Lion's Heart - Ch 1
"Lion's Heart"
Author's Note: Thanks to tpkyteroo for helping flesh out this concept, and for her encouragement! Plus, "Ole The Viking" located at: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3862141/ was pretty much my inspiration for this... If anyone can suggest any other tags to be added -- let me know. Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Three men of differing species clustered around a round worn oak table, peering over a map. A bruiser of a lion-man was jabbing at a specific spot, and growling softly in frustration. "This has to be a good spot to dig a new well!"
A wolfish male sighed irritatingly. "No, Lek'nor, that's too close to the far edge of the village -- not close enough for us."
"What do you suggest then, Chi'lah?" Lek'nor ground his teeth into silence, staring at the Wolf, then the third member cleared his throat. He glanced up at the middle-aged human who looked rather uncomfortable. "What is it, Beron?"
Beron shook his head. "We don't mind walking to fetch some water, but, well, how about this spot?" He leaned toward the map and pointed in another spot on the other side of the village but near the center.
Chi'lah blinked and leaned in and grumbled. "That is acceptable."
Lek'nor shook his head, finally glad to agree. "Yeah. I agree. So we all dig tomorrow? Our usual group?"
Beron glanced at Chi'lah expectantly. Chi'lah dipped his head, and spoke quietly. "Yes. We will be there in the morning."
Footsteps echoed behind the three, making them all look at a younger human male who froze sheepishly. He ran his hand through his dark curly locks, and looked down at the floor, partly out of respect, and embarrassment. "Uh, sorry. Just wanted to talk to Father..."
Lek'nor's eyebrows knitted together in slight irritation, then he sighed and gestured. "Meeting's over. I'll meet you with our digging crew in the morning."
Chi'lah bowed incrementally, and turned, his grey robe swishing around his ankles, then left without another word. Beron smiled at Lek'nor, then looked at the younger human. "Don't forget sword practice later." He strolled on past Tobias who nodded in confirmation, then leaving the Lion Chieftan and his son alone in the house.
Lek'nor sat down behind him on a sturdy chair with a thump, then reached for an earthenware jug on the floor by him and took a large swig. He grimaced as the liquid burned down his throat, then wiped his mouth with the back of his large hand. Capping the jug, He set it back on the floor, then smiled tiredly. "What's on your mind, Son?"
Tobias was silent for several lengthy moments, then glanced up into his Father's green eyes with nervousness. "I want to return to where I was found."
Lek'nor stood up, and walked to the left the chair to a wooden box set against the wall, then leaned on it heavily. His voice was roughened with tension. "Why?" His shoulders hunched down as he took a deep sigh, then turned around. He fiddled with his cream-colored braided beard and refused to meet his son's eyes directly.
Tobias stepped toward the Lion, and spoke with determination in his voice. "I know you said there was nothing left...but I have to see it with my own eyes. Maybe there's something you or the others missed. I want some sort of proof..."
Lek'nor growled at his son briefly, and snorted unhappily. "...If that's what you want. I'll take you back there."
Tobias protested, slashing the air with his hand at an angle. "But I can go by myself!" He stood his ground, as he watched his Father's expression turn stormy.
The lion stiffened, as he stood taller. His voice brooked no argument, as his green eyes glinted dangerously. "No! You are my second in command. My heir. I refuse to let you go alone." He stepped toward his son, and whispered gruffly. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you somehow..." He laid his hand on Tobias' shoulder, then squeezed softly.
Tobias nodded dutifully, although he wasn't entirely happy with it. "Yes, Father."
The lion relaxed, then smiled toothily, and clapped his son's shoulder. "We'll talk more at 4th meal. Oh yes, don't you have sword practice?"
Tobias smiled back at his father, feeling slightly glad to escape with his skin intact. Then he felt a stab of guilt - but only slightly. After all, he'd accomplished something by getting his Father's permission. "Yeah, I do, but it's not for an hour."
Lek'nor nodded, and held Tobias' face in his hand for a second, then turned to the table to roll up the village map. "In that case, maybe you could help get our digging tools out of the storage area? We need to dig a new well."
Tobias stared at the Lion's broad back. He blinked and shook his head, suddenly feeling uncomfortable for some reason. "Uh, Sure." He started turning toward the entrance of their dwelling, and was nearly there when his father called out.
"Wait up, Tobe." He loped toward his son with a long stride, easily catching up to Tobias. "It'll be easier with both of us getting them out."
* * *
Tobias was sweating as he desperately parried another lunge from his weaponsmaster -- and then danced backward, trying to find a weak spot. They were in a dirt clearing on the north end of the village. Today seemed to be a bad day for him.
Beron was correcting his flubs, as they did a dance with their wooden blades. "Keep your knees bent, and keep moving. Yes, that's better. Don't drop your guard, or someone will slice through you."
The swarthy weaponsmaster grinned and twisted his blade slightly, disarming Tobias suddenly. Then a second later, his blade touched Tobias' chest, as he stated mockingly. "Dead."
Tobias kicked the ground, and cursed quietly, then went to retreive his blade. He held his blade out in front of him in the correct stance, and waited.
Beron smiled. "Good form. Now ready for more?"
They continued for another two hours, when Beron called a halt. "Okay. That should be enough for today."
Tobias panted heavily, using the blade as a support while he caught his breath. He glanced up at Beron barely working up a sweat, and mumbled softly. "Great."
Beron tapped the top of Tobias' head with the flat of the wooden blade, and chuckled. "You have to work on your stamina -- are you helping out with the dig tomorrow?"
Tobias stood up and stretched his back, holding the blade above his head. "Um, Probably. Unless Father has something else for me to do." He lowered his arms, and handed the blade to Beron, who took it proudly.
Beron scratched the dark five day old stubble on his cheek, then spoke. "Definite improvement, but you seem to have your head in the clouds sometimes. You need to focus more."
Tobias blinked in surprise, and began stretching his arms. "Really? I thought I was doing everything wrong."
Beron smiled, and gestured to the village center. "Come on, I'll walk you to your place, and we can talk about it. If you want to."
Tobias sighed, and shrugged. He wasn't sure if he wanted to talk about it with Beron, but he didn't want to really discuss it with his father.
* * *
Beron stood outside Tobias' straw-thatched house, and clapped his hand on his apprentice's shoulder. "You really do show improvement. I'll see you tomorrow at the digging site, maybe." He becomes a bit solemn before leaving, and taps Tobias on the forehead lightly. "You do have to focus. Whatever it is, it has no place on an actual battlefield."
Tobias, subdued, nodded once. "Yes, sir."
Beron stared into Tobias' eyes for a moment, reading what was there, and then smiled. "Good. I've got to get to 4th meal, or the mistress will raise hell." He turned and waved behind him as he left.
Tobias watched Beron's back disappear around the corner, and sighed gloomily, then entered his dwelling. Beron was a nice guy, and made his workouts difficult which he appreciated, but he didn't want to burden him with his worries about his parents.
In truth, he was starting to have bad dreams. Dreams about chaotic screaming, and burning flames which woke him in a cold sweat, almost every evening. Thankfully his Father didn't seem to notice over the last two weeks, but he couldn't really wait much longer to find out the truth. Shaking himself out of those dark thoughts, he looked up and went further into the house.
He walked into the main space, and smelled spices, then heard frying oil. His Father was cooking? With spices? He must really be trying to impress me. He called across the main room, "Father? I'm back."
He heard his father's deep voice shout from the kitchen, "Have a seat - it should be ready in a minute." Tobias shrugged, and sat at the round table wondering what his father had prepared. He saw that the table was already set for them. Hmm, he normally never sets the table or cooks that much. Can't say that I really mind this once not having to do it... but why is he doing this?
Within minutes, Lek'nor brought out two big trays of roasted bird split up into pieces, and a steaming pile of potatoes, carrots and onions.
Both of them started helping themselves to the hearty food in silence. Lek'nor tore through the drumstick with a zeal, then paused to glance at his son briefly, who was picking at his food, and nibbling at it. He spoke with his mouth half-full. "Don'cha like it?"
Tobias was startled out of his preoccupation, and blinked at his Father. "Oh. yes, I like it. I'm just not that hungry." He maintained eye contact with his father, feeling troubled. "Why did you cook this? I mean, you don't normally cook. Well... not like this."
Lek'nor sighed, swallowing his meat, and set the bone down on his plate. "I... I was afraid that this day might come. That you would finally ask about your birth parents." He exhaled sharply, and tapped at the table with a talon. "I don't know where your parents are -- or if they are dead. There was nothing recognizeable - I mean we found a few burned skeletons, but couldn't figure out who they were - when we arrived at your home village."
Tobias leaned forward with slight hope. "That means they might still be alive!"
Lek'nor sat back and sighed, closing his eyes. "Maybe. That's why I'm coming with you. Maybe there's something I missed the last time around. Fires were still raging there, when I found you... I didn't really have enough time to search thoroughly."
Tobias took a deep breath of relief. "Thank you."
Lek'nor waved his hand tiredly. "Yea, Yea. It'll have to be the morning after tomorrow. There's a well to dig, and I have to arrange for someone to take my place until we return. Let's eat."
Tobias started to dive into his food with more gusto, feeling better than he had in the last week.
Lek'nor gazed at his son with sadness, then bent to eat a bit more slowly.
* * *
The next day passed by very slowly for Tobias as they spent all day digging a new well. He'd noticed that his Father had disappeared for a while along with the other two council representatives, but he knew it was to make plans for their departure tomorrow morning. Tobias wasn't really sure if he wanted his Father with him on the trip to discover the truth about his parents, but on the other hand, it felt comforting to have someone watch his back... just in case.
Later that night, Tobias lay awake, not wanting to be alone. He also didn't want to wake up with the nightmares, so he got out of his bed, and went to his Father's bedroom. He held a small candle in his hand that he'd lit moments ago.
He knocked on the archway. "Father?"
Lek'nor blinked, and yawned, then saw his son in the door. "What is it, Tobe?"
Tobias hesitated, feeling awkward standing there only in trousers. "Uh, can I sleep with you tonight?'
Lek'nor smiled softly, scritching his beard. "Like when you were little?" He then lifted the blanket back and patted the bed. "Sure. There's plenty of room."
Tobias went to the side, and set the candle on the small table next to the bed, and blew it out. He crawled onto the bed, and under the blankets.
Lek'nor chuckled and pulled the blanket up over his son. "Hope you don't toss and turn as much as you used to..."
Tobias snorted, and wriggled closer to snuggle up to the lion. "No promises."
Lek'nor laughed softly and wrapped his arm across Tobias' chest. "Ach. Go to sleep, cub."
Tobias snorted, and closed his eyes, feeling his Father's warmth seep into him, comforting him as he fell asleep.
[TBC]