Raven

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Ember whimpered,"What did I do wrong, daddy? What did I do, wrong?"her tears began to stream down her face again. Her voice was no louder than a meek whisper. Fear shook the young Schimba to her core and her mind kept whispering to her that her brother was right and that she was worthless. She curled against her father,"Daddy, it's not your fault. It's mine. I was bad. I did wrong. I didn't do what he asked me to and I met with Barrow. It's my fault, Daddy. It's all my fault."she whimpered against her father's chest.

Alec's eyebrow shot up, who in the beep did Jai think he was? Ember was his sister and as such was his property. He growled, once more exposing his fangs. Jai's attitude only riled Alec up even more. He again lept and made sure this time to land directly in front of him. He launched himself at him and got around the waist.

[Cloudy]

<sub>"No, daughter," Unole said firmly, gently brushing his hand across her hair. "You have done nothing wrong. Though it pains me to say so, your brother is... broken. He never recovered from your mother's death, and I, myself, was too saddened to correct his behavior. The loss of one's lifemate is a hard blow, my daughter. When you find him, never let him go." Unole, of course, had his suspicions of who his daughter's life-mate may be though he did not voice such thoughts. "Cry no more, my daughter," he murmured. "Let sorrow not hold your heart."

Jai gave Alec a bored look. When the prince struck him hard in the wits the breath left his body in a whoosh and he became angry. He became a blur as he shifted into the white wolf and snapped his head around, scoring his claws across Alec's shoulder even as he bit down hard on the feline's scruff.</sub>

[Spotify]

Ember glanced up once more to look him in the eye,"I'm sorry, Daddy. I let you down. A princessa should never be weak in front of her people. Forgive me, father."she whispered as she stood and bowed to the Schimba King. Something had changed in Ember in that moment. Something good or bad, one could not be certain.

She smiled as she rose, she wiped her tears away,"Would you like me to patrol the borders?"she asked, tilting her head to look at her. The two looked almost nothing alike. Ember for her looks from her mother, while Alec had gotten his from their father.

Alec reared back, roaring his pain and his fury. He felt the muscles in his shoulder tear and agony shot through him. He roared again as his leg gave out on him. He flailed on the ground for a moment, before he got back to his paws. His front claw shot out and scraped against Jai's eye.

[Cloudy]

<sub>Unole shook his head. "No. I'm going to announce my heir soon, and I'd like you and Alec to know before hand. And," he added," the biannual summit of the Raven-kind is coming soon. I'll have to leave one of you in charge."

Jai grunted, managing to twist his body so that Alec's claws scored across his cheek. The Schimba would heal, though it would be painful for Alec. Pinning his ears, Jai allowed his lips to curl back, his ears to pin, and his tail to lash. Blood soaked his muzzle, but it was not his. His muscles tensed as he prepared to pounce, but a voice in his mind cut him off.

Jai. Alec. Return to the Schimba home, please. Now.

Jai growled at Alec and was gone, barreling for the Schimba home. He took a quick detour, lunging for the nearby body of water to wash the blood away.</sub>

[Spotify]

Ember gulped, this is what she was waiting for her whole life. She wanted to be the heir, she wanted to lead her people, but she knew if she was titled the heir, Alec would kill her. She took a seat on the couch, running her temples. Either way Alec would win. He always did.

Alec cried out in pain as he phased into a beautiful white stag and chased after Jai. He felt himself healing, but it hurt. His anger and fury quieted the pain though. He would get Jai back for interrupting him and than harming him. A smirk appeared on his lips. At least he had scared Barrow away, maybe the mutt would stay away from Ember now. He ran, his feet carrying him fast and hard. He limped in the front door and smirked when he saw Ember recoil, but as soon as the smirk came it vanished. He realized she wasn't recoiling from him, but from Jai. His eyes darkened as he took a seat close to the princessa.

[Cloudy]

<sub>Jai allowed his form to shift as he strolled in, bowing his head to Unole. "My lord," he greeted.
"Jai," Unole said warmly, "I see you've given your enemy quite a beating. How's the eye?" Jai shrugged, leaning against the wall, his green eyes bored. Unole turned his gaze to his son, his brown eyes darkening with anger. "Alec," he said, his voice tight. "I assume you know why I've called you here, no?"

Jai yawned boredly, as though he were paying no attention, but in reality, he knew every single motion that Alec made. His attention was focused raptly on Ember, though his gaze was settled on his leader, Unole, who was watching Alec quietly. Unole was smart; he'd placed himself half-way between the siblings, and should Alec attempt to attack, both himself and the Schimba King would be able to stop him.</sub>

[Spotify]

Ember was on her feet in a second, she moved as far away from Jai and Alex as she could. Her eyes were wide, but instead of looking frightened, she looked like she was ready to kill anyone who came to close to her. She focused on her father, but kept some of her attention on Jai and Alec. She didn't want either of them too close to her. She was disgusted by both of them and disappointed in a sense.

Alec glared at Jai just before he turned his attention to his father. He smirked,"To announce me as your heir."he said, completely serious, no humor was in voice at all. He leaned back in his seat, letting his gaze drift from his father to his sister.

(Sorry for shortness doing something)

[Cloudy]

<sub>"To announce an heir, yes," Unole said, turning towards to the right. He paced a bit. "The biannual Raven-kind summit is coming soon and I need someone to watch over the tribe while I'm gone." He looked from Alec, to Ember to Jai. "Jai will be your full-time body-guard." The Schimba in question tilted his head in acknowledgement to his new role. "He will guard you well; he is the best fighter I have. You may go about your daily lives as normal, and keep whatever friends you may have made, but you will have to lead the Schimba while I am gone. Jai will help with this." Unole nodded in Jai's direction.

"The summit generally lasts three days to a week. While I do not know how long this one will last, I anticipate it will be somewhat longer. And now the time has come for me to name my heir, I suppose." Unole took a deep breath, allowing his eyes to shut. "The heir to the tribe of the Schimba shall be Ember."</sub>

[Spotify]

Ember recoiled when she heard of Jai's new role as her body guard. She didn't trust him nor did she want him anywhere near here. She turned her attention back to her father listening intently on what he had to say. Her nerves began to fray and than pure joy surges through her veins. She shot up and crossed the room in a single bound."Daddy, thank you! I won't let you down! I promise!"she said, launching herself into her father's arms. She buried her head against his chest, revealing in her newfound responsibilities.

Alec was up in one motion, his expression cleared of all humor,"You're joking, right? I'm firstborn. It's my duty."he snarled, his eyes darking. His jaw clenched and his hands curled into fists. Anger and fury rolled off the young prince and he turned."You'll regret this, father. Not only are you putting yourself in danger, but also your precious daughter."he snarled.

[Cloudy]

<sub>Unole hugged his daughter and guided her back to the couch. "One moment, daughter." He turned on Alec, his expression tight. "This is not a system of primo geneture, Alec. I am able to chose my own heir, and I'm sorry to say you've let me down." Unole shook his head. "Your... method of dealing with grief disappoints me, and I'm going to put an end to it. Ember goes no where without Jai, and he will gladly kick your butt to he curb. You can be angry at me all you like. My decision will not change."

He turned, heading towards his office. "Ember," he called after him, "I'll need you in my office tomorrow. We've things to discuss."

Hey, Jai said softly in Ember's mind, I know you're pissed about me stopping Alec, but I had to... He swallowed, glancing away.</sub>