NORTHERN WINDS;; Her muzzle was streaked in hours worth of dried blood. And her legs were covered in dried, cakey mud that she had to cross to get to the desert. Ulla never experienced the dry heat before and with her plush pelt it almost made the land a personal hell for her. She was used to the blessedly cold lands of her motherland, where every territory was snow-touched. The northern winds seldom blew too cold, but it was always her constant companion. By the time Ulla made it to the scent barrier, she was panting and half-parched for water. Just beyond, surrounded by tall trees with great leaves, she spotted a lake of sort. However, the scent sprayed by the sovereign stopped her from pushing past the border. Even though she was panting slightly, Ulla knew her place. Thus she tipped her head and called for the leader. Best to get this over with than to torment herself any longer. @Aquila

He knew how it went in the Brooks. Occasionally calls would ring from the edges, visitors in their midsts. In the Oasis their voices carried differently. Aquila was not sure if that was the landscape or the new mantle on his shoulders that bade them to sound different, more purposeful. Either way it made him cautious while he approached. Innately suspicious of this foreign woman who appeared across his horizon. Like no one he'd ever seen before; the Oasis's protector strode forth head on towards @Úlla. His approach was without words, silver steel gaze fixed across her scarred face until at last he stopped before her and lifted up one brow curiously looking at her. "Yes?" She had him at a disadvantage, she'd come here looking for him, called him. And he had no idea who she was.

ART BY BESSONA , CODE BY LARS

NORTHERN WINDS;; She was glad that it took Aquila little time for him to show up. The heat trapped in her pelt was starting to discomfort her. Vellen was strangely quiet; perhaps even a god was at the mercy of the desert temperature. Úlla had studied the land during her short wait. There was enough room for invaders to come, but the lions within this oasis will see it should a patrol be out. Water was plentiful and nearby, with the dens tucked underneath towering trees. It was a haven for those born with shorter fur and hell for lions like her. Aquila was no different in coat thickness from herself. Perhaps he was used to the heat and could combat it when he struck his claim. I am Úlla Sigrún, younger sister of Magnus, High Sovreign of Obsidian Hollows. She gave him a small nod as greeting. Northerners didn't believe in any flattery or dramatic gestures. It was with diplomacy and fangs that they worked out alliances and troubles. I am here to learn the pride cultures and laws of Amaryllis Her tail flicked twice behind her, feeling the hum and buzzing of insects fluttering around her.

@Aquila

@Úlla then. He stilled his expression and then briefly glanced outwards towards the horizon again. She was alone as far as his eyes could see. No escort from her brother's pride. Aquila Valour. He returned with a steadied gaze, giving less to her than she to him. If she had any prior knowledge of this land though, and if she was quick of the mind, she'd know of his own relations in the North. If she didn't she would find out soon enough then either through her mission or her brother. For your own purposes or your brother's? Aquila questioned. He was at first his usual self, opposed and feeling need to shield. He owed her nothing. But lions the likes of Iofiel, Zola back then, Nonoyo, they'd proven to have sincere interest. He couldn't discount she might be among them. But he was not going to rush to admit all either. He could only be sure she was not here for his best interest.

NORTHERN WINDS;; My own she said, before adding, but I am also looking out for potential allies for his kingdom It was easier to be truthful than saying the half-truth or a pleasing lie. Úlla was interested in Amaryllis's lands and its pride, so it was right for her to go and find what culture its prides will have. She anticipated suspicion and hoped that at the very least the leader to be of some help. Maybe southerners were more protective of their pride or maybe it was just this man before her. At least, she would like a name and a confirmed rank before she was ran away. Though it wouldn't do her nor the hollows well if it did happen. I take it you as the leader share the same rank as Magnus? Úlla asked. It wasn't meant to be impolite, but Úlla was curious about the knowledge. In some smaller bands ranks could be as sophisticated as the leaders wanted them to be. As Magnus was High Sovereign, she supposed every other lion here would be one rather than just pride leader. This would prove to be another facet of cultural difference that Úlla was secretly fascinated by. Not gendered like some tribes back home, but still with an uncertainty to what women were treated here. She had too many questions and not enough opportunities right now to ask. Úlla suspected the lion before her would not appreciate being burdened with these inquiries.
@Aquila

A little of both? Color him curious. The nebulous political matters aside he wondered what her purposes were that might differ from Magnus's. The courting of pride consorts between one another was a concept he was growing familiar with. Nymeria and Talisa entertained guests on the border who ranged from royals themselves to curious prowlers. All and any manner of between showed up. And frankly the rulers were the least concerned, most predictable usually. Lions had come here looking for stability, over and over Aquila had heard it from Furia, from her Hodari family. From guests invited into the Brooks. I do not get many visitors with their own motives. Especially not those whose family's already have a home. He mentioned curiously, engaging a little more with the conversation now. Willing to provide answers despite asking few questions himself of her, leaving it to Ulla if she wanted to divulge any more of her intentions. Until then he would assume they were merely something that aligned to benefit Magnus. I suppose you could say that. His gruff voice trailed a little bit, his eyes shifted to look over her shoulder while some thoughts had their way in his mind. In the most simple way yes, but ever himself Aquila did not see himself cut directly from the same cloth as the stranger who had fasioned himself up a throne upon Aquila's homeland. I protect this land. In this day that requires the rank. He shifted to meet her eyes again and shrugged, hiding away his frustrations and anger below dismissal and a feigned nonchalant attitude. He was not so sure if there were many other ways he and her brother could be construted as sharing a thing.

NORTHERN WINDS;; Aquila's response wasn't shocking. Seldom would a non-leader come to pride territory and ask for the sovereign. To ask even further of pride laws and culture would be rare, almost confusing. But Úlla's ready to entertain Aquila if it meant getting what she wanted. Rarely did she not get her way, either by diplomacy or spars. However, she had no time to battle Aquila, not when a possible alliance could be on the line. Consider me intrigued by Amaryllis's prides then, as a new immigrant. There was a glint of interested in Úlla's eyes as she studied him. So far she only knew of what she had seen - and it wasn't a lot. My homeland's tribes and clans are vastly different, but they are strong and well-shielded She paused, taking time to look at the surrounding. This isn't a chance for me to gauge information for war; Magnus have no intentions of doing that. If you'll tell me a little about what your culture and law are, I can certainly convince him to visit for an alliance. Úlla didn't believe it the right time for her to fully introduce herself as the Sigrún family leader yet. But if the man insisted, she could divulge him. What she wanted to have at this moment was the charisma that jarls before her had. Even as a young woman, she was unsmiling and incapable of compliments and crafty words. Always to-the-point and sometimes blunt. Her mother told her she would make a bad ambassador. And yet, here Úlla was, talking to a member of this oasis pride. What do you mean? Úlla raised her brow, curious as to what he was trying to say.
@Aquila

Aquila felt briefly like a novelty. A number of lions had grown interested in he and his family, but not so many showed up with that as their main motivation. She could not get the true picture of him, his culture. It was changing- ways of old were morphing. It was fast, it was painful. I grew up considering this whole pennisula to by my homeland, but my family largely comes from the forest in the north. We've had roots here for a long time. Aquila paused for a moment, considering the second time someone has suggested or implied relations should form between his and the Hollows pride. First Onyxia, and now the Sovereign's sister. Magnus is familiar with my cousin Nymeria, you can assure him I will make decisions with her, and my family's, best interests in mind.

His explanation would then come, tieing into what he'd already told her about the Valour and himself. Maybe it'd paint a better picture, maybe it'd make him a new enemy. 50/50 chance and Aquila would not forgo honesty. There were no real borders and we went where we pleased, gathered what we needed. Every lion on the pennisula, not just my family. His paw was absently drug along in the sand, his home's edge creeping around them on either side. Marking, defending, patrolling.... this.... this invisible line? But more and more lions have arrived and that has changed. He sounded frustrated, but more so remorseful like a lion suffering a death. It was an unavoidable emotion, it was hard to be happy when the topic of the changes his homeland was going through were brought up. They brought and founded their ways without considering who was here before, that there may have been a different way. I'm guessing that isn't how your homeland's tribes lived?

NORTHERN WINDS;; Here, Ulla knew that Aquila had no intention of lying to her. She was confident that what he said was true. Aquila himself seemed like someone who lived honestly. However, Ulla wasn't prepared to know of their family's connections. This country may not be so small after all. Of course, as I too have my family's best interest in mind Ulla said. This is why I hope we can come to an easy agreement on the possibility of something beneficial for either of us once Magnus is able to visit. Ulla was aware of what Magnus said during their first meeting in the hollow. She couldn't read anyone's minds beyond her own and that of her children. Yet still, as jarl, she had to make some calls in what prides Magnus should seek alliances with. And the revelation that Magnus was familiar with Aquila's cousin fully cemented Ulla's desire to advise her brother on an alliance with the oasis. Unless that relationship was forged on mutual enmity and distrust. Magnus will know too, when the time comes..

It was always useful to hear the history of a pride and their leader. Even better when there was something interesting in them. When Ulla was a cub, her mother spoiled her with tales both fiction and factual. She was so good at her craft that young Ulla couldn't tell which was true, as both sides bled together. Her people's nomadic ways were not their own to keep. She knew of other families and tribes that moved so much that they had nothing but each other for a home. Ulla was different; she will not encourage her kin to relive their nomadic ways in this land. Though it was now an official home, there were still places the Sigrun could conquer. Prides and territories are ripe for the taking. It was time to settle down, once and for all. It's a beautiful thing to have your form be the land and not a den Ulla admitted. Even now, her homeland's wind whistled in her ear and her god shrieked within her and her brethrens' bloodstream. Did we rip away your freedom to safely inhabit this land? An eyebrow quirked up as she studied the man.

Bits and pieces of dried blood still clung to her muzzle as she slipped her haunches down into a sitting position. She heard the frustration clearly in Aquila's tone and she couldn't fault him. It was hard to see so many new faces flood the land that had been his and his ancestors for centuries. Yet still, some kind of change must come. Change is necessary sometimes, sometimes at our own expense Ulla said. If she took a guess, then Aquila most likely invited fellow natives, and perhaps family, to his pride. Before Ulla could hear his answer to her question, the Oasis lion asked her a question as well. Some of us moved away, while others learned to adapt. Ulla herself came to seek out more of her immediate family after becoming the family head. It was a hard decision, but necessary either way.
@Aquila

As you should. He wasn't sure he could trust someone who would wheel and deal their own family out from under them. There was no sense in it from his mind, nothing to be gained save selfish motives. It added up the relief he felt, further cementing the idea the alliance they talked around was a good idea. He could expect Magnus and his family to act in their best interest, and he in his family's own. And if the groundwork already laid was proving fruitful then there was only benefit to lay his own foundation beside it. Keep Nymeria's foothold and power.It'll make both our lives easier. As I don't suspect your family has plans on going anywhere. At the very least if they reached a point where they didn't have to question or wonder about one another. Aquila did not need to hold tight alliances, did not particularly want them and was not in search of them.

Did we rip (...). He wondered for a moment if Ulla was sincerely asking him outright about her family or if this was some more broader net she was casting. I don't imagine Magnus or any of your family have done anything of that sort with intention. In fact- I haven't met anyone who seems to have done so. Most arrived not even knowing we existed. But some are not so remorseful either when it's pointed out to them, they find the truth offensive. But Ulla was interested, studious as they talked. But she was not mad or at least did not seem so. He appreciated that capacity out of lions. He then nodded, agreeing that change was part of life. However who prescribed who had to change and whose ways were kept in tact? Oh children's tales of compromise were grandiose, grander and less viable even than this idea and plot to keep this land in a way he knew grewing up. One way would win out. Change was part of life, soberingly he and his family must change and no one questioned if those who came here, those who claimed to seek sanctuary, should. He was firm in his ways as much as he was terrified. Creatures came from lands of strife and lands of violence. They brought their ways... the very ways which may have invited the conflict. Bowing to those changes would be a hard pill especially day after day as he saw how bloody the world turned. Changes are necessary, but if they should be harmful to what I love I would rather use every last breath I have countering them than to not try at all. He suspected she might feel the same in that regard...