor was not a skill that Gwyn had imparted with the same magnitude as how to draw blood in battle. All he had to go on was his gut feeling and what seemed right. It was difficult, and it had his claws curling into the sand to silently express his frustration with himself. Realizing he was beginning to tense again, the clay colossus let out a breath he'd been holding and loosened his toes.       "No, no. There is no danger to the cub or mother." At least, not that he was aware of, and certainly not from him. Perhaps from themselves... and especially if they started yet another cluster for no reason. But that was out of his control. He was here to do what he could. Lifting his eyes to meet the golden man's with an imploring gaze, he started from the beginning. It was the best option he had at the moment.       "When I arrived at your claim for the Lagoon, there was a cub who was shouting a challenge to you. With... colorful, language. I thought to stop him, and reached out to tap his rear with my paw, telling him that it was a bad idea. I do not believe that there are many males who would kill a cub," He inclined his head to indicate that he thought the exact same of Diuris; The man was just not a cub killer. "His mother, whose name I do not know, charged in and threatened me for my actions. I did not want to engage her, as I do not believe women should be attacked without absolute perfect reason, but I was prepared to receive her ire. I told her as much. Should my trying to keep her cub from getting hurt warrant violence, so be it." He shrugged. Given the option to repeat the situation, he would have reacted in the exact same way.       "It was then that my father, Gwyn, appeared, and expressed the stupidity of threatening someone who was only trying to help. Gwyn..." Brows furrowed again. "He does not mince words, and threatening his family is something he will never take lightly. He did not attack, though. No. It was the big male, whom I presume to be the cub's father, who did." A small hint of anger drifted across his features, followed shortly by exasperation. "The man charge in, didn't stop to find out the situation, and went straight to maim my father for his words. Stupid." The word was spat with venom. Almost in equal measure toward his father as toward Gwyn's aggressor. The entire thing shouldn't have happened.       "The man was losing, and Gwyn let him go without serious injury. Everyone left." Zagan rolled his shoulders, tilting his head side to side, loosening the tension he had inadvertently gained during his explanation. "I went to the Labyrinth to relax. But I was followed." Visible effort was put into remaining calm at this moment. "The cub's father tracked me, and attacked me. Simply because I commented that I was not as stupid as he for his senseless maim against my father and lack of care to understand a situation." He left the outcome of that vague. He was still here, still alive, despite what might've been the man's true intentions. Sighing, he continued.       "Pistis, Gwyn's wife and my step-mother, wished to settle differences with the cub's mother. She did so by calling for a dominance match in the Pit." He remembered that Diuris had mentioned not knowing of such a place, and explained briefly as he continued. "The Pit is a place at the foot of Freyr, a hole made of sheer rock in the terrain. It is used as an arena. Which was the perfect neutral ground for Pistis and the woman to fight out their aggressions. I..." The expression on the boy's face softened. He spoke fondly of his step-mother, and it was clear. "I take Pistis as a replacement for my mother, and I feared for her safety in the face of a woman who would threaten an innocent bystander trying to help her cub."       He shook his head, regretting what he was about to say. "I went with the intention to jump into the fight, to help Pistis." Shame hung heavy 'round his shoulders. Violence begat only violence. Hence his presence here now. "The young male who fought you for the Lagoon, I do not know his name, either, but he showed up at the Pit. His speech was slurred, I didn't understand what he was saying, but I didn't much care at the time. I was concerned for Pistis only. Gwyn was my saving grace, arriving and having me stand down." He looked away, trying to hide the chagrin in his eyes. "Pistis is as strong as she is beautiful and kind. She can handle herself. So I sat down, prepared to only watch and provide support once the fight was over. But peace was not to last." His head snapped back to Diuris. "The male who challenged you lept upon my father for dominance. I have no idea why. It... it makes no god damned sense." He caught the anger in his voice and looked away again. He wasn't mad at Diuris. And he didn't want him to think that he was.       "After that, more lions appeared. Someone from Obsidian Hollow came after me. The cub's father came as well, for Gwyn. More faces I am not familiar with, most of them going after Gwyn. Like vultures on a damn carcass." The pitch of his voice rose, cracking with teenage emotion. He reeled himself back in quickly, setting his rear end to the sand to keep his body calm. A deep breath was taken, eyes closing as he tried to find a center. Violence was so much easier. He could simply aim to end the Crazies, one by one, until the Casimir ruled supreme. But that would be the easy path.       Eyes opened and rose to met Diuris', much more calm, and now imploring. "I believe I heard you offer temporary shelter to the cub, the mother, and the father. I am here to ask if you will allow me to call to them. To talk to them and clear the air so that this... madness, will not continue. And..." Ears laid back, head dipping but eye contact kept. "I am asking if you will act as a moderator so that the discussion does not devolve into more violence." There it was. The teenager's plan to save his loved ones from more unnecessary bloodshed. He was laid bare, and though he did not like how naked he was before an ultimate stranger, he felt he had no other choice. Family safety was not always won at the tip of a blade. 1,160 words | @Vasilis STAND IN THE SUN hail to the king

'No, no. There is no danger to the cub or mother.' Ahh I see. Go on then." he tells him. It was good to know he didn't have to go looking for a mother and child that was bleeding out their source of life on HIS home turf. Coiling his tail around his hips as he watched him. The boy would go to talk about what had happened. He listened to how the cub had stated something and soon it clicked. AHH, that cub! He nodded "Ahh yes..the one that looked like the harvest moon." he stated now recalling that very child who had sought to challenge him before Vermier had shown himself.

Vasilis listened, ears flopping atop his head as he watched the young man before him. He spoke about how he was fighting and how Gwyn's action stepped back and down, how the stranger gave threats, and other ideal chat. 'I went to the Labyrinth to relax. But I was followed.' his face looked grim for a moment, though Zagan was indeed a male - being followed and attacked was not something he felt was okay to do.

Taking a breath, shifting his weight, looming his eyes to watch every rise and fall of Casimir's son's face made him feel on edge. Was this all a farce? A lie to win him over? But then he recalled the fight that broke out at the pit - the very one he kept secret for now - he recalled how he watched some of the fights unfold - how Pistis stepped down to try and calm the fights going on. He nods to let the young Casimir know he was following his story until he was done.

'The young male who fought you for the Lagoon, I do not know his name, either, but he showed up at the Pit. His speech was slurred, ' "Vermier is the name of the challenger I fought that day here at the Lagoon." he verifies at least the name since he had recalled it. He didn't say more than that though as the boy continued to talk about what had happened. When he spoke again of the woman and her family, he tilted his head. 'I believe I heard you offer temporary shelter to the cub, the mother, and the father.' " Ahh yes. That woman. I allowed them a few days at the Lagoon to heal their wounds. And allowed them to pick either to stay or leave." he told the young Casimir.

The next words that followed took him for a moment. Did he want to chaperone them and their meeting together? Vasilis thinks for a moment. " hm" he takes a breath, sighs it out heavily through his nose before clicking his tongue. What a predicament this all became. "I understand what happened. " he started off " As you know the Lagoons are a Neutral grounds. That means I don't care what quarrels you have with someone else - if you come here you are to follow my rules, my terms..if not I will be sure you regret starting something on my island." Vasilis warned. But this was a warning he told everyone, NOT just to Zagan. " If I agree to what you ask of me, @Zagan, YOU must agree to what I ask of YOU. There will be no fight at all - no words thrown back and forth to piss each other off. I will pick the time and place for you both to meet, IF they decide they want to even meet you in the first place as I will not force them to do something that they wish not."

He shifts his weight and looks around the Lagoon, then back to Zagan. "If they agree to such a request, You shall come with Pistis here, to the lagoon. No one else. I will meditate and observe this meeting. And if for any reason I feel my terms have been broken I will not hesitate to enforce myself to chase you out. I trust you will deliver what I ask since I also know how kind Pistis is." or so he had hoped to believe she was. "Once both parties have come to an understanding - I ask you to erase what has been done and look ahead and not behind you. These are times not for bickering amongst one another but to try and live peacefully together in what way we can all come to some sort of common ground." he tells Zagan.

Would the boy oblige? Would he listen to his terms? Would he do as he was asked? Would he heed his words or take them as a grain of sand against the test of time itself? Vasilis could only hope that, with how far this young Casimir had come to his home tonight, that they would be able to make some leeway between their two homes and his....rather.....strange circumstances. To which he then reminds himself about things he had heard from Ambrosine almost a week ago. "hmm there is something else I would like to talk to you about." he asked. His eyes looking at him seriously then. He was trying his best to find a good way to bring up Amra's well being. Clearing his throat he leaned to one side. "I met two weeks prior before my claim to this land. A young lioness, I believe she is residing with you. I am quite fond of the girl if I say so myself. If possible I would like for her to join me here...in the Lagoon. Unfortunately, as new as I am here, I can not offer you a trade of value for her. So I am asking that since you came to me asking for a mediator, that perhaps as a token of faith - this child could be given in return." the man watches him carefully. He would not tell Zagan WHY he wanted her - but instead decided to tell him that he was fond of her personality, her soul and her well being.

KNEEL TO THE CROWN       There was a subtle tremor in his limbs. A quaking in the pit of his stomach. Though he would not show it outwardly--shifting his rear end to hide any hint of the shivering that might have peeked through--he was nervous. It was a wholly alien and decidedly unpleasant feeling. To put himself, more or less, at the mercy of someone else went against his nature and, even though he knew he was doing it for the right reason, it rankled. There was a nod as the young male's name was given--Vermier--and committed to memory. That Diuris was calm and accepting of his explanation helped him keep his nerve. This could work.       The breath of relief Zagan felt as Diuris laid out the rules, thus accepting the Casimir's request, was cut short when Pistis was mentioned. The hair along his spine stood on end. Abide by a sovereign's rules in their own lands? Of course. Acquiesce to the mediator's decision for time and place. No problem. Bring the pregnant woman he was trying to protect directly to the Crazies he was trying to protect her from? Not a snowflake's chance in Hell. Stiffness set his shoulders as he listened to the rest of Diuris' words. Was he taking Zagan for an absolute fool, and simply asking for whatever he wished? When Diuris was finished, the colossus let a moment of silence hang between them as he contemplated his response. Pale gaze ran over the form of the male, assessing, searching.       "I will not endanger Pistis." The words were quiet, steady, and rumbled in the deep bass of absolute. "I am willing to risk my health, my life, only. No one else's." He kept his tone and gaze even. There was no budging on this. He would not even speak to Pistis about his actions, knowing that she would more than likely demand to come anyway. It would be out of the goodness of her heart, her desire to see her family--Gwyn, Zagan, the rest of the Casimir--out of harm's way, but it could come at the cost of her, and the cubs within her, health. "I will bring myself, abide by all rules you have laid out, and speak to no one else so that we are not interrupted. Including my father. That is all I can offer." It wasn't enough, and it was stupid to put himself in such a vulnerable position. Oh well.       The lioness Diuris mentioned was unknown to Zagan. He shook his head as if in disappointment, though it wasn't clear whether it was in himself or in Diuris. "I do not know the lioness you speak of. If it is someone my father has claimed or imprisoned, I can do nothing against his word." The majority of the inhabitants of the Hollow were Casimir, either by blood or marriage. He knew of his siblings, his father, his father's second, Drakon, and Pistis. The remaining few he had either not met, or not heard of. "While I am a prince of the Hollow, my authority cannot override that of the sovereign." Regrettable, in some ways.       And... there was nothing left to say or do. He had set his chips on the table, revealed his hand, and lost it all. The sinking feeling in his stomach had him figuring that violence was going to be the only way to solve this. But he staid as he was, seated on the edge of the golden man's territory, and gave Diuris a chance to find an alternative. If there even was one. 592 words | @Vasilis STAND IN THE SUN hail to the king

Vasilis watched the man, he struggled? or thought? or was deciding he wasn't sure. Shifting his weight to lift his legs up and down, to keep the strain of standing up too long off his body. When he spoke of not bringing Pistis he himself was confused then, Didn't the young man state that things were iffy between her? He looked up and then back down "Endanger her? I assure you sure she won't be harmed IF she were to come here. I can promise you that much. Pistis is very strong." he licked his lips. "But I understand, and I thank you for your resolve to keep things to yourself and of yourself." the man turned to look behind him a moment and then back forward.

He waited for the Casimir to finish his word, 'I am willing to risk my health, my life, only. No one else's.' to which he shook his head no. "You will not be risking your life coming to MY borders. You and all parties will be just fine as long as you keep to your word." he shrugs. "The moment things feel hostile I'll be sure to stop it before then." he looked over the younger man. He had so much to deal with already, but such was life.

When he stated he didn't know the lioness he had spoken of, Vasilis felt stupid for not stating the girl's name. Whoopsie on his part. "She is a young lioness. Her name is Amra. She is just a yearling, with a coat the color of these sands." he nodded then when the boy spoke of not going against his father's wishes and claims. Vasilis began to think for a moment. "If you can't bring her to the Lagoon. Then I ask that you make sure she is safe. Keep her from harm where I can not. And if possible allow her passage to the Lagoon so that I can be sure physically and emotionally that she is well. " he asked softly. "I don't want you to get into trouble with your father... but if there is a way or place for us to meet just so that I know she is safe that's all that I want for her."

He shifted. "I just want her safe as much as you want Pistis to remain safe." he finally sits down before the young Casimir prince. " I understand you can't pass your father's laws and ways. I accept your request. I will go and find the woman you seek and see if they are open to the idea of talking together. In two days' time, I will meet you at the halfway point of the stygian shore beaches. I will there let you know if things are in motion or not." he stood up and moved close to the boy, slowly raising his paw up to aim to tap his shoulder gently.

"I'll take your request, Zagan Casimir, Prince of the Hollow." he whispered. He placed his paw back down and stepped backward.