KNEEL TO THE CROWN       The colossus shrugged. "A new land revealed by the mist, and one that was spectacular enough to claimed for a pride? Certainly worth checking out." He reached back into the hole for the last kit, dragging it out with his claws in its skin. "Any information I could gather on a new pride would be useful for my father." Pale eyes snaked over the shadowed form of Artemis, finally noticing the signs of thinness that clung to the edges and curves. Being a rogue certainly was difficult. Not having a pride to procure a steady supply of food took a toll. "Here." He used a paw to snap the kit's neck, and pushed the body toward her. "You need those more than I do." Three kits for her, one for him. He could easily find more food later if he needed.       The den empty, he shifted so that he was laying comfortably on one hip. "Have you heard of Obsidian Hollow?" The male began to groom, relaxed and casual. "My father, Gwyn, is high sovereign." Feigning an itchy spot on his leg, and leaning down to let his forefangs nibble at the skin, he contemplated whether telling her about the pride would scare her off. Claiming her into the pride was a last resort, but he was not above it if she didn't seem interested in joining of her own free will. He liked her too much to let her go, now. He ran his tongue over the spot and settled an intent gaze upon her.       "If you are in need of a pride, I can extend you an invitation." Certain, he could use just an invitation. Given his rank as prince, he could also just skip the formalities. But he would not allow her to go in blind, either. His brows furrowed as he spoke the next. "Gwyn is possessive of his hoard, but he respects his sons. I can keep you safe." Safe from his father's endless lust--though he knew for certain that any female under age was safe until they grew older, and all females were safe from forcing. The fur along his spine bristled in the darkness as he recalled his father accusing him. He tried to tamp down his anger. 375 words | @Artemis STAND IN THE SUN hail to the king

His reason made sense and had Artemis been part of a pride already she still might have shown just to see who would rule the lagoon. Even with all the chaos that erupted, which had been extremely frustrating since all she had wanted to do was watch the challenge not have to deal with that over-bearing couple and their demon-spawn child. What a shambles.

His father. The ebony woman recalled the large lion with a similar clay pelt that came in just as both Zagan and Artemis were being surrounded by the idiots. Thinking about what had happened as she would quietly accept the offering once again not wasting time as she begun to eat.

Silver ears remained high listening to every word he said, still paying attention whilst she feasted. "I had not heard of Obsidian Hollow before." Artemis admitted looking up with a lick of her lips. "And I am in need of a pride." With no intentions of remaining as a rogue this seemed like a good oportunity. She had not realised this whole time that Zagan had a place where she could live in safety - far better then being on her own as a rogue.

Even as he mentioned Gwyn the woman found herself shrugging, the Obsidian Hollow king did not seem too bad at all from what she had witnessed so far. "I am interested." She would admit as if it had not been clear before she was accepting the invite.

KNEEL TO THE CROWN       The colossus was deeply satisfied by her answer. This was yet another point of proof that his father was wrong about him. That he was not a useless, blundering, idiot. Of course, Gwyn would find some way to twist thing into a negative against him. That was simply how the gargoyle worked; Scorning his sons until they either broke or came to greatness, while praising and protecting his daughters nearly regardless. No matter what his father tried to throw at him, how he tried to contort his words and actions into what they were not, Zagan would not break.       "The Hollow is ruled by the Casimir. A family where sexes are held in different regard." Pale eyes flashed, hints of anger around the edges. But it was not directed at her. As noted by the subtle flex of his claws into the ground. "My father and I are progressive among our number. While females are generally considered beneath males, he and I believe they can be equals." A lip started to curl at the idea of being similar to his father. "I believe that women are irreplaceable." Why was he telling her this? What did it matter?       To ensure she was prepared for life among the Casimir, of course. So that she would know what she was getting into. What her life would consist of from now on. He leaned forward, gazing hard into her mis-matched eyes. "Gwyn may try to claim you for his own. I will not let that happen." No, not Artemis. Not this shadow-clad woman who held so much promise in the colossus' eyes. His father would not have everything. Everyone. It was time for Zagan to start his own hoard.       Then he got to his paws, stretching as casually as though he had held no tension a heartbeat before. He shook out his mane. "Would you like to see your new home now, or later?" Gaze traveled up the tunnel they had come from. He was already tracing the route back to the Hollow in his head, counting the time it would take to get there and figuring the best way to introduce her to Gwyn and Pistis. 363 words | @Artemis STAND IN THE SUN hail to the king

KNEEL TO THE CROWN       A soft vulpine growl erupted from the shadows. The colossus snapped his head toward the noise, unsure if he was imagining it. Pale eyes narrowed on a dark mass, watching it pace back and forth just beyond visible range. Zagan lowered into a crouch, ears going back as his lips peeled back from his teeth. The kits' mother had returned, and discovered what the pair had done to her litter. She was pissed.       When the fox darted from the curtain of darkness, he was ready. Right forepaw swept out, catching the mother in her left side and sending her flying against the tunnel wall. She screeched in equal pain and rage. Blinded by both, she was dashing back in the moment her feet hit the floor. This time, she dodged the sweep and jerked her head so that her tiny fangs clasped around the lion's ankle.       "Stupid bitch!" Zagan roared as he brought his left forepaw over to smack the tiny creature from his skin. He pinned it to the cold stone and leaned his weight upon it. "You might've survived to produce more, if you weren't so foolish." The fox flailed wildly beneath his grip, slowly getting crushed under the male's mass. There was a wet crack, and the ribcage of the vulpine collapsed in on itself. It ceased its moving, dead.       Zagan bat the carcass toward Artemis with an amused expression. "Dessert?" He laughed, uncaring of the gruesome way in which he killed things. "Find me in the Hollow once you've had your fill. There will always be food and shelter for you while I am there." There was a sultry purr to his voice as he strolled up the tunnel and away.       The colossus paused as he passed the crack in the ceiling where he had originally seen the fox prints. Crouching down, he examine the tracks one more time. Ah. There were two adult foxes. The lion grinned in sheer satisfaction. The father would come back to find a massacre. With that, Zagan lifted himself and led himself back toward the Hollow. 346 words | @Artemis Zagan exits unless stopped. Trade: Ranger study and track footprints 4/4 action posts make a successful kill for food not using the hunt system 4/4 action posts gift someone a meal you caught 4/4 action posts STAND IN THE SUN hail to the king