Just Another Day

"Do you think Grandpa Bibot can help any?" Shanku asked nervously as she finished explaining to her father where she had been and why she had come home so quickly.

"I'm not sure. Between my and your actions, he's lost some of his influence," Zanzen said. "He might can get an audience for you to let you state your case."

"Sweetie, you might want to let somebody else handle the talking," Nari said with an uneasy smile. She served a mushroom stew to her family that she had prepared while her daughter and mate talked.

"Why?" Shanku asked.

"You are a lot like your father," Nari said as diplomatically as she could. "You both are wonderful warriors..."

"But you've got the grace of a drunken mino-bull!" Muso teased with a mouthful of mushrooms and roots.

"Hey, I'm a lot better than I used to be!" Shanku huffed.

"I'll do it," Hilael said.

Shanku tilted her head and turned her ears toward him curiously. "Can you?"

"You're not so good at talking people outta things either," Muso rolled his eyes.

"This is different," Hilael said simply.

"That will be a short audience," Muso muttered. Banhi smacked the back of his head. "Ow! What's that for?"

"Hilael is a lot nicer than you, and I am glad he doesn't talk as much as you do either!" Banhi said with her hands on her hips.

"So who does that little fireball take after?" Shanku whispered to her mother.

"Granny Misen," Nari shuddered.

"And proud of it!" Banhi winked. "So, Hilael and Shanku go to court. What then?"

"Then they state their case," Zanzen replied. "Explain that the Arctic, northern Plains, and some human villages are about to band together and attack all the Sylvans they find."

"However doubtful it may be that the humans will actually work with the Kurach. We are widely regarded as demons in Arnthian society," Shanku said slowly. "I'm not sure if I ever convinced Rhett otherwise."

The family ate in thoughtful silence, each wondering different things. Banhi seemed the least troubled by it and finished her small bowl the quickest.

"We'll have to go to the Imperials if the council won't listen," Hilael said at length.

"What?" Zanzen asked in shock and looked at his son.

"It's the logical step. The Heyen and other southern Plains clans are on our side and most of the Ferals work with them. The whole of the Arctic tribes and the northern Plains tribes aren't happy with the Imperials. With so many of us angry at them for their actions, and they responsible for all the fighting, it should be them that we try the hardest to convince to end this. And if they won't, we should seek allegiance with the Arctic and Plains," Hilael finished calmly.

"I think that's the most I've ever heard you say in one go!" Muso said, thoroughly impressed.

"And a good point," Zanzen nodded in agreement. "Perhaps that should be the core of your argument tomorrow."

"So, assuming the council doesn't know the finer points, that's what we should do then? Basically play messenger?" Shanku asked curiously.

"It's pretty much what the Arctic sent you here to do," Nari nodded. "With your gathered intelligence across most of L'aernth, it would be a help to the council. And with Hilael's tact, it might be received better."

"And if it doesn't work, off we go, eh?" Shanku grinned. "Sounds like we got a plan!"

"With one problem. You're technically not supposed to be back for another two weeks!" Nari said worriedly.

"I'm hoping they overlook that little detail," Shanku said sheepishly and scratched the back of her head, her wings drawn up a bit around her and her ears laid back.

"We need a good sleep tonight," Zanzen said and stood with a stretch. "Off to bed, all of us. It's going to be a long day tomorrow. I need to first talk with my father to get this started."

Nari nodded and began to usher her cubs to bed.

"Um, where do I sleep?" Shanku asked.

Zanzen and Nari had a straw nest to themselves, Hilael and Muso shared a nest, and little Banhi had a place off to herself.

"You can sleep with me," Banhi grinned and patted her small nest.

"Oi carendo," Shanku shook her head. "I won't fit. I'll just use it as a pillow. Wouldn't be the first time I slept on the floor. I guess tomorrow I'll be busy making a nest, eh?"

"We'll help!" Muso grinned. "I'll bet Jagan and his little pack will be itching to try something tomorrow."

Hilael shook his head fervently and pushed Muso down into the nest. "You should go to sleep."

Shanku giggled and settled down with Banhi. "Goodnight."