[minifun990]

Axicret ceremony
The day had started off strange. As his coming of age task Siella had told him to inspire the pride to move. As in move from the perfect den spot within the territory. Whats more is he wasnt supposed to bring up that it was Siella had given him the task. It was rubbing wrong on his instincts but he gave it a go. He managed to convince Jelia and was in the process of convincing Viktor when Eleri stormed over.

“What on Sha’s beak are you gabbing about this time Ladon.” Ladon smiled at his sister but she just scowled back.

“Well…” He looked at her, she probably could be told, it was their mother's command. “Mum said to convince the pride we need to move.” Eleri closed her eyes while Viktor just looked confused.

“Why? She never -” Viktor asked, Eleri looked sharply at him, shushing him with a shove. It made Ladon’s instincts fire on overdrive. What were they hiding?

“Maybe I'll go ask her.” Ladon replied cheerfully, taking note of how Eleri’s eyes widened. Viktor still just looked confused but that seemed to be his general state of being.

“NO” Eleri snarled. Ladon couldn't help but flinch a little from her tone before reassuming his characteristic air of confidence.

“Why not? Mum will surely clear this little mess up.”

“She is not your Mum, Ladon.” Eleri growled, Ladon frowned again, hurt his sister was being like this. He’d suspected Eleri never accepted him as her older brother but to have it proven with such poison in her voice? It hurt.

“Eleri… Sis… She’s my mother too, Siella cares for me.” Viktor nodded to Ladon, looking disappointed at Eleri. It was clear he took Ladons side and seeing that only seemed to rile the young lioness up. She looked like a volcano ready to erupt. Her jaw was working, her tail lashing, her fur ruffled.

“You.” She hissed, almost seeming to stop herself. “You're probably the one making her sick you-” She growled, and stormed off, kicking anything in her path of fury. Ladon just gaped at her retreating back. Sick? Siella was sick?

“You didn't know,” Viktor said from beside him. As Ladon looked over, his mouth still open in shock he could see the deep sadness in Viktors eyes, sadness and sympathy for Ladon. No he couldn't believe it, Siella was fine. At most she probably just had the sniffles or something.

“Siella’s a fighter, she’ll beat whatever is wrong so hard it will cry.” Ladon joked, but it fell flat, even to his own worried ears. Viktor just shook his head a little.
“Hopefully, but we’re worried.” Ladon just nodded, his own concern mounting. He almost ran back to the pride, skidding into Siellas den. Was she talking to the wall? She spun to face Ladon, a soft smile on her face.

“There you are! I was wondering when you'd come to hear what your Axicret was.” She said, looking at Ladon as if she hadn't just sent him on a wild goose chase. Horror filled understanding dawned. Whatever sickness Siella had wasn't physical, it was mental. Much worse for the future of the pride. Ladon laughed a strained laugh, one born of panic and sounded a little like the cackle of a mad man. It was his go to in times of stress though, humour and a confident front.

“You know me, always getting distracted with the others, so what is my task great leader?”

His next task made much more sense, and was a bit easier. Leading a hunt and sorting a couple of minor disputes, though he was pretty sure the one between Pulin and Agan was fake considering how often either smiled dreamily at the other once they thought Ladon wasnt looking.

The terrible feeling remained though, knowing his mother and paleo was sick with something Omisha couldn't heal. Ladon just hoped she could heal anyway.
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