The servant had been away from Amaryllis for sometime. Several seasons. Almost two years in fact. In his search for his family he had grown from a teenager into a man who was still of the servant mindset, but who was trying to find his own way in life. Having been in this land once before he was here again hoping that those higher in the Varon family line had returned. Yet selfishly he secretly wanted to be free. Free to make his own decisions, serve and live wherever he pleased.

Right now the sea was drawing him towards it so as he sat down forty feet or so outside of the cove border the golden lion just watched the waves rolling back and forth. It was relaxing. He could smell a pride here but figured they wouldn’t mind him being there if he was just sitting outside the borders minding his own business watching the waves.

@Keligan @Sunder

code by corvus

To walk the borders, it was a daily task. It needed to be done. To show that despite being injured as bad as he was, the High Sovereign was willing to mark and keep up on the patrols of the pride borders. His injuries were starting to heal from the poultice being used and his wife was making sure it was placed on as needed. He was sure that @Sunder was nearby, as she usually was. The sneaky little lioness, he loved that skill and quirk of hers. As Keligan took his time walking the borders, he would quietly think. About everything. Though, something caught his attention. It was someone sitting outside of the borders, just watching the sea roll in and out with its waves. Pondering for a moment, deciding if this stranger so close to his borders was a threat or not, Keligan sent out a chuff to the other lion. Letting him know that he was noticed. He wouldn't dare try to shout over the waves and risk injuring his tongue that was just starting to finally heal up.

@Bernard

SUBMASTER: PALADIN
+5 Patrol your borders (CC) 1/2

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Ordinarily Sunder would have loved to join @Keligan in greeting any strangers on their borders but now that she was swollen with his cubs, her pregnancy fully obvious to anyone that cast their glance upon her, she was less open to the idea. She wasn't going to let him do this on his own, especially in his still injured state, so when the call first came about she didn't initially go towards it. It was hard getting up when she was resting, her stomach was large and uncomfortable, the movement of her children jabbing her in her ribs any chance they had. But eventually she slowly made her way towards the newcomer. Sunder preferred to watch this interaction so instead of making herself known she would attempt to hang back, lowering herself amongst the few sparse shrubs and bushes that were clustered upon the shore. @Bernard was beyond their borders which indicated he had respect for boundaries, a good sign in Sunder's opinion but eagerly the woman would watch her husband and see his approach towards the man. *Sunder is attempting to hide! [sleuth exp] +5 Spy on a non-group thread without getting caught +5 Learn a character's name and rank +5 Practice disguising your appearance

art by hush

Sitting there watching the waves rolling in and out was something he could get used to. It was relaxing and refreshing but the lazy life was really nice and all but not the life of a born servant. He could command other servants, but wasn’t one who was seeking to make a power move for himself. He was looking for a master to serve and perhaps it was fate that brought him to this spot at this time for not long after he heard the chuffs of @Keligan.

Head turning he spotted the lion at the borders and got up. Stepping closer so that they could easily talk without shouting he made sure to halt still outside that invisible barrier between the cove and the shore. "Greetings sir, I beg your pardon for my intrusion upon your home." He said apologizing even though he hadn’t technically crossed the line. Head bowing respectfully to the blue maned one. "I am Bernard Varon. You may call me Bern or Benny if you so desire." Introducing himself he kept his head low and his eyes lowered out of respect for someone he assumed was at least a scout. Even a mere scout was higher than a masterless servant.

@Sunder

code by corvus

The newly crowned King had been ever vigilant on his patrols of the border. Even though the stranger had not passed the borders and still had some distance away from the invisible line, Keligan still had concern. The scent that wafted on the breeze at least told him that the stranger was a Rogue. An apology and a name was given to the high Sovereign and took notice of the posture that @Bernard had. Strange for someone to just bow to him, something he hadn't expected from one who had never met him before.

Ears swiveled around as the waves crashed against the Cove's shores before Keligan spoke. I am Keligan. Ruler of Caladan Cove. His tones still rough, guttural and broken from his still healing jaw and tongue. Which was thankfully healing more and more on the daily from the efforts of the healer who had given him the medicinal bark and poultice. Flicking his bobbed tail behind him, he added, Nice to meet you Bernard. Sticking to the lion's name rather than nickname at this time.

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The fact that @Sunder was watching never crossed his mind as why would it? He did know the lioness. Nor did he ever think to seek out anyone spying on the conversation between @Keligan and himself. Even if he had he was the outsider here and they had every right to do such a thing in their own home.

Noticing the injuries to the king’s mouth he didn’t want to create him anymore pain from speaking so decided he should cut to the point. "It is an honor to meet you your Grace. I don’t seem to create you anymore pain or harm to what looks like healing wounds. I seek a place to settle." He spoke honestly and true to the man. "I am but a humble servant born and bred to serve but I have lost my masters. So I come to see a home within your pride. I can fight, hunt and sing to boost Pride morale." With that he went silent to see if perhaps the king was willing to give him a chance within his home.

code by corvus

Keligan wasn't much to notice when his wife was being a sneak and knew if she wanted to, she would introduce herself at any point of time. With her pregnancy progressing and getting closer to her due date, she spent less time out in the eyes of those around. Especially with enemies after he had won the Cove from Nephthys' trying to claim it. The stranger had noticed the obvious wounds that he had acquired from such said fight and Keligan kept his own speeches short and to the point lately.

Ears pricked up at the speech from @Bernard and listened to the words. He spoke of being a servant who lost his masters and it made him flashback to @Sunder and her past. She had also come from a similar life. With the storytelling, he could serve as the Lead Storyteller over time if he wanted to. After thinking for a moment, Keligan finally spoke up, slow and carefully due to his injuries. If you stay loyal, you may earn rank if you so choose. The children that would soon be born into the pride could use a good story teller when they got older.

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Sunder was content to sit and watch, catching her breath from the very brief walk she had done. Her body was so swollen and tired, gods she was always tired now. But from her hiding place her icy gaze zeroed in on the strange man, waiting patiently to hear what he might have to say. Vaguely she hears a name, @Bernard, and tucks it away into her mind for later. But what would come next would leave Sunder's mind reeling. I am but a humble servant born and bred to serve but I have lost my masters. So I come to see a home within your pride. I can fight, hunt and sing to boost Pride morale. Servant. Master. She feels her blood run cold in her veins at the words and immediately she is launched back in time; to a place far from Amaryllis. To a life where she knew nothing but chains. Sunder had been a servant once, had believed that her only purpose in life was to serve. Until she had escaped and seen that there was so much more to this world then that. She can hardly stomach the thoughts of her previous life now and to hear that Bernard talked in the same way that she once had had her mind reeling with so many different emotions. She forced herself to stay hidden, to continue listening. And most importantly to see what her husband's reaction would be. He knew of the life she had lived before and certainly he wouldn't force Bernard to be a servant here. But part of her hesitated, uncertain. She didn't want to listen but found she could not pull herself away, no matter how badly she wanted to. If you stay loyal, you may earn rank if you so choose. @Keligan speaks and she blows out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. There would be no servants here, she would be sure of that. Perhaps Bernard could find a place among them doing something else instead, she made a mental note to find the man after this and have a more in-depth conversation.

art by hush

Loyalties came and went or so it seemed with his disappearance of his masters. Yet that was a bit different as his masters had been his own family. He was of their blood but the lion wasn’t allowed to be more than a mere servant simply because he had pink in his mane. The idea of being more had been long pushed aside by them and it had been accepted by him. Maybe now that he wasn’t bound to them that in time he would let go of that mindset of seeing himself as a simple servant.

Listening now as @Keligan spoke he bowed his head. "Yes of course your Grace." He politely said not daring to correct a ruler’s word. It wasn’t a servant’s place to do so. Yet it was a nice thought. "I would very much like that. You shall not be disappointed." He promised hoping that meant he could was being accepted into the pride’s ranks.

code by corvus

The lion stayed silent as Keligan spoke. When @Bernard bowed his head, the High Sovereign rose a brow but said nothing of it. Periwinkle gaze remained on the newest member of the Cove as he shifted out of the way. Bringing up his front limb in a motion of 'enter', Keligan spoke finally, Welcome to Caladan Cove. My wife, @Sunder, is the Sovereign and we have several others who live with us. I'm sure you will be welcomed by the residents here and if you have any questions or concerns, you can always call for me. Smiling, the High Sovereign would then add, Most of the dens are empty and can be claimed as a home for yourself. We have some food in the cache that you are welcome to take from if you are hungry.

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