[minifun990]

Agan and Ladon (a couple of my VOK lions)

“I know what I want to be Agan.” Ladon said, sauntring up to the cub sitter. Ladon was almost up to their shoulders now, the adolescent reaching apprenticing age. Agan smiled at him warmly, tilting their head in an invitation to walk privately away. Deva was pretending to play with Jelia but the two could both feel her eyes and ears on them. She was impatient to be apprenticed off, so much so she had tried to insist she may be older than Ladon, but as he grew and his first tufts of mane appeared it became obvious Ladon would be the first to gain a Paleophyte.

“So Ladon, “Agan asked after the two had wandered into the woods a fair distance. “What would you like to be? Have you got an idea for a Paleo? You dont have to tell me if you don't want to.”

“Id like to be leader.” Agan froze, eyes widening in shock. After all Siella had done for the youngster, this was how he repaid her? Mutiny? His mouth hung open in shock.

“Ladon?!” Agan said, aghast. Ladons confident smirk dropped. “I cant believe you, what about Siella?”

“What do you m-“ Ladons eyes alighted in understanding. “Oh no, Im not planning a takeover. “

“What are you planning then Ladon?” Agan asked.

“Well one day you guys are going to get old, you and Siella and Pulin and Dorion so someone should be ready right?”

“Thats still a fair while away Ladon, no need to worry too much.” Agan said, walking closer to comfort the younger lion, no longer so horrified by his intentions.

“I- Yeah.” Ladon murmured “you’re right. But I want to be like Siella, or sometimes Dorion. Organising the others and helping them, and helping the pride like that.”

“Hmm.” Agan hummed “Perhaps we should ask Siella herself.”


“This sounds like a nice idea Ladon.” Siella said smiling down at her adopted son. He grinned back, looking for a moment almost shyly pleased. The smile fell a little though as she looked out at Bilas and Dorion who were outside sparring. “Im not sure I have quite enough for you to do though.” She murmured, Ladons shoulders fell. Agan could see Siella wasnt dismissing the idea though, her eyes scrunched up in thought.

Siella sent a directed look between Agan and her cubs, the triplets eyes only just recently opened, but not old enough for Agan to teach. Then she strode over to the sparing too, took down Dorion as he was messing with Bilas and the three started to talk.

When Siella returned to Ladon with another smile he was playing with his adopted brothers and sisters. They were just starting to form words in orders, babbling happily to teen.

“Ill be very happy to accept you as my neophtye, though youll also be taking a lot of advice from Bilas, Dorio-” Ladon swept forward eveloping his leader in a hug, muttering thankyous over with a laugh, Siella embraced him back but pulled him off after a moment.

“I hadnt finished yet, youll have most the members as temperorary Paleophytes, Arilyn and Omisha included.” Ladon looked at her confused, his head tilted.

“It will give you more to do, plus I think any type of leader should be well rounded.”

“Thanks Siella!” Ladon replied, though he was a little apprehensive. “I wont let you down.”

(565/500)