Camellia had been scarce as of late. Those that knew where to find her could do so easily, for she spent much of her time tucked away in the Savante's secret lair, tending to The Sacred Flame that now burned brightly within its innermost chamber. The smell of smoke and ash clung to her fur, along with the sharp fragrance of pungent herbs from the multitude of concoctions she was new brewing with the availability of fire as a catalyst. Camellia could not have been happier - well, she could have but that time of her life had been ripped away from her and was long past. But it was a vast improvement from the way, from the many moons of travel and homelessness, and from their rather rocky start in Amaryllis. They had a cave, she had her fire and her herbs, and the Savante medicine woman had transformed into a bit of a mystical hermit. It suited the spiritual leader, but she could not stay hidden forever.

The news had reached Camellia that @Alexander ♔ had finally secured the pride he most coveted. She, her daughter, and her younger sister had celebrated the occasion by combusting some ritual herbs to aid in meditation, which had given them all a strange vision indeed. Convinced of the reality of their vision by the shared nature of it, Camellia, @Lilliana, and @Florentina had ascended the small waterfall that fed the crystalline pool within the lair, squeezed through the hole from which it originated and began on a dark and risky journey through a strange and twisting passageway. To many, the cramped space and tight quarters would have been claustrophobic and terrifying, but the spiritual Savante women did not fear the darkness that lay beneath the Earth, their Mother. Trusting her guidance they pushed onwards, and soon found themselves drawn by a familiar scent. Camellia's whispered voice rose from a darkness. "Közel vagyunk." We are close.

From one of the Hollow's many chambers, there came a the clattering of stones from a scree that descended from the top of the cathedral. The tumble of stones grew as Camellia pushed her way though, loosing the final obstruction in their path. A few scattered beams of light from high illuminated a cloud of dust, and as it cleared the form of Camellia was visible atop the scree pile as she emerged from a newly revealed tunnel.

"Ekä Király!" Brother King! Camellia exclaimed, conveniently spotting the Savante Leader who had no doubt detected the disturbance immediately. A beaming smile decorated the medicine woman's face as she descended the rocky slope towards the newly crowned King of the Hollows.

When Camellia had told Lilliana about how she had obtained their fire, the younger lioness didn't quite know what to say. A God's Messenger made flesh. It was indeed an odd tale but Lilliana had never in her life been given reason not to believe and trust her mother. But now that the Sacred Flame burned, there was even more work to be done. Herbs to be mixed and heated and stored. And Lilli was glad to keep busy.
The ordeal within the Oasis had left her shaken. Her leg was still healing but Csitri had done a fine job mending it. Undoubtedly there would be a scar left behind. An honor for a Savante warrior. A terrible reminder for her.

But now there much to be thankful for. Perhaps all that terribleness could be left far behind them. Perhaps finally the family would know some peace. Lilliana was still rather new to the intake of herbs that @Camellia had given to her and @Florentina. Her aunt and mother however seemed to know what they were doing. Lilli's visions were jumbled and unclear yet Camellia was there to help her navigate things. And then soon the three were plunging down a tight dark corridor.

Lilliana may have been a whimp when it came to most things. But not when it came to the under ground. She found a warming comfort in the chilled earthen darkness. A tight squeeze here and there but eventually they reached the other side. And with the tumbling of a few rocks the women emerged into The Hollows. Camellia announced their arrival and Lilliana couldn't help but giggle a bit. The effects of the herbs not fully worn away.

Art by EditJackson, Code by Minxy

Florentina was almost too eager to plunge into the darkness of the underground cavern they had found from their private abode. The bronze piebald would allow @Camellia to take the lead, following behind @Lilliana as they shuffled through the darkness. Her heart beat excitedly in her chest, she had seen this in her visions after burying Valens. @Alexander ♔ fighting within a place that smelled of must and stalagmites and earth. Their mother had laid it out so clearly for her but foolishly at the time Florentina hadn't known what the vision meant. This place would become their new home, a safe haven that Alexander had secured. If anything it made it clear to Tina that she would not need to doubt her visions again. They would always ring true. We are close. Camellia speaks and Florentina continues to follow blindly through the darkness, that is until familiar scents slowly began to make their way towards them. Brother king! Her sister exclaims to which Florentina would add, "Nem szeretnéd látni a kedvenceidet?" She muses before finally halting. Her eyes had adjusted to the darkness and she glanced around at the various tunnels and caverns, how fitting that this place would lead successfully to their private cave for sacred rituals. It was clearly meant to be; in the least Florentina had no worries on her mind as they waited for their King.

---
*Do you not wish to see your favorites?

art © yumpy

They were, the trio of them, all mischief makers - and while @Camellia was most certainly teaching @Lilliana all that she needed to know to become the next Flame Keeper, she was also teaching other activities that Alexander did not completely approve of. Regardless, as the call of his sisters and his niece echoed through the halls of the Hollows, the Savante turns to see them approaching.

A brow arches curiously, "Szia kedves nővérek, unokahúgom." Hello dear sisters, niece. He rumbles, moving to gently rub his head against each of their own, his tail whipping behind him happily. @Florentina's words reach his ears and he lets out a low, bolstering laugh, "Mindig örülök hogy látlak." I am always happy to see you all. Settling back onto his haunches, he looks them over one by one, "Are you here to join me?" He murmurs, though settles his gaze on Lilliana then.

How was he to go about mentioning that she was to stay in Andal, with her husband-to-be? Ears sweep back, uncertainty on his face for a brief moment.

Alexander appeared from the darkness and greeted them with no lack of good humor. Camellia was the first to greet him, rising off her forepaws in order to bump her head against her colossal littermate's. Tail flicked idly as the others took their turns to share greetings with Alexander, and she was the first to speak up when the question was posed. "Azért jöttünk, hogy elfoglaljuk a helyünket melletted, Verimä." She replied.

Camellia straightened up. "Az Maye Emä magas leszek Varázslónő." Camellia stated this matter-of-factly. "The commoners, how they call it... Lead Medic." She clarified, fumbling a bit with the common tongue as she always had. Many among her kin were well spoken in languages outside their native tongue, but Camellia was not among those lions.

It was then that Camellia noticed the brief flash of uncertainty that came over her brother and it gave her pause. Dual-toned eyes studied him carefully, a brow quirking quizzically at this sudden change of demeanor.

---

•We've come to take our place at your side, Blood Father.
•As Earth Mother, I will be High Medicine Woman.


@Alexander ♔ @Florentina @Lilliana

While the others teased the new King of the Hollows, Lilliana shifted into a little shuffle as if emphasizing upon @Florentina's words of being his favorites.
Ez az alagút egyenesen haza vezet! This tunnel leads straight home! She explained excitedly half turning to look back into the darkness from which the three women had emerged. She turned back when her mother proclaimed herself the new medicine woman. Something Lilliana of course fully supported.
When her eyes moved back to @Alexander ♔ she caught his expression but misinterpreted the meaning. In her still hazed mind she assumed it was displeasure in the fact that they had all come here herbed up. To this she looked sheepishly toward Tina, lips pressing together to try and stop from giggling again.

@Camellia

Art by EditJackson, Code by Minxy

Despite their...obvious inebriation, Alexander couldn't help the small smile that slipped along his lips at their affection. A low rumbling purr vibrates in his chest as @Camellia bumps heads with him. The beast falls silent as she speaks, ears perking up in avid attention, curiosity, Yes, of course, sisar. He muses. The position of Lead Medic had been denied to her up until now, he wouldn't dream of taking that duty from her.

Pale eyes switch to @Florentina, tilting his head curiously, What sort of position would you like, little sisar? He moves to bump his head against her head as well. Alexander was eager to get all of his family in the Hollows as soon as possible. There would be, however, another pause to come as the beast settles his gaze on @Lilliana, My niece, would you stay within the Oasis ranks for awhile longer? There is something we must discuss later when you and your Mother have sobered.

He wouldn't do this now, not when they were having such fun. Though...he had a feeling he had already quickly soured the mood with his vagueness.

It was hard to hide the growing smile that flickered across her features. Pointedly she tried not to make eye contact with @Lilliana, knowing that she'd surely burst into a fit of laughter if she did. @Camellia speaks of a rank known as Lead Medic and Tina nods her head in agreement, surely their sister would do well there. @Alexander ♔ is quick to turn the attention back to her then, What sort of position would you like, little sisar? It was a loaded question, one that she didn't exactly know the answer to so instead she would pick her brain for a moment before responding. "Talán a vezető tanácsadód.. vagy felderítőd. melyiket részesíti előnyben a nagy király." She answers him honestly. Her abilities may be able to provide her brother with insight on things to come, but she was also decent at gathering information on the sidelines. Considering she was younger than him she was willing to bet Alexander would prefer the rank of Scout but Tina was happy to help wherever needed. He mentions Lilliana staying in the Oasis and Tina steels her facial expressions, hoping to cover the fact that she'd be missing her niece should she stay behind. It was not her decision to make however and if Lilliana were to stay in the Oasis she would not intervene, reluctantly so.

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*Maybe your lead advisor.. or Storyteller. Whichever you prefer great King.


**so sorry for the wait guys!

art © yumpy

@Alexander ♔ turned his attention on her and there was an eagerness to know if there was opportunity for her to help the family here in the Hollows. Yet as he spoke, a rock quickly smashed that excitement to pieces. Marad? Stay? She echoed in a low whisper.

Lilliana was confused. Why would she stay in Andal? Even through the haze of her mind the questions just started piling in; one right after the other. The next worse then the one before. But the clay lioness was not the argumentative type. Not toward her elders. Not to the patriarch now turned King. Igen, Bácsi.. Yes, Uncle.. Green eyes sweep momentarily toward @Camellia then to @Florentina. Did they perhaps know more than she? She wanted to ask more but Alexander had made it clear he would discuss it later.

Keressünk neked egy barlangot. Let's find you a den. Lilli forced down the sorrow that was quickly building. Trying her best to mask it behind an encouraging smile and a bump of her shoulder against the other women.

/Exit

Art by EditJackson, Code by Minxy

Camellia continued to study her brother’s face, but as he addressed her daughter her expression shifted from neutral to steely. Hazel eyes locked upon the patriarch, a consternated frown curving downwards on her muzzle. After they had sobered? A light snort was, nearly imperceptible. Tail flicked about her ankles in agitation and she contemplated raising her voice in protest against Alexander’s request that Lilliana stay in Andal. She would not be sending her daughter back there, not today and certainly not without her mother. But now was not the time to discuss it, but when that time came Camellia would certainly be there.

For now she prowled off after her daughter, down one of the wide tunnels of the labyrinth pride. A dark look would be cast over her shoulder at her brother as she went, but it would go unnoticed in the dark

[exit]