Nexys had kept a close eye on the male saber and the cubs he brought with him. Alaina's tale of how they came to be in the pridelands made Nexys curious. None of the cubs looked to belong to the male, nor did they look anything like one another and Nikolai didn't seem quite old enough to sire a litter either. If Nexys could guess, he would say Nikolai was about a year, maybe a little more. But his deteriorated state could be deceiving.
That was another thing that Nexys couldn't put his paw on. The cubs were all in great shape. Fat and healthy. Nikolai on the other hand, was on the thin side and he didn't seem to be able to hunt well on his own. Nexys was a little worried if the mute male would be able to intergrate into the pride and be a useful member. They didn't have enough members in the pride right now to carry an adult male's responsibilities. Nexys wasn't even sure if the male had any way to communicate with anyone other than the cubs. Alaina had told him about the strange written language of Nikolai.
As a warrior, he could see the potential behind such a language, but in order for it to work, he would have to train all of his people in the language. Would that even be possible? Nexys wasn't sure. The pride was changing. Going in new and uncharted directions. The future was not certain and Nexys knew he would soon have to call upon Ranya and Afua to discuss their future. Things had to change. To progress in a structured society.
The king watched as one of the cubs explored, staying far enough away that his brown pelt matched with the reddish bark of the trees. He meant the child no harm, he was just curious. His stomach turned. Those old warrior instincts told him something was off here.
Quietly, calmly, Nexys neared the cub. He didn't want to frighten it, just as it some questions. "Hello there little one." He said with a gentle smile. "Are you looking for something?" He asked, noticing she was sniffing around for something.