The stable master at Lions Pride was a gnarled old chinaman by the name of Ou Chi. Ou Chi was a very curious old creature who had fascinated the catling since the day he first came to the stable doors begging for a cup of water. A fact attested to by the sheer improbilbility of a hundred and some odd year old begger suddenly finding himself hired to run a pegasi stable.

Not that Ou minded much. The old man had a unique reverance for the magical creatures he was to tend. He treated each one as if it were the finest treasure of a hundred thousand kings.

One would normally not think to find a human male in his hundreds doing the physically challenging work of the daily care and feeding of a herd of twentysome pegasi, But Ou Chi was remarably fit despite his outward apperance. He attributed this to a daily cup of ginger root tea, and a diet of rice and philosophy.

He was often to be found in the nest boxes of one of the pegasi reading from delicately painted rice paper scrolls, holding untold ancient wisdom no doubt. Kina never really could be quite sure as she didnt speak or read mandrin. But the animals seemed to enjoy the soothing tones of his voice and would often cluster around just to listen.

The old man was feircely protective of his charges. One night several jockies from a rival stables had snuck into the barn intent on causing mischief before the next days races. The poor boys had never even seen Ou coming. The next day when asked how they had ended up with black eyes and cracked ribs all they could stammer out was "Ou Chi" Needless to say the incident was never repeated.

Not only where her feet wet. But a strange looking horse with wings was staring at her. And on that horse creatures back A dark haired woman with the golden eyes of a cat.. dressed in mens clothing no less.

Ono was not sure if this was nore or less frightening than the smelly old guard so she did the only thing that she could think to do at that moment. She fainted.

When she came too there was a strange old man hovering over her muttering in a language unlike any she had ever heard. The cat eyed woman was provideing her with new clothes and telling her she could stay as long as she liked.

And so she did.

When someone Knocked on the door of Lions Pride they most often were greeted by the newest member of the staff at the main house. And that is exactally what happened now.

A child like form with the grey hair and specticals of an old woman answered the door with a wide smile and a very quick, "Hitherehowareyousisntitveryhottobestandinginthesunlikethatwhydontyoucomeinside?"

And even as she spoke a little hand was darting out to tug the lad eagerly inside the main foyer, a large airy room tiled all in white marble and angleing to a winding double staircase.

"ImLiabettaLonglostiaLynchly. Whoareyou?"

"Ajob?Really?ThatssomthingyoullhavetabetalkingtoMissyKinaabout.Ijustlookafterthelittleones...wheredidtheygoanyway?"

The fast talking kender wandered away, to look for the cubs or for the mother was unclear.

A few moments later the Dark haired golden eyed catling wandered out of what appeared to be the door to an office to the left of the foyer. She heads right for the new arival with a smile.."So you want to work for Lions Pride? Ever ridden a pegasi?"

Kina looked thoughtful for a moment then smiled and nodded. "You can fill in the pit traps that my former mate left!."

This was really very fortunate because she had been looking for someone to do just that. One of the foals had fallen into one just this morning and was doing somewhat badly. Luckily it hadnt been one with the spikes installed. She really would have to kill Quiet then.

"there are thirteen of them.. all about twelve feet deep and nine feet square." The catling instructed " While you are working you can have room and meals with the stablehands and Ou will see that you get paid same as they do."

Kina headed out the door to the stables not waiting to see if the boy followed or not.

Shy brown eyes peeked over the hedge watching the one who was filling in those holes. He really was rather good looking with his shirt of and the girl could not resist staring. Now all she needed was an excuse... and the pranceing stallion behind her gave her the perfect excuse at that moment.

"You there boy! Come give me a hand... Cat-astrophy has a stone in his hoof and I need help getting it out!"

Grabbing the limping stallions rein and leading him around the hedge to where the boy worked she stood grinning impishly, and looking every bit like the boss lady herself.

"Just hold his head up there by the harness a minute would you?" the young woman smiled as she asked this "I'll have to pick the stone out."


Once he had a grip on the harness a signal from the girl had the well trained stallion lifting the injured hoof in the air. Swift fingers and a little healing magic had the stone knocked loose and the bruise soothed in seconds.


"You must be new around here... I'm Kireth."

A faint blush colors the young womans cheeks. "Umm Thank you. I am pleased to meet you Thasgot."

Noting the itching of the neck a genuine look of concern creeps over her features. "Oh my... Have you gotten a burn from the sun? Let me take a look at it!" This said even as she edges around behind the young man.

A tisking sound and a little laugh from the younger catling. "Oh dont be silly! Im the resident healer here at Lion's Pride. Tis only my job to make sure that everyone stays well and whole."

And since that subject seamed exhausted for the moment... Kireth turned to look at the progress of the hole filling.

"Do you know If they found them all? I know Gran has had the hands out looking for any more traps." and seeming to flit from topic to topic like a nervous butterfly " poor little Cattail is gonna have a lame wing because of his fall."

Dark brown eyes go wide with concern yet again. "You were not hurt I hope? I think you Might be right on both counts... I think he took protecting the cubs to the points of insanity. I mean who in their right minds puts pit traps and snares around infants?" An offended huff from the catling and shes sliding down to sit on the ground still holding on to Cat-astrophys reins.

"I really dont know what gran was thinking when she married him... Except maybe that she was lonely."

"No Que is not still around.. I think gran might kill him If he was. He hasnt even made an attempt to see the cubs yet." A bit of a growl in the younger cats voice at this. "Mates really should not go off and leave their pregnant partners alone... Its just not right."

Chocolate eyes look up at Thasgot. "Iffin you were expecting young with a woman would you walk out on her?"