Sequasha shoved him and Topka shoved back. Lyolis heard they were a rough pair, and it seemed there was truth behind the tales; even said they were fighting when coming out the womb, both popping out the same time.
Fuxxun snapped her finger and they came running to her side, head down. Lyolis believed they were a bit young, no how, both just turning eleven. Then again, that could be to her benefit.
Lapu looked the laziest, presenting a gift of flowers that were once a bright, vibrant stock of red, now turned a pinkish-black. "They didn't survive the trip." He shrugged and walked off.
Lyolis looked to her parents, shaking her head. When will this nonsense end.
Hagpi and Dihate both brought her weapons that she had no use for: a fine redwood bow and arrows with duck feather fletching and a stoned tomahawk wrapped in fox fur.
The last gift was given by the oldest, who seemed the most mature out of the bunch. He stood tall and proud, ready to take up the title as Chief one day. He presented her with a finely chiseled piece of rounded wood, decorated with holes and a tip to blow into.
"What is this instrument?" She asked, eyes throbbing at its beauty.
"Allow me to show you." Hinto brought it to his lips and gave a gentle blow. A high, song rang; birds swept down from the totems, swopping and singing with the tune.
Lyolis smiled warmly.
"It's called a Fickle Flute. If you know the right tunes, you can call upon animals to dance and sing with you." He chuckled. "To be honest, my father wanted me to find a way to summon beasts to our aid ... and this is the result of my failed design."
Lyolis giggled. "You aim to charm me with your failed works?"
He shrugged, "I figure it's much better than what my other brothers brought, and whatever that webbed thing he's got over there."
She peaked over at Droom, still struggling to make sense out of the courage catcher.
Lyolis brought a hand to her lips, giggling. At least he has a sense of humor.
Hinto played another tune that caught their Brusk'kabs ear. Suddenly, she was on her rear legs, swaying like a tree in the wind.
"That's the happiest I've seen her in a long time."
Hinto smirked. Eyes a bright, bark brown. "Just wait until I learn your tune." He winked. "I'll show you how it works once we've married."
Lyolis snatched it into her hands, giving it a gentle blow while the young man moved towards his parents. "Seems it works fine ... it has rid me of you."
The others laughed and he joined them. "I'm sure it's just that courage catcher repelling me away."
The group roared with laughter.
Tabonki crossed his arms while his father yelled, upset at their mockery.
"Next we have Chief Kuth and Chieftess Cathris of the cougar clan and their eighteen daughters." Caikin took a long-drawn breath then shook her head. "And their three sons Manto, Harth, and Kaloon."
Lyolis remembered the brothers from the last tournament. Each more beautiful than the last. At that time she had her eyes on Harth; the middle brother. He stood taller than the other two, his body less muscular than Manto's, but not as lean as Kaloons. Each with a golden complexion, hazel eyes, and golden-brown hair that glimmered like silk down to their buttocks; wearing thick, heavy elk hides that hung like rugs.
They were unlike the brothers of the fox clan; they brought their gift as one.
"We've brought you our family jewel, Princess." Harth said, speaking with a purr to his voice. In his arms was something rounded wrapped in golden fur. No. The fur was the gift. "We present to you, a cougar cub of our tribe."
Everybody in the crowd gasped.
Lyseria smiled, still wobbling from the wine earlier. Leofort's jaw dropped, eyes wide. Lyolis reached out and brought the soft ball of fur into her arms, like silk in her hands.
"How beautiful," she stroked the cub feeling it vibrate as a soft purr escaped its throat. "what is her name?"
"Her?" The brothers laughed sweetly. "That is a he, dear Princess. And he is Koaba born of Koina — mother of all cougars."
Everybody looked to the cub in silence, enamored by his aurora. To give a cub in a time when royal-bred beast was a rarity, was a blessing of the most divine; a gift unmatched.
Suddenly, from behind them stood five large men of the black bear clan. Each one wearing their bear-head bonnets. Faces twisted. Eyes sharp. Nose wrinkled.
Lyolis's lifted her chin towards a boy-man; the crown unable to hide the scars that tarnished his beauty. Zoar, she wanted to scream out, but instead her heart fluttered like a flock of wild geese escaping a cage.
The three golden brothers took their places by their parents while Chief Krowl stepped forward. He was as large as Leofort, though much heftier; he fat hiding his once muscular frame. He approached the Chief and Chieftess, grimacing.
"I have no gift for you," his voice boomed. "I gave you Totem's war bonnet." He eyed Lyseria. "I gave you the gem of the golden clan." "And I gave you my son -- and you banished him." He glared at Leofrot, the years of friendship gone at the swipe of a claw. "I will now take it all back!"