He'd been there.

As the panther soiled her grubby claws, he'd been there. As she bled her heart and passion in to the earth, he'd been there. She made this place, as much as one could with trying to claim nature for her people. Carved it, shaped it. She was crowned and made royal as her followers rallied to her, some so very quickly, others with reservations. He'd stood watchful in the background, keeping distant, respecting the power she wielded. Bearing witness to it all since the beginning.

So, like an old friend he flowed into this gathering, wet and glittering with a fresh sheen of the sea. Water pooled at his feet as Naga spoke, expression neutral. She explained that she had been challenged, and that she had forfeited her battle. He smirked openly, eyes alight with silent laughter. Bold, kitten. To claim her loss as a gift to Nayl, bold.

She'd been challenged, yes, and she'd choked. The painted woman had won by default, though she was given no such credit here. That one could take care of herself however, and did not require anyone to speak on her behalf, to defend her. Those who had cared enough for their panther queen had watched their battle, and knew these words for what they were.

The leadership passed. Naga stepped down and Nayl took her place. He carefully watched the former queen join the ranks of the ordinary with hurt pride, the few that still remained here. When she'd founded this paradise, he'd seen a strength within her the others hadn't. Her lengthy absence, and the absence of the majority of her people, had diminished that strength. Dulled it. She would find it again, though.

Nayl's voice carried easily and he honed in on her. There was a new strength in Nerine now. A much needed one as the land grew silent and dusted. She had remained when nearly all others had become ghosts. Even he had left for a wretched stint in the Meadow as he waited for this kingdom to tumble to ashes before he would reclaim his cavern. He had seen it coming, but perhaps his early return was not all that bad. He had been able to learn more of Nayl before she would become Queen.

Rich, autumn eyes met his deep blue-grays. His own eyes narrowed imperceptibly in response, but that slow smile crept across his lips. Always the thinker, she. What was she planning?

The tone of the pale mare, Celeana, soured the clean air. His hungry gaze slid carefully to her like a prowling gator at the water's surface. She spoke of castes and ranks, surrounding countries. Her next words tug a cold chuckle from his throat. "As our new queen I suspect you have already planned our possible future allies." It seemed his kitten had a pet of her own. A poorly trained one, at that. Where Naga had grace and feral power, this one only had that growling-kitten face he'd grown to despise.

The challenge in her voice belied her current station; far, far beneath her new queen. It forced his smooth voice to trickle over their ears. Your own precious cat had no such plans laid out.  Curb your tongue, or I will eat it. He paused long enough for that to sink in. There may have been considerations as to how her tongue would taste, but unfortunately he suspected it would be rather dry and bitter. Pity.

He'd once felt compelled to react to such rebellion on behalf of Naga, at her own meeting. However, despite concern for how she was treated, he had not. He'd seen who was in charge then, and it wasn't the dark woman they'd named queen. This time, the queen really was the one in charge, and she'd not be casting him out simply for having an extra leg. Enjoy that one, ladies.

What ranks she chooses to keep or do away with, and who fills them, are none of your concern. She is your leader. If you don't like it, get the hell out. And good riddance, insolent curr. He turned away from her dismissively.

It was essentially the same thing he'd nearly said at Naga's meeting so long ago. Some of the women here were too barbaric for diplomacy and he dearly wished they'd figure that out already and bugger off. Nothing was keeping them here. Why did they accept a leader then turn around and hate everything she said and did? Idiots.

They may not have chosen Nayl this time around, but her title had been earned fairly. More than fairly, if they considered how long the land had been quiet. She'd even taken the time to wait and hope it would revive when she could have just taken over then. Perhaps she should have, then this one could still be hiding under a bush somewhere.

Cold gaze returned to the new Queen. He nodded solemnly.
Perhaps these heathens could learn respect, yet.