Felicity arches an eyebrow, ever curious for gossip. "Oh? Do tell. I'm curious to know about your pride. So far your princess hasn't said much."
Felicity nods in response to Ketura's question. "Usually. King Dylan requires a certain number of years of service per pride, depending on how costly the event was-- if it's a treaty that was made out of desperation on their end, it is usually a low number. But it really all depends on how the pride wants to distribute the time around."
Felicity explains a lot to Ketura, both during the resting period and when they travel from late evening to dusk. It is general cultural information about King Dylan's pride: how it's large and the main pride is mostly reserved for ranking lords, ladies, and knights-- the best hunters and fighters of the lands. The lands around it are home to the assimilate pride that provide the labor and raw materials needed.
It is quite a wealthy pride. The Champion Kings trade amongst each other as much as they can, preferring to be self-sufficient within the family. Dylan's pride's specialty is artisan crafts such as ceremonial or expensive garments, cloths, furs and leather, and any decoration that is not metalwork.
It may become clear to Ketura that Felicity is quite different 'off-duty' than when she is working. The young lioness is chatty and enjoys a good gossip when she has the time. She has a lot of opinions about the pride she works for-- but nothing she says is specific to any lion or lioness... and she is careful to not say anything that could be interpreted as unfavorable about the royalty.
Dylan nods in agreement. "It would not do-- I do not want dissent to grow so close to home. My home should be peaceful." The King is clearly steadfast in his opinion of separating the 'loyal' pride members from those who were absorbed into his pride at a later date. "Their children, perhaps, may have a chance to live in the mainlands. It all depends on their parents and their pride."
King Dylan stays to chat a bit more about his pride, talking about the beautiful work done in the mainlands. Dylan's pride is mostly focused on artisan works. He gestures to the finely woven canopy as an example of master craftsmanship. It is not particularly detailed with color (since all the sun it blocks during travel would bleach it) but the cloth is woven with beautiful patterns.
When it is time to travel again, he bids Divine and Princess Nthanda a good evening before trotting off to rejoin Patton. A royal messenger had crafted a message to Dylan's brother, Ivan, and the King reviewed it before sending the messenger running off into the night.
When they make camp for the night, Divine and Princess Nthanda share a tent. Not the most luxurious, but there is enough space for the princess to rest comfortably without being crowded. Only the royals recieve tents. The important attendants such as Patton, Felicity, and Ketura, and ranking guard members may sleep under a few smaller canopies.
The servants sleep out under the stars. It is a nice enough night, but even if it wasn't, they're too exhausted to do anything but fall asleep quickly.
[[feel free to add whatever information you want for the time skip! my next post will be a little more info of the outskirts of Dylan's pride as they arrive to the mainlands]]
