*Tyra's POV*
The next morning, I checked out of the Inn and had breakfast at a place recommended by the Innkeeper. It was a decent breakfast, with fluffy soufflé pancakes, or that's what they said they were. It was quite amazing with strawberries.
I found my self at the square again, taking the time to listen to musician's that were playing. I positioned myself against a wall away from obvious eyes and observed the area. Watching the hustle and bustle of the area. Few took note of me, even of the pickpockets. Though, they seemed to avoid me. That's probably for the best.
Soon, I notice a couple of cubs playing near the fountain. Well, the black furred cub is playing. the blonde one was walking away, but her spatial awareness was a little off, likely due to the black cub fooling around, and she interrupted the performance. The musician's were angered, and the black one immediately defended the blonde cub. Telling them, boldly, that he could outplay them. They were siblings, I realized.
The musicians took the challenge, and sure enough, the black cub did out perform them. Seeing the anger rise in the adults, I began pushed past a few people and approached the situation. Too late, I realized my interference would have been unnecessary. An adult Leonin stepped in his hand closed around one of their necks, as I stared in awe.
He was simply gorgeous. His coat the exact color of shined silver, his mane a darker shade, but barely. He was living silver. And muscular. His body was made to fight, and every inch of him was solid because of it. I'd caught a glimpse of his eyes, a glorious and clear green color. My assumption about the silver Leonin being old was very inaccurate.
I felt a rush of excitement, even though, rationally, I should have been quite annoyed. I'd been enjoying listening to the music. And now, he and his cubs had wrecked it. Even as I thought this, I couldn't deny the thumping of my heart. It was both terrifying and thrilling.
Snapping myself out of staring at him, I start analyzing the situation. I believe the feelings that'd stirred was attraction. That's problematic. A tale of my clan came to mind suddenly. A silver Leonin is meant to wipe my clan out...
I took a step back within a second of breaking my stare away from him, even so, the cubs' eyes were on me. Of course. I, like them, are an anomaly in this area. People also had quickly cleared out of the area as the silver man dealt with the musicians. Needing to leave this situation, I turned and started to walk away. What a damned coward. I lost to a human and now I'm trying to run away.
If I contacted Ama about this, I'd be ordered to try and kill this beautiful man. Probably his cubs, too. I don't want that. I do have a responsibility to protect my people, though. That was never by my choice. And I won't be protecting them well if he is the death of my people. That'd include myself.
Hands clasped my right hand as I took a second step away from these people. My muscles bunched, readying to attack, I whirled and locked eyes on the black cub. I closed my right hand on his hands and lifted him off his feet.
"Silly cub," I told him, trying to release the tension in my body, "If you grab someone when they aren't expecting, they might hurt you." I set him back down, letting go of his hand, noting I had the full attention of the silver one, and the second cub had approached me. I flicked one of my ears back, uncertain how to handle this. The black cub still had my hand.
The black cub, stared at me in amazement, his sister, the blonde cub, turned her eyes from me to her brother, "Idiot, you don't run up to strangers, and you certainly don't grab them." She scolded him.
"Your sister is right, never grab strangers no matter how intriguing they may be." the Silver man agreed, as he approached, "Daelyn, let go."
"Well, where did she come from? Where did you come from?" The black cub, Daelyn, asked, letting my hand go.
"I'm not after harming your cubs." I said looking at the silver man, ignoring the cub, "Please forgive my initial reaction, grabs are generally not made by curious offspring in my experience."
He held up his hands and said "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Niece and nephew, not mine. I don't know what moron would grab you here, most Leonin here get treated with a little more reservation."
"I've mostly been in the Underdark, though, no, cub. The Underdark is not where I am from. I am from a village next to the mountain called Mount Frost's Respite." I told them.
"That really tall one with the ominous cloud. Haven't bothered going there. Always wanted to, but been a little too busy." The man replied, "And if you are mostly from the Underdark, you must have some tales of that one. For the interruption to your day, would you like to have lunch with us? I'm sure Daelyn would enjoy it, and Seralyn, here, is also quite inquisitive."
Daelyn looked excited and Seralyn looked very interested. Meanwhile, my eyes were on the silver man, still. I should decline, but I am most certainly curious, myself, about a Leonin with an excellent vocabulary. "I should decline, but you have caught my attention by having an exquisite vocabulary, not something our race are known for when coupled with ability to fight."
He leaned down to Seralyn, chuckled and said, "I think she just called me smart."
The cubs laughed a bit. "Is that an insult, to you?" I ask.
"No, but intelligence isn't what I am known for. That's my brother's thing." He replied, leading us to a place to eat.
"I wouldn't know what you're known for. The only things I heard in regards to you, and the golden one, are that you run a business and should not be offended. Though, I've never had to mind my words to any Leonin." I explain.
"How many other Leonin have you interacted with?" He asked.
To that I blinked and hesitated to answer. Counting them, I leaned my head back slightly. "Four hundred ninety-five, no, four hundred ninety-eight. Forgot to add you three." I answered. They looked rather speechless, so I added, "If it makes you feel any better, twenty-seven of those were stray Leonin, and a mere one hundred seventy-six of the Leonin in my clan are alive, still."
"That's still far more Leonin than any of us have ever met." The silver one replied.
"I suppose that would be true. I can't recommend you meet them, however. It would cause quite the issue. Your brother could, though. That may even lead to mutual amusement." I said.
"That's... interesting. Why.. pretty much just why?" He asked.
"You should not meet them, because then I'll have to try to kill you over something you're probably not apart of. Your brother may be amused because if he is as literally gold as you are literally silver then the fact that our pride is called Gold Pride, ran by the Goldmanes, would probably be very amusing." I explain.
"That does sound rather entertaining to watch. But the whole having to try to kill me thing is a little concerning." He said.
"Sorry, I'm not good at socializing. Tete did say I shouldn't be direct, and I was anyways." I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck, "I bear no grudge towards you. The story related to why is also only forty years old. Which is older than myself."
Seralyn said, "Some kind of prophesy? Or did Uncle offend someone again?"
"A prophesy that was born of a curse my previous clan matriarch bestowed upon a Leonin hunting clan of Leonin called Pride Stride." I nodded. "A silver Leonin is supposed to wipe us out and restore Pride Stride's strength."
"That's an interesting story." the silver one said.
"What's a Pride Stride? And if your clan is Gold Pride, then are they related to dad?" Daelyn asked.
"Doubtful. We were an isolated clan that didn't interact with outsiders until six years ago, Tetenius convinced our clan to allow him to be a merchant in charge of a caravan. And his only dealings are with Winter's Halt. We've never been to the North, or at least not in the last hundred and six years. Plus, there is no resemblance between the three of you and I." I shrug, as we reach where the silver one was taking us for lunch.
"To most other humanoids.. Large cat races are all the same." The silver one said.
"That's insulting." I say, "Leonin are the only ones that resemble lions. Tabaxi may include those who resemble tigers, and tigers are strong, sure, but we're the only ones who hunt openly with as high a success rate. We also do not possess 'glass jaws'. There are, of course, more differences."
"These are all solid points. And ones the others do not take into account." he replies.
"Leonin are also far more loyal to their own than most races." I point out.
"Then why aren't you attacking Uncle?" Seralyn asked. We'd all ordered what we'd have for lunch.
I tilted my head and said "A fair point. Because of my job, I was trained to not form bonds with anyone in our clan. So, without the order to do so, or proper provocation, I will not harm any of you. Besides myself, only three others in the clan know the prophesy."
Daelyn appeared to be thinking deeply on something. Then he pointed at me, "We're not part of your clan! You can form bonds with us!" He declared.
I felt a bit of anxiety squeeze my heart. But I smiled helplessly, my ears lowering slightly, and I said, "I don't know that you understand what you say, young cub. But, I appreciate the thought. Those who are bondless are a danger."
"What does that mean?" Daelyn asked, looking at me.
"Those who have no bonds, aren't grounded or connected to anything. That means they aren't good allies or friends, not that I am even sure how to be either of those things. I have my orders, and I have my general disdain for others. I'm dangerous because I will probably kill another if they hinder me." I explain. I felt awkward and uncomfortable, and one of my ears flicked back in uncertainty. I felt disconnected. I'd turn on my clan, for sure, if I had to for my survival. But I don't know if that applies to outsiders. If anything, I've been passive towards others, only being hostile towards the Underdark and my clan members.
"What's your plan right now? If your bondless but have a purpose or goal?" The man asked.
"My task is to find a new home for my clan to occupy. My recommendations were shot down, so I have been ordered to find a safe place to move to," I tell him, then smile guiltily, "I'll admit I am also treating it as an extended vacation while doing so. I intend to explore the North before doubling back and stopping by Ymir's Town and making Ama's problem the Sultan's concern."
He laughed, as we received our orders, and said, "I've done the same, from time to time, much to my brother's annoyance."
"See? That's the beauty of my plan. They'll think I've been mindlessly following orders as they always think." I grin. Then after remembering how I questioned one of his employees, I added, "I cornered your employee because I was curious. I kept hearing about silver and gold leonin, and he was paying to much attention while I asked."
"Sounds like someone needs a refresher of how to be discreet. But who am I kidding? We already know who it was." He said.
"To be fair, if it wasn't for my time spent in the underdark, I wouldn't have picked up on it." I admitted. "Just figured I'd cut to the chase since he'd said he'd be informing you both of our conversation. I didn't hurt him."
"No, no, no. We're aware nothing was done to him." He said, "We were just expecting more of a.. chase.. I suppose?"
"Ouch.." I said. "That wounds my meager pride. But no, I'd just figured you two wouldn't have a territorial dispute if I moved my clan nearby. And if I was wrong, it could be dealt with later."
He laughed and said, "The only territory James worries about is a merchant moving in on clients. And I do believe you said a clan member of yours is a merchant."
"Yes, Tetenius. He's the head of the merchant caravan. He's in charge of all the trading our clan does. As I understand it, he's a fair hand at it. Though, I've never seen his skills myself." I shrugged.
"Well, more than likely my brother will try to recruit him, or buy him out. If he comes up here. Depends on what kind of merchant he is, what kind is he?" He asked.
"I apologize. I haven't studied the differences between mechants. I can not answer that. Any good procured for our clan has been done so by him. We make everything we use ourselves, so he sells the excess. I could ask him, if you'd like." I offer.
"Well, if he doesn't mind a, hopefully healthy, bit of competition, then it's fine. It sounds like he's a general goods merchant." He said.
"I suppose that fits. What leonin doesn't enjoy competition?" I asked.
"Usually the ones that lose." He said.
"Valid. I can't say any leonin in my clan challenge me anymore." I remarked.
"Sounds like someones injured their pride a few too many times." He noted.
"When you're smaller than everyone else, people think they can push you. When necessary, I have beat them all into submission. Even Vidorial, because he tried to overturn one of my verdicts." I tell him.
"You sound like quite the little ass kicker. We'll have to have a sparring match sometime." He says.
"Sure. Could be fun." I replied, "Or I could be lying."
"I would certainly hope not, that'd be a bit of a let down." he said.
I shrugged and said "Could be anyways. As of yesterday, I learned that it may be that I'm not that strong, but rather I am far more capable than my clan members." I was a little annoyed while admitting this.
"The only way to determine something like that is through combat and experience." He said.
I noted Seralyn nudge Daelyn to being quiet. She was observing us. Why? "What weapon do you favor?" I ask him.
"The greatsword, myself." He replied.
I laughed, "I can use any weapon, but I prefer a great axe that I found in the Underdark. It's metal is red."
"That sounds like an interesting item you've acquired." He said.
"I've procured a great many things from the Underdark." I shrugged, "My axe is by far my favorite find. But, my favorite treasure is the first thing I ever purchased, this bracelet."
"That looks like you," Daelyn pointed out to his uncle, his sister jabbed him in the ribs and he defensively said, "I'm not wrong!"
I looked at my ornate silver bracelet with emeralds embedded in it, amused, "Yeah, I guess it does look like your uncle."
Daelyn was glad of my agreement. Their uncle laughed a little and also agreed with Daelyn that, "Yes, it does."
Maybe this was the reaction I'd had to seeing him. Maybe the excitement from when I was a little girl and saw the bracelet for the first time had bubbled up when I'd seen him. I looked at him for a moment, bemused, then said, "I'm called Tyra Silverstep, by the way, the Arrow of my clan."
He offered his hand and said, "Dirthin Hearthry, bodyguard. Though, sometimes I feel more like a butler."
I took his hand to shake it, pleased with the introduction. "Much similar, only I'm not paid."
"Well, thats unfortunate. You should always be paid for what you do." He replied, shaking and releasing my hand.
I took my hand back as well and shrugged. "It's hardly a necessity for me to be paid by this point. I've more than enough accumulated wealth and treasures from the last nine years of murdering Underdark creatures. But I suppose Tetenius would agree with you. He was oddly perturbed by my being sent on this errand."
"Oddly, huh? An odd choice of words for a clan mate. Or is this arrow position not one out of respect?" He asked.
With a pensive look, I answered, "It is supposed to be, but it is not. I recieved the title when I returned from a situation I shouldn't have been able to. Since then, I have been responsible for fixing every problem and annoyance the clan experiences. I wasn't meant to survive, and I even have a tombstone with my birth name on it."
"I don't believe I understand the desire to stay... anywhere near them." Dirthin said.
"There is no such thing." I tell him with a sigh, "And I don't intend to much longer."
"It sounds to me, the sooner the better on that." He said.
"Yes. Most likely." I agree. I didn't wish to say much more in front of the cubs in regards to my clan. So instead I said, "If any of you ask any questions, I'll answer as truthfully as possible."
"You know, this is sounding far more like an interrogation, and I am not currently on the job." Dirthin said. Then suddenly, "Do you like books?"
"Yes, but they crumble if you hit people with them." I joked.
"You don't hit people with books!" Seralyn said, aghast.
"I don't, no. But Tetenius used to. He thought it'd make Maroulai grow intelligent. It did not." I replied, amused. "I take it you are fond of books?"
"Very." She said, her tone nearly offended.
I chuckled at the girl and reached into my bag, past the false bottom and into the bag of holding, I withdrew a thick and very old book about a lost city of the continent. I'd found it in some ruined Underdark city and restored it. It was written in a nearly lost version of the Sylvan language. "As I understand, this is the only copy of this book. Can you read it's language?"
She carefully took the book, opened it, and after a moment, "Yes, I can read this." She said.
"You may keep it, then. I've read it a few times." I shrugged. "If my estimation is accurate I found that book three-thousand and two miles below Mount Frost's Respite. It was an annoying repair."
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"It probably has more value to those who comprehend value. To me, it is an interesting trinket I picked up somewhere, and enjoyed briefly. So yes, I am sure." I nodded.
"Well, I'm not sure on the value of it, I'd have to take it to an appraiser to find out it's value, but I am more interested in the contents within." She replied.
"Besides, I have many more books than that. Found around the same area and deeper." I said.
We'd finished eating by then. Seralyn said, "I'd love to read them."
"Well, we'll have to do that another time. It's time to get you two, back to the estate." Dirthin said to the kids. Then to me, "If you are ever looking for work, or wanting to stop by and check out the books Seralyn has collected over the years, then come by the Lucky Stone, or our home. Anyone can guide you to either."
"It was nice speaking to you all. I am glad I was able to put your mind at ease after my actions from a few days ago. I'm unlikely to bother you and yours further, though. Be safe." I smiled, inclining my head slightly.
"It's not a bother. It's nice to talk to someone who is worth the conversation." Dirthin replied.
"I'll.. keep that in mind, Dirthin, Daelyn and Seralyn, your company has been pleasurable." I replied. Though, I had no intent to see them again.
We left the restaurant and went our seperate ways outside, with Daelyn waving.
Meanwhile, I saw no reason to continue being in this city. It wouldn't lead me to anything of value past this meal with that family. With this thought, I set off towards the North gate, heading for a place called East Haven. That I'd heard of.