and the final angel perished,

Manes listened quietly to what Drakon had to say, and it seemed as though his terms were largely agreeable. "I agree. If your family - the Tollaire - goes to war, we will support you if called upon. I can't speak for the entirety of the Dieudonné, but you have my support." Manes replied with a nod of his head. It was true -- the Dieudonné held a different set of values to the Tollaire, and Manes had not sorted out an 'alliance' as such with them, but he suspected they would be reluctant to stand by his side.

Still, the term was there. "Perhaps a monthly counsel between our families would be useful. Just to check in and strengthen our alliance. My conditions are similar. I have a daughter, Cassine. She's 5 months old at the minute, but I suspect your children will be too old to betroth her to. My boys are missing, perhaps they'll return home soon." He was hopeful -- perhaps in denial -- but hopeful that his sons would return. But what Manes did know, was that if they were to be bound by marriage, then an alliance would potentially be unbreakable.

"I would need to talk to Ambrosine about an alliance. She isn't very fond of my ways." But he was willing to put some things behind for that kind of thing. "I know not many like the idea of other's claiming and I don't do it very often anymore, but I won't keep my pride-mates from doing if it that is what they believe in." He will admit. Want an alliance? Drakon would be honest with him then. Nothing to hide. "Ram is nearly half her age or older, but perhaps if either of us have children soon we can set up an arrangement?" He would ask, seeking out the answer that was already there. "A monthly gathering wouldn't hurt. That way we are all on the same page." He would obviously bring Ram and Hecuba. They were part of his council now.

image by frida bredesen | art by irish

and the final angel perished,

“Yes — Ambrosine would need to be involved in this decision, but I have no issue in letting our children meet. I can’t say that we’ll be expecting soon. Ideally I’d like a pride to be settled into first.” But a second litter wouldn’t be off the cards. Attention turned to claiming. “Again I can’t speak for the male Dieudonné’s, but we only claim when a lioness is vulnerable or when a cub is at risk. Otherwise, we recruit fairly.” It was as though he was speaking as if he were a King — oh, how times had changed.

“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?” Manes asks, knowing that truth sat in the air. What else could the Dragon possibly have to say?

"I can't promise a litter with Hecuba soon or not." Also because he doesn't know that she is pregnant so very vaaague. But the thought was still there as he would look at the male before him. Drakon wasn't sure what Ambrosine would think of him right now and he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know at the time being. But then again? "No, I think we have everything covered. And you?" At least he thought they did. He was unsure about it but also couldn't think of anything else to state.

image by frida bredesen | art by irish

and the final angel perished,

It appeared as though the two former men at battle had found themselves in the tie of truth, and for once in his life the former King could breathe a sigh of relief. "I cannot say the same for myself and Ambrosine, either," He remarks in retaliation, before observing the Dragon rising to his feet. Time to leave. "I'm sure we shall meet next month -- or sooner, should an issue arrive. Bring Hecuba along?" He half-asks, half states, expecting Drakon to agree. If they had no further business, then the man would dip his head and take his leave, knowing that a decision had been reached and an alliance formed today.