6) the council's decision

                                    

                                          
As the day passes mom seems to get a bit nervous by the hour. Almost an hour before dad arrived home mom was pacing around the main room. While rosa and I were lounging on the pile of furs. Rosa was messing with dillers tail. She was busy combing out the knots on it. I was currently in the lap of denzi. My eldest brother. His shifted form was that of a Panther, Rister was his father. He was the strongest of our siblings so far as he had two strips. 
He had long back hair that was pulled into a low ponytail, tanned skin, and eyes that looked like the dark blue night sky. his marks were along his wrists one on both arms. He was one of the calmer brothers I had. At the moment he was protecting me from my brothers fight that had been going on for at least thirty minutes, I could tell the older ones were messing around with geal, and homet. As they had already one strip, while the other two hadn't even shifted yet. Not to mention the size difference between them.
It seems though a bit cocky, diller was the most mature one of the cubs. Or maybe calculating as he know that he wouldn't stand a chance against our older siblings. hummm....weird. in the comic rosa's siblings never made an appearance. With how loving they are you would think they would help support their sister from a rival female. Well the comic never really went into the lives of the rivals of the lead unless they were plotting something. I wonder if it was because they died earlier on, or they had mates already.
There is too much that it had left out. I'll have to consult libby about this, and see what she thinks about this. Even parkers family we didn't see much of them. I vaguely remember a few of parkers brothers challenging him to mate bai, his mother and his father, but it never went into his childhood.
Then I thought of what momma said yesterday about pet, and guardian beasts. I wonder if I can make uncle Winston my guardian beast, that would protect him from being sent on rescue missions, like the one that caused the scar. Then I can also help him find a better female that knows the customs of this world. Someone who can make him happy. This can also deter rosa from claiming him as well, which was one of the reasons for her own downfall.
Dad hurried into the room breaking my train of thought, and shifted back into his beastman form. denzi covered my eyes with his hand lowering it once dad finished putting in his fur skirt.
"Darling I have great news. The other kings have suggested having a new castle built for the girls. It will be in the heart of the city, right between the ape and wolf territories. The only thing they asked was for us to consider a position for them. The ape king wanted to be a guardian for both of the girls, and the wolf king wanted to see if two of his sons could be pet beasts for the girls. This way if something were to happen to the girls they could also step in to protect them."
Mother seemed surprised "but what about this castle?"
"This castle is still ours, I'll travel to this one to work and come home to the girl's home. We can do this until both of them are of age. Then move back into this one. The leopard king will also use his own for work. How does that sound my queen?"
Mom was silent, thinking about the possibility, then nodded. "This is a better alternative, but normally that ape is off in his own little world, why would he want to be their guardian? Also he's markless... what kind of protection can he provide? What is he trying to get at?"
Father also seemed conflicted when mom bought up the ape king. But said "during the meeting the ape king stepped out to consult his visions about how we should proceed. When he came back he just asked to be their guardian, and nothing more. He claims he can prove easier access to resources they may need in the future, and something about helping him avoid.... disaster?"
Wasn't the ape king supposed to seem upstanding beast to the city, and the wolf and tigers trusted him? Why was dad and mom weary of him?
"How long do you think the cub's home will be built? And what would we do in the mean time?" 
Dad said "I talked with the leopard king, it will take a few months but he has a home in a village called camel hump valley that we can stay for awhile. This could be a practice for when we live together, and keep the little ones out of view of beasts that know about them"
Mother considered it, "are both families strong enough to take on ferals? What about this flame city I've been hearing about? I don't want to place our cubs at risk"
"We'll be fine, two kings and a handful of your strong mates. As long as we keep  or identities on the low, and keep the girls marks covered we should be fine. Treat it like a vacation away from the city's bustle. If we keep it on the low we shouldn't attract unwanted attention."
".....ok my king, let's do this. When we get back we will host a arena for males who wish to be our cubs guardian and pet mates. That includes rosa. I don't want to take any chances"
 
"We will prepare right away my queen."
Mom finally looked relieved, she picked me up from denzi's arms holding me close. I leaned my head on her shoulder as I hugged her neck. The males in the room start to get up and help the head male prepare for the big trip.
Humm... isn't Harvey in that village? I had a good impression of him from the comic.... let's see how he is in real life before I make my final decision.